Watervliet, NY 8/2 - A long season, featuring blown leads, and close losses to a turn for the better on Wednesday, as the 62-Pirates beat the 62-Americans by a final of 11-4. These two teams usually match up in back and forth close game and this woild be more of the same.
Emergency starter Jimmie Dalton, pressed into duty, when Pirates scheduled starter, Jack Brock was caught in traffic. Dalton immediately worked himself into a jam, with a walk, a fielder's choice and an error, and it looked like Amerks would break it open early. With the pillows stuffed, Dalton got a ground ball and a nice turn by 2B Howard Becker to get a 5-4-3 DP and escape the inning unscathed. Pirates came out swinging their scabbards in their half of the frame, with singles by Jim Jasiewicz, and Rick Knipper set the table for an E.J. Seney knock, plating one, followed by the 1st of Becker's four hits on the night to grab and early 3-0 advantage. Brock arrived in time to record 2 putouts and an assist (the ball always finds the new guy) and keep the Americans off the board.
Americans got it rolling in the 3rd on a Jesse Braverman single, followed by Mike Hart's knock (making him 5 for his last 6 at-bats!), and an Anthony Torre single loaded the bases. Dalton was listing, and facing nemisis Mike Aiello. The two have had a history of alternating owning each other for stretches, and Aiello owned this one, with a 2-ribby base hit. Americans SP Don Ball followed with his own knock, and the game was tied at 3-3. Jim Ansel and Becker got it going as the Bucs answered back. A Chuck Stanley hard single for an rbi, followed by a Kevin McCauley single, and a 5-3 lead.
Dalton worked around a single for a scorless 4th. The Pirates came to life in bottom half, passing the baton, batting around, highlited by Jasiewicz and Ansel hits, and ribbys from Seney,Becker and Stanley giving the Buccos a 6-run cushion. Americans threatend to erase the edge, (and Pirates have struggled when playing from the lead the entire 2023 campaign) with a Torre single, FC and two uncharacteristic free passes from Dalton, to get back to 9-4. Dalton then put the Manager hat on, called it a nite, and went to Brock out of the pen. Brock got a quick dirty ball force play, and another force play the retire the side. Pirates went back to work, getting 2 more in as Jasiewicz (3-5 nite with 3 r)), Seney and Becker kept swing hot lumber with hits.
Brock would bend but not break, with 2 scoreless to close out the game, and the Pirates were able to get off the deck, or as they say at the Spa,"off the duck". Americans winthe season series 2-1, and are always among the classiest guys of the league.
As season winds down, Americans will travel to Lorenz Field to face the Cardinals on Wed. 8/9, and Pirates visit the Yankees at Watervliet on Mon. 8/10.
