MOSQUITO > Astros Planetoid Red Sox 13-6

FIRING ON ALL ROCKET ENGINES, THE INTERGLACTIC ASTROS IONIZE THE BEANTOWNERS TO TAKE THE OUTTASITE OUTTA MIND VICTORY AT BICKFORD PARK

ASTRO FORCES > Four Astros pitchers combined to limit the potent Red Sox batting lineup to six runs and five hits over the course of four innings at Bickford Park. Astros starter Luca (14) [top left] tossed a scoreless first with 2 K’s; Astros reliever Ian (7) [top right] pitched a scoreless second while striking out three; In a nitty gritty effort, Astros reliever Mac (13) [bottom right] threw a workmanlike third; Despite surrendering a pair of runs in the fourth, Astros closer Simon (6) [bottom left] sealed the deal on the 13-6 victory over the Red Sox with a mighty K.

The game was an entertaining proceeding that was contested by two talented and well coached teams. In the end, the Astros prevailed for the victory by making the most of the offensive opportunities that were presented to them and maximizing their pitching depth and defeense to neutralize the potent Red Sox batting order.

The Astros rocketed to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first. After leading off the frame with a walk, Vince (10) immediately stole second. Vince followed with a brazen bid to take third. As the Red Sox throw to erase him sailed high and down the third baseline, Vince motored home on the error to score the opening run of the game.

Desmond (3) and Ian (7) followed and garnered back to back walks to put two ducks on the pond. At this juncture, Matthew (11) delivered a 2 RBI sacrifice hit to bring Desmond and Ian home to roost.

After Sam (5) and Mac (13) were hit by pitch, Simon (6) earned a two out walk to load the bases. Bright (2) chalked up a RBI walk to plate Sam.

In a workmanlike effort on the mound, Red Sox starter Sasha (6) struck out one in the top of the first.

Astros starter Luca (14) would strike out two in the bottom of the first to keep the Red Sox off the scoreboard and in the hamper.

Taking no prisoners, the Astros seized upon their opportunities in the top of the second and scored another four to extend their advantage to 8-0. After Stephen (1) led off the inning with a walk, Charlie (4) followed with a single that put runners at second and first. At this moment, the Astros initiated a double steal. With the throw to nab the Astros runner at third sailing away, Stephen bolted homeward with a run on the faux pas and Charlie moseyed over to third.

Following a one out walk by Vincent that put base runners into orbit at third and first, the Astros executed another double steal that allowed Vincent to move to second and Charlie to hustle home with another run.

After Vincent advanced to third on a wild pitch. Desmond would deliver a RBI sacrifice hit to bring Vincent homeward and extend the lead to 7-0.

With two outs, Ian walked and Matthew singled to put Astros at second and first. As Ian made his bid to steal third, the Red Sox throw to erase him sailed away and that allowed Ian to come homeward bound.

Red Sox reliever Vincent (4) put in a spirited effort on the hill by recording two outs in the top of the second.

The Red Sox bats stirred to life in the bottom of the second as Thomas (13) and Noah (8) singled to put two geese on the lake. However, Astros reliever Ian (7) found the groove and struck out three to keep them off the scoring ledger and bring the curtain down on the second inning.

Going for the jugular, the Astros plated another four in the top of the third to widen their lead to 12-0. After Sam and Mac drew respective walks to put two mallards on the fountain, Simon stroked an one out RBI single that allowed Sam to come home to crow.

Following a walk to Bright that loaded the bases, Stephen launched a 2 RBI double that brought Mac and Simon home and stretch the Astros lead to 11-0.

Charlie followed with a RBI single that allowed Bright to advance homeward with another run.

In a gritty foray on the mound, Red Sox southpaw reliever Owen (3) rung up one strikeout in the top of the third.

Refusing to surrender, the Red Sox took advantage of five walks and gamely rallied for four in the bottom of the third to trim the deficit to eight. After Anthony (2), Adam (1) and Vincent drew respective walks to lead off the inning and load the bases, Alex (14) drew a RBI walk that allowed Anthony to shimmy home with the Red Sox first run.

With the bases juiced to the gills, Adam brazenly stole home to trim the margin to 12-2.

After a walk to Sasha reloaded the bases, Lucas (11) delivered a 2 RBI single that allowed Vincent and Alex to barrel homeward.

Astros reliever Mac (13) put in a spirited effort on the hill in the bottom of the third.

In the top of the fourth, the Astros would tack on an insurance run to widen their lead to 13-4. After drawing a one out walk, Vince would advance to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch. From that vantage point, Vince would steal home with grand theft aplomb.

Red Sox reliever Alex (14) would strike out two in the top of the fourth to quell the Astros insurgency.

The pesky Red Sox refused to go quietly into the night in the bottom of the fourth as they scored two to trim the shortfall to seven. After Owen walked and Noah singled, Adrian (15) drew a walk that loaded the bases. Daniel (5) would garner a one out RBI walk that allowed Owen to come home.

With the bases still loaded, Anthony would hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Noah to advance homeward.

Shaken, but not stirred, Astros closer Simon (6) would find the mojo and strike out the final Red Sox batter to seal the deal on a sweet intergalactic victory. 

In a postgame media scrum, Astros skipper Matthew Scuby was pleased with his team’s effort against the Red Sox: “Our pitching depth was on display again as Mac and Simon made strong season debuts on the mound. Both Luca and Ian also contributed stellar shutout innings on the hill. The Astros offense was sparked by a 2 RBI double from Stephen and a key RBI hit from Charlie. It was a great game!”