In a very close game, the A's defeated the Blue Jays 3-1 at Bethlehem. The game was marked by some very spectacular plays and tense moments. Both pitchers, Gianakos for the A's and Coffredo for the Blue Jays, went about their tasks very well.
The A's scored first in the 2nd inning. With two out, newcomer David Schillinger (on base via a single) scored from third on a slow infield roller to third by the A's catcher (sorry, forgot his name).
The Blue Jays came back in the 4th inning. On base at second was Coffredo after a single and moving up on a ground out. The second out was made and up came Todd Baldwin who hit what originally looked like a routine pop up to left but continued to carry far out to left for a long double and game tying RBI. Ed Class saved another run with a spinning stab of a liner ticketed for the left field line.
In the 6th inning, the Blue Jays loaded the bases with none out with a couple hits sandwiched around an error. The A's pulled in the infield and got the first out at home on a hard grounder to short. The next batter popped out. The inning was then ended on a spectacular play.
On a hard slider inside, Dana Hansen broke his bat (the second one that day) and the ball dribbled up between first base and the pitcher's mound. Artie moved off of the pitcher's mound and Will Ferguson moved towards the ball from first. Each was unsure who was going to take the play (normally an easy play, but this looked like a routine choreographed by Elaine from Seinfeld with each "dancer" taking a step towards the ball, then away). Finally, Ferguson reached for the ball with his glove, but misplayed it. Dropping to the ground he grabbed with it his bare hand. Alertly Wayne Newcomb had come over from his position at second to cover first and yelled, "Will, I'm here!". Will threw a perfect no-look behind-the-back flip to Newcomb to get the amazed Hansen. All those years on a basketball court finally paid off for Will.
In the top of the seventh, the A's broke through with the decisive runs. The bases were loaded with one out with single by Class and error and a walk. Gionakos knocked in his own game-winner with a sacrifice fly to center. The A's catcher then added an insurance run with a hard single over the shortstop's head. The A's were poised to score more, but a spectacular diving play in center (and I apologize - I really don't remember who it was - please, someone from the Blue Jays help me out here) ended the rally.
Not going out with a whimper, the Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out on consecutive singles by Caputo, Geottsite and Celantano. A very close Schillinger - Newcomb - Ferguson double-play finally ended the game.
The Blue Jays had 11 hits, led by Celantano's 3 singles, Baldwin's single and double (1 RBI) and Goettsite's 2 singles.
The A's had 6 hits with the only multi-hit player being the catcher, who also had two RBI and threw out a base steal attempt.
Great game - Great way to start a season. (Sorry about the long-winded post. It's the first game. They'll get shorter from here on)
Kevin Moon - thanks for the in-game and after-game analysis and entertainment! Keep coming, Buddy - and bring your stuff!
As I told the managers, they will soon be erecting the storm fence at Elm Ave Park again. I heard that Todd Baldwin's shot might have been a HR if it was already up.
BTW, I'm glad to see Todd on the field; hope he can attend more games this year. He was 38's commissioner when the Pirates started six years ago, a huge help to me that first year when I had no idea what I was doing (or getting myself into). Gave us free batting helmets, told me how to hit a curveball (theoretically, at least), and offered plenty of sound team-building advice. That's a debt you can never fully pay back.
I'm still having a hard time visualizing Ralph Caputo in anything other than teal, but that makes at least two strong additions for the Jays. The overall quality of this league continues to rise, year after year. I really think the level of play is much higher than it was six years ago.
