(Wednesday 6/16, New Scotland) - An old adage goes that "a tie game is like kissing your sister". Well there were a bunch of ugly sisters that hooked up last night as the Pirates and Americans battled 7-innings in the gloaming, to a 12 All tie game. Destined to an ESPN "Instant Classic", (had they showed up), the game had the semblance of an NBA Playoff game with both nines going on extended runs that looked to be pivotal junctures, to only have each team back on their heels and holding on to stay with each other.
The Home team Amerks sent crafty right-hander, Dave Plew to the bump, who has given the Bucs fits in prior outings. It looked like the Pirates may have brought their hitting shoes for this one, getting a quick 3-run tally on consecutive singles by Dom Carnibucci, Ken Shaw and Paul Peters, and situational hitting from Jim Denney to go up early. The Buccos sent the reaquired free agent Rick Knipper to the hill, who showed a good 12-6 Uncle Charlie, for a scoreless 1st frame. Plew, settled in and worked around traffic the next 5 innings, notching 5 punchouts, including striking out the side in the 4th, after a free pass and Knipper knock. Plew also did his best Jim Kaat (16 Gold Gloves), with two, all out efforts on infield pop-ups, while recording 3 put-outs and 4 assists. He seemingly appeared to have the game in hand, after a 9-run outburst by the Americans in the second, that made for a short night toeing the slab for Knipper. After a lead off walk, (it always starts with a walk; factoid: lead-off walks score 51% of the time) singles by Scott and Gibby Travis, Plew, Rick Sassone, Tony Mogavero and Dave Page, with 2 more walks sandwiched in, and the rout was on! Manager Jimmie Dalton had to hook Knipper, who will prove to be a great presence on the mound as the season progresses. His stuff is too good, and just had a rough inning. Dalton, who had pitched a complete game two days earlier, came onwith bases loaded and no outs, and escaped further damage, with a heart in his throat liner, by Mark Finelli, that Ken Shaw the left field Hoover, shoestringed, for the 1st out. Dalton then induced two worm burners to end the Amerks siege. Dalton was effective in keeping the Swashbucklers in the game, allowing only two unearned runs over the next four innings.
It appeared that the Pirates may be sending it in early, as Plew continued to baffle and befuddle, until an innocuos leadoff single in the 3rd base hole by Cos DiBari, set the stage for a Pirates uprising in the top of the 7th,and seemed to rouse the Pirates ship that was sailing in the doldrums after the 1st inning. A walk, and singles by Shaw and Peters plated 2 more runs, followed by a Ray Meandro 2-bagger with 2 ribbies, and Greg Allen, a wall behind the plate, traded places with Meandro with his own 2-Base rap. Knipper followed with an rbi single, and the Pirates had battled back for a 1-run advantage.
Dalton came back out for the 7th, clinging to that 1-run spot. An E-6 got the frame underway for the Americans, and they had a life. Page then rocketed a shot destined for the gap as game winner, only to have Shaw make another incredible catch and had a shot doubling the runner up, who scooted back safely, but advanced when mishandled on the throw in. Dalton got a 6-3 for the 2nd out with the tying run moving to 3rd. Vinnie Koster stepped in, and clutched up, shooting a shot under Knipper's outstretched glove to get the game even at 12-12. Dalton got the last out, and then darkness prevailed, and baseball was done for this night. I don't believe either of the ugly sisters exchanged lip-locks, as two tired teams looked forward to the rematch!
Ken Shaw proved again, that he is among the best outfielders in the league. Two backhand stabs of sinking liners, on the foul line, a shoestringer, and a back to the infield catch on a deep run, as part of the assortment of his 7 put-outs.
IP H R ER BB K WP Hbp Knipper 1 6 9 7 4 1 0 0 Dalton 6 6 3 0 0 1 1 0