MOSQUITO > Giants Splice Pirates 2-0

IN A WELL PLAYED ROUND ROBIN PLAYOFF AFFAIR , THE MIGHTY GIANTS PREVAIL OVER THE GNARLY BUCCANEERS FOR A SWEET VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS

PRIME TIME PITCHERS > Clockwise from top left: Four pitchers from the Giants and Pirates combined to strike out eighteen batters in a low scoring Mosquito Division Round Robin Tournament Game. Giants starter Adam, (10) pitched two scoreless innings for the win while facing only six batters and mowing down all six Pirates. [2 IP; 0 ER; 0 H; 0 W; 6 K]; Giants reliever Jamie (13) tossed two scoreless innings to earn the save while fanning three. [2 IP; 0 ER; 0 H; 4 W; 1 HB; 3 K]; Pirates starter Adi (7) threw two scoreless frames where he struck out four Giants. [2 IP; 0 ER; 0 H; 5 W; 4 K]; Pirates reliever Aaron (2) struck out five over two innings while allowing one earned run. [2 IP; 1 ER; 2 H; 2 W; 5 K]

It was well played game by two highly skilled and well coached teams. In a proceeding where pitching dominated, runs came at a high premium in a classic low scoring affair. Four pitchers from both the Giants and Pirates combined for eighteen strikeouts and allowed only two hits over four frames.

Here are the highlights:

• Despite loading the bases on three walks, Pirates starter Adi (7) struck out three in the top of the first to dodge a bullet and keep the Giants off the scoresheet.
• In 1-2-3 fashion, Giants starter Adam (10) mowed down three Pirates with powerful authority in the bottom of the first to keep the Buccaneers off the base paths and the scoreboard.
• In the top of the second, the Giants take a 1-0 lead. With two outs and a runner on third, Adam delivers a clutch two out RBI single to bring Aidan (3) home with the first run of the game.
• Bucs reliever Aaron (2) fans three in the top of the second to quell the Mighty Giants offensive insurgency.
• Giants starter Adam strikes out another three Pirates in order again in the bottom of the second to keep the Buccaneers offense moored to the docks.
• The Giants added an insurance run in the top of the third to extend their advantage to 2-0. After a leadoff single and wild pitch allowed Lucas (1) to reach second, he made a brazen dash to steal third. With the throw from the Bucs catcher sailing high and down the third baseline, Lucas picked himself up and blazed home on the error.
• In a bold bid to get back in the game, the Pirates loaded the bases in the bottom of the third. However, Giants reliever Jamie (13) struck out a pair of Bucs to leave them stranded.
• With two outs and the bases filled with Seadoggin’ Buccaneers, Jamie helped himself out in the third when he snared a scorching line drive off the Cutlass of a strokin’ Pirate to record the third out of the inning.
• Pirates pitcher Adi struck out one in top of the fourth to keep the Giants off the scoring register.
• The Bucs executed a Gold Glove 2-4 putout in the fourth when Pirates catcher Will (13) gunned down a wayfaring Giant attempting to steal second. Will made a cannon of a throw to second baseman Mark (12), who adroitly applied the tag to record the second out of the frame.
• Giants southpaw Lucas fanned one in the bottom of the fourth to keep the Pirates at bay and seal the deal on a hard fought victory.
• The Giants turned a neat 3-4 double play to end the proceedings in the fourth.

The Giants (1-0) will host the Reds (0-1) in their next round robin playoff game at Christie Pits Diamond 3 on Thursday, September 4 at 5:45 p.m. Up next for the Pirates (0-1) is a 5:45 p.m. round robin game versus the Cardinals (1-0) on Thursday, September 4 at Christie Pits Diamond 2.