The Other Team becomes just another loser thanks to red-hot Muckrakers

CONCORD -- The Muckrakers' Tour of Respectability 2006 continued apace in a 17-14 victory over The Other Team on Field 3.

Sure, the Opening Day win over Loaded could be dismissed as a win over a team, that was, shall we say, D-league and then some.

But The Other Team was a whole different kettle of fish, one that the Muckrakers would need a total team effort to overcome. And overcome the Mucksters did, advancing to 2-0 in the process.

The Muckrakers remained in the D League penthouse by unleashing rally after rally upon TOT. Every time TOT landed an uppercut, the gritty Muck-and-Grinders responded with jab jab jab jab jab.

TOT scored four runs in the top of the first. No problem. The Muckrakers came back with four in the bottom half. The Muckrakers continued to apply the pressure with four more runs in the second, five in the fifth and three in the sixth.

A key moment occurred in the sixth, when TOT walked Dre Thurston
intentionally to load the bases and get to Mat Petersen. Bad mistake. Petersen make them pay by ripping a double to right, driving in three and putting the game on ice.

The Muckrakers are proving to all that they can trade punches with the best of them.

THREE, OK, FOUR, STARS OF THE GAME
Mat Petersen: A 4-for-5 showing at the plate with five RBI. Totally studular.

Bob Leal: Continues to play through foot pain, contributed to three hits and two RBI. Attempted to jinx the team by claiming victory midway through; failed.

Chris Wagnon, Dre Thurston: The manager made a fine rolling catch in right and playing through finger pain. Thurston scored four times, had three hits and three RBI.