MOSQUITO > Angels Top Orioles 4-0 in Mosquito Division Semi-Final Game


THE HALOS PREVAIL OVER THE O’s IN A LOW SCORING AFFAIR AT CHRISTIE PITS TO EARN A TICKET INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST THE RAYS

HEAVENLY PITCH > Three Angels pitchers would combine to shutout the potent Orioles offense while striking out ten over the course of five innings. Angels starter/closer Elliot (13) [top] would pitch two scoreless frames while striking out three. Halos reliever Dante (12) [bottom right] would pitch two scoreless innings while striking out four. Angels reliever Michael (6) would toss a scoreless third while chalking up 3 K's.

HEAVENLY PITCHING > Three Angels pitchers would combine to shutout the potent Orioles offense while striking out ten over the course of five innings. Angels starter/closer Elliot (13) [top] would pitch two scoreless frames while striking out three. Halos reliever Dante (12) [bottom right] would pitch two scoreless innings while striking out four. Angels reliever Michael (6) would toss a scoreless third while chalking up 3 K’s.

Dante (12) delivers a RBI single in the first inning. In two at bats, Dante went 2 for 2 at the dish to spark the Halos attack with 2 RBI's.

Dante (12) delivers a RBI single in the first inning. In two at bats, Dante went 2 for 2 at the dish to spark the Halos attack with 2 RBI’s.

Beneath a gentle layer of serene summer skies, the Angels defeated the Orioles 4-0 in a 4 ½ inning semi-final playoff elimination game this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2 to advance to a Mosquito Division Championship Game showdown against the Rays.

The crisp and well played contest was a low scoring affair where the pitching and defenses of both teams dominated the proceedings from the opening pitch to the final out. The respective bullpens for the Angels and Orioles combined to for a total of sixteen strikeouts over the course of four and a half innings. As a result, any runs that were generated came at a premium.

With 1-2-3 finesse, Halos starter Elliot (13) would strike out one in the top of the first to keep the Orioles off the scoring ledger and in the birdbath.

Elliot was also the beneficiary of a nice defensive play from his teammates during the inning. With two outs, Angels shortstop snared a sizzling line drive off the bat of Duncan (10) to rob him of a sure hit and ring up the third out.

Taking advantage of an O's error, Elliot (13) slides home with the Angels third run in the first frame.

Taking advantage of an O’s error, Elliot (13) slides home with the Angels third run in the first frame.

In the bottom of the first, the Angels would stake themselves to an early 3-0 lead. Following a leadoff walk by Alex (3), Evan (1) and Elliot would follow suit with a pair of one out walks to load the bases. Zach (14) would draw a RBI walk to bring Alex home with the opening run of the game.

With the bases still loaded, Dante (12) followed with a RBI single that allowed Evan to come home. On the play, the O’s committed an error that allowed Zach and Dante to move up a base and Elliot to come home to roost.

Orioles starter Julien W. (4) would strike out three in the top half of the first to quell the Halos insurgency.

Angels reliever Dante (12) would strike out two in the top of the second to keep the O’s off the scoresheet.

The Angels would threaten in the bottom of the second when Rorden (2), Jakob (15) and Andre (11) garnered walks to load the bases. However, Orioles reliever Eshetu (13) would strike out two to keep the Halos off the scoring abacus and in the pews.

Angels reliever Dante (12) hustles over to the third baseline to make a super barehanded catch on pop up off the bat of Duncan (10) of the O's in the fourth inning.

Angels reliever Dante (12) hustles over to the third baseline to make a super barehanded catch on pop up off the bat of Duncan (10) of the O’s in the fourth inning.

Halos reliever Michael (6) would mow down three O’s with a Toro 60 inch TITAN® ZX6000 riding lawn mower in the top of the third to keep them off the scoreboard and in the nest.

O’s reliever Justin (3) would strike out one in the bottom of the third to keep the Angels off the scoreboard.

The Orioles defense would also shine in the third as they made two stellar plays to stymie the Angels offense. O’s shortstop Eshetu would vacuum up a sharp grounder off the bat of Halo’s leadoff batter Alex and make a cannon throw to first baseman Julien W. to ring up the first out on a pretty 6-3 putout.

With two outs, Evan hit a smokin’ liner up the middle. However, Justin would snare the hot shot in his glove near the mound and make a quick throw over to first baseman Julien W. to chalk up the 1-3 putout.

In the top of the fourth,  Halos reliever Dante would strike out two to keep the O’s at bay.

Orioles reliever Eshetu (13) pitched two solid innings where he allowed only one run while striking out two.

Orioles reliever Eshetu (13) pitched two solid innings where he allowed only one run while striking out two.

With one out, Dante helped his own cause when he hustled off the mound and made his way to the third baseline to make a spectacular barehanded catch on pop up off the bat of Duncan to ring up the solo putout.

The Angels would tack on an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead to 4-0. Following a leadodd walk and stolen base by Elliot, Dante delivered a one out RBI single to bring him home.

O’s reliever Eshetu would induce a couple of groundouts to subdue the Halos rebellion in the fourth.

With two outs, Eshetu was also helped out by Orioles shortstop Julien W., when he snared a screaming line drive off the bat of Nikhil (5) to tally the third out.

Refusing to go quietly into the night, the pesky Orioles put a runner on base to lead off the top of the fifth. However, Angels reliever Elliot would induce a pop up and ring up two strikeouts to close the game and seal the deal on a hard fought semi-final victory over the O’s.

With their semi-final victory, the Angels will now battle the Rays in Thursday’s (September 15) Mosquito Division Championship Game at Christie Pits Diamond 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Fans are strongly advised to pick up their championship game tickets for this stellar game at our TP House League Baseball Box Office well in advance of the proceeding. Cash only. No credit or debit cards. Applicable service fees and taxes will apply. No concessions available. Bring your own food and drinks. And also bring a comfortable chair and a couple of blankets too. See ya all there for the second last game of ‘September Madness’.