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Islandian Pro Alliance
Thursday, July 26, 2001
Tycobbian Union - East Division
Ninjas No Match for Hatch, Nats Win 5-1
The first place Ginza Ninjas were no match for Ozarka's Luther Hatch today at Ninja Stadium. Hatch (10-10 3.55) halted them 5-1 on a scant three hits to put an end to the Ninjas four-game winning streak. The only run he gave up came on first baseman Kenshin Yamamoto's (.311) 17th home run. The Naturals countered that with roundtrippers by second baseman Duane Starr (.286) with a three-run rip and a solo shot by third baseman Doug Cunningham (.265). Cunningham hit his 23rd, while it was number 10 for Starr. Toshiharu Ito (10-4 2.53) sustained the loss, surrendering five runs on ten hits in eight innings of work. Ito had nine strikeouts and only one base on balls. Ozarka finally got to him for four runs in the seventh inning. They busted up a 1-1 ballgame and went on to win 5-1.
Ginza (56-43) saw its lead over second place South Fork (55-45) tumble to just 1.5 games. Ozarka (49-50) is in the fourth spot, 7 games back.
Stallions Rally Past Zorros 8-5
South Fork played like patsies for three innings and fell behind 5-0 to Luxora, then the Stallions rallied with 8 unanswered runs to sweep past the Zorros 8-5 to snap a four-game losing slide. Skipper Deroche "Lips" Leon got exceptional relief work from Irv Demas, Robby Rosario and Billy Joe Gordon. They held Luxora runless over the last seven innings to garner the victory. Demas (0-0 0.00) relieved in the second inning and stayed through the third, Rosario (0-0 0.00) worked the fourth and fifth frames with Gordon (1-5 2.75) getting his first win of the season with four shutout innings, pitching the sixth through the ninth. It was the first IPA appearances for Demas and Rosario. They were just signed to contracts during the All-Star break. South Fork slammed 14 hits and were paced by five players with a pair of hits each. Second baseman Rick Tsoukalis (.313) drove in three runs with center fielder Ronnie Lee (.310), first baseman Glenn Holliday (.287), catcher Darryl Burnett (.268) and pinchhitter Ken Robbins (.243) batting in the other runs. The Z's collected 12 hits and were led by first baseman Paul Hallenbeck (.322) with 3-5 and an RBI. Third baseman Rico Vina (.288), catcher Eric Richter (.321) and right fielder Lacey Tompkins (.310) also drove in a run apiece. The losing pitcher was Tito Tovares (1-4 2.17), who went seven innings and allowed ten hits and six runs, but only three earned.
Runner-up South Fork (55-45) narrowed the gap with first place Ginza (56-43) to just 1.5 games in the Tycobbian Union East race. Luxora (44-54) is fifth in the division, 11.5 games behind.
CC's Kelly Knocks In 4 in 6-4 Win Over Hellcats
Left fielder Rod Kelly homered and doubled to drive in four runs in Cape Coral's 6-4 triumph over Hartsdale in 12 innings. The double came off losing pitcher Danny Griffin in the final inning. Griffin (6-12 3.91) was battered for three hits and two runs and was pinned with the loss. Manager Huggy Miller's bullpen did their job with five fine innings. Joey Martin (0-2 3.29), Tony Archer (1-0 0.00) and Scotty Lohmeyer (2-5 4.19) held the Hellcats to no runs and three hits from the eighth inning to the twelfth. Archer went three innings for the victory, allowed only one hit and a walk and fanned three in his first appearance as the Hurricanes new closer. Scotty Lohmeyer got his 7th save, but gave up two hits in the bottom of the twelfth before he got out of it with a game-ending double play. Kelly (.304) and first baseman Rodger Wooten (2.92) led the Hurricane hitters with homers. Kelly hit his 17th and Wooten belted his 20th. Keeping Hartsdale in the game were center fielder Greg Reynolds (.271) with 4-for-6, including his 11th home run, and third baseman Whiz Weaver (.283) with three hits. Cape Coral collected 13 hits to 12 for Hartsdale.
The Hurricanes (51-48) are 5 games behind the top club, Ginza (56-43). Hartsdale (42-57) is last in the division, 14 games back.
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