I won’t solely be zoning in on NeL players in this exercise, but they will take the large part of my focus and this matchup was simply too good to let pass.
Friday 10th May, 1968 – Pittsburgh Crawfords @ Newark Eagles
7.05pm, Ruppert Stadium, Newark NJ
Martin Dihigo (2-6, 4.43) v Hilton Smith (3-5, 3.84)
Neither of these HOFers will be happy with how their EL careers have kicked off, a fact that I am sure will only intensify their desire to do well here. Neither are overpowering pitchers and the result will undoubtedly be greatly affected by who can spot their pitches better in the key moments.
The Eagles started slowly but have found form of late with 6 straight wins and closed the gap to the top of the FC American Association to just 3 games, currently sitting at 16-20. The Crawfords have run hot-and-cold to this point and sit just two games better off than their opponents tonight at 18-18.
Here's how the two sides line up tonight. Plenty of top-notch talent on show, should be a ripper.
Both pitchers start confidently with scoreless 1st innings, but the Crawfords get a break in the next when, after Dihigo singles with one out, Eagles 2B Richie Weeks muffs one and a single by Humberto Cota puts Pittsburgh ahead.
Dihigo handles the dangerous Newark middle without issue the first time through the order and in fact doesn't give up a hit until Guerrero jr singles in the 4th.
Smith, too, has found his groove, but the Crawfords double their lead in the 6th with a two-out rally and a run driven in with a single by Jose Oliva. The pressure gets to all of the Eagles as Smith walks the bags full then gives up an RBI single to Joel Guzman, with a second coming in on a needless throwing error by RF Chuck Carr. 4-0 Pittsburgh.
Newark threatens in the home half but Dihigo wriggles his way out of it and Pittsburgh pad their lead with another run in the 8th when Oms triples and comes home on an Oliva groundout.
Dihigo is left in to try and finish off the shutout and he does so with a 1-2-3 9th. A commanding three-hitter for El Inmortal and more disappointment for Mr Smith.