It was a case of too little too late for the Damn Yankees on Wednesday, as they suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of the Platinum Marlins in a 55s battle at Satellite Field.
Mike Girard went the distance on the mound for the Teal and had to escape a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh to earn the hard-fought win. Wayne Newcomb was flawless at second base on several chances to back up his pitcher on defense.
The Marlins jumped out to a 5-1 lead with Scott Ross and Newcomb being the main table-setters. Girard helped his cause with a booming RBI double in the first inning and John Corrigan, Skip Treece and Jim McQuade added big hits in the win. The Damn Yankees, led by a couple of hits from Bob Noto and Dean Little, clawed back with a pair in the fourth and a single run in the sixth and had the bases full with leadoff batter Paul Post in position to cap off the comeback. But Girard got him to ground into a 5-4 force-out with Corrigan ranging to his left at third base and throwing on to Newcomb in a bang-bang play at second to end it.
John Weber twirled four innings of shutout ball in relief of starter Craig Miller, Dean Little flashed the range and soft hands at shortstop, and Joe Hervieux ran down a few long balls in center to highlight the Yankees. Now 6-2 on the year, the Yanks slipped to second place with the loss behind the front-running Whiz Kids (6-1), while the Marlins climbed back into the pack by upping its record to 4-5.
NOTE: A big hats off to Jim Dalton, who changed out of his Marlins jersey to don his umpiring shirt. He did an admirable job from behind the mound filling in for an ''MIA'' umpire.
Thanks for the post Tim, as I did not have a score book available. Dean Little was amazing at SS, and 2-3 at the plate. Dean is in my estimation the most under rated player in the division! He always plays great defense, and is a run producer in the box, not to mention a great team mate. I got to know him last year on our trip to Phoenix, and can't wait to be his team mate again this year, when we go back to take care of some unfinished business and bring home the rings! It was great seeing you back at the field, Tim, and can't wait until you are back on the diamond, where you belong! Heal quickly, my friend!
