PEEWEE > Dodgers Top Mets 8-6

THE ARTFUL DODGERS PREVAIL OVER THE GRITTY METROPOLITANS AT CHRISTIE PITS

Mets reliever Leandro (10) [top] focuses on the strike zone on his way to two K’s in the third inning versus the Dodgers. [Photo by Mathew A. (2)] Teddy (12) [bottom] looks a down and away ball into the Dodgers catcher’s mitt. [Photo by Emilia (5)]

Beneath a sheath of warm and hazy skies, the Dodgers prevailed 8-6 over the Mets in 3 ½ innings of Peewee Division action this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2.

Here is a Dodgers summary of the proceedings:

• In the top of the first, Dodgers starter Jeremy (4) pitched his first inning of the year. Jeremy started off slow, by walking the first two Mets. With runners on first and third, Jeremy threw a perfect pitch on the outer half, that was lined hard to Pierro (14), who made a backhanded stab to snag it from sure trouble and ring up the first out. Keeping his cool, Pierro threw a strike to first baseman Elliott (13), who stretched to take receipt of the throw and doubled up the wayfaring Mets baserunner for the second out. Then Jeremy struck out the next batter and the inning was over, with nary a run.
• After leading off the bottom of the first with an all out hustle infield single, Elliot proceeded to steal second and third. After Pierro walked and stole second, Leo (1) walked to load the bases. Josh (3) brought in the first run of the game with a patient RBI walk. Then Mei (6) smashed a RBI single to centerfield to score Pierro. Next, Cooper (7) smashed one to gap for an RBI double to round out three runs for the Dodgers.
• Cooper entered the fray to pitch for the Dodgers in the top of the second. After struggling early, Cooper turned the momentum in his favour by picking off a Mets baserunner trying to steal third on a nice catch and 1-5 tagout by third baseman Wahid (9). Then Cooper used that big play as motivation to bear down and strike out two Mets to finish the inning, with the Dodgers still leading 3-2.
• In the bottom of the second, Joseph (10) led off the frame with a walk and two stolen bases to get himself to third right away. After getting hit by pitch, Ezra (12) proceeds to swipe second. After Aaron (5) also get hit by pitch to load the bases, Nicholas (15) hit a screamer back to the Mets pitcher, who knocked it down and initiated a force out at third. However, the Dodgers scored up a run on the play. After Wahid walked to reload the bases, , Elliott followed with a full count RBI walk to bring in another Dodgers run. Then Leo and Rachel (8) picked up back to back hit by pitches to score the final two runs of the inning and widen the Jays lead to 7-2
• Dodgers reliever Elliott took his spot on top of the mound in the top of the third. After shaking off the stinger to her forearm, Dodgers catcher Rachel took her position behind home plate and adeptly catches for her second time this season. Elliott managed to pick up three strikeouts in the inning and the Dodgers finished the inning still ahead 7-6. 
• In the bottom off the third, Josh (3) took a pitch up and in on the shoulder. After taking a few breaths, Josh shook it off and picked himself up out of the dirt and adroitly stole second and third on two consecutive pitches.  Mei, Understanding the situation at hand, Mei delivered the goods as she smashed a hard grounder to the right side, sacrificing herself to bring home Josh with an important insurance run for the Dodgers.
• Dodgers closer Aaron gives up a walk early, but doesn’t let it phase him. Aaron steps up and calmly strikes out the side, stranding the Mets baserunner at second to preserve the 8-6 win.

Here is a Mets log of the game:

FIRST INNING

• The Mets’ first two batters reached base on walks, but the Dodgers’ defence quickly recorded two outs in support of their pitcher, who then ended the threat with a strikeout, keeping the Mets off the scoreboard.
• Mets starting pitcher Teddy (12) recorded a strikeout plus made a deft pickoff at first base, ably handled by Isaac (4). Shortstop Jade (6) caught a fly ball to end the inning.

• The Mets’ first five batters drew walks and ran wild on the bases, scoring two runs on steals of home by Matthew D. (14) and Teddy. The Dodgers stifled the Mets’ momentum by throwing out a runner attempting to steal third and striking out the last two batters.
• The Dodgers increased their lead to 7-2 in the bottom half of the inning. Mets relief pitcher Matthew D. had a shining moment with the glove, knocking down a hard-hit ball and throwing out a runner at third from his knees. He also recorded a strikeout.

• Once again, patience at the plate and hustle on the bases paid off handsomely for the Mets, who scored four runs despite not getting a hit in the inning, and so trimming the Dodgers’ lead to a single run. The baserunning highlights where Matthew D. sprinting to first on a dropped third strike, and Jade’s steal of home.
• Met’s relief pitcher Leandro (10) kept the game close, allowing a single run to Dodger Josh, who shrugged off a hit by pitch and eventually came around to score. Leandro settled down, retiring the next three batters on a hard grounder fielded by Emilia (5) at first base and two strikeouts.

• The Dodgers closed out the game in fine form with three strikeouts around a lone walk.