The defending champion Damn Yankees rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth and rode the masterful relief pitching of John Weber to an 8-6 victory over the Whiz Kids at Satellite Field on Wednesday. It was the season opener for the Yanks, who were stymied on just three runs and six hits through the first five innings by the offspeed deliveries of Chris Abrams. Matt Kelly, who reached safely in all three plate appearances, started the Yanks rally in the sixth with a single and stolen base and trotted home on a run-scoring single by Steve VanGelder to make the score 6-5 before Mike Eplite and Weber delivered consecutive two-out, RBI doubles to put the Yankees in front to stay. The Whiz Kids struck for a single run in the second inning and five in the third to go up 6-0 off Yankees starter Billy Kervin, who was the victim of some ill-timed errors behind him. Jim Porter got the Kids on the board in the second inning with a booming RBI double to left-center. An RBI single by Brian Musella and a monstrous triple to left by Reggie Flansburg sparked a 5-run third inning uprising. Kervin threw three innings, striking out three and allowing just one earned run. From there, Weber took over and tossed four scoreless innings, allowing no hits, one run and racking up three K's. Kudos to Jim Porter, who had to rebuild his roster over the winter after losing half his squad to the newly-formed Giants. Any team feeling sorry for Porter and his Kids are going to be in for a big surprise. Plan on them being in the thick of the chase at season's end.
Great write up, as usual, Tim. Good, competitive game. Always a pleasure to play the Yankees. Classy bunch of guys from Ray Demers right on down the roster. The new-look Whiz Kids are a hard working, competitive group. We hope to improve as the season unfolds, and we get to know each other better. Looking forward to the rematch. Jim Porter
As an addition to the highlights supplied by Tim Brown was quite possibly one of the best infield plays I have ever seen in this - or ANY - division.
Two outs, top seven. Leadoff hitter up Mark Lennox drives a low, hard, harsh liner that looks to be pegged between the first and second basemen. Out of nowhere, Tim Brown makes a move and dives to catch the screamer. The ball looked to be by him, but he lands and has the ball firmly in his glove. An incredible play that cannot be adequately described. Simply phenomenal. And, of course, Tim would not mention it.
Thanks Bobby Weitz for reminding me. It was a play a Major Leaguer would be proud of.
-- Edited by rayjdem on Friday 16th of May 2014 06:20:49 PM
