Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
6 August 2298 - Oberland Clinches Wildcard, Roxbury Eliminated
The Oberland T-51s are the first team to clinch a playoff spot in its 12-10 triumph over the Roxbury Knuckle Punchers at Atomatoys Stadium at Roxbury today. With the loss, the Knuckle Punchers are now officially out of the 2298 playoff race.
The Roxbury Knuckle Punchers might think twice next time about pitching to Jeremy Bugs as the Oberland T-51s third baseman burned Roxbury pitching, going 5-for-6 in the win.
"When he's on his game," Oberland skipper Dirk Steadyhand told reporters, "he can probably stroke a base hit blindfolded."
Jeremy Bugs singled in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, hit an RBI single in the 4th, grounded out in the 5th, singled in the 7th and singled in the 8th.
So far this year Bugs is hitting .349 with 10 home runs.
Grognak Inman had a great game for Roxbury. He finished 2 for 5 with two home runs, two runs scored, and four RBI. Catcher Josh Freeman added a 3 for 4 day with a home run, a run, and three RBI.
Chris Milteer and Curtis Slingshot went deep for the T-51s.
6 August 2298 - Hagen Helps Warwick Cruise to 11-3 Win
The Warwick Mirelurks beat the Atom Cats, 11-3, at Coolest Field in Town. The win was due in part to left fielder Joe "Whiskey" Hagen, who went 4 for 5 with a home run and 3 singles, while scoring 3 runs. The victory gives Warwick a record of 50-37.
The Mirelurks got a big at-bat from pitcher Jerry Weisman. For the game, Weisman threw 8 innings allowing 3 runs. In the top of the fourth, with runners on 1st and 2nd, he stroked a 2-run double. His 2nd double of the season gave Warwick a 4-3 lead.
"We came out aggressive," said Mirelurks manager Old Man Langford. "We came out swinging the bats."
6 August 2298 - Eloquent Now 14-6 After Subduing Red Rockets
Starting pitcher Quincy Eloquent was a major factor in the 4-1 Goodneighbor Hancocks triumph over the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets. With the victory, the Hancocks upped their record to 59-28.
Eloquent dominated for Goodneighbor, raising his record to 14-6. Jamaica Plain hitters had few good at-bats against the left-hander, who scattered 2 hits over 8 innings while striking out 4.
"Quincy -- his tempo and rhythm were good," said Hancocks manager Jeremy Whiteplate. "He was the key to us winning."
6 August 2298 - Dwellers Rally to Eke Out Win in 13
The Vault 81 Dwellers had to overcome a good performance from Diamond City pitcher X10-44 Mannson to claim a 3-2 win at The Great Green Jewel. Mannson went 8.2 innings and allowed 1 run. Alex Godcomplex snagged the win in relief. In 2 innings, the right-hander allowed no runs on no hits. He's now 1-3 on the season. Vault 81 currently is in 4th place in the South Charles Association Railroad League at 38-49.
Aesed Hayjen, the top prospect , had a direct impact on the outcome. Hayjen contributed a run-scoring single in the top of the 13th inning to put Vault 81 up, 3-2.
"It was terrific getting this win," Hayjen said. "We put in a lot of work to do it."
The Dwellers entered the 9th down 2-0 with Mannson going for the complete-game shutout. However, the boys from the Vault were not having it. Deer Quickwalker led off with a single. Mannson was able to strike out the next two batters, but he was fatigued and had to exit the game for Josh Samm, who was trying for his 22nd save on the season. However, Mark Dombrowski took a 1-1 pitch over the short right-field fence, tying the game 2-2.
"That was beautiful," Vault 81 manager Jason Personhood said. "When you need a quality hit and you get one, it makes you feel on top of the world. That was us today."
6 August 2298 - Waples' Double Lifts Adamantium
The Abernathy Adamantium beat the Sunshine Tidings Chemists by a score of 6-5. second baseman Jim Waples deserved the lion's share of the credit. Waples went 3-4 with 2 doubles and a walk. He drove in 3 runs and scored once for the Adamantium. The win puts Abernathy at 50-37 this season, currently tied for first place with the Fort Hagen Silver Shroud in the Institute League.
The game was still up for grabs in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Waples hit a fastball from Vince Moon for a run-scoring double. The Adamantium, in dramatic fashion, had a walk-off win.
"The house was rockin'," said Waples.
6 August 2298 - Lady Killers Win by Slim Margin, 2-1
The Starlight Lady Killers beat the Lexington Synths, 2-1, at Valentine Detective Agency Field. Starting pitcher Justin Sphinx was a big reason why. He held his opponent in check all game. With the win, Starlight raised its record to 46-41, a much-needed win with Abernathy and Fort Hagen both winning today.
The game was at a stalemate until center fielder Glenn Higinbotham came to bat in the bottom of the eighth. Facing Lexington pitcher Adam Bias, he hit a 0-1 fastball for a run-scoring single. It was a game-changer, putting Starlight on top, 2-1.
"We put some tough at-bats on some tough pitches," said Starlight manager Eric Bendure.
6 August 2298 - Witch Hats Nip Party Boys, 5-4, in 11
Despite a great performance by Nordhagen Beach center fielder Ryan Combs, the Salem Witch Hats defeated the Party Boys by the score of 5-4 in 11 innings at Vim! Park of Salem. It was the second straight game that the teams went 11 innings.
Combs went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 singles. He scored 3 times. Josh Hugs, credited with the win, is now 3-1. He allowed no runs on no hits. The Witch Hats' win now puts them at 38-49.
The clutch at-bat came in the bottom of the 11th inning, when Salem center fielder Mike Castillo, facing Night Demon Archacki (5-5), had a run-scoring sacrifice fly. It gave the Witch Hats the 5-4 win.
"I was a little disappointed," said Nordhagen Beach manager Craig Robinson. "We could've and should've scored more runs. Salem definitely does not come to lose when they place us. They have a lot of fight in them."
6 August 2298 - Silver Shroud Get 7-3 Win Versus Concord
Fort Hagen starter Derek Green pitched well against the Concord Radstags at Hubris Comics Park. The left-hander led his team to a win, 7-3. The triumph puts Fort Hagen at 50-37 for the season, keeping them tied with Abernathy atop the Institute League.
Andre Grogg dealt the Radstags a blow in the bottom of the fourth. Batting with runners on 1st and 3rd and Fort Hagen leading 2-1, Grogg hit a first pitch fastball for a 2-run double.
"We'll relax tonight and get back after it tomorrow," Green said after the game.