The Blue Jays endured some tense moments and eventually achieved the desired result in their game with the Pirates Sunday, June 8, at Lynnbrook Park.
Featuring a makeshift lineup due to two pregame injuries, the ball club came together and performed well when it counted.
The final score was Blue Jays 14, Pirates 8.
June 8 Game Report
Sam Berman enjoyed a moment of relaxation after working hard on the mound in the first two innings. After giving up just three hits all season, Sam was challenged by an opponent that was aggressive at the plate. He battled, limited the damage, and struck out four while keeping his team in the game. At shortstop, Sam snatched a grounder and completed an unassisted put-out at 2nd base to end a bases-loaded rally in the fourth inning. He also made the game's final out, catching an infield fly to end the top fifth. Offensively, Sam drew two walks, scored a run and chipped in with an RBI.
Xander Yu came up with the Blue Jays' lone extra base hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth. His line drive triple to the gap in right center field was a sight to behold. Xander's 2-for-2 day also included a single, two walks, three runs scored, and an RBI. He was on a the receiving end of a 4-6 put-out at 2nd base that ended the top half of the first inning. On the mound, Xander battled his way through two complete innings that included three strikeouts.
Jake Lang bolstered his reputation for being a run producer. With two out in the bottom of the first, Jake ripped an RBI single to center field, a key contribution that would carry the Blue Jays to the 5-run limit. He blistered another shot to center in the fourth. Jake scored a run and drove in two, raising his season RBI total to ten. Defensively, Jake made what might have been the most impressive put-out of the day at 3rd base when he cut off a high chopper to the hole and fired a strike to get the runner at 1st. He also completed an unassisted put-out on a grounder to 1st base in the top of the second.
Eli Kroskin is known for his speed, but it was his power that propelled the Blue Jays to the 5-run limit in the bottom of the first inning. Eli crushed a line drive to left center field that drove in two runs, ended the frame, and raised his season's batting average to a solid .357. Defensively, Eli made the play that ended the top half of the first. Playing at 2nd base, he fielded a well hit grounder and flipped to the shortstop at the 2nd base bag to thwart a potential rally.
Derek Sappenfield began a successful weekend in Saturday's practice, winning the long-ball derby and earning a prize that is still to be determined. He then demonstrated ample will in Sunday's game, legging out an infield grounder for a base hit in the bottom of the fifth. Derek's day also included a walk and two runs scored. Defensively, he worked his way into the lineup at 3rd base, covering the bag effectively on stolen base attempts.
Cole Hughes is the rare baseball player who can alter the course of a game. The one-man rally was at it again versus the Pirates, knocking a single in the first, drawing a walk in the fifth, and taking advantage of the green light on the base paths to score two more runs, raising his team leading total to twelve. He also collected his ninth RBI of the season. A consummate team player, Cole stepped up and manned the catcher position for four innings after an injury knocked out one of his teammates. He also played well at 3rd base in the top of the fifth.
Adding velocity to the nasty slider action he already possessed on his fastball, Andre Schnider is evolving into a lights-out closer on the mound. In Sunday's game, he retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, striking out two and inducing a weak pop-up for the final out of the inning. A dependable shortstop, Andre caught a fly ball to record the second out in the top of the third. Offensively, he walked in the fourth and hit into a fielder's choice in the second.
Gavin Ferguson continued his hitting streak, giving the Blue Jays tremendous depth and production throughout the batting order. Gavin grounded a single to center field for a base hit in the fourth, drew a walk in the second, scored two runs, and recorded an RBI. He ranks among the team leaders with eight runs scored in seven games. Defensively, Gavin put in three quality innings at 2nd base, one in left field, and one in center.
Michael Hardie gave it a go defensively at 3rd base in the third inning, but this guy was built to hit. He grounded a single to the hole between shortstop and 3rd base in the first inning, lined a single to center field in the fifth, walked in the fourth, and hit into a fielder's choice in the second. His production included two runs scored and three RBIs, totals that have become weekly occurrences. For the season, Michael ranks second on the team in both runs scored (11) and RBIs (15).
George Roggie isn't always spectacular, but he is consistent, dependable, and productive. In Sunday's game, his 2-for-2 batting line included singles in the first and fourth, a walk in the second, a run scored, and three RBIs. Similar efforts throughout the year have made George the team leader in batting average (.882), on base percentage (.905), and RBIs (18). Defensively, George contributed an assisted put-out at 1st base in the top of the fourth.
Pinch Hitters
When our 1st base coach was unable to make it to the game, Wade Hughes stepped up and offered to help. He seemed to enjoy chatting it up with the players as they made their way around the diamond.
Thanks, Wade!
Derek Sappenfield received a single instruction from the head coach - Cole ALWAYS has the green light. Otherwise, he was left to figure out 3rd base coaching duties on his own. He performed impeccably, as we knew he would.
Thanks, Derek!
Steve Berman was the lone regular in the coaching lineup for the game with the Pirates. Demonstrating leadership gleaned from experience, Steve kept the book with precision.
Sometimes, we wish he would pay a little less attention, in particular when the Blue Jays hit the 5-run limit.
Heroes
The Blue Jays are in first place in the BCC Minor League "A" Division. Fans are understandably excited.
Let's finish the season with a fun scrimmage and a great game next week!
Steve
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