Borealis - Commissioner wrote:Palm Springs's John Gustafson gets a 2-out base hit and the crowd goes into a frenzy, hoping for another hometown hero to step up. But Jim White can't deliver and we're headed to the 5th inning.
Can I just mention that the SL would be in much better shape had they made Ollie Freaking Morris the starting 3B, instead of this weak-sauce White? That's twice already now that the guy has wilted under pressure.
Edwards strikes out. Connecticut's George John hits a pinch-hit single, but West Virginia's Tom Kirkland can't reproduce the pinch-hit magic and the inning is over. Charleston's Carlos Cervantes - another pitcher on a short leash - is coming out for the bottom of the 5th.
A little late to this thread but good to see the Florida guys doing well. Glad to see Morimoto hit a bomb after not doing so well in the HR derby. I'm sure A.K. is at the game and is going nuts right now throwing the word "baby" at every possible opportunity. I hope Saunders doesn't have to trot out there. I had him pitch the day before the All-Star game but he'll be available if the IL needs it!
The pinch hitters have something going for the SL. With one out, Aurora's Steve McDonald relieves Powell Clark and draws a walk. Omaha's Shimpei Adachi hits for Anthony Pace and does the same thing: pinch-walk. London's Rafael Hernandez is coming on to quell this uprising. And guess who will be facing him? HR Challenge Champ Manny Lopez of Crystal Lake, on to pinch hit for Ramon Flores!
Where did the home run stroke go, Manny? That easy double play you just hit into sure isn't going to get the SL back into the game! We move to the 6th inning, and Aurora's George Thompson will see if he can make the hometown fans happy doing what he does best: striking dudes out.
No strikeouts, but still nothing doing for the IL. Florida's Chris Saunders is coming out for the 6th... sorry Kevin! Don't worry; he'll be on a strict pitch count.
Saunders retires Lilly and Kiyomizu but not pinch hitter Augusto Quinones of Aurora, who lines a single to left. No fooling around with Saunders's precious arm. IL Manager Pat Britt of Charleston heads out to the mound and makes the singal, calling for righty Bobby Wright of San Antonio. Toro will answer by sending up Crystal Lake's Mark Frazier to pinch hit for John Gustafson.
It takes Wright just two pitches to get out of the inning. A deep fly ball to center by Frazier isn't deep enough. The 7th looms, and Aurora's Alberto Magana is the new pitcher.
How about some Fish pride? Antonio Coronado emulates the man he just pinch hit for, Morimoto, and sends his own shot out into the right field seats! That 358' hit barely cleared the wall in right, but it counts nonetheless. IL is now up 8-2, and Palm Springs's Christian "Dracula" Butler relieves a dejected Alberto Magana.
"Dracula" takes a bite out of Cal Edwards, sitting him down with a nasty sidearm fastball. The fans stretch, the bullpen door opens and Charleston's Guancalle Malatestiano steps out. And the Commish prays he never has to type that name again.
