Week 9: Phils come back against Goats; Plugs / Grays fit to be tied

Thursday

Plugs 6, Grays 5 (9 inn.)
Plugs 5, Grays 5 (7 inn.)

Before the Dorian Grays and Plug Uglies could get going with their regularly scheduled game on Thursday, they first had to take care of some unfinished business from their last meeting on May 16 when they sunsetted in a 5-5 tie.
This the Plugs finished quickly when Jon Adolph doubled home Mike Olkin in the bottom of the 9th for the win.
In the regularly scheduled game, the Plugs and Grays were knotted at 2 through 5 when the Grays scored 3 to take a 5-2 lead.
The Plugs came roaring back in the 6th with 2 runs to make it 5-4, and then tied it at 5 in the 7th when Greg Elbaum scored on a sac fly by Sam Mead.
In the bottom of the 7th, the Plugs withstood a charge by the Grays to deny them the walk-off win. Jon Adolph made an over-the-shoulder catch in center, a la Willie Mays, with 2 runners on to preserve the tie.
Chris Scanlon of the Plugs also made a diving catch in right - his second in two weeks.
Bill Evans for the Plugs pitched a solid 3 2/3 inning in relief to, if not earn the win then to at least avoid the loss.
Schedule-wise, it's deja vu all over again. The two teams will pick up where they left off the next time they meet on Aug. 1.

Wednesday

Phillies 10, Fainting Goats 6

The Phils scored 5 in the 6th to complete a come-from-behind win a game they trailed 6-3 at one point.

Miracle Max Strubel picked up the win throwing 2 scoreless innings in relief of Ken Sloat.

Rick Stacy pitched a solid 5, allowing 4 unearned runs on 2 hits and 4Ks. Mixed metaphors aside, he ran out of gas in the 6th just as the flood gates opened.

In the 6th, the Phils staged a one-out rally that began with a double by Jon "J.R." Ross and continued with successive singles by Jim Fogarty, Andy Klepacki, and Ron Totten, an HBP to Jack Eisenstadt, and a single by Ken Sloat.

The Phils broke out to a 4-0 lead in the 3rd on a walk and an assortment of fielding miscues. The Goats came back in the 4th with 3 when Paddy Johnson hit a two-out double to center to score Steve Niec and Dan Provost.

In the 6th, the Goats scored 3 more to take the lead on successive singles by Mike O'Donnell, Eddie "Espo" Esposito, Tom Sybastyn, Tony Maspo, and Jerrald Duquette.

Standings

Next Week

Wednesday - Wonders @ Goats - 5:45 p.m. - South Hadley High School

Thursday - Phillies @ Grays - 5:45 p.m. - Herlihy Field.

Off Team - Plug Uglies.

The week after next is an off week for everyone due to the July 4 holiday on Thursday. If people are interested, we can continue the 4th of July pick-up game tradition that was started last year. Basically, if free and willing, show up at Herlihy on Wednesday and we'll have a pick-up game, beginning at 5:45-ish. If interested, email PaddyJPioneer@gmail.com.

Lastly, an apology

A good game between the Phils and the Goats was marred by continued bickering with the umpire that culminated with an ugly scene at home plate in the 6th. The Fainting Goats would like at this time to apologize to Harry Chadwick for the episode that was both regrettable and embarrassing for the entire team, and for the league.
It has been addressed internally with the player involved suspended for one game, and I have his assurances it will not happen again.
Ninety-eight percent of the time, players are wonderful but that two percent invites a permanent stain on our reputation. That two percent we cannot afford.
I'd like to remind everyone of the wording on the league registration:
"Games are intended to be competitive and fun. Good sportsmanship - toward your teammates, your opponents, and the umpires - is of utmost importance. Failing to abide by this can get you suspended or even ejected from the league. Please don't be a jerk."
These are not just words; they are what we are, they are what we do. It is what distinguishes us from other leagues. I hate to break it to you, but there are no scouts at our games, and no one is getting selected in the MLB draft. An umpire's call, one way or another, is not costing you draft position, a scholarship or a signing bonus. You are sacrificing nothing by being civil toward each other.
Playing the game as hard and as competitively as your individual talent allows is always welcome and appreciated, but so too is playing it the right way, by which I mean with courtesy, sportsmanship, and class. In summary, please don't be a jerk.

-- Paddy Johnson