THE DEVILISH RAYS STING THE TWINKIES AT CHRISTIE PITS TO PUNCH A TICKET INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
![Three Rays pitchers would combine to neutralize the Twins offense with thirteen strikeouts over the duration of five innings. Twins starter Solly (12) [top] would pitch two scoreless frames while striking out five Rays reliever Rafi (1) [bottom right] would allow only two runs in the third while striking out two Twins. Rays reliever Jordan (14) [bottom left] threw two scoreless innings while ringing up 6 K's.](https://torontoplaygrounds.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/September-12-2016-Day-7-of-September-Madness.jpg)
Three Rays pitchers would combine to neutralize the Twins offense with thirteen strikeouts over the duration of five innings. Twins starter Solly (12) [top] would pitch two scoreless frames while striking out five Rays reliever Rafi (1) [bottom right] would allow only two runs in the third while striking out two Twins. Rays reliever Jordan (14) [bottom left] threw two scoreless innings while ringing up 6 K’s.
As Rays catcher Graeme (13) awaits the throw, Theo (5) slides into the plate with a brazen steal of home in the third inning.
The proceeding was an entertaining contest between two talented and well coached teams. In the end, the Rays prevailed for the victory by utilizing a combination of solid pitching [three Rays pitchers combined for thirteen strikeouts to stymie the potent Twins offense] and making the most of their offensive opportunities.
The Rays would stake themselves to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first. After Benjamin (15) led off the frame with a single, Jordan (14) garnered a walk to put two aboard. Solly (12) followed with a RBI single to bring Benji home with the opening run of the game.
With no outs and two aboard, Jordy seized his opportunity and stole home to score another run.
Eli (11) followed with a RBI double to plate Solly.
Subsequently, with one out and a runner at third, Joey (4) delivered a RBI single that allowed Eli to come home to roost.
In a workmanlike effort on the hill, Twins starter Liam M. (15) would strike out one in the top half of the first.
After putting the ball in flight, Jordan (14) hustles out of the batter’s box to deliver a run scoring sacrifice hit in the fourth inning.
Rays starter Solly (12) would strike out three in the bottom of the first to keep the Twins off the scoring ledger.
In the top of the second, Twins starter Liam M. would retire the Rays in 1-2-3 fashion with a groundout and two strikeouts to keep them off the scoresheet and in the aquarium.
After allowing a leadoff single in the bottom of the second, Rays reliever Jordan (14) would mow down the next three Twins on three K’s to keep them off the scoring abacus.
Twins reliever Myles (12) would strike out two in the top of the third to keep the Rays at bay.
The Twins offense would stir to life in the bottom of the third as they rallied for a pair to trim the deficit to two. Following a one out walk, Theo (5) would steal his way to third and come zooming homeward on a brazen grand theft of home to score the Twins first run.
After a two out single by Max (13), Julius (11) powered a clutch RBI triple to deliver Max home.
After stealing second base, Joey (4) takes advantage of a Twins error to come homeward in the fifth inning.
Rays reliever Rafi (1) would strike out two and induce a pop up to quell the Twins insurgency in the third frame.
In the top of the fourth, the Rays would answer with a run to extend their lead to 5-2. Benji would lead off the inning with a single. However, the Twins defense would commit an error on the play that allowed Benji to advance to third. Jordy followed with a run scoring sacrifice hit to plate Benji.
Rays starter Solly reentered the fray in the bottom half of the fourth and struck out two to keep the Twins off the scoresheet.
The Rays would tack on two insurance runs in the top of the fifth to widen their advantage to 7-2. Following a leadoff double by Emmett (6), Joey delivered a RBI single to bring him home.
As Joey slid into second with a steal of second, the Twins throw to nab him sailed high and into the outfield. The faux pas opened the portal for Joey to come home to roost.
Rays reliever Jordan would strike out three in the bottom of the fifth to close out the game.
With their semi-final victory, the Rays have advanced into Thursday’s (September 15) Mosquito Division Championship Game. The Rays await the winner of the semi-final elimination contest between the Angels and Orioles on Wednesday (September 14) evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2 at 5:45 p.m.
Fans are strongly advised to pick up their tickets for this stellar game at our TP House League Baseball Box Office well in advance of the proceeding. Applicable service fees and taxes will apply.