Majors

As the season moved into full swing, it was a time for home runs. Joining the 2009 home run club were: Chris Meador, Nationals; Ben Torpey and Will Iacobbucci, Cubs; Patrick Evans, A’s; Michael Behrens and Gabe Terry, Yankees; and Sam Selby and Jackson DuBro, Red Sox.

Cubs vs. Nationals – In a key early season match up, the Cubs used solid pitching performances from starter Ryan Leonard and closer Daniel Schlitt to stymie the powerful Nationals’ bats in a 9-2 victory on April 22. Leonard gave up one run and struck out six over four innings. The Cubs pulled away in the fifth inning, scoring five runs on a double by PJ Kern, and home run blasts by Torpey and Iacobucci.
The Nats were led early by a solid pitching performance from Daniel Butler, including a six-pitch second inning. The Nats cut the lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning with singles by Butler and first baseman Nate Jones. However, the Cubs’ Schlitt gave up just two hits and one run while striking out four over the last two innings to seal the win for the Cubs.

Cubs vs. Mason District Orioles – On Saturday, April 25, the Cubs pulled out an improbable victory in extra innings over the Mason District Orioles, after trailing 9-4 in the fifth inning and again 12-9 in the sixth. The Cubs tied the score in the fifth, when Gray Adcock scored from third on a wild pitch, following singles by Iacobucci and Chris Loyd and walks to Torpey and Schlitt. The O’s came right back with three runs to go up 12-9. But the Cubs would not be denied. Leonard singled sharply to center, followed by line drive singles by Johnny Peterson and Iacobucci, both of whom scored. The Cub’s relief pitcher Wesley Coupard promptly dispatched O’s with a six-pitch, one strikeout inning, allowing the Cubs to bat one more time. Center fielder Ned Quill led off with a single to center, followed by singles from Peterson (three hits on the day) and Iacobucci (four hits). The Cubs’ dramatic comeback was sealed when Chris Loyd smashed a line drive triple to right center, scoring Peterson and Iacobucci to put the Cubs ahead to stay 16-12. Coupard closed the O’s out in the sixth with three consecutive strike outs.

Yankees vs. Orioles – On April 25, the Yankees defeated the Orioles 7-5. For the Yankees, Evan Davis struck out six and drove in a run. Evan Tracy struck out five and got two hits, with Michael Behrens adding a double. For the Orioles, Jack Manon struck out four and got a key hit. Marsden Davis of the Orioles hit an RBI double.

A’s vs. Orioles – The A’s beat the Orioles 5-4 in a nail biter under the lights at Westgate Field on Wednesday, April 22. The Orioles took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Jake Abruzzi drove in two runs with a blast to right field. The A’s roared back in the third, scoring four runs on a RBI-single by George deMars, a double by Patrick Evans, driving in one, and a two-RBI double by Logan Nesson. The inning also featured one of Chris Porter’s two doubles of the game, and a single by Joey Kammerer. In the third inning, the O’s answered with two runs on Marsden Davis’s double to center field. The A’s scored one run in the fourth to go ahead for the final time. The A’s had strong pitching performances from Patrick Evans, who struck out 10 batters over three and two thirds innings; Annie Ferguson, who shut out the O’s over one and one third innings and Aidan Fitzpatrick, who closed out by allowing no runs. Kiran Menon pitched five solid innings for the O’s, striking out six. The A’s used stellar defense to choke off two rallies and seal the win. In the bottom of the fifth, Brian Nelson fielded Jake Abruzzi’s hit to center field, relayed it to Ferguson, who threw to catcher Joey Kammerer for the final out of the inning. In the sixth, Brian Nelson fielded another hit, relaying the ball to shortstop to Evans, whose throw to Kammerer was in time to nail the potential tying run and end the game.

Nationals vs. Red Sox – Nate Jones struck out four batters and pitched three scoreless innings to lead the Nationals to a 14-2 victory over the Red Sox on Friday, April 24. For the Nationals, Matt Salvador doubled driving in three runs in the first inning. Chris Meador got on base four times, scoring three runs, and Jones hit three singles and got on base in all five at bats. Jackson DuBro blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence in the first inning for the Red Sox.

AAA

Mets vs. Pirates – On April 24, the Mets won their second game of the season, defeating the Pirates 12-2. The Mets’ defensive effort was led by pitcher Michael Parrella and catcher Anthony Cantanio.

Mets vs. Rangers – The Mets continued their strong start to the season, defeating the Rangers 19-8, in a game that marked Mets’ pitcher Jack Foster’s first strike out.

AA

Scrappers vs. Lugnuts – The Scrappers snagged a come from behind win on April 25, beating the Lugnuts 13-4.
The Lugnuts opened strong, scoring three runs in the first inning. But the Scrappers rallied and tied the score in the second, thanks in part to a double by Sam Updike. Scrapper Aidan Clark pitched seven strikeouts over three strong innings of work on the mound. In the top of the fourth inning, first baseman Patrick Marsh made an impressive three defensive outs in a row. Miles Atlow and Lucas Barthel added hits for the Lugnuts.

Sand Gnats vs. Scrappers – The Sand Gnats got their first win of the season against the Scrappers on
Thursday, April 23 at Idylwood field. Although the Scrappers put up a good fight, pitchers Erik Martin, Mat Padgett, and Timothy Jewel led the Gnats to a 9-3 victory with their strong pitching performances. The Sand Gnats backed up their great pitching with good fielding, including a great play at first base by Andrew Taylor.