TAKING FLIGHT, THE RED BIRDS NEST THE EXPOS TO EARN THE VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
CARDINAL POWER > In the top of the first inning, Alex (9) sparked the Cardinals offensive assault against the Expos with a lead off inside the park home run and a RBI triple. Alex also pitched in a relief role for the Cards in the second frame where he allowed only two runs while striking out three Expos.
Game Summaries edited with files from Paul Bagnell and Bill Evans
Beneath a sheath of cool and genteel skies, the Cardinals defeated the Expos 12-5 in four innings of Peewee Division action this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2
Here is a Cardinals summary of the proceedings:
The Peewee Division Cardinals put their bat skills and base-running speed on display during Monday night’s 12-5 victory over the Expos. The Cards now sit at 2-0 this early in the season.
Only six Cardinals were in the lineup, with others on the disabled list or busy with school responsibilities. The Expos graciously lent the three outfielders to the Cardinals during the Cards’ defensive innings.
The hit parade got started early when Alex (9) hit a lead-off homer on the second pitch of the game. The ball sailed, then rolled to the outfield fence, and Alex blazed his way around the bases to score. Singles followed from Olivia (6), Spencer (10) and Jordan (14), before Alex came up to the plate again and slammed an RBI triple.
Cardinals starter Jordan (14) took the mound in the bottom of the first, and retired the Expos after only four batters. Jordan caught an infield pop-up for the first out, and struck out the second batter. The third Expos batter reached first on a single, but was caught in a run-down when he attempted to steal second. Olivia and Spencer worked like a well oiled machine in working the run-down.
After the first two Cardinals batters had struck out in the top of the second, the Cards were still able to score three runs. Speed on the basepaths was the key. Jordan and Michael (5) walked, and then stole their way around to third. Jordan stole home, and Michael was singled home by Louis (1).
In the bottom of the second, Cardinals reliever Alex (9) pitched and struck out three batters in a six-up, three-down inning in which the determined Expos scored two runs.
The Expos’ defense held firm in the top of the third. Only one run came home for the Red Birds, despite adoubles from Olivia and Jordan and a single from Michael.
But the Cardinals defense was just as stingy in the bottom of the third. With Cardinals reliever Louis (1) on the mound, only three Expos batters made it to the plate. Matthew of the Expos crushed a line drive to left field that looked like a sure triple. However, Jordan and Olivia combined to tag the Matthew out at third.
In the top of the fourth, the Cardinals’ offence came alive again, scoring four insurance runs off walks by Alex, Spencer, Jordan, Michael and Louis – and singles by Olivia, Michael and Louis.
Here is an Expos log of the game:
- Both Harris (12) and Juan (13) went 2 for 2 at the dish.
- Matthew hit a double in the third. However, Matthew was tagged out by the Cardinals D when he tried to stretch it into a triple.
- Pitchers Elias, Daniel, Harris and Taras combined to give the Expos four workmanlike innings on the mound.
- Catchers Harris, Taras and Daniel combined for a solid effort behind the plate.
- Harris, William and Juan worked together for a nice pickoff play against the Cardinals.
- Umpires Evan and Josh did a great job officiating the game.
- Everyone had a wonderful time!