The 55+ Peppers scored three runs with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning Monday night (5/7) at New Scotland to edge the Pirates, 3-2, in the opener for both teams.
The newly formed Pirates scored twice, once in the second inning and once in the fourth, while riding the strong arm of Darnell Baker (5ks, 2 walks) to take a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.
But with one out the Peppers' Herb Carter and Adam Zafran singled, and Howard Becker got the only extra-base hit of the night, a long double to left, scoring Carter. Brad Maione then hit a bouncer with spin that a Pirates' infielder couldn't handle and Zafran and Becker both scored for the victory.
A crew of Peppers pitchers, Dan Durbak, Dana Hansen, Dave Plew and Mike Hart, allowed five singles, struck out five and walked three in the win.
I liked seeing Pirates' scrappiness and good humor. It's contagious.
Thrill of victory to the agony of defeat....had to feel good at 2-0 after 6 1/2, and when Darnell Baker, who pitched a CG gem, gets the dangerous Peppers lead-off man to start the bottom of the 7th, Pirates could see the finish line. That's when the No Quit Peppers took the game to the Pirates in the 7th, sandwiching a couple of hits around a couple of errors, in what otherwise was a good debut for both teams, in a well played game. Peppers combined pitchers has Pirates off balance all game. Rookie 3B Kevin McCauley drove in both Pirates runs, and John Reel and Cos DiBari had key hits. Both teams turned double plays and flashed some leather. Base running error, and failure to execute by Pirates was costly, as they didn't get the bunt down as needed, and left bags drunk in top of 7th with NO outs! Credit Peppers with a lively and loud bench, and clutch hitting in 7th that carried them to the W!
Smiling with pride! Sweet game and good to see DBake helping out an expansion team, giving the Pirates credibility beyond being a first-year franchise. The '62 Mets would be proud! Nice work JD in putting together a solid team of great guys.
