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Ron Cey batting lead-off? What?!? Well, he hadn't been producing in the 6 spot, so why not?
After Josh Johnson had set down the Sergeants, in order, in the first inning, Cey led off the Battle Cat's half of the first with a single to LF. Good move Juan Gon!
Jackie Robinson followed with a single of his own. When Hal Newhouser uncorked a wild pitch before striking out Mike Trout, it provided subbing SS Jimmy Rollins an opportunity to bat with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out.
Rollins forced Hank Aaron back, but did not turn him around. Cey tagged from third, Aaron threw to the plate. The Penguin beat the throw....just like a good lead-off hitter should.
In the bottom of the 6th, Rollins reached on a FC with 2 outs. He swiped second base and trotted home on Miguel Cabrera's RBI Double.
Josh Johnson had the shutout in tact as he took the mound for the top of the 9th. Hank Aaron led the inning off with a single, bringing the tying run to the plate.
Mickey Mantle grounded one to the right of Cabrera and was thrown out 3-1, Aaron to second.
Kevin Mitchell strode to the plate and drew a base on balls to have the go ahead run, in the person of Stan Musial.
Stan was the Man as he took one for the team, loading the bases with one out.
The next hitter was.....Bonds......Barry Bonds.
This stirred the Charlotte faithful, but they were quickly shaken when he connected on the Johnson offering. Driven to straight Centerfield, Mike Trout turned and gave chase. With his back to the play, Trout reached out and....MADE the play. Aaron ambled home.
Kevin Mitchell had to hustle back to second when the thirdbase coach shouted that the ball had been caught. A huge bonehead play by Mitchell which cost him a base.
Larry Doyle had a tough day in the field, picking up 2 more errors, but now he could atone for the miscues with a big hit. On a 2-2 pitch he dribbled one to Jackie Robinson. The wrong guy on the field to hit one to. 4-3 went the put out and 2-1 was ball game.
The Battle Cats retake the lead in the pennant race and look towards tomorrow for a chance to even the season series at 7.
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