Dateline: BC 3
It was a hot Spring afternoon Cardinals took the field. The Red Sox jumped on the Cards starter with two quick runs in the top of the first. The leadoff batter singled, the second batter reached on an infield hit. The next batter grounded to Matthew at short who threw across the diamond to Jamie for out one. Maxwell settled down to strike out the next batter. With two outs, Red Sox cleanup hitter Mitchell (a player who was with Coach Grossman for two years in the minors) drilled a hard, two run single to center. The last batter popped out to Matthew at short for out three. Michael led off the bottom of the first with a hard ground out to third. The throw got him by half a step as he was flying down the line. With two outs, Jamie hit a screaming shot down to the line that actually left baseball stitch marks in the arm of the third baseman. Matthew singled. Jamie stole third but sadly the inning ended with two runners on. After one it was 2-0 Red Sox.
Maxwell returned to the mound in the second. The first batter singled off the soft toss to third. After two strike outs the tenth batter singled just to the right of first base and the run scored. Maxwell settled down to strike out the last batter. Bottom of the second Isaac led off with a single to down the third base line. John singled to third for a big hit. Zack grounded into a fielders choice at second to score Isaac. After two it was Red Sox 3 Cardinals 1.
Michael came on in the third. The first batter singled and went to second on an overthrow. He went to steal third and Carter fired down to Matthew for a clean out at third. The next batter hit a long double to center. The next batter hit a shot to left field to score the run, the throw came home and the runner was safe, the batter tried to advance to third in the confusion. Again Carter stood, again he fired and again, Matthew deftly applied the tag for out two. Cards fans rejoiced. Michael struck out the next batter quickly to end the inning. Bottom of the third and Cards bats came alive. Michael led off with a single. Carter grounded to third where the Red Sox made a nice play on the throw to second. Jamie hit a smash to left to score the run. Matthew singled to score Carter. Maxwell hit a long double to score Jamie and Matthew. Isaac singled to score Maxwell. Four runs in and the inning was over with only one out due to a limit on the number of runs that can be scored in an inning.
Top of the fourth and Michael gave up a long triple to center to Mitchell. He settled down and struck out the side. Bottom of the fourth and the Cards went down in order. After four it was 5-4 Cardinals. Top of the fifth and Jamie came on and threw heat. The first batter hit a long smash and ended up scoring, but the whole play was erased because the batter threw his bat. Jamie settled down and struck out the next two batters. Bottom of the fifth and the Cards went to work on some insurance runs. With two outs, Carter singled to left for his second hit on the day. Jamie followed with a tremendous blast to right for a clean triple that scored Carter and Jamie scored on a bad throw. After five it was now 7-4 Cardinals. Jamie came on and the first batter singled and threw his bat and was called out. Jamie then struck out the next two batters to end the game. Final Score: Cardinals 7 Red Sox 4.
Coach Grossman was available briefly after the game as he wanted to begin preparations for the undefeated Orioles. He said, “We played a great game today. Our guys never quit and we are really starting to hit the baseball. Only nine strikeouts for us versus fourteen in our first game. If we can keep putting the ball in play, we’ll be able to match up well with anyone. Our defense is looking better as well. I’m looking forward against our next game.”
The Cardinals now face the 7-0 Orioles on Tuesday. A few tickets remain.
