Coming down! Steve Powers of the Dorian Grays with the throw to second. Stu Clark Photo

Fainting Goats - 3
Isotopes - 2

WP: Eddie Esposito, Sv: Todd Neumann LP: Gary Webber

The Fainting GOATs*, behind the 1-2 pitching combo of Eddie Esposito and Todd Neumann, bested the Isotopes 3-2 in a thrilling Thursday night game at Herlihy.

Esposito went 5 innings keeping the 'Topes off balance with his assortment of off-speed pitches. Neumann came on in the 6th to notch a 2-inning power save that showcased a blazing fastball. Six of the final 4 outs were strikeouts including all 3 outs in the 6th.

Esposito was clearly the player of the game, scattering 4 hits and one run over 5 innings while getting 14 ground ball outs. He also came off the mound to tag the runner trying to score from 3rd on a wild pitch. And in the 7th with the potential tying and winning runs on base, he fielded a grounder at 3rd, stepped on the bag and threw across the diamond for a 5-3 double play to end the game.

The GOATs defense was never better, recording 3 double plays in the 7 innings.

Esposito's only blemish on the day came in the 6th when he was reprimanded by the umpire for his cascade of F-bombs upon learning he was being lifted for a relief pitcher. The entire exchange was summed up perfectly by Stu Clark who observed "We are the F-ing GOATs."

Gary Webber was the hard-luck loser. After allowing 3 in the first, he settled down to do Gary Webber things and not allow another run over the final 6.

"That is one of the best, if not the best, TNB Over 50 games I've been part of," said Pres Pieraccini, GOATs elder statesman and founder of the league.

With the win and the Wonders' loss, the GOATs have leapfrogged over them into 5th place. The Isotopes fall 1 game back of the idle Plug Uglies in the chase for the regular season title.

*In keeping with tradition, the Goats are referred to as the GOATs after wins.

Wonders 4
Dorian Grays 5

WP: Mike Whatley, LP: Nabil Hannoush.

The never-say-die Grays defeated the Wonders 5-4, scoring 2 runs with 2-outs in the 7th to earn a walk-off win.

The flip side of the Grays' elation was the Wonders' frustration. The loss came despite the Wonders recording 12 hits on offense and Nabil Hannoush allowing just 6 hits over 6 2/3 innings.

Mike Whatley went the distance to pick up the win.

The Wonders left 13 runners on base, and that is the type of stat that not only costs a team wins but also keeps a manager up at night.