CONCORD - The weather may have cooled off on Thursday from a recent heat wave to hit the Bay Area, but it couldn't cool off the red-hot Muckrakers.
The Muckrakers beat the first place Guys 9-6 to win their fourth consecutive game.
The surging Muckrakers (5-4) played perhaps their best defensive game of the season which was highlighted by some clutch hitting in the sixth inning.
After the Guys rallied to score three runs in the top of the inning to tie the game 6-6, the Muckrakers responded with three runs of their own. With two outs Dave Alcorn (3 for 4) stepped up to the plate and calmly singled to score pinch-runner Chris Wagnon at a close play at the plate for the go-ahead run. Then Reed Johnson singled to plate Luke Abbott and Alcorn.
The top of the seventh proved to be just as dramatic for the Men of Muck. It looked like the Guys were set to have a rally of their own having ducks on the pond with just one out. The Guys' No. 5 hitter hit a chopper to first baseman Abbott who decided to go home to Brian Kroll to record the second out. Then it was noticed that the Guys' batter came up lame out of the batters' box, so Kroll threw the ball back to Abbott to complete the game-ending double-play. That's 3-2-3 for those scoring at home.
The game looked as it was going to be a slug fest out of the gates. The Guys scored three runs to start the first, and the Muckrakers answered by batting around in the bottom half of the frame plating six runs highlighted by Chris White's two-run triple.
Then it was defense and more defense. White pitched a great game in place of Dave Taxier and was supported with some nice glove work from Alcorn at third base, Matt Knauff (3 for 3) who made a nice diving catch in left-center field and Wagnon, who caught several lasers in right field.
The second-place Muckrakers will try and stay hot next week against Nine Mugs and a Pitcher.
Showing posts with label Chris Wagnon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Wagnon. Show all posts
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Muckrakers Mess Up Trainwreck, Storm Into Second Place
CONCORD -- Oh, my, now things are getting interesting.
The Muckrakers perhaps positioned themselves as the power to be reckoned with in D-League South with a convincing 17-6 thrashing of Trainwreck on Field 2 last Thursday.
This was a 'Raker outfit that at one point had lost three in a row and sat at 1-4. The suddenly blazing-hot Men of Muck have now run off three victories in a row, with their latest conquest coming over the team formerly in second place. Well, Yer Heroes booted Trainwreck out of its high perch and took over sole possession of the second slot, trailing only The Guys in the D-League South standings.
In this one, it was more the Muckrakers who played like an out-of-control runaway train. The Mucksters started slowly, trailing 5-2 after two innings, then rallied for four runs in the third frame, then continued on from there to throttle a team they'd lost to in the previous encounter.
The 'Rakers put it away with a seven-run outburst in the seventh inning, leaving no doubt who was the new big, bad boy on the block. Somewhere, The Guys had to be concerned.
The 'Rakers offense has been a consistent hitting machine for most of the season, but vs. Trainwreck, the defense also shared the spotlight. The Mucksters' 'D' was a little shaky early, but once it established itself, there was no turning back. Reed Johnson fielded a scorching bad-hop one-hopper at shortstop and turned it into a double play, Dave Alcorn was as steady as he goes at third base, and Jose Gomez made the plays at second base in his understated way. 'Raker rookie Scott Brama showed astonishing hop and quickness at the catcher position. Chris White made an unbelievable over-the-shoulder catch from his first base spot in short right. The outfield -- Matt Knauff, Matt McCall, Randy Striegel and Chris Wagnon -- tracked down everything hit its way. On the mound, Dave Taxier struck out some guys (perhaps aided by a certain amount of Trainwreck inebriation?).
The offense was its reliable self as the MuckMen rolled out a 27-hit attack. Perhaps the sign that all would be going the 'Rakers' way was Gomez' drive that hit off third base and went for a double in the second inning. In the third, the 'Rakers strung together six hits in scoring four times. The next big explosion came in the seventh as Los Muckeros got a triple from Brama, a double from Striegel and a homer from Alcorn in establishing total dominance of the proceedings.
Striegel (5 for 5, five RBI) enjoyed a stellar night at the plate, as did Alcorn (3 for 5, three RBI), McCall and Brama (3 for 5 each. White (4 for 5) and Johnson (3 for 5, three runs).
The 'Rakers piled up 17 runs while holding the league's second-place team to six runs. That's how the Muckrakers (4-4) do, and how they look to keep doing as they attempt to storm their way back into the postseason.
The Muckrakers perhaps positioned themselves as the power to be reckoned with in D-League South with a convincing 17-6 thrashing of Trainwreck on Field 2 last Thursday.
This was a 'Raker outfit that at one point had lost three in a row and sat at 1-4. The suddenly blazing-hot Men of Muck have now run off three victories in a row, with their latest conquest coming over the team formerly in second place. Well, Yer Heroes booted Trainwreck out of its high perch and took over sole possession of the second slot, trailing only The Guys in the D-League South standings.
In this one, it was more the Muckrakers who played like an out-of-control runaway train. The Mucksters started slowly, trailing 5-2 after two innings, then rallied for four runs in the third frame, then continued on from there to throttle a team they'd lost to in the previous encounter.
The 'Rakers put it away with a seven-run outburst in the seventh inning, leaving no doubt who was the new big, bad boy on the block. Somewhere, The Guys had to be concerned.
The 'Rakers offense has been a consistent hitting machine for most of the season, but vs. Trainwreck, the defense also shared the spotlight. The Mucksters' 'D' was a little shaky early, but once it established itself, there was no turning back. Reed Johnson fielded a scorching bad-hop one-hopper at shortstop and turned it into a double play, Dave Alcorn was as steady as he goes at third base, and Jose Gomez made the plays at second base in his understated way. 'Raker rookie Scott Brama showed astonishing hop and quickness at the catcher position. Chris White made an unbelievable over-the-shoulder catch from his first base spot in short right. The outfield -- Matt Knauff, Matt McCall, Randy Striegel and Chris Wagnon -- tracked down everything hit its way. On the mound, Dave Taxier struck out some guys (perhaps aided by a certain amount of Trainwreck inebriation?).
The offense was its reliable self as the MuckMen rolled out a 27-hit attack. Perhaps the sign that all would be going the 'Rakers' way was Gomez' drive that hit off third base and went for a double in the second inning. In the third, the 'Rakers strung together six hits in scoring four times. The next big explosion came in the seventh as Los Muckeros got a triple from Brama, a double from Striegel and a homer from Alcorn in establishing total dominance of the proceedings.
Striegel (5 for 5, five RBI) enjoyed a stellar night at the plate, as did Alcorn (3 for 5, three RBI), McCall and Brama (3 for 5 each. White (4 for 5) and Johnson (3 for 5, three runs).
The 'Rakers piled up 17 runs while holding the league's second-place team to six runs. That's how the Muckrakers (4-4) do, and how they look to keep doing as they attempt to storm their way back into the postseason.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Torrid 'Rakers Drain Bay Sluggers
CONCORD -- In one of the wildest and most eventful games in all of the team's storied lore, the Muckrakers continued to shoot up the Men's D South standings by turning back the Bay Sluggers 11-8 on Field 1 last Thursday.
This one almost didn't take place at all, as the 'Rakers -- who may lead the league in rostered players vacationing out of the country -- scrambled to come up with the necessary amount of players for the 6 p.m. game. But the 'Rakers did rustle up the required number, and then some, due to some nifty -- and totally legal, the paperwork's been completed and submitted, thank you very much -- last-minute recruits to the ballclub.
And so the show was able to go on, and the Mucksters won for the second game in a row to boost their record to 3-4, but a painful and unfortunate cost was paid in the process.
One of the new recruits, Todd Johnson, slipped and fell on the basepaths in the fifth inning, suffering a separated shoulder in the process. Reed Johnson transported Todd to the hospital emergency room, and the latest report is that Todd is OK, for which the Muckrakers are very thankful, and they wish Mr. Johnson and complete and speedy recovery.
With Todd and Reed heading off to the hospital, the Muckrakers were down to eight players, the bare minimum, with which to hold off the Bay Sluggers in the last inning. And although the Sluggers put a couple men on base, the 'Rakers were able to record the final out and place a remarkable victory in their hip pocket. The Bay Sluggers found themselves dropping to 1-5 on the season.
Utilizing a patchwork lineup, the 'Rakers didn't exactly tear the cover off the ball, but they did hit consistently and well enough to score at least two runs in all but one scoreless inning. Bay Sluggers came out and tallied three times in the top of the first, but the 'Rakers came back with two of their own in the bottom half, and went on to put across three in the third and two runs each in the fourth and fifth.
Manager Chris Wagnon, continuing to tinker with the batting order, opted to go with Matt Knauff in the leadoff spot in this one. Knauff responded to the vote of confidence to go 3 for 4 with a run scored. Wagnon batted second and had a 2 for 4 night with three touches of home plate, and Dave Alcorn, Reed Johnson and Todd Johnson also had two-hit evenings.
Jose Gomez was as solid as could be at second base, and batting from the five-hole he drove in three of the 'Rakers' 11 runs.
And a healthy shout out to the recruits making their 'Raker debuts: Matt Anderson, Matt McCall and T. Johnson, and yes, the Mucksters do now lead the known universe with rostered Matts. Thanks for playing, gentlemen, we couldn't have done it without you.
Also going above and beyond was Rick Browning, who braved Bay Area rush hour traffic to make it to the game. Anyone who's battled the Caldecott Tunnel at rush hour can appreciate Browning's automotive efforts.
Thus the Men of Muck sit in third place in Men's D South, which sets up an interesting little showdown this Thursday, when the Muckinators take on second-place Trainwreck. If the Muckrakers have playoff aspirations, this ballgame might be a nice one to go and get. It's a 7:20 start, so one can assume assembling a lineup will not be as traumatic, yet ultimately victorious, as it was last week.
This one almost didn't take place at all, as the 'Rakers -- who may lead the league in rostered players vacationing out of the country -- scrambled to come up with the necessary amount of players for the 6 p.m. game. But the 'Rakers did rustle up the required number, and then some, due to some nifty -- and totally legal, the paperwork's been completed and submitted, thank you very much -- last-minute recruits to the ballclub.
And so the show was able to go on, and the Mucksters won for the second game in a row to boost their record to 3-4, but a painful and unfortunate cost was paid in the process.
One of the new recruits, Todd Johnson, slipped and fell on the basepaths in the fifth inning, suffering a separated shoulder in the process. Reed Johnson transported Todd to the hospital emergency room, and the latest report is that Todd is OK, for which the Muckrakers are very thankful, and they wish Mr. Johnson and complete and speedy recovery.
With Todd and Reed heading off to the hospital, the Muckrakers were down to eight players, the bare minimum, with which to hold off the Bay Sluggers in the last inning. And although the Sluggers put a couple men on base, the 'Rakers were able to record the final out and place a remarkable victory in their hip pocket. The Bay Sluggers found themselves dropping to 1-5 on the season.
Utilizing a patchwork lineup, the 'Rakers didn't exactly tear the cover off the ball, but they did hit consistently and well enough to score at least two runs in all but one scoreless inning. Bay Sluggers came out and tallied three times in the top of the first, but the 'Rakers came back with two of their own in the bottom half, and went on to put across three in the third and two runs each in the fourth and fifth.
Manager Chris Wagnon, continuing to tinker with the batting order, opted to go with Matt Knauff in the leadoff spot in this one. Knauff responded to the vote of confidence to go 3 for 4 with a run scored. Wagnon batted second and had a 2 for 4 night with three touches of home plate, and Dave Alcorn, Reed Johnson and Todd Johnson also had two-hit evenings.
Jose Gomez was as solid as could be at second base, and batting from the five-hole he drove in three of the 'Rakers' 11 runs.
And a healthy shout out to the recruits making their 'Raker debuts: Matt Anderson, Matt McCall and T. Johnson, and yes, the Mucksters do now lead the known universe with rostered Matts. Thanks for playing, gentlemen, we couldn't have done it without you.
Also going above and beyond was Rick Browning, who braved Bay Area rush hour traffic to make it to the game. Anyone who's battled the Caldecott Tunnel at rush hour can appreciate Browning's automotive efforts.
Thus the Men of Muck sit in third place in Men's D South, which sets up an interesting little showdown this Thursday, when the Muckinators take on second-place Trainwreck. If the Muckrakers have playoff aspirations, this ballgame might be a nice one to go and get. It's a 7:20 start, so one can assume assembling a lineup will not be as traumatic, yet ultimately victorious, as it was last week.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Muckrakers Use Epic Inning To Shatter 9 Mugs And A Pitcher
CONCORD -- Dave Taxier was struggling. The (R)aging right-hander had been staked to a four-run lead in the top of the first, but, partly because of his ineptitude and maleficence, was in the process of giving it all back in the bottom half of the frame. Indeed, 9 Mugs And a Pitcher came out of the first inning tied 4-4.
That's about when 'Raker first baseman Chris White told Taxier, "that's OK, we'll get those runs back."
Perhaps not even White realized just how right he was.
In the most fabulous frame in Muckrakers history, the Mighty Mucksters piled up an incredible 18 runs in the top of the second inning, powered along by five home runs, on their way to overwhelming 9 Mugs (and so forth and so on) 27-15 for their second victory of the season, snapping a four-game losing streak.
The 'Rakers rewrote the record books partly because they recognized the prevailing meteorological conditions on rarely played-on Field 5. Dave Alcorn led off the soon-to-be-famous frame by lofting what looked to be a routine flyball to right. Except the ball kept sailing, sailing, sailing over the outfielder's head, and the drive went for a home run by the trailblazing Alcorn.
Thus informed, the 'Rakers launching drive after drive to the right side, the result being four more homers and a whole passel of runs. Before the top of the second was done, 22 'Rakers had batted and Chris Wagnon, Luke Abbott and White had blasted round-trippers. Alcorn also tripled in the frame, and darned near hit for the cycle in the second inning alone.
The lead was so huge not even a struggling Taxier could give it back. Thus, the Muckrakers emphatically got into the win column, thanks to what turned out to be a 32-hit offense, perhaps another stat for the 'Raker record book.
After a series of close-but-no-cigar defeats, it had to feel good for the Mucksters to enjoy a rare laugher victory. Any kind of win would have felt good at this point, but to put up 27 runs on a day in which everybody hit well, well ... oh my.
Reed Johnson blasted the ball all five times up and went 5 for 5. Abbott, about to embark on an Australian walk-about, said farewell by going 4 for 5 with a career-high seven RBIs. White hit with might (4 for 5, five RBIs). Ben Enos made his '11 'Rakers debut a memorable one, taking ownership of the leadoff role and going 4 for 4 with three runs scored. Alcorn finished 4 for 5 with five driven in, and Chace Bryson and Rich Browning each contributed three hits. Jose Gomez had a two-hit game and stood out again at second base. And Taxier even struck out a guy -- and didn't strike out himself, fortunately.
The take-away from this one is, with six games left in the regular season, Los Muckeros still have time to cause great upheaval in the standings. Let those 27 runs signal a warning shot to the rest of the trembling D-League South.
That's about when 'Raker first baseman Chris White told Taxier, "that's OK, we'll get those runs back."
Perhaps not even White realized just how right he was.
In the most fabulous frame in Muckrakers history, the Mighty Mucksters piled up an incredible 18 runs in the top of the second inning, powered along by five home runs, on their way to overwhelming 9 Mugs (and so forth and so on) 27-15 for their second victory of the season, snapping a four-game losing streak.
The 'Rakers rewrote the record books partly because they recognized the prevailing meteorological conditions on rarely played-on Field 5. Dave Alcorn led off the soon-to-be-famous frame by lofting what looked to be a routine flyball to right. Except the ball kept sailing, sailing, sailing over the outfielder's head, and the drive went for a home run by the trailblazing Alcorn.
Thus informed, the 'Rakers launching drive after drive to the right side, the result being four more homers and a whole passel of runs. Before the top of the second was done, 22 'Rakers had batted and Chris Wagnon, Luke Abbott and White had blasted round-trippers. Alcorn also tripled in the frame, and darned near hit for the cycle in the second inning alone.
The lead was so huge not even a struggling Taxier could give it back. Thus, the Muckrakers emphatically got into the win column, thanks to what turned out to be a 32-hit offense, perhaps another stat for the 'Raker record book.
After a series of close-but-no-cigar defeats, it had to feel good for the Mucksters to enjoy a rare laugher victory. Any kind of win would have felt good at this point, but to put up 27 runs on a day in which everybody hit well, well ... oh my.
Reed Johnson blasted the ball all five times up and went 5 for 5. Abbott, about to embark on an Australian walk-about, said farewell by going 4 for 5 with a career-high seven RBIs. White hit with might (4 for 5, five RBIs). Ben Enos made his '11 'Rakers debut a memorable one, taking ownership of the leadoff role and going 4 for 4 with three runs scored. Alcorn finished 4 for 5 with five driven in, and Chace Bryson and Rich Browning each contributed three hits. Jose Gomez had a two-hit game and stood out again at second base. And Taxier even struck out a guy -- and didn't strike out himself, fortunately.
The take-away from this one is, with six games left in the regular season, Los Muckeros still have time to cause great upheaval in the standings. Let those 27 runs signal a warning shot to the rest of the trembling D-League South.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Muckrakers Go Dry, Lose To The Guys
CONCORD -- You can pick all sorts of various nits with the noble Muckrakers in this early juncture of the Summer of 2011 D-League South season, but one thing you must concede: Those 'Rakers can hit that ball and score those runs.
At least 20 hits per game and double-digit scoring -- count on it. Put it in the bank. Book it, Dan-o.
Well, not this time, Bunky. All good things must come to an end, and the Mucksters' streak of fine batting and run production came to something of a screaming halt in a 12-2 piano-wiring at the hands of The Guys last Thursday on Field 1 in a make-up of the recent hail-out.
Perhaps it was the early 6 p.m. start time. Maybe the hot temperatures had Our Boys feeling a little lethargic. Could it have been that The Lads were a little uncomfortable in the unfamiliar confines of Field 1? Or perhaps it was the unflinching law of averages smacking the 'Rakers where it hurts.
Whatever the heck was going on, it sure played havoc with the Men of Muck's average production figures. The managed just two runs and 10 hits against The Guys in falling to 1-3 on the season.
Single runs in the second and fifth innings -- and that was it, try as the Muckrakers might. Early on, it seemed as if the runs would come fast and furious, as usual. Chris White singled with one out, and Jose Gomez singled him home. However, that was that for that rally.
After a scoreless third and fourth, the Muckrakers were back at it in the fifth inning. White led off the fifth with his second hit of the game, and came around on singles from Rick Browning and Chris Wagnon.
Dave Alcorn, Browning and White were the 'Rakers' lone two-hit men on a hot evening when the 'Rakers never caught fire. That sent them into a bye week, which may have been for the best. No doubt this band of 'Rakers will come back rested and refreshed and ready to again wreak havoc wherever havoc needs to be wreaked. It's the 'Raker way.
At least 20 hits per game and double-digit scoring -- count on it. Put it in the bank. Book it, Dan-o.
Well, not this time, Bunky. All good things must come to an end, and the Mucksters' streak of fine batting and run production came to something of a screaming halt in a 12-2 piano-wiring at the hands of The Guys last Thursday on Field 1 in a make-up of the recent hail-out.
Perhaps it was the early 6 p.m. start time. Maybe the hot temperatures had Our Boys feeling a little lethargic. Could it have been that The Lads were a little uncomfortable in the unfamiliar confines of Field 1? Or perhaps it was the unflinching law of averages smacking the 'Rakers where it hurts.
Whatever the heck was going on, it sure played havoc with the Men of Muck's average production figures. The managed just two runs and 10 hits against The Guys in falling to 1-3 on the season.
Single runs in the second and fifth innings -- and that was it, try as the Muckrakers might. Early on, it seemed as if the runs would come fast and furious, as usual. Chris White singled with one out, and Jose Gomez singled him home. However, that was that for that rally.
After a scoreless third and fourth, the Muckrakers were back at it in the fifth inning. White led off the fifth with his second hit of the game, and came around on singles from Rick Browning and Chris Wagnon.
Dave Alcorn, Browning and White were the 'Rakers' lone two-hit men on a hot evening when the 'Rakers never caught fire. That sent them into a bye week, which may have been for the best. No doubt this band of 'Rakers will come back rested and refreshed and ready to again wreak havoc wherever havoc needs to be wreaked. It's the 'Raker way.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Muckrakers derailed by Trainwreck
CONCORD -- Oh, how the Muckrakers want it. They've gone without it. They yearn for it. They call out for it in the dead of night. And yet it eludes them.
"It" of course, being D-League victories, which the Muckrakers ballclub has been trying to re-secure ever since opening the summer season with a 17-9 thumping of Nine Mugs & A Pitcher.
Unfortunately, last Thursday was not that night, as the Mucksters fell short for a second week in a row, this time an 18-14 shading at the hands of Trainwreck.
Hitting, runs and effort have not been the Muck-N-Ators' problem. Nor has good, old-fashioned desire. One only had to hear Luke Abbott's plaintive wails of "Hit it here! Hit it here! Thank you!" from the nether regions of right-center to realize that.
Yes, the Men of Muck want it. And they nearly get it. Problem is, their noble opposition has been just a tad better the past two weeks, thus a two-game losing skein.
In this one, Those Mucky Guys had relatively quiet frames in innings one through four, in which they scored five times total. But the 'Rakers really let it flow in the fifth, when they plated four comrades, then they went just as nutty in the sixth, when four more 'Rakers reached home base.
Alas, Yer Heroes scored again in the seventh inning, but scored only once, and that didn't get it the job done. When Dave Taxier feebly made the final out, the 'Rakers' chances of winning were as dead as the party at Osama's.
Yet the Mucksters' constant surges made it certain Trainwreck would enjoy few comfortable moments. There, for instance, was the Trainwreck runner who got bopped in the ol' noggin by a Muckraker throw in heading to third base, which has been something of a re-occurring theme in 'Raker games this season.
Another constant this season has been offense. Hits, runs? No problem for the Muckrakers. They rolled out a 21-hit attack in this one, with each 'Raker collecting at least one safety. Chace Bryson made his first out of the season, but it took a phenomenal catch in right to end Bryson's steak, and he still ended up going 4 for 5 and is 8 for 9 on the year. Leadoff man Dave Alcorn continues to do fine work at the top of the order, going 2 for 2 with three runs scored. The enthusiastic Abbott was 3 for 3 in addition to being a softball magnet in the outfield, and Randy Striegel (four RBI, Rick Browning (two ribbies), Chris White (pair of RBI) and Chris Wagnon (2 for 4) were quite productive.
No, in the final analysis, it wasn't enough, but Trainwreck had known it had been in a scrap. And there should be more summer nights, perhaps even as soon as this Thursday (6 p.m., Field 1) when the 'Rakers will get what they're looking for. Got it? Good.
"It" of course, being D-League victories, which the Muckrakers ballclub has been trying to re-secure ever since opening the summer season with a 17-9 thumping of Nine Mugs & A Pitcher.
Unfortunately, last Thursday was not that night, as the Mucksters fell short for a second week in a row, this time an 18-14 shading at the hands of Trainwreck.
Hitting, runs and effort have not been the Muck-N-Ators' problem. Nor has good, old-fashioned desire. One only had to hear Luke Abbott's plaintive wails of "Hit it here! Hit it here! Thank you!" from the nether regions of right-center to realize that.
Yes, the Men of Muck want it. And they nearly get it. Problem is, their noble opposition has been just a tad better the past two weeks, thus a two-game losing skein.
In this one, Those Mucky Guys had relatively quiet frames in innings one through four, in which they scored five times total. But the 'Rakers really let it flow in the fifth, when they plated four comrades, then they went just as nutty in the sixth, when four more 'Rakers reached home base.
Alas, Yer Heroes scored again in the seventh inning, but scored only once, and that didn't get it the job done. When Dave Taxier feebly made the final out, the 'Rakers' chances of winning were as dead as the party at Osama's.
Yet the Mucksters' constant surges made it certain Trainwreck would enjoy few comfortable moments. There, for instance, was the Trainwreck runner who got bopped in the ol' noggin by a Muckraker throw in heading to third base, which has been something of a re-occurring theme in 'Raker games this season.
Another constant this season has been offense. Hits, runs? No problem for the Muckrakers. They rolled out a 21-hit attack in this one, with each 'Raker collecting at least one safety. Chace Bryson made his first out of the season, but it took a phenomenal catch in right to end Bryson's steak, and he still ended up going 4 for 5 and is 8 for 9 on the year. Leadoff man Dave Alcorn continues to do fine work at the top of the order, going 2 for 2 with three runs scored. The enthusiastic Abbott was 3 for 3 in addition to being a softball magnet in the outfield, and Randy Striegel (four RBI, Rick Browning (two ribbies), Chris White (pair of RBI) and Chris Wagnon (2 for 4) were quite productive.
No, in the final analysis, it wasn't enough, but Trainwreck had known it had been in a scrap. And there should be more summer nights, perhaps even as soon as this Thursday (6 p.m., Field 1) when the 'Rakers will get what they're looking for. Got it? Good.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
'Rakers pour it on, tip 9 Mugs and a Pitcher
CONCORD -- Now that was worth waiting for, wasn't it?
Denied a game for two weeks thanks to the schedule-maker and Mother Nature, the Muckrakers rained a whole lotta offense on 9 Mugs and a Pitcher, taking the opening night tilt 17-8 Thursday on Field 3.
The victorious 'Rakers played like a team that was desperate to get the darned league under way. All 12 Mucksters contributed to the fun, with each 'Raker getting at least one hit and eight having multi-hit games. The Men of Muck amassed 26 hits and batted .577 against hapless 9MAAP, and surely sent shock waves through the rest of Thursday Night D-League.
This was a new-look 'Raker outfit doing all this damage. In addition to the old reliables, sprinkled about the lineup were a trio of 'Rakers making their Muckraker debut: Reed Johnson, Jose Gomez and Chris White. Under the able guidance of Manager Chris Wagnon, the newbies and the vets meshed as though they've been one happy family for years and years.
It's not unlike Fearless Leader Wagnon to have some managerial trickery up his shirt sleeve, and boy oh boy, did he pull one out of the hat on Thursday. Wagnon employed the rarely seen "Volleyball Defense," where each player rotated left after each inning.
Whimsical, perhaps, but effective, yes. Yer Mucksters played stellar defense in Game 1, with the infield and outfield each turning in highlight-worthy plays.
Bob Brindley, making one of his cameo appearances, popped 9MAAP's bubble with his spectacular catches in left field. Matt Knauff was his usual solid self in center and almost turned in a remarkable play on a deep drive. At shortstop, Randy Striegel put a nice bow on the game with his nice flip from the hole to third baseman Dave Alcorn, good for the forceout and the final out of the contest.
Your Heroes were just as dominant on offense. In fact, in the third inning, Brindley and Striegel each bashed home runs, which served as a noisy prologue to the eight-run fourth inning that blew this puppy wide open. Fourteen 'Rakers batted in the fateful frame, with 11 bashing hits and six driving in runs. Alcorn tripled in the inning, and the plucky infielder and leadoff man enjoyed a 3 for 4 opening night.
Rick Browning also got off to a hot start, going 3 for 4 as well, and Knauff and Striegel were positively torrid with their 4 for 4 game, Striegel also driving in four runs.
So D-League, you've been warned: You can only hold off the relentless Muckrakers for so long.
Denied a game for two weeks thanks to the schedule-maker and Mother Nature, the Muckrakers rained a whole lotta offense on 9 Mugs and a Pitcher, taking the opening night tilt 17-8 Thursday on Field 3.
The victorious 'Rakers played like a team that was desperate to get the darned league under way. All 12 Mucksters contributed to the fun, with each 'Raker getting at least one hit and eight having multi-hit games. The Men of Muck amassed 26 hits and batted .577 against hapless 9MAAP, and surely sent shock waves through the rest of Thursday Night D-League.
This was a new-look 'Raker outfit doing all this damage. In addition to the old reliables, sprinkled about the lineup were a trio of 'Rakers making their Muckraker debut: Reed Johnson, Jose Gomez and Chris White. Under the able guidance of Manager Chris Wagnon, the newbies and the vets meshed as though they've been one happy family for years and years.
It's not unlike Fearless Leader Wagnon to have some managerial trickery up his shirt sleeve, and boy oh boy, did he pull one out of the hat on Thursday. Wagnon employed the rarely seen "Volleyball Defense," where each player rotated left after each inning.
Whimsical, perhaps, but effective, yes. Yer Mucksters played stellar defense in Game 1, with the infield and outfield each turning in highlight-worthy plays.
Bob Brindley, making one of his cameo appearances, popped 9MAAP's bubble with his spectacular catches in left field. Matt Knauff was his usual solid self in center and almost turned in a remarkable play on a deep drive. At shortstop, Randy Striegel put a nice bow on the game with his nice flip from the hole to third baseman Dave Alcorn, good for the forceout and the final out of the contest.
Your Heroes were just as dominant on offense. In fact, in the third inning, Brindley and Striegel each bashed home runs, which served as a noisy prologue to the eight-run fourth inning that blew this puppy wide open. Fourteen 'Rakers batted in the fateful frame, with 11 bashing hits and six driving in runs. Alcorn tripled in the inning, and the plucky infielder and leadoff man enjoyed a 3 for 4 opening night.
Rick Browning also got off to a hot start, going 3 for 4 as well, and Knauff and Striegel were positively torrid with their 4 for 4 game, Striegel also driving in four runs.
So D-League, you've been warned: You can only hold off the relentless Muckrakers for so long.
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