Dateline: Running Cedar
As a slight drizzle began, the Reds took the field. Coach Goldstein was at the helm as Coach Grossman was on another vital scouting trip — again looking for young talent for the Fall season. Matt led off with a single, Nick singled and the offense was up and running. Mason came through with a huge two run RBI and the Reds led 2-0. Jack got his first start of the season and he calmly strode the mound. A couple of errors resulted in two runs for the Pirates but Jack pitched nicely and the side was retired after only two runs. After one, it was 2-2.
In the second, Michael singled and Omar, a new free agent recently acquired by the Reds, made some nice contact and grounded out to move MIchael to second. Matt smashed a big double to score Michael. Nick walked and Mason picked up two more RBI’s with a sharp single to score Nick and Matt. Ian grounded out to score Mason. Jack came on and shut down the Pirates with a key strikeout and a nice catch on a popup right back to the mound. After two, the Reds had a nice 6-2 lead. Reds fans cheered and there was some talk in the stands that perhaps Coach Grossman should remain on scouting trips.
In the third, the Reds picked up another run on a single by Juan and a walk to Alec and a walk to Michael. Juan scored on a wild pitch. Garrett came out of the bullpen and continued his excellent pitching. He struck out two and only one run scored on a walk and a couple of wild pitches. The Reds now held a 7-3 lead. The Reds bats were quiet in the fourth and the Pirates refused to give up. They scored four quick runs and suddenly the Reds were in a fierce 7-7 battle after four.
The Reds offense continued with a walk to Juan and a long double by Alec to score Juan. Garrett walked, Michael walked to load the bases. Omar was hit by a pitch to score Alec. Matt walked to score Garrett. Mason came on and struck out three while only allowing one run to score. After five it was 10-8. The Pirates closer, Matt (the closer for Coach Grossman in AA last season) had clearly learned too much from Coach Grossman and quickly struck out three. Mason struck out three as well, but unfortunately for Reds fans some misplayed balls in the field resulted in two runs for the Pirates. The game ended 10-10 as darkness loomed.
Coach Goldstein said “I like how our bats continued. Our defense will improve and it was nice to see Jack pitching so well. That’ll be a key addition to our pitching staff.” Coach Grossman was reached by phone and said “It kills me to miss a game, but it sounds like we continued our great offense. I’m looking forward to the remaining two games this week. It wouldn’t surprise me if we win by three in our next game.”
