After starting 0-3, Justin Reed and John Burke had to remind the boys that in 2017 their Orioles squad was 1-4 and rattled off 10 straight.  Apparently, that was taken as a challenge with the team reeling off 7 straight to earn a share of first place and the best record in the league.  It seems to be different guys stepping up each week.  However, this week the big boys did the heavy lifting and the steady eddies at the bottom half of the order kept setting the table.  

Game 1- Williams' Isotopes @ Astros

Burke did an outstanding job of keeping the big sticks of Kid Williams and Matt Ruckel contained for the most part.  Reed's first of 3 bombs helped us jump out to a 2-1 lead in the first.  After giving up 3 in the top of the 3rd, we would answer with 3 of our own.  Back to Back shots by Reed and the captain got us back up 1.  The Topes would regain the lead  in the 5th with a 3 spot, but again we would respond with 3 to match.  Ian Contreras and Turbo Golden did what they do and started the inning by getting on for the top.  Reed would get a sac fly followed by another wind aided captain bomb.  Kid's team show amazing fight tying up the game again in the 6th, but Chappy's scorching hot streak continued as he muscled a bomb out to LF that left the yard in a hurry.  We carried a 2 run lead into the 7th which Kid Williams wiped out with a big bomb to tie it up.  Burke worked out of the jamb and got some good defense to set up a dramatic finish in the bottom of the 7th.  With one out, Sardi drew a walk to bring up Reed.  Earlier in the game, Andrew made an unreal diving catch in the outfield only to be followed up by Justin making one of his own.  Now, after seeing Kid leave the yard, you had to know what was coming.  Big bomb fly to walk it off for a 12-10 victory!  His third of the game.  

Game 2- Weinfeld's Pirates @ Astros

Facing a very speedy Pirates team batting 10 and on a field with the wind blowing in was a potential nightmare scenario.  Again, we would lean on our ace John Burke.  They jumped out with 2 quick runs in the first, but we would answer with 11 runs in two innings.  This was done without the use of a homer.  Steady hitting and aggressive baserunning put the Buccos on their heels and had to chase all game.  But in true Skipper Bob fashion, they would show their grit and battle back to make it a game.  Down 13-4, they scored 8 runs in the last two innings to tighten things up as sloppy defense contributed to the cause.  We scored a 3 spot in the bottom of the 5th to snuff out the rally but made the last out with less than 20 seconds on the clock to take it to the 6th.  They scored one and we shut them down for win number 7!  Hard fought game by the short handed Pirates.  Kudos!

Streaking Stro's Stars of the Day

IPOW candidate- Justin Reed- 7 for 7, 4 HR, 2B, 11 RBI

IPOW candidate- Jason "Chappy" Chapman- 5 for 7, HR, 2 Doubles, 2 RBI and some awesome aggressive baserunning and hustle all day.

Greg "Ritt" Ritter- 5 for 7, 3 RBI and an infectious positive presence in the dugout.

Turbo Golden- 2-3 and added Tanner Gandy and Brandon Strull to his wall of burns.  Justin Reed needed company anyway on that wall.  He ripped a double over the two speedsters and definitely let them hear it when he was standing on 2nd.