Week 4: Wonders clinch 1st seed with odd win over Goats, Grays shut down Phils, 'Topes catch Plugs sleeping

The Goats' Tony Maspo makes solid contact v. the Wonderboys. (Stu Clark photo)

Inning 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E

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Fainting Goats 0 0 3 5 3 4 11 10 2

Wonders 4 0 5 3 1 - 13 14 4

WP: Nabil Hannoush LP: Jim McLaren

Trailing 13-11 heading into the 6th and daylight fading fast, the Goats put up 4 quick runs to take the lead, and then... it was ruled too dark to play. Because the Wonders never got a chance with their final at-bat, the score reverts to the last full inning.

To paraphrase The Tick, the rotation of the Earth is a harsh mistress.

With the win, the Ageless Wonders™ improved to 4-0 and clinched the 1st seed heading into the playoffs. If the Wonders lose this week and the upstart Isotopes win, they will each be tied in the standings, but the Wonders would have the advantage in the head-to-head tie-breaker.

The Wonders' 3 previous wins came in their final at-bat. This week's win came, interestingly enough, without their final at-bat. Hashtag: irony
The Wonders' offensive star was right fielder John Devecchi who went 2-2 with a walk, scoring one run and driving in another.
For the Goats, it was second baseman Tony Maspo who went 3-4 with a double, triple and a sac fly to drive in 6 runs. Asked after the game when was the last time he had 6 RBI in one game, Maspo replied "tonight."

Phillies 1

Dorian Grays 4

WP: Mike Whately, Sv: Rick Fleurent LP: Max Strubel

Mike "Knuckles" Whately and Rick "Ricky Bobby" Fleurent combined to 1-hit the Phils Thursday night at Shea Stadium.

The Grays took the early 2-0 lead in the 1st on a single by lead-off hitter Matt "Matty B" Boulanger, a screaming RBI double by Jay "Supe" Sadowski, and an RBI single by Kenny Hartwright.

The Grays also scored single runs in the 3rd and 6th.

The Phils' lone run came in the 4th inning when Jon "J.R." Ross walked, stole second and third, and then scored on a groundout by Ron Totten.
Jim Fogerty had the Phils' only hit with a single in the 5th.

Isotopes 11
Plug Uglies 10

WP: Gary Webber LP: Irving "Eye" Dunno.

The upstart Isotopes escaped with a win over the Plugs in a typical Herlihy barnburner. After 21 runs, the game ended with Gary Webber picking off the runner at second for the final out in the 7th

The 'Topes broke out to a 6-0 lead after two and appeared well on their way when the Plugs dropped an 8-spot in the 4th to take an 8-6 lead.

The deficit was short-lived as the Isotopes scored 3 in the top of the 5th to take the lead for good, and added 2 insurance runs in 6th. And, as we have seen time and time again in this league, you can never really have enough insurance runs.

Next Week

Wednesday

Plug Uglies @ Goats. Herlihy Field. (suspended game, resumes in 4th with Plugs leading 5-2)

Wonders @ Phillies, Shea Stadium

Thursday
Grays @ Isotopes, Herlihy

Standings

	w	L	%	GB	PS rank
Wonders	4	0	1.000	-	1*
Isotopes	3	1	0.750	1	2
Goats	2	2	0.500	2	3
Grays	2	2	0.500	2	4
Plugs	1	3	0.250	3	5
Phils	0	4	0.000	4	6*

*Clinched

Playoff ramifications heading into the final week:

The Wonders clinched the first seed with their win over the Goats Wednesday. If they lose and the Isotopes win next week, the Wonders will win on the head-to-head tie-breaker.
The upstart Isotopes can clinch the second seed with a win over the Grays.
If the Grays beat the Isotopes, and the Goats lose to the Plugs, the Grays will leap-frog into the 2nd seed. They would have an identical record v. the Isotopes but would have the edge with the tie-breaker.
If the Grays beat the Isotopes and the Goats beat the Plugs, 3 teams would be tied with 3-2 records, and the Grays would have the edge over the Isotopes, the Isotopes would have the edge over the Goats, and the Goats would have the edge over the Grays. In other words, chaos.
If the Plugs defeat the Goats, they move up to 4th, and the Goats fall to 5th.

Teams 1 and 2 get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Round 1	Round 2	Final game
Sat. 8/15, 4 pm
6th seed	Weds 8/19, 5:45pm
4th seed	(5 or 3)
Whalley Field, Southwick	2nd seed	Weds 8/26, 5:45 pm
	Spec Pond, Wilbraham	League Championship
	Thurs 8/20, 5:45 pm	Spec Pond, Wilbraham
Sun, 8/16, 4 pm	(4 or 6)
5th seed	1st seed
3th seed	Spec Pond, Wilbraham
Whalley Field, Southwick