8 am:  Bulls, Astros, Baby Jays, Pirates, Dash, Iron Pigs, Royals, Rangers

 

910:    Pirates, Baby Jays, Yard Goats, River Bandits, Rangers, Iron Pigs, Royals, Dash

 

1020:  Bulls, Cubs

 

Last week: 11-7

YTD:          114-83 

Heading into the final 6 games, the Tiger squad sat 1 game out of first place and poised for a high playoff seed.  However, the two opponents this week presented stiff competition and proved to be another speed bump in the road or possible a huge boulder.  

Game 1 vs Iron Pigs

In what looked like the makings of a disastrous start with rookie phenom and first rounder Taylor Abrego awol, we weathered the storm and only gave up 2 thanks to some questionable base running by the Piggies to bail us out on a double play.  We started quick and in a repeat of the first matchup scored 6.  Also, in a repeat of the last matchup, we then shut down and sputtered offensively while springing many leaks defensively.  An 11 run inning by the Pigs did us in and we never recovered.  Final score of 22-13 and it was ugly all around.

Game 2 vs Muckdogs

After thrashing the Dogs last time, they came back with revenge on the mind and desperately needing a win after dropping game 1.  We nursed a 5-4 lead through 4 innings until the wheels came off.  With 2 outs, two costly miscues led to 5 runs from the Prim squad.  After only mustering 1 to answer, they put away any doubts with 4 more in the 6th to send us to our 3rd loss in a row 14-6.  Another ugly one on defense and not enough hitting.

With 4 games remaining and sitting squarely at .500 and on the outside looking in, we hope to rediscover the magic and make a run.  

Hitting Stars were slim but Ariel Rodriguez continued his scorching hot hitting going 4 for 6 with a HR and 4 RBI.  

Back at it next week against the 1st Place Rangers and the Cubs who are also fighting for a playoff spot.  

Game 1

BULLS - 15

Pirates - 8

The BULLS won game one despite having only one Nutt……………………………..as an umpire. His umpiring was solid, but he could use a tutorial on the scoreboard controller, as the lead changed hands five times in a scoreless inning… Anyways, back to the game. The Bulls defense was on point except for one sloppy half inning, and the bats were lively all game. The Pirates are a solid squad and it was tight for most of the game. A ten-run bottom of the 5th inning by the Bulls put the game away. Joshy ‘Ballgame’ Winsor led the way with a double and three HOMERS, one being a three-run bomb that sealed the deal. As usual, Jorts Burke was outstanding on the mound, and kept a good Pirates offense in check. Other offensive stand outs were Keg Dyer, Hap ‘Groin’ Burden, and Michael 'My Mask is to Protect My Chin Right?' Bourque.

Game 2

BULLS - 13

River Bandits - 9                                         

In a tough game two, the BULLS had to rally from an early eight run deficit to outlast a feisty Astros squad. Down 9-1 after two, the Bulls offense put up a six spot in the top half of the 3rd inning, and another six runs in their next two at bats to overtake the Astros and the slick pitching Haufster. After a rough first two innings, Burke pulled up and tightened his jorts, and shut out the Astros offense the rest of the way. This is not easy to do considering they have Jordan ‘I Learned How To Play Softball as a 2019 Bull’ Allsup and Justin ‘I Dive For No Reason’ Reed (he robbed me with an unbelievable catch in the 3rd inning so yes I’m bitter). After an unassisted double play by the Bulls second baseman and with 15 seconds to go in the game, Jonathan Braun laid down a sweet half swing bunt to extend the game (#automaticout). In their last at bat of this tightly contested game, Justin Reed unbelievably took a third strike that rumor has it might have hit the base of the backstop in the air, and with that, the last gasp comeback effort ended.

POW  - Josh Winsor – 5 for 8, 5 runs, 1 single, 1 double, 3 HRs, and 6 RBI

 

P.S. You better read this Kevin Knox as I worked hard on this write up just for you! And no, the Bulls did not suck this week!!! 

 

Cubs v Rangers 21-23

This game was a wild one. The Rangers promptly scored 9 runs in the top of the first inning. The cubs responded with 7 of their own in the bottom half of the inning. After a scoreless 2nd, each team took turns scoring a few runs and the game entered the 5th and final inning with the Rangers up 12-11. The Rangers put 11 runs up in an impressive top half of the inning to all but seal the deal with the bottom part of the order coming up for the Cubbies. But the first three guys get on to turn the lineup up over and Erik Clausen hit a grand slam to start the scoring. HR’s by Kevin Gandy, Aaron Nutt, and Blake Allsbrook followed but the Cubs come up just a bit short and lose 21-23. 

Cubs vs Hoppers

In another wild and close game, the Cubs edged out the Hoppers in extra innings. The last time these two played, the run total was 8. The Hoppers nearly matched that in the top of the first putting up a 7-spot. In typical Cubs fashion, they answer in the bottom half of the inning putting up 5 of their own. Both teams traded blows the rest of the way with the Hoppers scoring 3 in the bottom half of the 5th to tie the game and take it to extra inning. Extra innings were more of the same. Each team scored twice in the first frame, and both teams were held scoreless in the second. The Cubs top of the lineup came through in the 8th with a lead off walk by Clausen followed by consecutive singles from Nick Helton and Lee McDonald bringing up POW Aaron Nutt who launched a no doubter for a 3-run jack. Kevin Gandy pitched spectacularly in the extra innings getting 4 consecutive Hoppers to could out, and once again stymied them in the bottom of the 8th to seal the win for the Cubs

Since the last update, the Braves have continued their season of streaky ups and downs, most recently sweeping 2 divisional games in impressive fashion this morning.

 

Game 15:

 

Roth’s Indians 17 @ Brumley’s Braves 9

 

Kevin Knox: 2 for 3, 2 R

Zach San Roman: 2 for 2, BB, 2 R

Tim Kaminski: 1 for 1, HR, SF, BB, R, 4 RBI

Karlos Rodriguez: 1 for 1, 2 BB, R

 

Game 16:

 

Weinfeld’s Pirates 10 @ Brumley’s Braves 11

 

The Braves scored their runs in chunks during this contest.  Tim Kaminskigot the Braves on the board in the 1stwith a 3 run HR, and Zach San Romanhighlighted a 5 run 3rdinning with a 3 run HR of his own.  Although the Pirates briefly overtook the Braves late in the game, the good guys fought back to prevail in the bottom of the 7thwith a 3 run inning for the victory.  The lower half of the order came up huge to orchestrate the comeback, stringing together RBI singles from Gustavo Chirinosand Dustin Madlockbefore the clutch walkoff base hit from Jerry Rogersfinished off the Pirates.

 

Kevin Knox: 2 for 3, R

Zach San Roman: 1 for 2, HR, BB, 2 R, 3 RBI

Matt Brumley: 3 for 3, 2 R

Tim Kaminski: 1 for 3, HR, R, 3 RBI

Doug Kramer: 2 for 3, 2 R

Karlos Rodriguez: 2 for 3, R, RBI

Omar Gonzalez: 2 for 3, 3B, RBI

Jerry Rogers: 1 for 3, clutch game winning RBI single

 

Week 8 POW: Tim Kaminski – 2 for 4, 2 HR, BB, SF, 2 R, 7 RBI

Week 8 ROW: Zach San Roman – 3 for 4, HR, 2 BB, 4 R, 3 RBI

 

*Although he had toughed it out for the majority of the season, Jason Chapman delivered the unfortunate news to the team after week 8 that he would be out for the remainder of the season with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.

 

Games 17 and 18 (doubleheader week):

 

Greenberg’s Knights 6 @ Brumley’s Braves 15

Brumley’s Braves 21 @ Greenberg’s Knights 13

 

The Braves extended their winning streak to 3 games with a doubleheader sweep of the Knights.  

 

In game 1, the Braves quickly announced their presence with 5 in the 1stand 3 in the 2nd.  Matt Brumley finally delivered his first HR of the season, a 3 run shot off of the beleaguered Scott Greenberg.  Pitching and defense held up the lead for several more innings before the Braves piled on 5 more in the 5th, including a string of RBIs from Omar Gonzalez, Gustavo Chirinos, Dustin Madlock, and Tony Loweryto turn over the lineup.  The Knights tried to conserve their energy for game 2 by going down quietly to finish off game 1.

 

Kevin Knox: 2 for 4, R

Zach San Roman: 3 for 3, SF, 2 R, RBI

Matt Brumley: 2 for 4, HR, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI

Tim Kaminski: 3 for 4, R, RBI

Luciano Villanueva (sub - TSSL debut): 2 for 4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Doug Kramer: 2 for 3, SF, 2 R, 2 RBI

Karlos Rodriguez: 3 for 4, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Omar Gonzalez: 3 for 4, 2 RBI

Gustavo Chirinos: 3 for 4, R, RBI 

 

However, game 2 was more of the same as the Braves scored early and often.  The Bravos broke the game wide open in the 3rdby posting an 11 run inning, highlighted by a 3 run Luciano Villanueva HR.  Tim Kaminskilater added a 2 run shot of his own in a total team effort in which every Braves player had at least 1 hit and 1 run scored.

 

Kevin Knox: 2 for 4, R

Zach San Roman: 2 for 4, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Matt Brumley: 2 for 3, 3B, BB, 3 R, 3 RBI

Tim Kaminski: 3 for 4, HR, 2 2B, 4 R, 2 RBI

Luciano Villanueva: 4 for 4, HR, 3B, 2 R, 7 RBI

Doug Kramer: 2 for 4, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Omar Gonzalez: 3 for 4, 2B, 3 R

Gustavo Chirinos: 3 for 4, 2B, R, 2 RBI

Tony Lowery: 2 for 4, 2B, R, 3 RBI

 

Week 9 POW: Tim Kaminski – 6 for 8, HR, 2 2B, 5 R, 3 RBI

Week 9 ROW: Omar Gonzalez – 6 for 8, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI

 

Game 19:

 

Brumley’s Braves 9 @ Lachman’s Royals 17

 

Kevin Knox: 2 for 3, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI

Matt Brumley: 2 for 4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

Karlos Rodriguez: 3 for 4, R, RBI

Adwild Perez (sub): 1 for 2, BB, 2 R

Jerry Rogers: 1 for 2, SF, RBI

 

Game 20:

 

Nutt’s/McDonald’s Cubs 18 @ Brumley’s Braves 6

 

Kevin Knox: 2 for 3

Matt Brumley: 2 for 3, 2B, R, RBI

Luciano Villanueva (sub): 2 for 3, 2 R, RBI

Doug Kramer: 3 for 3, 2B, R, RBI

Omar Gonzalez: 1 for 3, 3B, RBI

 

Week 10 POW: Kevin Knox – 4 for 6, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI

Week 10 ROW: Doug Kramer – 4 for 7, 2B, R, RBI

 

Game 21:

 

Brumley’s Braves 14 @ Prim’s Muckdogs 4

 

An early morning sun game on field 9 kept this game scoreless into the bottom of the 4thinning.  After the Muckdogs finally broke the seal, the Braves responded with 14 runs over the final 3 innings while playing solid defense to conserve the victory. Matt Brumley, Kevin Knox, and Gustavo Chirinoscontributed 3 hits apiece while Brumley, Knox, and Tim Kaminskiwent yard in this game.

 

Zach San Roman: 2 for 4, 2 R, RBI

Matt Brumley: 3 for 4, HR, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI

Tim Kaminski: 1 for 4, HR, R, RBI

Kevin Knox: 3 for 4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Karlos Rodriguez: 2 for 3, 2B, R, RBI

Omar Gonzalez: 2 for 3, R, RBI

Gustavo Chirinos: 3 for 3, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI

 

Game 22: 

 

Garber’s Grasshoppers 7 @ Brumley’s Braves 18

 

The majority of the Braves’ runs were supplied on 4 powerful swings in this affair as Tim Kaminski hit 2 grand slams while Doug Krameradded a grand slam of his own along with a 2 run shot.  The team played airtight defense and kept the Grasshoppers at bay to complete the sweep.

 

Chris Stutz (sub): 2 for 4, R

Zach San Roman: 1 for 3, 2B, BB, 3 R

Matt Brumley: 3 for 3, 2B, BB, 4 R, 2 RBI

Tim Kaminski: 3 for 4, 2 HR (both grand slams), 3 R, 8 RBI

Kevin Knox: 1 for 1, 2 BB, 2 R

Doug Kramer: 3 for 3, 2 HR (including a grand slam), 2 R, 8 RBI

Jerry Rogers: 2 for 2, BB, 2 R

 

Week 11 co-POW:

Tim Kaminski – 4 for 8, 3 HR (2 grand slams), 4 R, 9 RBI

Jerry Rogers – 3 for 5, BB, 3 R, RBI

Week 11 ROW: Doug Kramer – 4 for 7, 2 HR (including grand slam), 2 R, 9 RBI