MOSQUITO > Orioles Usurp A’s 7-6 in Mosquito Division Semi-Final Game


DOWN 6-2, THE O’s RALLY WITH FIVE RUNS IN THE FINAL INNING TO OVERTAKE THE ATHLETICS AT CHRISTIE PITS AND ADVANCE TO A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SHOWDOWN VERSUS THE ANGELS

With the bases loaded and their season on the line, Nikolas (2) delivers a grace under pressure two out three RBI triple in the bottom of the fifth that cleared the bases and propelled the Orioles to a miracle 7-6 comeback victory over the A’s during a Mosquito Division Semi-Final Game at Christie Pits Diamond 2. [Editor’s Note: For the eagle eyed, you can see the baseball launched by Nikolas in the top right corner area of the photo.]

Jeremy (6) slides home with the Orioles winning run in the sixth.

Beneath a blanket of warm and serene Septembers skies, the Orioles edged the A’s 7-6 in five thrilling innings of Mosquito Division Semi-Final action this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 2.

Trailing 6-2, the Orioles refused to go quietly into the night as they staged a miracle comeback in the bottom of the fifth to take home the prize. After Ryder (10) and Gregory (13) garnered back to back walks to leadoff the inning and put two ducks on the pond, Ryder followed with a brazen bid to steal third. On the play to nab him, the A’s committed an error that allowed Ryder to come home to crow.

Following a steal of second by Gregory, Alex (9) stroked a single that moved him to third. On the play, Alex took advantage of a defensive lapse to advance to second base. After a one out walk by Colston (14) that loaded the bases, Jeremy followed with a bases loaded RBI walk to bring Gregory home and trim the deficit to two.

After taking the throw from A’s catcher Aaron (1), third baseman tags out Nathan (8) to thwart his steal of third base in the second.

With two outs and the bases still juiced to the gills, Nikolas (2) stepped into the batter’s box and launched a clutch three RBI triple that cleared the bases and propelled the O’s to victory.

With their playoff elimination game victory, the Orioles have now advanced into a Mosquito Division Championship Game showdown against the Angels on Friday evening. Both teams finished as the second seed in their respective round robin pools.

The proceeding was a well played and highly entertaining affair that was contested between two talented and well coached teams.

In the top of the first, the A’s jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. After Dylan (9) drew a leadoff walk and Anthony (6) was hit by pitch to put two aboard, the Athletics executed a double steal. On the play, the O’s committed an error that allowed Anthony to advance to third and brought Dylan home with the opening run of the game.

The A’s Dylan (9) steals home in the third to tie the game 2-2.

Finding the groove, Orioles starter Dash (7) struck out the next three batters to quell the A’s rebellion.

The Orioles replied quickly with a run in bottom half of the first to deadlock the game 1-1. Following a one out double and stolen base, Michael (3) took advantage of a wild pitch to bolt homeward with the tying run.

A’s starter Anthony (6) chalked up a groundout and two strikeouts in the first to subdue the Orioles insurgency.

The A’s threatened in the top of the second by putting two runners on base courtesy of respective singles by George (12) and Declan (5). However, O’s reliever Nikolas (2) pitched himself out of the pickle by striking out two and coaxing a groundout to end the crisis.

In the bottom of the second, the Orioles scored a run to take a 2-1 lead. After garnering a two out walk and stealing a pair of bases to reach third, Milo (11) motored home on a wild pitch to score the go ahead run.

Cooper (2) of the A’s strokes a RBI single in the fifth frame.

Athletics starter Anthony tallied a groundout and strikeout in the second to douse the mutiny. Anthony also received a huge defensive play from his friends during the inning. After drawing a one out walk and stealing second base, Nathan (8) made a bold bid to steal third. Noticing his grand thievery, A’s catcher Aaron (1) made a laser throw to third baseman Owen (10), who slapped an emphatic tag on a sliding Nathan to ring up a nifty 2-5 putout.

Not to be outdone, the A’s answered back with a pair in the top of the third to retake the lead 3-2. Following a leadoff walk and two stolen bases, Dylan seized his opportunity to steal home and tie the game.

With one out, Cooper (2) drew a walk and advanced to third courtesy of a stolen base and wild pitch. A faux pas by the O’s allowed Cooper to come home to roost.

Orioles reliever Jeremy (6) chalked up a lineout and groundout in the third to end the Athletics disorder.

Christian (4) delivers a RBI double for the A’s in the fifth inning.

A’s reliever Cooper struck out three in the bottom of the third to keep the O’s perched in their nest and off the scoring ledger.

In the top portion of the fourth, O’s reliever Nikolas tallied a popup, strikeout and line out in the fourth to keep the Athletics off the scoring abacus.

The Orioles threatened in the bottom of the fourth by loading the bases via a single by Nikolas and a pair of walks from Dash and Nathan. With one out, A’s reliever Dylan (9) struck out two to erase the threat.

Putting the pedal to the metal, the A’s exploded for three in the top of the fifth to widen their lead o 6-2. After a leadoff double by Dylan and a walk by Anthony that put two otters on the pond, Cooper stroked a RBI single to bring Dylan home.

With two aboard, Luc hit a groundout that allowed Anthony to come homeward. Subsequently, Christian (4) delivered a RBI double to plate Cooper.

Orioles reliever Dash rang up a strikeout and a pair of groundouts in the fifth to extinguish the Athletics insurrection.

And it was at this juncture in the proceedings where the Orioles came up to bat in the bottom of the sixth and came face to face with their rendezvous with destiny.