Ricky Fleurent scattered 6 hits over seven innings for the complete game shutout
Fainting Goats 0
Dorian Grays 8
WP: Ricky Fleurent
LP: Eddie Esposito
The Goats and Grays met up for the second time this season Thursday night at Herlihy Park. The Goats were looking for payback after falling to the Grays 8-4 back in May, while the Grays looked to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games.
The Goats sent Eddie "The Problem" Esposito to the hill while the Grays countered with Rick "Ricky Bobby" Fleurent.
Leading 1-0 after 1, the Grays pounced on Esposito for 6 runs, extending their lead to 7-0. If the Goats had visions of jumping back in the game, they would have to do some damage against Fleurent, who, in typical Ricky Bobby fashion, scattered six hits over 7 innings, shutting out the Goats and leading the Dorian Grays to their eighth straight win to open the season.
Relievers Tom "TC" Conway and Todd Neumann pitched well for the Goats, limiting the Grays to a single run over the final 5 frames, but the damage was done.
Tim Bombard and Jay Sadowski led the Grays with 3 hits each, and John "Ski" Malikowski (3 RBI) and Steve Powers each added 2 hits.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
Plug Uglies 11
Wonders 8
WP: Colin Hosley
LP: Chris Ciepiela
It was one of the longest days of the year when the Plug Uglies met the Wonders at Mitchell Field for what felt like one of the longest games of the year, going well over two hours. The Uglies sent Greg "G-Bomb" Elbaum against Wonders rookie Mike Kreisman on a sunny and dusty evening.
In the top of the first the Uglies sent 14 batters to the plate and scored 9 runs, but that wasn't the whole story. The Wonders hurt themselves by committing 3 costly errors, walked a batter home and missed some very close fielding plays. RBI hits by Jeff Cabana, Mike Olkin, and Steve Wall caused more damage than they should have, and this tuned out to be the most critical inning of the game.
The Wonder struck back in the bottom of the first. Shawn Thompson struck out but reached first on passed ball. Tom Sebastyn hit a long double, then Andy Ayres singled to bring in both base runners. Ayres later scored on an E-5. Uglies 9, Wonder 3.
In the field it was a tale of two games for the Wonders. After their first inning errors the home team displayed some great defense throughout the rest of the game, including the Web Gem in the top of the sixth when left fielder Andy Ayres robbed newcomer, Rob "Ecc" Eccleston of a sure RBI with a spectacular diving shoestring catch.
The Uglies were able to add two more in the 2nd and 3rd with RBI hits from Eric "Noodles" Bennett and Elbaum to increase the lead to 11-3. In the bottom of the third the Wonders fought back, starting with two singles from Dan Alvord and Kevin O'Grady, then Mike Krezmian walked to load the bases. Nabil Hannoush reached on an error that got a run in and Jeff Jarvis singled plating two more. G-Bomb's arm was suddenly out of gas, so in came Morriss "Mo" Partee who threw one pitch to end the inning. At the end of 3 it was Uglies 11, Wonders 6.
Partee pitched again for the Uglies in the 4th and got out of some trouble that included a long pickle play between 3rd and home that eventually ensnared Wonders base runner Shawn Thompson. With the score still locked at 11-6 in the 5th the Plugs handed the ball over to Jeff Whitehead. Things stayed quiet for both teams, including Krezmian sitting the Uglies down 1-2-3 in the 4th and 5th innings.
The Wonders capitalized on a couple of costly errors in the 6th and were able to plate a run. But the damage was minimized when Chris Ciepiela tried to score from third but was thrown out at the plate by shortstop Bill Evans to save a run. In the bottom of the 7th the Wonder added another run couldn't close the gap. Plug Uglies 11, Wonders 8.
Game photos courtesy of Jeff Whitehead
Phillies 7
Isotopes 1
WP: Colin Hosley
LP: Gary Webber
The Phillies and Isotopes squared off for the second time this season, with the Topes playing with an undermanned squad. In the first contest, the Topes handed the Phils a humiliating 12-4 loss, their only loss on the season. With the Phils looking to avenge their first loss and the Topes looking to sweep the season series, something had to give. In the end, things broke the Phils way.
The Phillies came out of the gate swinging, scoring 4 runs on hits by Micah Winston, Ken Sloat, Colin Hosley, Jon Ross, and Jim Fogarty, and a walk by Andy Klepacki. The Phils would score another run in the 3rd on an outfield error and hits by Jim Fogarty and Ron Totten.
The Isotopes finally got on the board in the 4th on hits by Mike Arbour, Dave Warner, and Dave Leslie. The Phillies would add two more runs in the 6th on hits by Ken Sloat, Paul Griswold, and Colin Hosley.
Colin Hosley was outstanding, surrendering only one earned run on three hits, striking out three while walking only one, earning the complete game victory.
The Phillies offense was led by Micah Winston (2-4, $, 2 SB), Ken Sloat (4-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB), Colin Hosley (3-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI) and Jim Fogarty (4-4, 2 RBI). The Isotopes offense was led by Mike Arbour (1-2, R, BB), Dave Warner (1-3), and Dave Leslie (1-3, RBI).