Thursday, July 15, 2010

Rams Battle Back, but Generals Walk Off Again

The Rams faced an 11-3 deficit heading into the 7th but battled back. After all the dust settled and the numbers were crunched, it was determined that the Rams had indeed tied the game at 11. The Generals had last ups and got to work once again. The Generals managed another rally in the bottom half, got a run and earned another walk off win. Jeff Jensen pitched a complete game for the win. The Generals move to 11-5 on the season and currently sit a top the ITL standings just ahead of the M/E Mariners because of the tie-breaker scenarios.

The Rams broke out of the gate first with 3 unearned runs in the first. The Generals played some shaky defense in the beginning committing 4 straight errors. Markam got a RBI single. The score remained 3-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Generals scored 5. Tilley got an RBI double, Maidment a 2-RBI single to tie the game, and Maloney pushed the Generals ahead with a 2-RBI double making the score 5-3 after four complete.

The Generals extended their lead with 6 more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Bryan Vitale had an RBI single and Avon Stewart launched a Grand Slam to left pushing the score to 11-3. The Generals had a nice cushion heading into the last frame looking for just 3 more outs.

The Rams would not go quietly, however, and erupted for 8 runs in the top of the 7th. Luisi led off with a single, then the Generals managed a fly ball out. A BB, four singles in a row, a fly out, and another RBI single followed cutting the lead to 11-8. With two on and two out Luisi stepped to plate for the second time in the inning. He was able to get a monster 3-run HR into the willow tree to tie the game. Jensen recorded the final out via strikeout. There was a bit of confusion at the end about the actual score but after comparing scorebooks the game was indeed tied at 11-11.

In the bottom of the seventh Maidment led off with yet another HBP. The Rams were then able to record two quick outs. Familiar face in these situations, Jim Maloney, was up next and managed a BB putting the winning run on second base. Jered Stewart then put up a great at bat and put the ball in play with two strikes. Stewart hit a ball into a tough spot in between short and third and was able to beat out an infield single. On the play the throw got away which allowed Maidment to score the winning run.

Maidment, Ruggiero, Tilley, & Love all had multi-hit games for the Generals. Markam contributed 2 hits and Luisi 3 including the HR to pace the Rams offense. The Generals swept the season series with the Rams and could only meet again this season in a playoff scenario.