Under threatening Friday evening skies - Jimmy K for the Whiz and Bones Jones for the Americans faced off on an improving Satellite Field for what would prove to be a competitive game. Both pitchers set down their opponents in order in the 1st. The Whiz got going for 2 runs in the 2nd on a couple walks and singles by Chris Abrams, Joe Torre and Ed Draves. Answering with a run in their half for the Americans was Nick Kanellis' booming double to LF who scored on Jimmy Kisselburgh's double to RF. The Whiz went to work in the top of the 3rd with a single by Ralph Caputo who scored on another single by Abrams. Jimmy K set the Americans down in order in their 3rd. The Whiz kept at it putting up 2 runs in the top of 4th on singles by Mike Lannon, Ed Klopfer, Tom Maney, Caputo, Billy Smith and a double by Jeff Teats. Only good outfield play by Americans Rob Rugen hitting the infield relay man first cutting down Maney at the plate and then Teats at the plate on the following play saved more runs that the Whiz could have put up. Chris Abrams came on for Jimmy K to hold the Americans scoreless in their 4th. Anthony Torre opened with a big double for the Whiz in the 5th and scored on a single by Joe Torre who scored on a single by Klopfer. The Whiz had bases loaded with some walks, but Bones Jones was able to get Maney to fly out to end the threat. Again, Abrams held off the Americans going down in order in the bottom of the 5th. Jones regained his pitching form in the top of the 6th setting the Whiz down in order. Finally, the Americans got in the groove scoring 6 in the bottom of the 6th on singles by Joe Romero, Ben Petrone, Dave Demaria, Kanellis, Kisselburgh and then a long triple by Jim Wing. During the inning, Darrell Duncan came on for Abrams, who tweaked his knee on a play at the plate and only a good pickoff move by Duncan to 2nd base picking off the Americans base runner ended the continuing threat. In the top of the 7th, Jim Porter led off with a single for the Whiz and scored on a single by Lannon. With darkness setting in on the Americans and down 9-7 in their 7th, Jones singled, Joe Romero doubled scoring Jones. Henderson doubled scoring Romero and Demaria managed to get on 1st on a ground ball to the second baseman scoring Henderson to seal an Americans 10-9 W. Two teams with a bunch of good guys - somebody had to lose.

Whiz fall to 1-1. Americans improve to 3-0.

Next up. Americans at Hawks on Wednesday. DamnYankees at Whiz Kids on Friday. Heal up Chris Abrams.

Brad B