The story of today's game starts with Albany's outstanding pitching.
Bob Bolt saw his first action of the tournament (and it won't be his last) in starting game three against a tough NJ Reds line up that came into the game undefeated (including a game one win over Puerto Rico). He was masterful, going 5 innings and facing just two batters over the minimum. He gave up just one bloop single in the first inning and the only other batter to reach against him reached on an error in the second. After that it was lights out! 9 up and 9 down in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings.
The Cubs offense got going early, when Mike Girard and Dave Mitchell hit back to back, 2-out doubles in the first inning.
The Cubs were back at it in the second inning. Darrell Duncan led off by reaching on an error. Dean Little followed with a single moving Darrell to third. Tim Brown then gave the Cubs a 3-run cushion with a 2-run double.
The bottom of the 4th inning saw another Cubs rally. This time Dave Mitchell started the rally with a lead off single. Ron Lochner and Randy Craft followed with singles to load the bases. Darrell Duncan plated Mitch with a sacrifice fly. An error on a Tim Brown grounder scored Lochner, and Ralph Caputo's two-out single capped the rally, driving home Craft.
The score was 6-0 when Scott Ross took over for Bob Bolt, in the top of the 6th, and he threw two scoreless innings (bringing his total to 4 in the tournament). He only gave up one walk and one hit while striking out two. During Scott's two innings on the mound, the Cubs extended the lead to 8-0, with two runs, in the 6th, on consecutive two out hits by Craft, Duncan, and Little.
Ralph Caputo stepped up for his team, for the second game in a row, taking the ball for the last two innings, completing the shut out, with two scoreless innings, scattering two hits and a walk, while striking out 1.
The 8-0 victory sets Albany up nicely for making the playoffs, with games against Puerto Rico (tomorrow at 1:00 pm) and against the Tri-State Titans (Thursday at 9:30 am). I am liking what I am seeing out of this talented group of CDMSBL'ers. All are working together, sharing time, and saving some bullets for when it counts the most!
