When Jim Dalton's slow, teasing, two-story high floaters drop at one of their surprising angles for opposing batters, the Pirates' pitcher can have his foes topping
the ball again and again, and minutes later, pulling their hair in the dugout at the futility of their hitting. It's one ground ball after another.

That happened, minus, fortunately, the hair-pulling, to the Americans on Monday afternoon at the A Diamond as the team went just 7-for-31 at the plate
against the Pirates' starter and manager. Meanwhile, the Pirates out-hit their foes, posting 10-for-30 numbers.

But Americans' hits came at the right times, as did their stolen bases, sharp pitching and good glove work, giving the men in blue a 5-1 victory
in the first round of the over-62 playoffs.

Two keys to the Americans' win were starter Jim Konstantaks' determined, sidearmed pitching and a crisp infield defense. More than once, Jim
faced Pirates with runners on third, but, over seven frames only one runner made it home. Jim, too, got batters to hit grounders, often to
third baseman Mike Kane and shortstop Vinny Koster, each scooping and flinging close to half a dozen grounders across the diamond for outs.

Still, the Pirates didn't go weakly, hitting the game's two long balls, doubles by Jim Denny, to left, and Mike Stammel, to center.
Impressive shots both. And outfielder Rick Knipper swung for a 3-for-3 night.

In Thursday evening's second round at New Scotland, the Americans will face the winner of the game between the second-place Yankees and
the fourth-place Cardinals.

-Your scribe, Mike



-- Edited by mikehart on Tuesday 22nd of August 2023 03:02:28 AM