At last year's Fall Classic, the Albany Blue Jays gave up 5-run lead in the 9th inning in a loss to the Chesapeake A's, en route to an 0-5 finish. It was the only win for Chesapeake. The grudge match occurred this afternoon, with the Jays 0-3 and the A's already 2-1.

Skipper Artie Gianakos started on the bump for the Jays. He threw well and the Jays took a 6-2 lead into the fourth, when the A's mounted a rally. Artie gave way to Jim Tesoriero, who finished out the inning, but the A's had taken a 7-6 lead. Three more lead changes brought the Jays to bat, down 10-8, in the bottom of the 7th inning. But only 9 minutes remained in the 3-hour time limit, and it seemed an almost certainty that the Jays had reached their final at bats.

The A's brought in a new pitcher to close, their third of the game. He started with six straight balls, putting Mike Surin on first and Pat Alston up in the count. Pat worked a walk, bringing the potential winning run to the plate with no outs. But Tim Borwick and Artie Gianakos both went down on strikes, as the A's closer found the zone. Mike Surin had taken an opportunity to steal third base, so runners were on the corners.

Curt Tucker was up next. In last year's tourney, Tucker struggled at the plate, serving as a sort of defensive specialist in CF. But this is a different year, and he entered this at bat 6 for 9 with a walk, 2 doubles, a triple, and an RBI in all 4 games. But he also had tweaked his hamstring in the previous game, limitin his mobility.

A slider missed inside and preceded a wild pitch, allowing Alston to move into scoring position. Tucker was late and missed the first fastball. But he caught the next one, sending a fly ball down the right field line. The sun, which had become increasingly difficult for the right side of the defense, played the Jays' tenth man, as the right fielder lost the ball and couldn't make a play on it. It fell just fair and the tying runs scored.

The pitcher retired the next batter, striking out the side. The time limit kicked in and the game was called, in a tie. Not wholly satisfying for anyone, but it was the first non-loss for the Blue Jays in Florida over the past two years. And though it was not complete payback for last year's collapse, this year the Jays took away their win in the last inning.

Even with an 0-3-1 record, the Jays are not out of playoff contention. A win in their final round robin game tomorrow, against the Berks County Bombers, and the Jays might jus eke there way in.

Curt Tucker

-- Edited by ctucker on Wednesday 12th of November 2014 07:59:50 PM