Muckrakers hooked by Steelheads

WALNUT CREEK -- In a game that was hardly worth writing home about, much less blogging, the shorthanded Muckrakers dropped a 13-5 decision to the Steelheads to fall to 1-10-1.

The Muckrakers appear to have tail-spun into playing-out-the-string mode. They could only muster nine players, meaning a three-man outfield alignment, always an indicator of a long and weary night ahead.

Still, the Muckrakers hung on for all they could manage. They went with the unusual alignment of Matt Petersen in left and aging right-hander Dave Taxier on the mound, but both managed to go the distance reasonably well. Petersen made a couple of nice running plays in left and proved himself to be a solid outfielder.

Offensively, the 'Rakers were led by the usual suspects, as Dave Alcorn moved into the leadoff spot and responded with a nifty 3-for-3 performance. And Chace Bryson followed up last game's 4-for-4 accounting with a 3-for-3 evening as his average soars like the NorCal temperatures. Chris Wagnon and Petersen each contributed two hits to the fray.

And despite being on the DL, Bob Leal was the beverage MVP -- truly an unselfish Muckraker effort.

The Muckrakers hunt for elusive win No. 2 vs. Bad to the Bone (1-11) on Thursday. The Muckrakers are 1-0 vs. BTTB this year.