'Rakers dumped by Dianda Plaza

CONCORD — The Muckrakers' playoff surge wasn't completely derailed, but the team evidently has decided to do things the less-easy way after falling to Dianda Plaza 13-5 on Thursday on Field 4.

The defeat makes it practically imperative that your Muckrakers (5-5) win their final two ballgames of the regular season, with first up being The Guys this Thursday in a 9:30 tilt, again on Yard Quatro.

The Mucksters' will was great but the effort didn't quite translate into a victory against a solid DP outfit. The visitors put up three-spots in the first and third frames, and added two in the fourth, and that was good enough on this night to hold the Muckrakers at bay.

No one can fault the 'Rakers for their effort, however. Mike Gale drove in the Mucksters' first run of the game in the second inning and a clutch effort in the fourth — a single — drove in another two runs. That cut it to 8-4, and another tally in the sixth, with Mike Yurkus stomping the plate for the second time in the game, made it an 9-5 affair. But DP added four more runs in the seventh to put it away, and the 'Rakers were left to ponder the task in front of them.

Gale, Yurkus and Chace Bryson had two-hit games for the Muckrakers, who also shifted their outfield alignment to good effect about midway through when it became apparent that DP was an adept up-the-middle team.

Any other key strategic moves down the stretch will be appreciated. It's that time of year.