The Giants showed on Sunday why they are the defending champs of the 45+ division, as they swept a double header from the previously undefeated Golden Marlins. The Giants were out hit in both games, but both Jimmy Konstantakis and Mike Kane were able to scatter the hits and get the key outs when they needed them, as both pitchers got complete game wins.
In game one, the Marlins grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning, on a hit by pitch and stolen base by Tim Brown; a RBI single by Mike Girard, a double by Ron Lochner, and a 2-RBI single by Mike Clary. The Giants answered right back with 5 runs of their own on singles by Ron Smaka, Wayne Phillips, Mike Kane, Mike Labanowski, and Bob Bolt. Both Jimmy K and Phil Gadomski settled in and shut out their opponents through the next 3 innings. The Giants would get 2 very important insurance runs, in the top of the sixth inning, on singles by Steve Lounello, Smaka, and Kane. With the score at 7-3, in the bottom of the sixth, the Marlins put a run on the board with a Tom Smith single, a walk to Joe Hervieux, a single by Skip Treece, and a 2-out bases loaded walk to Tom Maney. With the bases loaded and the meat of the Marlins order coming up, Jimmy K got Tim Brown to lift a harmless fly ball to right field to end the threat. The bottom of the 7th, saw another rally by the Fish. Girard led off with a solid single to left. Lochner hit a ball up the middle, that looked like a sure single, but Tony Nardacci made a great play and was able to force out Girard at second for the first out. That play proved to be huge when, after a Mike Clary fielder's choice provided the second out, the next three Marlins (Mike Ferraro, Gadomski, and Jim Mcquade) singled, driving in the 5th and 6th Marlins runs. Now the game was a one run game, and the Marlins had runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. Jimmy K again got the big out when needed as he induced TJ Scorsone to hit a bouncer to third for the final out and a very important win.
In game 2, the Marlins would again grab an early lead. They were staked to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning, on a double by Ron Lochner; a single and a stolen base by Mike Clary; a sacrafice fly by Phil Gadomski; and a RBI double by Mike Ferraro. Meanwhile, John Latorre had set down the first nine Giants hitters in order with some help from Tim Brown, who turned in some defensive gems on a very difficult playing surface. The bottom of the 4th inning was where the game turned south for the Marlins. The first three Giants hitters reached on Marlins errors. That is not the kind of thing you can get away with when playing the defending champs! With the bases loaded and nobody out Wayne Phillips drove in the first run on a RBI ground out. Mark Dabney tied the score at 2 with a RBI single, and Ron Smaka followed with a 2-RBI single, to give the Giants a 4-2 lead. Mike Kane made those 4 unearned runs stand up as he scattered 3 hits over the final 5 innings to preserve the win. The Marlins did put a brief scare in the Giants in the 7th when Tom Maney led off with a single and Tim Brown followed with a walk, but with two on and nobody out, Mike Kane got Mike Girard on a loud liner to left and then got the next two hitters quietly to end the game.
These two games were the kind of games that we expect every time the Giants and Golden Marlins get together. This year has brought no disappointments, as the Fish took game one 2-1 and the Giants rebounded with 7-6 and 4-2 wins -- all games turning on a couple of key plays. Can't wait to see what takes place come playoff time!
I took a quick re-read of my post regrding yesterday's double header, and it struck me that I did not emphasize enough how great of a game John Latorre threw in the second game defeat to the Giants. John had already pitched 12+ innings for his teams in the 35+ and 55+ divisions earlier in the week, so as the game started, I just asked him to throw the first 3 innings. He took the ball gladly and never gave it back. He threw a complete game four hitter, that would also have been a shutout had we not made 3 errors to start the Giants half of the 4th inning. Great job John, and sorry for the lack of support. You deserved much better!
Thnx Mike for the recaps. John La Torre indeed threw a gem. And those errors in Game 2 you described were not Marlin baseball for sure, and came from guys we all know are all-league players. But on an open, sun-drenched and hot, hard Voorheesville High School field with a bit of a tricky wind, crap happens.
We indeed were lucky to win both games, especially the second one. But as you said, Kane was awesome.
But I'd like to add that YOUR teammate, Mike Clary, was gracious enough to spare Mike Kane the ball for the Pirates in a 35 game during the week. Kane is the ace of the Pirates and probably leads the 35 Division in innings pitched. Therefore, I have had very little opportunity to use him. But when I asked Mr. Clary last week to preserve Kane's valuable right arm, he had no reservation about saving him for the Giants. So if anyone misconstrues Mr. Clary's sportsmanship, it's a you thing. He's as classy a player in all of CDMSBL as there is.
Also, re: Nardacci. Tony had a tough day at the plate. Rare for him to not get a hit, especially in a DH. But as much offense as he usually provides, his defense was nothing short of spectacular. He not only took the hit Mike G. spoke of from Lochner, that was the 2nd time in the game he went behind the bag at 2nd to get Ronnie. Lochner easily could have had two more hits. Plus, Tony's going out for pop-ups into short right field and turning a key DP did more for the Giants than his bat could have.
Wayne Phillps, who is a traditional third-baseman, played left field in Game 2 and made several running catches in left to thwart Marlins comeback bids. I believe, though not positive, the Giants had but one error in the DH.
Mike Labanowski was his sure self at SS, handling every ball on a hard field that came his way.
Bill Smith, whose season will end Wednesday with knee surgery, caught the entire Game 1 with a pitcher who didn't have his usual good control and also getting key hits in both games.
Steve Lounello, whose sliding catch in left saved a run in Game 1. These are just sme of the things off the top of my head that I can think of.
Other notes: As mentioned with Mike Clary, it was weird seeing Kane pitch to Clary when they are such good friends and teammates on the Pirates ... When I pulled a back muscle in Game 1, it was Mike Girard who came through with a couple of pills to kill the pain so I could muster enough energy to play RF in Game 2 ...
... Here this guy (me) pitches against Tom Maney a month ago or so, then goes to Fenway Park with him, Bill Smith and Steve Lounello, then plays on the same 55 team with Tom, then pitches against him again Sunday!!! I still wanted to strike his butt out, but that didn't happen. As for Fenway, they were Girard's tickets!!! Wonder if he knew three Giants were using those tickets!!! ...
... Last year, I see these postings from a guy who calls himself Marcus Aurelius. Never met him. He introduces himself when we play the Yankees in a 45 game. No doubt he's a characted and a fun and funny guy with this southern drawl. He probably likes grits, too. Season ends and I keep reading these BB postings from "Marcus.'' In November, he emails to tell me he is getting married Friday Aug. 10, 2012, in Cooperstown. He learns that the Giants have played 3-4 years now in Cooperstown and emails to ask how to get a game scheduled on Doubleday Field. I tell him that we are planning to play there again this year. I schedule Saturday Aug. 11, the day after he is to wed and he and his fiance' can't thank me enough. I then see a wedding invitation in the mail. In less than a year, we go from never having met to me going to his wedding! The world is now a smaller place. CDMSBL is lucky to have Dave Marshall! And his fiance' is a sweetheart!
There are so many stories like these that would not be if CDMSBL was not established. This is a league we are so lucky to have.
