As a silhouette of oranges, pinks and blues cascaded across the evening sky in left field at Trum in Somerville, you could sense that a great game would ensue. The Alibrandis would not go quietly into the night, down one games to nothing in a best of three series against the Bluefish of East Boston.
It took only one lucky hop for Somerville to find it's bearings and beat the Bluefish 4-1 in front of a sparse home crowd Sunday night.
After two singles sandwiched around a bunted third strike gave Eastie runners on first second with one out, Marc Desroches broke a curve off that bounced in the dirt, allowing both runners to advance. Two pitches later, a fastball sneaked by Somerville's catcher.
East Boston's Kyle Jones broke for the plate immediately, but Somerville's short backstop created a favorable bounce and, with Desroches covering plate, he was able to slap the tag on Jones just in time to cut down the run and preserve the scoreless tie.
After a pop out to the third baseman ended the top of the third inning, a resounding "let's go!" rang from Somerville's already chirping bench, a clear sign that the Alibrandis would not let this game slip away.
East Boston's Matt Vezina had pitched well through two innings, but the third would prove to be his undoing. After a single and an error by the shortstop gave Somerville two on and no one out, a 3-2 curve missed in the dirt to load the bases for Dave Scioli.
After a chat on the mound, Vezina and his sharp curve ball faced off against Scioli and his quick bat. Somerville's short stop jumped on the second pitch he saw -- a waist-high fastball -- and deposited it high and deep over the scoreboard in left field to give his pitcher all the run support he would need on this night.
A smattering of Malden Bulldogs were in attendance as well, presumably scouting out their potential next opponent.
I know Somerville and Malden aren't the most popular topics in these parts, but who in their right mind wouldn't want to watch these two teams duel for five games?
In fact, if you're not interested in that, you can not consider your self a baseball fan.
There, I said it.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Please Check all Bats at the Door, Please.
Now that’s the way baseball playoffs should be: Crisp, quick and full of pitching duels.
An appearance at a playoff game tonight may be in the works.
Boo, rain. Hooray, pitching!
Monday, August 11, 2008
All I Want for Christmas is the Playoffs
With weather that Seattle residents and the Irish are used to, I figured a few photos of worse scenarios would be a good way to uplift the spirits of the Yawkey League faithful.
Check these out:
This is a Field in Zionsville, Indiana. This is the wretched destruction that happened in May of 2002.
And you thought Ronan Park had pooling water...
Speaking of Ronan Park... This photo was taken by Stefanie Burns, loyal McKay Club fan and girlfriend of the Blog Man. This was Sunday, as lightning sparked up Boston's inner harbor and rain turned Ronan's infield from clay pot to mud puddle.
Oh, look at that beautiful sunset over that lake, er, I mean ... baseball field? Yup, Carol Kathleen, care of Flickr submits this photo of a baseball field from a school in her area.
Admire the splendor and despise the water. If only Ross Field were this beautiful...
The weather will figure its self out. The water will be gone eventually. It always evaporates. That's the great thing about Mother Nature. She's a catch-22 bitch, isn't she?
Check these out:
This is a Field in Zionsville, Indiana. This is the wretched destruction that happened in May of 2002.
And you thought Ronan Park had pooling water...
Speaking of Ronan Park... This photo was taken by Stefanie Burns, loyal McKay Club fan and girlfriend of the Blog Man. This was Sunday, as lightning sparked up Boston's inner harbor and rain turned Ronan's infield from clay pot to mud puddle.
Oh, look at that beautiful sunset over that lake, er, I mean ... baseball field? Yup, Carol Kathleen, care of Flickr submits this photo of a baseball field from a school in her area.
Admire the splendor and despise the water. If only Ross Field were this beautiful...
The weather will figure its self out. The water will be gone eventually. It always evaporates. That's the great thing about Mother Nature. She's a catch-22 bitch, isn't she?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Playoff Previews
With all but one playoff spot sewed up (thanks again, Mother Nature), I figured it was time to preview a few of the upcoming playoff match-ups, compare teams and make first-round predictions.
The first round should be like a UFC fight: quick, and fun to watch.
first up . . .
#2 Somerville Alibrandis vs. # 7 Revere Rockies
2007's Champion takes on a team that got bounced in the first round last season. The Rockies and the Alibrandis split their regular season meetings with the road team coming out on top each time.
I hear that Alibrandis Steve Durant will not be eligible for the playoffs, but a fresh Doc and Co. will take care of business on the mound. With Bucci setting the table and Steve Corda and Ned Coffee cleaning it up, Revere might be able to get some work done offensively, but the absence of base path menace Pete John will prove costly for the Rockies here.
Mike McCarthy is a solid number one starter, but he can't start every game and I don't have enough confidence in any other Revere pitcher silencing Somerville's bats long enough to escape with a win in this series.
My prediction is Somerville in two.
# 3 South Boston Saints vs. # 6 Medford Maddogs
This series could be the one to watch in the first round. South Boston's Jon Tenny is well rested and ready for the playoffs, only throwing 32 innings this season. Opposing him on the mound will be Cy Young candidate Sean Gildea, whose 0.50 ERA will be tested by an offense that was sixth in batting average, fifth in home runs and seventh in sacrifices this season.
The Saints' well-rounded offense is led by Rob Linn (only 5 K's in 103 AB, 20 RBIs), while Medford's cagey offensive game relies a lot on sacrifices, running and timely hitting.
Even though Southie took both meetings against the Maddogs this year, these two teams seem evenly matched. I want to give the edge to Medford, but I need to know if Gildea can put the 2007 playoffs behind him and keep his spectacular season going into the playoffs. Whoever wins game one wins the series.
Look for Gildea to step up and Medford to advance in three.
#4 East Boston Bluefish vs. #5 Brighton Brewers
Teams don't win championships with offense, but they could win a three game series with it. This series has the potential to be a barn-burning fiasco, with East Boston and the Brewers top three in the league in hits, hitting, slugging, RBI's and OPS.
The Brewers are the most patient team at the plate with 159 walks and they have nine players with at least 10 RBI's. The Bluefish are second in home runs (11) and first in triples (14), but have also swiped 47 bases and sacrificed 17 times, showing their ability to play different styles of baseball.
What East Boston possesses that the Brewers don't is power arms. East Boston's pitching staff has the most strikeouts in the league and they defeated the Brew Crew twice this season, 8-1 and 4-1 respectively. Their high walk numbers are a bit troublesome and may haunt them in later rounds, but against the Brewers, Kyle Jones and Chris Sandini need not worry. They should have just enough pitching to make it by the Iafolla-led Brewers in the first round.
East Boston in three lengthy, high scoring games.
Pitcher and Hitter of the week, 7/28 - 8/03
Pitcher
Pitching was Where It's At this week in the Yawkey League, as 9 shutouts were thrown and 21 times a team was held to two runs or less. Hooray, Location!
Another one of the Maldenites has earned himself one of these awards made out of milk chocolate, fiberglass and shrapnel.
Ken Olinsky threw his best game of the season against a Savin Hill team who came ready to play.Malden sqeaked out a 1-0 victory behind Olinsky's 10 K's, 0 BB's and two hits. He needed only 80 pitches to swat the hornets away in complete game fashion and the game took only 90 minutes to play. Umpires everywhere smile.
Hitter
I'd first like to acknowledge the Yawkey League single-game performance of the week. Doesn't happen very often (actually, it's never happened), so enjoy it. Somerville's Justin Crisafulli drove in all four runs in his team's 4-1 win over the South End Astros with two homeruns. He also hit a double.
In related news, Somerville is on fire at exactly the right time. Giggity.
Al Becker takes home this week's trophy with this body of work: 7-for-12 over three games with a homerun, four RBI's and five runs scored. Becker's home run, his second of the season, came against the South End Astros, who seem to be giving up home runs to just about everyone, including the milkman. Becker is having himself quite the nice season in East Boston, where he's hitting a robust .407, and getting on base once every two at bats.
The first round should be like a UFC fight: quick, and fun to watch.
first up . . .
#2 Somerville Alibrandis vs. # 7 Revere Rockies
2007's Champion takes on a team that got bounced in the first round last season. The Rockies and the Alibrandis split their regular season meetings with the road team coming out on top each time.
I hear that Alibrandis Steve Durant will not be eligible for the playoffs, but a fresh Doc and Co. will take care of business on the mound. With Bucci setting the table and Steve Corda and Ned Coffee cleaning it up, Revere might be able to get some work done offensively, but the absence of base path menace Pete John will prove costly for the Rockies here.
Mike McCarthy is a solid number one starter, but he can't start every game and I don't have enough confidence in any other Revere pitcher silencing Somerville's bats long enough to escape with a win in this series.
My prediction is Somerville in two.
# 3 South Boston Saints vs. # 6 Medford Maddogs
This series could be the one to watch in the first round. South Boston's Jon Tenny is well rested and ready for the playoffs, only throwing 32 innings this season. Opposing him on the mound will be Cy Young candidate Sean Gildea, whose 0.50 ERA will be tested by an offense that was sixth in batting average, fifth in home runs and seventh in sacrifices this season.
The Saints' well-rounded offense is led by Rob Linn (only 5 K's in 103 AB, 20 RBIs), while Medford's cagey offensive game relies a lot on sacrifices, running and timely hitting.
Even though Southie took both meetings against the Maddogs this year, these two teams seem evenly matched. I want to give the edge to Medford, but I need to know if Gildea can put the 2007 playoffs behind him and keep his spectacular season going into the playoffs. Whoever wins game one wins the series.
Look for Gildea to step up and Medford to advance in three.
#4 East Boston Bluefish vs. #5 Brighton Brewers
Teams don't win championships with offense, but they could win a three game series with it. This series has the potential to be a barn-burning fiasco, with East Boston and the Brewers top three in the league in hits, hitting, slugging, RBI's and OPS.
The Brewers are the most patient team at the plate with 159 walks and they have nine players with at least 10 RBI's. The Bluefish are second in home runs (11) and first in triples (14), but have also swiped 47 bases and sacrificed 17 times, showing their ability to play different styles of baseball.
What East Boston possesses that the Brewers don't is power arms. East Boston's pitching staff has the most strikeouts in the league and they defeated the Brew Crew twice this season, 8-1 and 4-1 respectively. Their high walk numbers are a bit troublesome and may haunt them in later rounds, but against the Brewers, Kyle Jones and Chris Sandini need not worry. They should have just enough pitching to make it by the Iafolla-led Brewers in the first round.
East Boston in three lengthy, high scoring games.
Pitcher and Hitter of the week, 7/28 - 8/03
Pitcher
Pitching was Where It's At this week in the Yawkey League, as 9 shutouts were thrown and 21 times a team was held to two runs or less. Hooray, Location!
Another one of the Maldenites has earned himself one of these awards made out of milk chocolate, fiberglass and shrapnel.
Ken Olinsky threw his best game of the season against a Savin Hill team who came ready to play.Malden sqeaked out a 1-0 victory behind Olinsky's 10 K's, 0 BB's and two hits. He needed only 80 pitches to swat the hornets away in complete game fashion and the game took only 90 minutes to play. Umpires everywhere smile.
Hitter
I'd first like to acknowledge the Yawkey League single-game performance of the week. Doesn't happen very often (actually, it's never happened), so enjoy it. Somerville's Justin Crisafulli drove in all four runs in his team's 4-1 win over the South End Astros with two homeruns. He also hit a double.
In related news, Somerville is on fire at exactly the right time. Giggity.
Al Becker takes home this week's trophy with this body of work: 7-for-12 over three games with a homerun, four RBI's and five runs scored. Becker's home run, his second of the season, came against the South End Astros, who seem to be giving up home runs to just about everyone, including the milkman. Becker is having himself quite the nice season in East Boston, where he's hitting a robust .407, and getting on base once every two at bats.
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