DOWN 11-8, THE GNARLY BUCCANEERS RALLY FOR FOUR RUNS IN A SQUIFFY FINAL INNING TO USURP THE COSMOPOLITAN METROPOLITANS AND EARN A MOTHERLOAD OF A VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
With the game knotted at 11-11, Mark (12) worked the count in his favour to draw a clutch two out bases loaded walk in the bottom of the fourth inning that brought home Andre (15) with the Pirates winning run over the Mets.
Game Post composed with files from Jeff Kolyn, Kevin Hewitt and Mitch Davis.
Beneath picturesque warm and sunny seafaring skies, the Pirates edged the Mets 12-11 in four shiver me timber innings of Mosquito Division action this evening on the heated waters of Christie Pits Diamond Three Inlet.
Trailing 11-8, the Buccaneers staged a comeback of Jolly Roger proportions in the bottom of the fourth to overtake the suave Metropolitans.
With two outs and Aaron (2) on third, Lucas (9) dug himself into an 1-2 hole as he kept the Mets from seizing the treasure chest of sweet victory. However, Lucas used his smartly guile to foul off a potentially game ending pitch and worked the count in his favour to draw a game saving walk. Oscar (1) would follow with another walk to load the bases.
With the winds in their sails, the Pirates went for the jugular as they battled back with three to take control of the mizzenmast and even the proceedings at 11-11. Andre (15), Adi and Alexia (14) would battle the Mets vociferously at the plate to draw consecutive bases loaded RBI walks to bring Aaron, Lucas and Oscar homeward.
At this juncture, Mark (12) stepped into the batter’s box with the game on the line. Giving no quarter, Mark fought off several nasty Metropolitan pitches to draw a RBI walk that brought Andre home with the Bucs winning run.
Here are some additional game highlights:
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Eli (12) of the Mets stole home twice (one in the second and one in the third).
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Eli managed the first successful Mets steal in the face of a rundown on a steal from second to third.
- In the top of the first, Alden (5) took one for the Mets as he went over backwards during a masterful bit of fielding from the mound.
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Rookie Mets pitcher Dylan (4) shut the Pirates down in order in the third with some masterful pitching.
BONUS PIRATES GAME LOGBOOK by Captain Jeff Kolyn.
- Today’s game featuring the Mets and Pirates saw more first time pitchers for the Buccaneers.
- In the top half of first inning, first time Bucs pitcher Alexia (14) struck out a batter, and fielded the inning ending pop up on a great running catch.
- The inning also featured some great defense from Olivia (6) who went up the middle and grabbed a ground ball destined for the outfield, and made a strong throw to first base, and with the help of a great stretch and catch by Mark (12), the out was made in a chitty chitty bang bang play.
- In the bottom half of first inning, the Pirates rallied for four runs, on three walks [Mark and Jeremy (4) each with a stolen base, and Jonah (10)] and some timely hitting, first by Jasper (11) hammering a 2 RBI triple followed by Will with an RBI single, and Aaron ending it off with a hustling infield hit for the RBI scoring Jonah.
- In the second inning, Jeremy came out from behind the plate to pitch for the first time. Jeremy was around the plate all inning and came close a few times to striking out his first batter of the year.
- In the bottom half of the second inning, the Pirates once again struck for four runs, on five walks [Lucas (9) (stolen base), Oscar (1), Andre (RBI), Alexia, and Mark (RBI) and a pair of hits (Olivia singling to lead off the inning on a great hustle play, and Adi (in his first game since breaking his hand) with a 2 RBI single up the middle].
- The third inning started with Bucs reliever Oscar pitching in front of a packed house of “Oscar Fans”. And Oscar did not disappoint as he threw tons of strikes, and making the first out of the inning on a great throw and catch with Jasper at first base. Oscar also came close again to another out at first, but the hustling Mets player just beat it out.
- In the bottom of the third, the Mets pitched a gem, but Jonah managed a walk in a great at bat, and Will (13) was robbed of a sure fire single on a nice defensive catch by the Mets.
- The final inning was a good one. Adi, in his first pitching attempt of the year (and the tenth different Pirate to pitch so far) struck out the side, and held the Mets to no runs, despite having the bases loaded with only one out.
- Bucs catcher Aaron showed his leadership behind the plate, calming Adi, before his back to back strike outs to keep the Pirates within three runs.
- In the bottom half of the third inning, things started bleakly with two outs from the first three Pirates batters. But Aaron managed a walk and two stolen bases to keep the pressure on.
- Lucas, who was down 1-2 and fouled off a potentially game ending pitch, work his way back to walk, and set the table for the Pirates comeback.
- Oscar, Andre (RBI), Adi (RBI), Alexia (RBI), and Mark (RBI) each fought off tough pitches and worked RBI walks from the Mets rough and tough southpaw on the mound to complete the come from behind win. Lucas’s walk keyed the whole rally, and the Pirates played and cheered as a team. A team that is really coming together.