Joe Burns allowed only four hits, and his teammates supported him with a 5-run 1st inning, as the Whiz Kids defeated the Cardinals 12-3 Thursday night at the A diamond. Unlike today's downpour, there were some sprinkles to welcome us to the field, along with locked gates that weren't opened until 4:50. So much more BP!
The Cards loaded the bases in the first on an error, a single, and a walk. The cleanup hitter, Bert Myers, hit a liner to third that was snagged by Mike Kane, who then stepped on third for a double play. The next batter hit a fielder's choice, but the throw to second was too late to get Jeff Friedman, so the bases were reloaded. Burns struck out the next batter to end the threat.
On to the bottom of the first. Burns singled, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a single by Mike Kane. After a walk to Shawn Martin, Gene Hallenbeck singled home a run. Hallenbeck would later score on an RBI single off the bat of Jim Preller. Reggie Flansburg and Preller would also score to close out the inning.
The score remained 5-0 for the next two innings, as the Cardinal infield made several defensive gems.
The Whiz added four more in the fourth on RBI singles by Burns, Kane, and Martin.
The Cards would answer with three runs in the 5th, on a 2-run double by Friedman, and a run scoring single by Myers.
A rocket off the bat of Hallenbeck plated two runs, followed by an RBI single by Flansburg, ended the scoring in the 6th.
Congratulations to Jerry Hawkins and the rest of the Cardinals on a fine season.
The Whiz Kids and Giants meet on Monday at the A diamond.
