MOSQUITO > Mets Edge Cardinals 9-8

TRAILING 8-1, THE GRITTY METROPOLITANS STAGE AN AMAZIN’ EIGHT RUN COMEBACK IN THE FINAL INNING TO USURP THE PESKY CARDS AT BICKFORD PARK

ANATOMY OF A MIRACLE COMEBACK > Clockwise from top left: Down 8-3 and with the bases loaded, Alden (5) strokes a one out 2 RBI single that trims the Mets deficit to three; Dylan (4) follows with a RBI single that slices the margin to 8-6; Thor (14) delivers a grace under pressure 2 RBI single that ties the game 8-8; In his steal of third, the Cards throw to nab him sails down the third baseline and allows Thor to slide home with the Mets winning run.

“It ain’t over till it’s over.” – Yogi Berra

Beneath a canvas of beautiful warm and sunny skies, the Mets edged the Cardinals 9-8 in three scintillating innings of Mosquito Division action this evening at the Bickford Park South Diamond.

Trailing 8-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning, the gritty Metropolitans staged a miracle eight run comeback of epic proportions to overtake the pesky Cards for the amazin’ victory.

After Dylan (4) led off the final frame with a triple, Thor (14) hit a RBI single to bring Dylan home. Cardinals closer Sarah (3) coaxed Aiden (11) to ground into a nifty 1-3 putout to record the first out. Next, Eli (12) stroked a RBI single to score Thor and cut the deficit to five.

Exercising succinct patience at the dish, Georgia (7) and Natalie (3) followed with back to back walks to load the bases. At this point, Alden (5) delivered a grace under pressure two RBI single that allowed Eli and Georgia to come home to roost and cut the margin to 8-5.

Shaken, but not stirred, Sarah adroitly struck out Zenon (10) for the second out. With a pair of Mets on base, Dylan stroked a two out RBI single that brought home Natalie and trim the shortfall to two.

Down to their last out and with the game on the line, Thor stepped into the batter’s box and stroked a clutch two RBI single that delivered Alden and Dylan home and even the proceedings at 8-8.

After advancing to second base on a Cardinals error, Thor made a brazen dash for third in a steal attempt. With the ball from the Cards catcher sailing high and down the third baseline, Thor picked himself up at third and motored home to score the Mets winning run.

The game was a well played and entertaining affair by two talented and well coached teams. Like a Tale of Two Cities, it contained a distinct storyline of two games with the Cardinals controlling two innings of play and the Mets rising to the occasion in one frame.

Cardinals starter Issac (12) threw two stellar innings where he allowed only one run while striking out six Mets [2 IP, 1 ER, 0 H, 2 W, 6 K’s].

The Mets grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff walk by Zenon, Dylan stroked a RBI single bring Zenon in with the game’s first run.

Finding his groove, Cardinals starter Issac (12) fanned the next three Mets in order to close out the inning.

The Cardinals answered back with four in the top of the second to take a 4-1 lead. After Jacob (2) and Issac singled to lead off the inning, Owen (5) drew a walk to load the bases. Displaying skillful patience at the dish, Joseph (5), Sarah and Maggie (13) followed with consecutive RBI walks that allowed Jacob, Issac and Owen to come homeward bound.

With one out, Jacob hit a RBI single that allowed Joseph to come home with the Cards fourth run of the frame.

In the bottom of the second, Cardinals starter Issac continued to weave his magic and struck out three Mets to keep them off the scoreboard.

Making hay of seven walks, the Cards scored four runs in the top of the third to widen their advantage to 8-1. Sarah, Maggie, Thomas (6) and Jacob drew respective RBI walks during the frame.

And it was at this juncture in the proceedings where the Mets came face to face with their miraculous destiny in the bottom of the third inning.