After a 3 error first inning that helped allow 6 Marlin runs, the Blue Jays and starting pitcher Ralph Caputo had an uphill battle. The Jays did score 3 in the third off of 2 back to back error fielding errors and a soundly struck double by Mike Maiello. After that inning the Jim Ansel ( 5 inn. 5 hits 1 earned run, 3 K's ) and reliever Jim LaTorre ( 2 inn, 3K's 1 hit) only allowed one base runner. Dave Mitchell led the Teal offense with 3 hits and 2 doubles and 1 RBI. Mike Griard was 2 for 3 with 2RBI's and a key front end Double Steal to help score the first run by Randy Craft. Ron Lochner was also 2-3 with an RBI. It's mid July and now we turn our attention to the standings and probable match- ups for the play-offs. with best of three quarter finals this year we will have some interesting early playoff games and I have no doubt that teams like the Blue Jays who can go deep in their pitching staff will be tough series opponents. See you jays next friday, and at the BBQ after.
I just want to applaud the managers/league officials who put together this year's playoff format. God knows we've been tinkering with this forever. The best-of-three quarterfinals format is a welcome change, and rewards the teams that put together good seasons. At the same time, the elite teams no longer have a free pass to the semis, where they once enjoyed a decided advantage over an opponent that had just played 2-3 games in the same number of days. The playing field is more level.
Anyway, pulling all this off in an all-inclusive, 14-team format was no easy task. Well done. Of course, there will never be a perfect solution with so many teams. Mostly, I hate single-elimination games, but as long as we continue to vote for an all-inclusive format, it's impossible to avoid.
