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| Who is that masked Isotope batting against the Phils? Seriously, we don't know. |
TWIB Notes Week 10 Week 1: Return of America's Game
The Year 2020 is destined to be remembered by what the Germans would call a shitstorm - but at least there finally is baseball.
The 6th year of TNB+50 finally got underway this week, albeit with two-thirds of the season down the drain thanks to the COVID-19 shutdown. With the abbreviated season reduced to a 5-game scramble for playoff position, Week 10 -- err, Week 1 was not lacking excitement and action. On Wednesday, the expansion Isotopes won their first-ever game by besting the Phils 1-0, the Wonderboys got off the deck to score twice in the final inning to snatch a 2-1 victory from the Plug Uglies, and on Thursday, the Fainting Goats put an old fashioned thumping on the defending league champions Dorian Grays 11-3.
All we can say is bring on Week 2 - and don't forget your masks!
Isotopes 1, Phillies 0WP - Gary Webber, LP - Max Strubel
Gary Webber made his league debut in impressive fashion, tossing a complete-game, 3-hit shutout over the Phils, besting Miracle Max Strubel, who also tossed a complete game.
The game's lone run came after the Isotopes' Steve Youngberg cranked a double to left-center and then scored on David Leslie's single.
The 'Topes showed great D throughout, cutting down two runners at the plate in the 4th inning.
In the 4th, the Phils had runners on 2nd and 3rd with no out. Webber snagged a sharp grounder up the middle, catching Strubel, the runner on 3rd, in no-man's land for the first out. The Phils' Andy Klepacki followed with a single to center, but Paul "Griz" Grizwold was out at the plate on a crisp 8-6-2 play that featured a terrific relay throw from Youngberg at short.
In the 6th inning, the Phillies had one of those rare innings where they had 4 baserunners and didn't score.
"There was great defense played all around, with a great scoop by Kevin McElhinney at 1B to end the game," Isotopes manager Doug Stowers said.
"Congrats to ex-Phillie Doug Stowers and the Isotopes on their first game and first win," Strubel said afterward.
Plug Uglies - 1, Wonderboys - 2WP: Nabil Hannoush, LP: Greg Elbaum
After nearly a year of inactivity, the Plug Uglies and the Wonders faced off on Wednesday night in a contest that Plugs manager Chris "Chaka" Scanlon called one of the best-played games he has seen since he's been in the league.
The Plugs held a 1-0 lead going into the 7th as rookie pitcher Jeff Whitehead threw 6 scoreless. But in the final inning, down 1-0 and down to their final out, the Ageless Wonders™ got of the deck to score 2 runs for the walk-off win.
Tod "One D" Garfield raked a double down the first baseline to start things off. Scott Taylor followed with a booming double to left to plate the tying run, and Rob Ostenberg drove in the winner with a shot to center that just eluded a diving Jon Adolph.
"The Wonders waited until 2 outs in the seventh with no base runners to create their first and only rally," said manager Larry Pietras. "Two straight two-out doubles and a single plated two runs to squeak out a narrow victory. It was a crisp game played in an hour and fifty minutes."
"And just like that it was all over. Wonders win 2-1 with a walk-off classic," said Scanlon. "The Uglies were stung but had to tip their hats to the Wonders, and to a great game of baseball to start the shortened season."
Chris "Cip" Ciepiela pitch 4 strong, allowing 1 unearned run on a sac fly by Bill Evans to score Jon Adolph. Nabil Hannoush pitched 3 scoreless in relief to get the win.
The loss wasted an excellent mound debut by Whitehead. Not only did he pitch 6 scoreless but he proved quite capable with the glove too. Of his 18 outs over 6 innings, eight were the result of Whitehead fielding the ball off the mound and making the throw to the base for an out.
For those of you scoring at home, he had a hand in 44% of the outs during his appearance. The league doesn't keep records on such things, but that has to be a record of some sort.
Fainting Goats-11, Dorian Grays-3WP: Jim McLaren, Sv: Eddy Esposito, LP: Rick Fleurent
The Fainting Goats -- excuse me, the Fainting GOATs broke out to an 8-run lead after 3 to win their first game of the year and now find themselves 5 games ahead of last year's pace.
The GOATs scored 2 in the first and in the second and then 4 in the 3rd off Rick "Ricky Bobby" Fleurant.
Steve "Squeeza" Gargone reached base 5 times out of 6 at-bats from the leadoff spot and scored 4 times. Number 2 hitter Tony Maspo reached base 3 times and scored twice.
The GOATs played great outfield defense with left fielder Geoff Oldmixon and Gargone in center tracked down several shots to the outfield, and right fielder Eddy Esposito had two outfield assists - and nearly had a 3rd.
Starting pitcher Jim "J-Mac" McLaren, making his league debut on the mound pitched 5 solid innings, allowing just one unearned run. Esposito pitched the final 2 innings to close it out.
Standings
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Next week --
Wednesday:
Dorian Grays @ Wonders, Herlihy Field, Whately
Thursday:
Isotopes @ Fainting Goats, Herlihy Field, Whately
Phillies at Plug Uglies, Shea Field, Agawam
Photos:
ISOTOPES V. PHILLIES
Plug Uglies v. Wonderboys
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