The Mudcats had put on a hitting clinic in their previous game, a 16-14 slugfest over the second-place Diamond Jaxx, who feature some of the best pitching in the league. 16 runs! The Red Wings knew they would have their hands full at Greene's Field tonight.
Leadoff man Eric came to the plate to get things started. He worked a walk, and so would Tom and Will to set the table for Sam. The Wings' dugout filled the air with chants of "Grand Sam!" and "Sammy Whammy!" Sam took two big swings and made good contact on the third to drive in Eric and put Wings on the board early. Unfortunately, Sam would be out at first as a result of some excellent Mudcat defense. Jack walked to load the bases again for Parker, who walked in another run. 2-0, Red Wings, with one down in the first. Bases loaded. Alejandro stepped in next. He connected with the first pitch scoring Will from third to make it 3-0, Wings. Alejandro was out at first as the pitcher was somehow able to put his glove on his shot up the middle, but it was a great effort to drive in the run. Runners on second and third and two out for Josh, who came out first-pitch swinging and knocked one into center field for a 2-run single. Wings 5, Mudcats 0. Up next was Drew. JD took three balls and then clocked one to to left field. The third baseman made a good catch, though, to end the inning.
Starting pitcher Will took the mound with a 5-run lead to preserve. After a leadoff single, he settled in to strike out the side, two looking and one swinging. A quick, efficient inning for Will. His fastball had great velocity and he seemed to be commanding it with ease.
5-0, Red Wings after one.
Alex, fresh off a two-hit performance earlier in the week, stepped in to lead off the top of the second. He worked a full count. The payoff pitch was a fastball over the outside portion of the plate and down in the zone. A very tough pitch and probably unhittable, but with two strikes, he knew he had to swing. A good, smart at-bat. Noah would do battle next. He wasted no time, swinging at the first pitch he saw and launching it into center field for a single. With one on and one out, Ken shot one up the middle. It was red hot, but the pitcher got leather on it and fired to first. It was a productive out, moving Noah into scoring position for Micah who got all of a fastball and smashed it into left field for a single. Unfortunately, though, some good Mudcat pitching cut the rally short there, and the Wings were unable to get any across the plate.
Will returned to the hill for the bottom of the second and promptly fanned the side. 3 Ks, 14 pitches in the inning. Nobody could touch him.
Still 5-0 in the top of the third. Tom launched a rocket to right, but the right fielder was there and made the catch. One down. Will then singled to left. One on, one out for Sam, who absolutely crushed one to deep, deep left center. Every fan in the stands was thinking four bags at the crack of the bat, and so was Sam. He rounded third and the throw came in--what a throw! Sam slid into home and the umpire made the call through a cloud of dust. "Out!" A great hit for Sam, a great throw from center field, and a great play by the Mudcats catcher. Good baseball all around. Will scored ahead of Sam to make it 6-0, Wings.
Will made quick work of the Mudcats again in the bottom of the third. He got one to pop up to the mound, and got some excellent defensive support from Eric at second base for another. The lefty second baseman backhanded a hard ground ball and threw to Sam at first for the out. These guys were making it look easy. The last out was all Will, a four-pitch K to complete three scoreless innings. Will had 7 Ks on the night, very consistent mechanics, and an untouchable fastball working for him. An excellent outing for the young hurler.
The Mudcats pitcher retired the Wings in order in the top of the fourth. In the bottom half, the Wings sent Parker to the mound. He got one to ground softly to first where Jack recorded the unassisted out. He struck out two others. No threat in the fourth as Parker continued to exhibit dominant stuff.
Top of the fifth. Drew led off. With a full count, he clocked one, straight up the middle, for a single. This guy is seeing the ball very well these days, taking good swings, and it's paying off for the Red Wings. With a runner on first and two out, Ken took a big swing at the first pitch. He sent it hard up the first base line, but the Mudcats first baseman got a glove on it and put an end to the inning.
The bottom of the fifth would belong to Tom. He struck out one, fielded a chopper to the mound and threw to first for another, and got the third looking. His fastball had excellent velocity and he was commanding. One more shutout inning for the Wings.
With two on in the top of the sixth Tom would contribute at the plate as well. He put good wood on the first pitch and crushed it--all the way back to the fence in center field, a 2-RBI triple for the young slugger. Will followed with a double that he sent deep to left field. Tom would score, putting the Wings up 9-0.
Closer Jack came out to seal the deal in the last of the sixth. He struck out the side looking to put the exclamation mark on a very successful 10-1 regular season for the Red Wings.
Tonight's game ball went to Will, who pitched three shutout innings and was perfect at the plate: 2-2, 2B, BB, RBI, 2 runs scored. The Hustle Award went to Parker for his outstanding baserunning in the first inning. Caught in a pickle between second and third, he retreated to force the throw to second and then made a break for third. The shortstop overthrew third and he was safe. Textbook.
The playoffs begin on Sunday. The Red Wings take on the Knights, 2:00 at Eliot. The Knights nearly handed the Red Wings our second loss of the season, taking us all the way to the wire in a tight 7-6 nail-biter earlier this week. Forget the regular season records. Everybody's 0-0 to start the playoffs. This game will be tough.
