In the completion of the suspended game two the Marlins erupted for 5 runs in the top of the 10th inning. We picked the game up in the bottom of the 5th, with the Hummers plating a run to take the lead. The Silvers plated a run in the top of the sixth on a clutch two out single by Chuck Sohl. Then, for the next 4 innings Jim Ansel and John Latorre exchanged goose eggs. The Marlins led off the top of the 10th with a looping liner by Darrell Duncan. Mike Cleary then sharply singled up the middle, followed by a bullet by Ron Lochner that loaded the bases with no outs. After John Latorre got Skip Treece to pop up to the infield, leadoff man Paul Miles hit a humpback liner to right field that the Hummers right fielder charged and made a nice sliding catch. Darrell, with some alert base running, tagged up and scored easily by the time the outfielder could get to his feet and get the ball to the plate. Randy Craft followed with a 2 RBI triple. That seemed to be the back breaker. The inning concluded after the Marlins got RBI singles from Girard and Sohl. Jim Ansel gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the tenth, but followed that by retiring the next three Hummers in order. Game over. Bring on the Orioles!
It should be a great series between the leagues two best teams. Both teams have stacked hitting line-ups, top line pitching, and top notch defenses. The only thing that could spoil it would be griping about umpiring. Here's hoping that we have all learned our lessons from last years debacle!
I had the privilege and pleasure to have the plate in the completion of Game Two. Given the tenor, and BS that ensued from Game One, I want to congratulate and compliment both teams, and their veteran leadreship that ensured that the remainder of the series was played the right way. Let this game serve as an example to all divisions of CD-MSBL.
On the same thought as Jim's message above...I was a little over enthusiastic in sneaking up to get a pitch out and the batter hit me in the glove hand and right thumb with a pretty good swing. Here's the point- I'd like to thank all the H'birds that asked if I was doing OK (I'm not sure how many but it must have been each player since I lost track), especially Doc Mark who came right out on the field. I think that's the sportsmanship we're after. Thanks again.
While I wish the Giants were still alive in this, it was nice to sit back, relax and watch some great baseball.
John LaTorre picked up where he left off in the suspended game, keeping the Marlins off-balance and showing why he is still one of the premier pitchers in the league. He's such a competitor despite his pleasant demeanor. It's easy to pull for him.
Meanwhile, two sensational diving stops and throws by H'Birds 3rd-baseman Clayton Bouton kept the Marlins at-bay. And he did what hitters need to do when trailing. Leading off the 7th, he laid down a perfect bunt for a single in hopes of getting a rally started. The next batter (a lefty, but don't remember who), lined a shot to left-center, and it appeared the Hummers were going to mount that rally. But Mike Clarey made a long-running catch with his back to the infield. Another fly out and a strike out ended the game and made a winner out of "reliever'' Jim Ansel.
But there's more. How apropos that CDMSBL Hall of Famers Randy Craft and Chuck Sohl would have a part in the Marlins' success. With two outs and a Marlin at third, Sohl lined a single to left to tie it at 2, forcing the extra innings. And then in the 10th, LaTorre made a mistake pitch and Craft didn't miss it - lining an absolute rocket just over the outstretched glove of the Hummers left-fielder to plate 2 runs and propel the Marlins to the finals once again.
If you have any time at all, go to the O's-Marlins finals. I hope they split the first two games and the third goes extra innings - like 45 of 'em. You can bet it will be a spirited series, but one thing I will also bank on: You can bring your kids. There will be no nonsense - just good, clean, hard-nosed baseball. As a fan, manager and player, not to mention friends of many players on both sides, I'm positive that's what we will get. I hope to see many of my Giants teammates there, too, as well as other players in the league. jimK
Congratulations to both the Orioles and Silver Marlins. So many quality ball players on both sides.
I don't know who's in the CDMSBL Hall of Fame, but it had better include Dr. Jim Ansel, The biggest of the big game pitchers. I am thrilled for his continued success.
