MOSQUITO > Reds Top Pirates 9-7


IN A TITANIC BATTLE ROYALE, THE BIG RED MACHINE PREVAIL OVER THE SWASHBUCKLING BUCCANEERS AT CHRISTIE PITS

 

TURNING POINT > Clockwise from top left: Tied 6-6, Reds reliever Ben (6) limited the potent Pirates offense to one run in the top of the third while striking out three; Down 7-6, Nicholas (3) drew a lead off walk in the bottom of the third. Subsequently, Nicholas would come home to score the Reds tying run; Brandon (7) would deliver Nicholas home with a clutch one out RBI double; With the game tied 7-7 and the bases loaded, Ben (4) would earn a RBI walk to allow Brandon to trot home with the Reds go ahead and winning run.

Beneath a canopy of sunny and cloudy skies this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2, the Reds prevailed 9-7 over the Pirates in a riveting 3 ½ inning Mosquito Division round robin tournament game.

In a highly entertaining affair, two talented and well coached teams battled tooth and nail from the first pitch to the last out. In the end, the Big Red Machine seized their moment of opportunity in the third inning and emerged with a hard fought victory over the pesky Buccaneers.

Reds closer Dylan (15) extricated himself from a bases loaded jam in the final inning by striking out two Pirates.

Like a pair of prized boxers exchanging blows, the Pirates and Reds were deadlocked at 6-6 after the first two innings of play. At this juncture, Reds reliever Ben (6) stepped onto the mound in the top of the third and pitched a whale of an inning, as he limited the potent Pirates offense to one run while striking out three.

Down 7-6, and with momentum on their side, the Reds made their Red Letter Day move in the bottom of the third. With one out and a runner on base, Brandon (7) stroked a clutch RBI double that allowed Nicholas (3) to motor home with the tying run.

After Harrison (8) and Jaleelah (14) drew respective walks to load the bases, Ben (1) exercised great discipline at the dish and drew a RBI walk that allowed Brandon to saunter home with the Reds go ahead run. With two outs and the bases still juiced, Tillie (13) delivered a grace under pressure RBI single to bring Harrison home with an insurance run.

With a 9-7 lead, Reds closer Dylan (15) stepped into the fray in the bottom of the fourth to seal the deal. After issuing a lead off walk to Jackson (3), Dylan struck out the next two Bucs.

However, the stubborn Pirates refused to go down with the ship as Andrew (10) singled and Oliver (6) walked to load the bases.

With two outs and the game on the line, Dylan reached deep down into his reserve tank to induce the Pirates to hit into a 4-3 putout to end the proceedings.

The Reds (1-0) will face the Cubs (1-0) at Christie Pits Diamond 3 in their next round robin tournament game on Friday, September 6 at 5:45 p.m. The Pirates (0-1) will host the Giants (0-1) at Christie Pits Diamond 2 in their next round robin game on Friday, September 6 at 5:45 p.m.