With two of the league's top pitchers taking the hill for their respective teams, game one of the 35+ finals promised to be a tight low scoring affair. Cubs Ace, Ron Massaroni, got the Orioles out 1-2-3 in the first inning, with the ball never leaving the infield. Jim Becker answered for the Orioles by doing the same to a Cubs line-up that had hung a crooked number on the board in the first inning of about a third of their games this year. The Orioles would break the ice in the top of the second. After two were out, Jim Becker drew a walk. Bob Bolt followed with a perfect bunt, down the third base line, for a single. John Pologa then grounded a ball through the right side for a RBI single. O's lead 1-0. The Cubs got a bloop single from Mike Girard to lead off the bottom of the second. After an infield pop out, Dave Mitchell followed with another Texas-leaguer, to put runners on first and second. Tom Maney then loaded the bases as he reached on the game's only error. Shawn Maney then followed with a solid single to plate Girard and Mitchell and send Tom Maney to third. Shawn stole second and a wild pitch scored Tom and moved Shawn to third. After Jim Becker induced a comebacker, TJ Scorsone worked a very important walk. It was important because, on the next pitch, Scorsone and Shawn Maney worked a perfect double steal to give the Cubs a 4-1 lead. That fourth run immediately became very important, as the Orioles answered with two runs in the top of the third. Again the Orioles' rally started with two outs and nobody on. This time, the Orioles used four consecutive singles by Mark Lennox, Paul Scuteri, Doug Reisenger, and Mark Dabney to plate two runs and bring the score to 4-3. The Cubs rushed Jon Martin and Tom Shepardson down to the bull pen to warm up. Mr. Massaroni must have noticed, because not only did he get the final out of the inning in the third, but he then proceeded to retire the next 9 Orioles in order. Mr. Becker was just as impressive allowing just three singles and one walk the rest of the way, giving the O's one last chance in the 7th. Jim Becker started off the Orioles 7th with a solid single up the middle. Bob Bolt then sacrafice bunted the tying run into scoring position. That is when the game was fatefully decided. Ron bounced a pitch in front of the plate that looked like it would get away from Cubs catcher, Bryce Cutler. Becker raced for third in an attempt to put the tying run at third with only one out. Bryce came up with the ball quickly and fired a strike to third, where Ron Lochner applied the tag. With two outs and nobody on, Massaroni calmly got John Pologa to ground out to second to end the game. The "underdog" Cubs beat the "favored" Orioles 4-3, to take a 1-0 lead in the finals. The Cubs will try to win it all on Wednesday night at 6:00pm on the Clifton Commons "wood pole" field. The Orioles will give the ball to Bob Bolt in their effort to extend the series to the limit and a game three on Friday night. If you don't have other commitments, head up to Clifton Park to check it out! You will not be disappointed.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 25th of August 2010 06:18:14 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 25th of August 2010 06:19:30 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 25th of August 2010 06:25:15 AM
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Wednesday 25th of August 2010 06:33:45 AM
I went to watch the 35's opening game of the championship last night and that was one hell of a game played by two really great teams. There's a lot of talent in the old duffers divisions in this league. I'm not sure of his name, but I saw the Cubs SS range deep into the gap between SS and 3B, field the ball cleanly, turn and make a strong thorw to get the batter-runner by maybe a 1/2 step. 5th or 6th inning, I lost track at that point because the game was so well played and very exciting. I also though Jim Becker pitched a great game for the Orioles and held a very potent Cubs offense in check. Other than a slight slip up early on, Jimmy was dealing.
I wish I didn't have to take my kids home because apparently I missed one hell of a great game in the 18's as well. My old boys from my days in the 18's - The Cudas - won a 1-0 pitching/defense duel in extras? Awesome. I gotta admit that I have nothing agains the Knights who are the class organization today as they were when I was playing/managing in the 18's - great group of guys - but I have to root for P.Diddy and my boys!
We may not be "professionals" in this league but we've got some great talent.
