BANTAM > Diamondbacks Top Rangers 10-8


IN A SPIRITED AFFAIR, THE D-BACKS PREVAIL OVER THE RANGERS AT DOMINICO FIELD

D-BACK POWER > Michael (12), Kitchener (4) and Jordan (2) went a combined 7 for 7 against the Rangers with two walks and a triple.

D-BACK POWER > Michael (12) [top left], Kitchener (4) [top right] and Jordan (2) [bottom right] went a combined 7 for 7 against the Rangers with two walks and a triple at Dominico Field at Christie Pits. Playing in only his second game ever, Victor (14) [bottom left] delivered his third hit in two games to put the Diamondbacks ahead for good in the first inning.

Game Summary edited with files from Patrick Zeppieri and Tracy Franklin

Beneath a ceiling of very humid summer skies, the Diamondbacks defeated the Rangers 10-8 in four innings of Bantam Division play this evening at Dominico Field at Christie Pits.

Here is a Diamondbacks account of the proceedings:

First inning: Diamondbacks 4 Rangers 2
In the hot summer night, the game soon became one of attrition due to dwindling numbers. The players who showed up and lasted for both teams battled through the humidity for an interesting game. The Diamondbacks started off strong with almost everyone reaching on base. Michael (12) and Kitchener (4) started off with singles and were delivered home by a triple by the rapidly improving Jordan (2). With a couple of walks and some timely base stealing, the setting was set for newcomer Victor (14) [playing in only his second game ever] to put the Diamondbacks ahead to stay with his third hit in two games. In the bottom half of the inning, the Rangers were able to claw back a couple runs off some very strong pitching from Diamondbacks starter Daniel (3).
Second inning: Diamondbacks 8 Rangers 3
The Rangers pitching started off with a strikeout against one of the Diamondbacks heavier hitters. Like so many times this season, Michael started another D-Backs rally with a solid hit up the middle. Following a couple of more hits and walks, this set up the table for Leo to knock in the third and fourth runs of the frame. The ever steady Diamondbacks reliever Kitchener (4) was able to limit the Rangers to a single run in the bottom of the second.
Third inning: Diamondbacks 10 Rangers 3
As been the case all game, the top of the Diamondbacks lineup came up big again after the Rangers were able to start off the frame with a big strikeout. The top of the order consisting of Michael, Kitchener, and Jordan went a combined 7 for 7 at the dish with two walks and a triple. Before the inning was over, they were able to put two more on the board. Diamondbacks reliever Jordan (2) entered the fray in the bottom of the inning and was able to stop the hard charging Rangers with a workmanlike pitching performance on the mound.
Fourth inning: Diamondbacks 10 Rangers 8
The Rangers were not going to give up in this game and rode a strong pitching performance in the top of the fourth to stop the Diamondbacks offense with a couple of strikeouts. In the bottom half of the inning, the Rangers offense surged to life as they came close to tying the game after some costly errors almost cost Diamondbacks closer Michael (12) the chance of ending the inning quickly. With two outs, Michael was able to hamstring the next Rangers batter with an inside pitch, which resulted in an outstanding catch by D-Backs third baseman Jordan, who used his dynamic range to get to the back of the pitching mound and make a sweet ice cream cone catch to end the inning and seal the deal on the victory.
Here is a Rangers log of the game:
  • On Monday evening, the Rangers were short of players in their lineup due to the summer holidays and camp. The entire Rangers team would like to thank Nicholas (7) and Thomas (9), from the Diamondbacks, for joining our side and playing awesome! We also want to thank Reds player Qingyuan (14) [who happened to be at Christie Pits to watch his younger brother play] for joining the Rangers roster to help us to form a team!
  • The bats were humming. Singles were smacked by Qingyuan, Thomas, Cormac (3), Jacob P (11) and Justin!! Cormac also blasted a double with the bases loaded. Michael (4) and Thomas were hit by wild pitches and took a couple bases for the team while Alysa, Cormac and Jacob P had the patience to get on base with a walk.
  • Play of the game goes to Thomas and Qingyuan for getting a runner at third.
  • Solid pitching was shared by Alysa and Cormac.
  • Thomas played a solid four innings as catcher.
  • In the end, the D-Backs overpowered the Rangers for a final score of 10-8.