Islandian Pro Alliance
Tuesday, May 29, 2001
Tycobbian Union - West Division
Frogs Tie IPA Record with 9th Straight Win
The Fairfax Frogs topped Bayview 5-2 in the series opener between the two best clubs in the TU West. It was a record-tying ninth consecutive win for the Frogs and ties La Claire's IPA mark set early in the season. Fairfax assaulted Viking starter Fred Snow for five runs in the third after Bayview had gone ahead 2-0 in the top of the inning. Leading the way for the Frogs in the inning were second baseman Greg Inman (.275) with a two-run double, shortstop Warren Lee (.268) with an RBI single and first baseman Earl Hutchinson (.290) with a two-run homer. Southpaw Jimmy Dalton (4-3 3.44) stopped hard-hitting Bayview on three hits and two runs over seven innings. Dalton got the victory with help from closer Takehide Takahashi (3-1 1.90), who got his 3rd save with a scoreless two innings. Snow (2-1 4.04) was the loser. Fairfax collected 10 hits in the game, while the Viks got a total of 5.
The Frogs (27-13) leaped ahead of runner-up Bayview (23-19) by five games in the Tycobbian Union West.
LC Rallies to Beat Blue Sox 6-5
Better late than never, La Claire waited until the top of the ninth to come alive, when they erupted for a five-run rally and beat the stunned Blue Lake Blue Sox 6-5 to end a long four-game losing string. Highlighting the comeback were left fielder Rich Hart (.273) with a two-run double, giving him 39 RBIs for the season, and a two-run single by second baseman Darrell Boyce (.239), all off losing pitcher Russ Courtney (1-2 4.97). The win went to Andy Murray (2-0 4.29) with two innings of relief. He allowed three hits and one run. Closer Monoto Kishata (1-2 3.20) worked a scoreless ninth for his 7th save. Blue Lake was paced by second baseman Ken Bennett (.228) with 2-for-4 and 3 RBIs and third baseman Timmy Smith (.294) with 3-for-5.
La Claire (21-20) is in the third spot in the standings, 6.5 games behind. Blue Lake (17-23) dropped its third game in a row and is in fourth place.
Champs Fitzgerald Wins Debut 4-1
Things have been going bad for Arlon and manager Gary Louis. They were in last place. They have just lost the last five games. They have just lost their best pitcher, Ace Lowe. So today an untried pitcher gets to take Lowe's place in the rotation and this is his first start. Nothing to do but hope for the best. Right? Well, the best happened. Wally Fitzgerald took the mound and took control -- the 6'3" 25-year-old portsider proceeded to beat Bay St. Clair 4-1 and snap the five-game losing streak. In his debut, Fitzgerald (1-0 1.00) pitched a complete game, allowed 8 hits, fanned three and walked two. The only run the newcomer gave up was a homer to left fielder Charlie Moon (.300) in the eighth. He outpitched losing pitcher Nick Gross (5-4 3.75), who surrendered three runs -- two earned -- and four hits in six innings. And top it all, the Champions climbed out of the basement and into fourth place.
Speaking to the press after the game, Fitzgerald told them, "I just tried to do what I do best....hit my spots. I'm not overpowering, but do have good movement and good control. That can get you a long way in baseball."
Guy Rondre, skipper for the Buccaneers, commented, "He showed fine poise for his first start. Fitzgerald knows how to pitch."
Arlon (17-23) moved into a tie with Blue Lake (17-23) for fourth place in the TU West. Bay St. Clair (17-24) fell to last place in the division.
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