Game #6: June 7, 2010 - (Pickering, Ont) With the month of May in the books, the Shamrocks were looking forward to June as their inspired, clutch play on the diamond was rounding into form. Undefeated in their last two games, both punctuated with 7th inning rallies, the Shamrocks hosted the 1-3 Reds in their first of two games this week and looked to get to .500 for the first time this season.
Hoping to avoid having to produce another late inning comeback for the third game in a row, the Shamrocks bats once again started slow. One turn through their batting order, the Shammys line-up was held scoreless by Reds starter Johnny Miller and actually trailed 1-0 through 3 innings of play.
On the defensive side, the Shamrocks weren’t as sharp in previous games. Errors by, and behind starting pitcher Cam Armstrong contributed directly to all the Reds runs. After the Shamrocks managed to tie the game 1-1, the Reds played “small ball” executing some great bunts and taking advantage of some wild throws to 1st base. 2 more runs crossed the plate and the Shamrocks trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of 5.
After a Reds pitching change, the Shamrocks started showing some patience at the plate. 2 free passes in the inning by Adam Sarson and Armstrong were cashed in by the hot hitting Chris Tercer. Tercer’s 2nd hit of the game, his 5th multi-hit game this season, cashed both runners and tied the game at 3.
The Shamrocks settled down in the field, and Armstrong looked to close out his second complete game of the season holding the Reds scoreless the rest of the way. Once again the Shammys went into the 7th inning with a chance for the win with their final swings.
The Reds made their third pitching change of the game in the bottom of the 7th attempting to keep the Shammys of balance and lock down the 3-3 tie.
Paul Fleming took advantage of the cold pitcher Josh Folliott who had just entered the game by drawing the lead-off walk. With the batting order turned over to the top, Armstrong laid down the sacrifice bunt moving the potential winning run into scoring position.
The Shammys continued to show excellent patience, working counts and putting the pressure on Folliot. Two more Shamrock walks, wrapped around Tom Kelly’s fly out had the bases loaded with two outs. Ted Boggs stepped into the box with the opportunity to win game and complete the third consecutive 7th inning comeback for the Shamrocks.
Taking some very close pitches, Boggs worked the count full.
With the tension mounting, the 3-2 payoff pitch was low. The Shamrocks catcher laid off the borderline pitch bringing in the in the winning run. It was truly a “walk off” win and another comeback was in the books.
The Shamrocks look to continue their winning ways this Thursday when the take on DD4U, 8:30 game time.
Season/Game Notes:
- Shamrocks recorded 6 walks, and only 4 Ks (3 looking: Sarge x2, Emanuel)
- Ted Boggs bases loaded walk was his first in two seasons, DID NOT WALK AT ALL LAST SEASON (0 BB in 55 At-bats)
- Chris Tercer has and 2 hits in all 5 games this season (10-for-16: .625)
- ‘09 Shamrocks: 3-0 vs Reds last season (5-3 W: June 4, 3-1 W: June 30, 7-0 W: Aug 17)