The Hot Rods came to Greene's with ambitions to move up from their third-place spot in the National Division. Powered by an explosive lineup, the Hot Rods had been swinging hot bats through the first two weeks of the season. The Red Wings entered the contest with some of the league's best pitching. It was a classic matchup between power on the hill and power at the plate.
Both teams were eager to resume play after a week's hiatus due to rain. Greene's Field was dry, and the sun was trying to poke through dense cloud cover as first pitch approached. No additional rain in the forecast threatened this game. The stars seemed to be aligned for some baseball.
In the top of the first, Eric worked a leadoff walk. Tom walked as well, and the Wings had two on with nobody out. Josh knocked a single to right to load the bases. Early production was exactly what the Wings needed to get out ahead of the Hot Rods, and Josh set us up to do just that. Unfortunately, the Hot Rods' pitcher found his rhythm with the next three batters and retired them in order.
Parker got the start for the Wings this afternoon, his first of the season. As expected, the hard-throwing righty came out pounding the zone. He got the first batter to ground softly to first. Eric scooped it and stepped on the bag for the unassisted out. The Hot Rods, though, would not go down without a fight. They loaded the bases with one out and looked poised to take an early lead.
Parker, however, had something in store for the next two batters. He struck them both out--one looking and the other swinging. No contact, no damage. That's how to work out of a jam. Red Wings 0, Hot Rods 0.
Alex led off the second for the Wings and worked a walk. Alejandro worked a walk of his own, and Micah did the same. Excellent patience at the plate by all three to load the bases with nobody out. With the table set, Eric ripped one up the third baseline, and Alex came in from third to score. An RBI single for Eric, and the Wings were on the board, 1-0. Tom followed with a 2-RBI double to put the Wings up by three.
Parker struck out the side in the second to keep the Hot Rods scoreless through two frames. His fastball had good zip today and the Hot Rods were having trouble putting any wood on it. Ken once again put in two solid innings behind the plate stopping just about everything and making Parker's strikes look like strikes.
Sam clocked a single to left to get things started for the Red Wings in the third. With two on, Alex made good contact, but the Hot Rods' pitcher made a nice grab and threw him out at first. Alejandro kept the line moving with his second walk of the game. He put himself on base every time up this afternoon. With the bases loaded, Micah stepped in and sent a screamer up the first baseline that somehow ended up in the first baseman's glove. Solid contact but he wouldn't be rewarded with the base or an RBI.
The Red Wings went to the bullpen in the third sending Tom to the hill. He settled in right away, striking out the first two batters with six straight strikes. He struck out three of five batters faced with a blazing fastball that he commanded well. Wings 3, Hot Rods 0.
Drew sparked a fourth-inning rally that would add some insurance to the Wings' lead. He showed some good patience against a tough Hot Rods pitcher and put himself on base with a walk. He would come around and score the first of two Red Wings runs in the inning.
Because Greene's Field would only be available until 4:00, the managers of both teams agreed to limit the game to four innings. The bottom of the fourth would be the last chance for the Hot Rods. Eric and Micah combined to close out the game and save the 5-0 victory. To keep Eric available in case we would need him Sunday against the Bulls, the managers limited Eric to 20 pitches and then sent Micah to the mound. Eric got the first out and put Micah in good position to earn the save. Micah struck out the only two batters he faced to seal up the Wing's fifth win of the season.
Every player made an important contribution to this win. Our pitchers combined for our first no-hitter of the season, we made plays in the field look routine, and we showed excellent patience and productivity at the plate.
The game ball went to Parker, our starting pitcher, who threw two innings of no-hit ball. He struck out five and displayed consistent mechanics throughout. Sam earned the Habit Award for being down for every pitch on both sides of the infield--at shortstop and then at first base.
The Red Wings will take on the Bulls tomorrow at Eliot in the much-anticipated continuation of their rainout two weeks ago.
