By most advanced metrics,
Jim Atwell has been the best pitcher in the MGL this season. And yet, he has the least impressive win-loss record on his own team. It has just been that kind of season, with the team so often failing to provide their young hard-throwing righty with run support.
They didn't give him much in yesterday's game either, but then again he didn't need much, tossing a 1-hit shutout over the San Francisco Velocity to help his team clinch the MGL West title.
Having watched his teammate
Sadahige Kawasaki get denied his 22nd win of the 1980 season in a game 1 loss in San Francisco,
Atwell simply dominated, allowing a 1-out single in the bottom of the first and nothing more after that.
Veteran catcher
Kirk Patnode provided most of the offense in this one, going 3 for 4 and driving in 2 runs.
Patnode is best known for his excellent defensive skills and is having a poor year at the plate (.236/.312/.272) but when it mattered most the veteran leader came through for his teammates and was behind the plate to guide
Atwell through his near no-hit masterpiece.