The Inaugural Slate for the 62 Division, had two familiar opponents squaring off on a balmy evening at the B-Diamond. I think this game exemplified what JRs expectations were for this new division, in a well pitched, well played competitive game.
Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead with the Jims (Jasiewicz and Ansel) with knocks and runs scored. Dan Durback and Jimmie Dalton then hooked up in a good one through 5 innings, with the Peppers scratching out 2 (1 earned) in the 3rd on singles by Charlie Freer and Lawston, sandwiched around 1 of the Pirates few errors. Jimmy Jazz averted damage earlier in the frame with a running backhand of a sinking Ted Witting liner, before the Peppers tallies. Dalton settled in retiring 8 in row, a slow, slow and slower......
Pirates struck for 3 in the top of the 6th against Peppers reliever Ben Phillips, with the 2-6 hitters of the Bucs combining 4 singles and a walk, with Ansel again in the middle of it with his 3rd hot of the game, a 2-ribby bingle to extend the lead to 6-2.
Dalton came out for the 6th, notching the first out, before Phillips lined a 2-0 Single, and followed by Freer and Brad Maione singles as the Peppers began to solve the assortment of slop and pus that had them off balance for 5 innings. An error and Durback knock cut the Pirates lead to 6-5. A tiring Dalton, out his Manager hat on, and called on lefty Bill Farrell, with 2-outs and runners at the corners to induce an inning ending pop-up, and quash the threat.
Buccos tacked on in the 7th with 4, when Cos DeBari, legged out a close play at first, and came around on singles by Jazz and Ken Shaw and a passed ball to score. Jazzy made a daring dash from 2nd on the same play and scored another on an errant throw back. That guy Ansel was at it again, capping the scoring with his 4th hit, and 3rd rib-eye!
Farrell, surrendered a 7th inning knock, that was erased on a game ending DO, the Pirates second infield DP of the nite anchored by SS Paul Peters, who also chipped in a an rbi single.
Pirates defense was on point, with Jazzy's 2 great catches in center, Shaw's perfect positioning on 2 pulled flies down LF line, and Howard Becker was a wall all night behind the dish. Pirate hurlers worked ahead and issued not a single free pass.
Bucs were led by Jazz 2-4 2R 2 SB, Shaw 2-4 2R 2 rbi, Rick Knipper 1-3, 2 R and 2 rbi. But the Man of the hour was the Doctor! Ansel hit 4 smoking line shots for a 4-4, 3r 3 rbi nite, and why he is a HOF'er! Peppers attack was led by Freer 1-3 2 R, Maione 2-3, 2 R 2 rbi, and Durback 1-3 and an rbi.
Dalton WP (1-0) 5 2/3rd IP 5 r 2 er 0 Bb 1 k Durback LP (0-1) 5 IP 3 r 3 er 2 BB 1K Farrell Save (1)
Next up for Pirates is a 6/1 match-up vs. the Cardinals. Always a good game and time with the Dave Plew Crew, and all the best on their 62 Season (except against us!) The post-game lingered for quite a while as the Peppers and Pirates talked, what else - BASEBALL!
