The band was out in full force, and we had enough to play a game. The weather was amazing, so few summer days that actually feel like summer days. Sonny started for the homers, and Sean for the visitors.
Two things are certain in a hot summer game: Pitching will be better because the muscles are warm, and Sean's back will look like a Rorschach ink blot after the 2nd inning.
Sonny was dealing, we got to him early for 2 runs, but that was it. We could not get the ball to find a hole in the defense. It didn't help that we also hit into 3-4 double plays, which killed every rally we might have had. Sean pitched his heart out, and kept us in the game, but we just didn't have enough to over come. Lil Josh came in with me to play, and he did a fine job at 2nd base, managed to get two outs, and stayed down on the grounders. He also covered 2nd base like a 1st baseman every time there was a runner, regardless of how many times we told him he didn't have to. It was great to have him out there.
The play that probably broke our spirit was almost great. A long drive to deep right center, and Nick Werthman on his horse. Not a chance in hell to catch the ball, but he was running. Then all of a sudden somehow, it was in his range, he was closing in, and it hit his glove.....and dropped out. A collective "Awwwwww Shit" rose up.
Our inability to match the opponents double plays, and three more almost-catches that hit us in the gloves sealed our fate. Nick took over for Sean and HR came in to pitch, as did Mike N, and we fared a little better, bringing the score within one, but ultimately we could not retake the lead.
We had started a little late, and we lost track of the innings, so it was the 5th about 3 innings in a row. Even with the fudged innings, we couldn't win.
Final- Homers 5-4.
Highlights:
* Sonny pitched a great game, with his dog as a distraction
* Lots of double plays make for an easy game
* 2 or 3 infield fly rules called
* Mike Lynch was picking on Lil' all day, smashing grounders at him. He was practicing his post game review as "having that 2nd baseman's number all game."
* Great job behind the dish for Rudy, Greg, Mike, all were blocking the ball well
* Lil' got 2 hits, made 2 outs, and stayed calm while fielding a ground ball to tag out Rudy, who was barreling at him
* Greg hitting in the 2 spot!
* Tony was our most consistent hitter
* There was a new guy out, who seemed good enough
* Carter spanked a ball, and made a couple of great plays, all with kids in tow
* The band sounded really good, they are expanding their tin pan alley repertoire, and getting more eclectic
* The only hit I had was my first at bat, a hit to right, then it was ground ball and pop ups the rest of the game
* HR was caught at 3rd, and it was disputed until his own team member Mitch called him out, you can trust Mitch.
* On the plus side, I am running more like a guy with a rock in his shoe, than a guy with a rock for a leg. Progress!
* Lil' and I made it half a mile down the road, before our truck blew up, clunking sound, coolant dropped out, white smoke spewing out of the exhaust. Anyone who wants to buy a 29 year old F250 diesel truck with a blown motor, let me know....
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