James Tessyer (sp.) pitched 6 2/3 innings striking out 10 in his South Oakland debut.
Jimmy Fago singled in his first official plate appearance as a Duck, and pitched 1/3 of an inning for the save.
Fago's whip is 3.0.
Tony Casale drove in Mike Cinefra for the winning run in the bottom of the 5th, and the Ducks defeated Big Oil and their lefty ace Exxon Val-Reuf in a hard-fought pitchers duel.
Tessyer was perfect through 3 1/3. Big Oil strung together two hits, and scored on a fielder's choice in the top of the 4th.Casale made the defensive play of the game in the top of the third, ranging to his right making a diving stop and throwing out a stunned Oil exec from his knees.
The Ducks took the lead in the bottom of the fifth Lipp walked to start the fram, Cinefra bunted for a base hit, and Lipp advanced to third on the throw to first.
Cinefra stole second Casale hit a blistering shot to shortstop Big Oil threw it away.
2-1 ducks after five.
South Oakland struck again in the bottom of the 6th, Nick Berdine hit a pinch-hit single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and stole third. Kirk walked increasing his solid OBP. Cinefra drove in an insurance run with an RBI fielder's choice.
3-1 Ducks after six.
Big Oil threatened in the seventh after a Ducks error and a single.
Fago relieved Tessyer. He walked a guy, then got the last batter to ground out to end the threat.
Game. Ducks.
South Oakland resumes divisional play Wednesday night against the Eagles.
It's Ironic when someone who was on this team for one full season tells me what it means to be a Duck.
I've been here since day 1.
This isn't a sandlot league anymore.
Some people don't adjust well change, then blame others for their inability to adapt.
We're all wearing green.
We're here to win another title.
If this team gels, we can take it.
Chemistry doesn't form in three games. We'll be fine.
***
I'll mix up tomorrow's lineup to get guys in who sat last game.
That's the first time we've had all 24 guys show up in the seven years I've been on this team.
All I can do in that situation is ride the pine myself and try to put us in position to win.
Look for a South Oakland essay by Ducks legend Rob Swanger in the near future.
Quack.
