The ‘one-pitch save’
Junkies hold off Killabrews with ‘one-pitch save’
By Bill Tarrant
Junkies pitcher Bill Tarrant had cruised through the first six innings as his team took an 11-5 lead into the 7th inning to face the bottom of the Killabrews’ lineup. After getting two outs, the wheels fell off the bus . A string of hits after the lineup turned over had put the tying runs aboard for the ‘Brews.
That’s when Junkies manager Gregg Loria made a classic “Loria Brothers move.” He brought in his brother, Bruce, from shortstop to get that final out.
“He can throw strikes in a dark closet,” Gregg said. "He’s been pitching all his life against the best players in the country.”
Bruce Loria threw a strike to Ted Tardif, who smashed a line drive to third – right into the glove of Tarrant who had rotated to the hot corner with the pitching change.
“It’s a Vesia,” one Junkie player shouted as the team ran off the field. “One-pitch save.” Dodger pitcher Alex Vesia did just that in the Dodgers World Series victory last month.
The Killabrews fell to 3-1, while the Junkies improved to 2-1-1
Archies 10, Nutcrackers 9
The Archies walked it off* against the Nutcrackers in a come-from-behind victory. Down 9 to 7 in the 5th, the Archies tied it up and could have gone ahead but for an outstanding throw from deep outfield by Carlos Arias to nail the runner going to 3rd and ending the inning tied at 9.
In the 6th and final inning with time running out, the Archies' tough defense held the Nutcrackers scoreless despite facing the top of their lineup. In the bottom of the inning, Rommy Faversham and Gary Karlich got crucial hits at the bottom of the order to set up the walk-off* run. The Archies remain undefeated.– Richard Steinmetz.
*About that walk-off. Carlos, the Nutcrackers manager, said he ordered an intentional walk to Kent Beli, not realizing that the 8-rated Beli had been walked twice already and was now entitled to two bases. And that’s what drove in the winning run. “Nobody told me he’d get two bases if we walked him,” Carlos moaned afterward.
Slow Horses 9, Silver and Black 7
It was a very close game with two evenly matched teams, but the Silver and Black suffered their first loss of the season 9-7 to the Slow Horses. High tension as S&B left the tying runs on base in the final inning. In an earlier inning, Mike Barnes made the catch of the day. Cary Conway hit a rocket with 2 out and 2 runners on base. Statcast said the exit velo was 105 mph on Conway's hit. Barnes ran towards the left field line and made a spectacular backhanded catch to end the threat and save three runs. – John Gillot.
Dodgers 13, Bad Knees Bears 7
“We made fewer mistakes than usual, which helps,” said Dodgers manager George Cliffords.“Also, the team we were playing hasn’t won yet.” What especially helped the Dodgers was a fantastic catch by the 3-rated Gary Karlich, subbing for the Dodgers at the rover position, which ended a Bears rally in the unlimited inning. “Everybody stood in amazement,” said Bears manager Ken Feldman. “Even Gary looked stunned.”
Trash Pandas 13, Hip Replacements 9
The Hip Replacements fell behind early to the Trash Pandas and managed to keep losing all the way to the end despite their bats coming alive in the bottom of the 7th.
Mudhens 14, Greys 5.
Mike Pivarnick and Gary Frueholz both went 4 for 4 to lead the Mudhens, while Ole Olsen held down a tough Grey’s lineup with his crafty repertoire of short and low pitches.
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