G'N'R' has a song for every occasion
Nick Homa pitched nine innings, striking out 9, while allowing only 2 earned runs as the South Oakland Ducks (6-8-2) came back to tie the first place Owlz (10-3-1). He also fielded his position well, making two unassisted putouts on bunts during the rain drenched extra innings.
The Ducks defense was shaky early, allowing two runs on three errors in the first inning. The Owlz left the bases loaded in the first, leading 2-0.
South Oakland scored three runs in the top of the second to go ahead 3-2. Bill, "perky" Franciscus walked to start the inning, Guthrie singled and advanced on an error to put runners at second and third for Coby Kolaja, who proceeded to hit an RBI single. After a pop-out, A. Smith singled in Guthrie. Then Kolaja stole third. A strike out brought Chris Wojoton to the plate, with runners on second and third. Wojoton singled to left, scoring Kolaja, but Smith was thrown out at home to end the inning.
The Owlz chipped away, eventually taking the lead 5-3. Dan Sloan scored twice for the Owlz, once after hitting a double, and a second time he walked and stole second. the Other Owlz run was scored by their catcher, he was on first, and the hit and run was on. the batter hit a hard line drive to left fielder Chris Wojoton, the relay throw to first would have been in time, but it hit the runner in the arm and went to the fence behind first base. He went to second on the error and scored later in the inning.
The Ducks tied the game in the fifth inning when Gwin singled in KT Murphy and Chris Wojoton who had walked and doubled respectively.
It was as if the Owlz perpetually had runners on base, for the rest of the game, but the defense held, and Homa was spectacular. He held the league's best offensive team (both teams played without their leading hitters) to one extra-base hit, A double by SS, Dan Sloan.
Sloan made a run saving play in the sixth, when he made a diving stop on Gwin's third hit of the day, keeping the ball in shallow left, and nearly throwing out Wojoton at third; he was the best player not named "Nick Homa" on the field today. Their third baseman had a great game as well, he made a leaping grab on a line drive by Murphy, saving a potential RBI double, and had an RBI or two along with a pair of hits.
Mark Guthrie made a tough play at third to end the game; with runners on second and third, he charged a chopper by the Owlz nine-hitter and threw him out by a hair. That was a really close play, got him by a fraction of an inch.
BULLET POINTZ- Not having umpires is non-ideal when playing an organized baseball game. I really thought, as a league, we were passed this. I'm sure the commish is livid.
- the umpire situation is not the league president's fault.
- In the field, and on stolen bases, specifically were where the lack of umps was most noticeable; in the latter innings, it is possible the strike zone got a bit bigger when we were at bat, but as hitters in that situation, we should realize that and be more aggressive.
- ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
- When our starters are here things are a lot different.
- You're not supposed to slide into first, unless it is to avoid a tag.
- Their starting pitcher pitched a good game as well, going 7+ before Fago came in and worked out of a jam in the eighth before retiring the side on four batters in the ninth.
- The bunt coverage was noticeably better than the last time we played the Owlz.
- Kolaja was huge at the plate and on the base paths. All he does is hit RBI singles.
- Not having umpires compromises things somewhat, I'm just as glad we didn't lose as I am upset that we didn't win. Right in the middle, and very tired.
- Thank you, to all the fans who showed up and stuck it out through the rain, even those who defamed our team within earshot of our third base coach. Our league needs all the support it can get.
- McCray and I combined on a sweet 4-3 putout, the one where he dove and I stretched and barely held the bag
- Novack and McCray are as good up the middle as any SS-2B combination in the league, and McCray is playing without his ACL.
Guthrie is on the mound, Homa will get to bat: Bad News for the Black Sox.
