In the opener, the Sexpos and Aces met up for the third time this year and first since the SPFK B-Div semis. The bats were en fuego and runs were aplenty - 45 to be exact. In the end, the Sexpos managed to push across one more runner en route to a 23-22 win and pull into a tie with the Aces for 2nd overall to split the FBL season series with the Aces and take the overall series 2-1. Special kudos to the Aces for toughing it out to the very end with their concession stand - which served up a load of delicious pulled pork sandwiches!
Game 2 showcased the Nads and the Marvels and unlike the first game - defense played fairly prominently in this affair. A couple of big innings paired with a game clinching grand slam by Vicki Yee had the Marvels coming away with their 4th straight win and 5th on the season, improving to 5-7 and launching up the standings into 3-way tie for 6th after the 12-4 win. The Nads, having started the season 5-1, drop the 6th in a row and sit tied with the Marvels and Riddlers at 5-7.
The nooner brought together opposite ends of the standings, increased temperatures, and more. The Skeleton Crew, carrying their undefeated record into action, matched up against the Raiders and after a very quick a decisive start by the Crew, leaping out to a 10 run lead, the Raiders battled hard and played even the rest of the way, dropping a 22-12 decision. The Crew improved to 12-0 while the Raiders fell to 1-11. Unrelated to the game was the collision of the year as long time FBLer Mike Dewey attempted to corrale an errant foul ball in crowd and ran into what must have felt like a brick wall...or the side/back of Jay Brown. Unfortunately, after some laughs and giggles under the assumption all was well, it turns out the collision resulted in more than a bruised ego, but rather, a broken wrist for Mr Dewey. We all wish him a speedy recovery.
The 230p game had the resurgent Dawgs up against the spunky Canniballs. A few quick trips around the bases by the Balls were erased by a a few solid innings from the Dawgs and eventually, the Balls came up short, dropping a decisive 23-8 decision to the now tied for 2nd place Dawgs. The Balls fell to 2-10 while the Dawgs improved to 8-4.
The finale brought the Riddlers and Franchise together - still under temperatures hovering near 30C. The Franchise played lock down defense to start the game, holding the Riddlers to a single run in the first half of the game and tabling a half dozen runs of their own. The second half found the Riddlers small balling it and pushing runs across the plate, but not pushign enough across to erase the deficit. As a result, the Franchise improve to .500 and sit in 5th place, believed to tbe their highest late season standing in franchise history. The Riddlers fell to 5-7 and join the log jam for 6th with the Marvels and Nads.
Reminder that there are no games next weekend due to the august Holiday Long Weekend. We'll reconvene on Aug 12 with only 2 regular season weeks remaining.
MANAGERS: Please ensure your fringe players get their 5 games in to become eligible for the playoffs.
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