The Pirates cruised in relative comfort for six innings, building an 8-0 lead behind strong pitching from Lounello (3 IP), Calhoun (2 IP), and Kane (1 IP).
The game, however, lasts seven innings, and all the bad things that can happen to a pitcher in a lifetime happened in that one inning to Mike Kane. The leadoff walk, the hit batter, the lined single, the lazy flare, the fumbled grounder, a case of gout, the botched DP, and then, Dunbar (I believe -- the book is in the car) smote an unholy blast to deep, deep, deep leftfield. The game was suddenly 8-6, there was a runner on third, and we were tettering on a collapse of epic proportions. But Mike gathered himself, got a groundout and a strikeout, and we decided not to tar and feather him after all.
Rule Question: I know that we can reinsert the starting pitcher later in the game. I assume -- but do not know -- that we can't reinsert a middle reliever. Is that right? In this case, I was thinking that I couldn't bring back Calhoun (who pitched the 4th and 5th), while the starter Lounello was available. Am I right about that? Or do we have free substitutions everywhere?
Oh yes: This was our first look at the Fordians, who have not won a game this year. Overall, they played good defense, featured several mashers in the lineup, and played hard all the way. If they can sustain last night's effort, I see them breaking some hearts along the way. They are better than their record.
I was kidding about the gout.
Anyway, a good week for the Bucs, three wins. Our record is now 9-4-1.
JP - you've got two different factors on your Rule Question that would need to be addressed before a proper ruling could be administered.
(1) In CD-MSBL, it is my understanding that we have "free" defensive substituitons with no penalty. Under this concept, it would seem Calhoun re-taking the mound would be OK.
(2) by pro rule, I believe as long as Calhoun was in the original starting line-up (batting order), say at 2B, came on to pitch, was relieved but stayed in the game at 2B, or another position, and kept his same spot in the order, he would be able to relief pitch again later in the game, because he did not leave the line-up....however, he would be alotted only 5 warm-up pitches vs. eight, since he had been pitching previously......Tommy Lasorda used to do this with Fernano Valenzuela in the early '80s But usually in the same inning......
