Muckrakers tad dysfunctional in loss to Disc Functional

CONCORD -- The Muckrakers made their drive to the postseason just a big more tentative in a 17-9 loss to Disc Functional.

The Muckrakers had their work cut out for them going in. They took the field missing their cleanup hitter and reliable starting pitcher, Mat Petersen. Still, the Muckrakers bolted out to a 3-1 lead, but only to be repulsed and face deficits of 5-3 and 12-5.

Again, the Muckrakers shook off adversity as if shrugging off an annoying fly. They rallied for four runs in the fifth inning to cut the lead to 12-9, thanks to the power of Dre Thurston, who launched the 'Rakers' first grand slam of the season, and perhaps first in their history.

But the Muckrakers were held scoreless in the sixth and seventh and Disc Functional refused to take their foot off the pedal, perhaps knowing a determined comeback crew when it saw one.

Now the Muckrakers need DF's help. They need the first-place team to knock off One Bad Inning in the 7:20 game, then the Muckrakers must do their part and beat the Geezers, like the Muckrakers a 3-3 ballclub, in the 9:30 tilt. If all their ducks align in a pretty row then the Muckrakers will reach the promised land of the D Fall League playoffs.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME
Dre Thurston -- Wham, bam, thank you grand slam.

Luke Abbott -- Performed the half-slam -- a two-run home run -- in the fourth inning.

Dave Alcorn/Randy Striegel -- The Left Side Boys did all right, as Alcorn went 2-for-4 and turned a 5-2 double play at third base, and Striegel was money at shortstop and went 3-for-3 (two runs, two RBI) in his second fall league game of the year.