Dateline: Browns Chapel
It was a crisp Spring afternoon at Browns Chapel as the A’s took the field against the Reds. The Reds were eager for vengeance after losing their first match with the A’s. They jumped on the A’s starter, Alyssa for a quick run in the first on a couple of cheap walks. The highlight of the inning was a big catch in center by Richard.
In the bottom of the first, the A’s started what was to be a 13-hit barrage against the Reds. Matthew started off with a sharp single, Richard walked and Will drilled a triple to deep right field. A few walks later and the A’s were up 4-1 after one.
In the second, Alyssa found her form and shut down the Reds without a run. The A’s poured on another run as Daniel walked and came around to score after Jonathon’s single and their were a few wild pitches. After two, the A’s led 5-1.
Drew came on in the 3rd and got two outs, but sadly a few more cheap walks (on some very close pitches) let the Red’s score 4. Suddenly the game was deadlocked at 5-5. The A’s stayed calm and scored a go-ahead run after Drew smashed a two-out double to right. He went on to score after a couple of wild pitches. After 3 it was a thriller: 6-5.
Subsequently, it was all A’s. Matthew came out to the mound and (after an initial single) retired 8 batters in a row. He struck out the side in the fifth. The A’s supported him well on offense with seven more runs on a variety of hits. Donnie had a long double to right, Will and Drew each got additional hits and Pierce had a nice shot to the shortstop that went for an infield hit. In the bottom of the sixth, Matthew got the first two batters out, but made it a little interesting with a couple of walks and an infield hit to load the bases. He struck out the last batter to end the game.
Coach Grossman was pleased with the team’s performance and we were able to get a very brief moment of his time. His schedule is swamped with game preparation already well underway for Game 6. “I was very happy with how our hitting progressed. I’d still like to see our players STAY AWAKE in the field. Its still very early in the season, but I think we can keep up the good hitting and improve our defense. I am sure we’ll have a nice practice on Friday and another good game on Saturday.” Coach Goldstein said “…a very solid game…I like how Daniel and Drew worked out at catcher and our pitchers are really throwing quite a few strikes…”
