CONCORD -- They say all good things must come to an end, and so it was for the tough-luck Muckrakers, who saw their record-setting five-game regular-season winning streak snapped in a 12-7 loss to the Bay Sluggers on Thursday night on Field 4.
The Men of Muck, managed on an interim basis by Dave Taxier, just didn't git-er done with the bats, mustering just seven runs, their second-lowest output of the season. Defensively, there was a play here or there that could have been made but wasn't. It wasn't an awful defensive showing by any means on Thursday, it was just a tad below the high bar established during the 'Rakers' aforementioned win streak.
It was a night when things were just off a bit for the snake-bit Mucksters. The team hit the ball hard for the most part, but right at Bay Slugger defenders. Our Heroes, for example, lined into two double plays, one each in the last two innings when the Muck-N-Ators were desperately trying to mount comeback rallies.
The Muckrakers tallied twice in the first inning, but then scored only once more over the next three frames as the Bay Sluggers took a 10-3 lead. The 'Raker bats finally stirred in the fifth, as Matt Knauff doubled to drive in Taxier and Rick Browning, and Reed Johnson singled to plate Dave Alcorn and Knauff. Randy Striegel then absolutely crushed a ball up the middle, but the quick-handed BS pitcher somehow latched onto the drive and tossed to first for the buzz-killing double play. If it wasn't for bad luck, the 'Rakers would have no luck at all.
The 'Rakers had similar luck in the final inning, the bottom of the sixth, as another line drive turned into a double play to put a damper on a possible dramatic comeback. It is a cruel game, this softball.
And yet, despite the setback, the 'Rakers still sport a winning record (6-5), not bad for a team that was 1-4 at one point. And the loss may yet not prove fatal to the Muckrakers' playoff hopes, depending on whether the top two or top three ballclubs in this five-team division make the playoffs.
It could mean this all goes down to next week's last game of the regular season, when the 'Rakers are the visiting team in taking on Trainwreck. The Muckrakers have split the season series vs. Trainwreck, having lost the first encounter, then winning the rematch.
One cannot sign off without saluting the effort of Knauff, who sustained a hamstring injury running the bases in the third inning, yet still managed to gut it out and play the rest of the way. It's that kind of inspirational effort that's gotten the 'Rakers this far, and the stuff that will push them on in the games to come.
Showing posts with label Dave Taxier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dave Taxier. Show all posts
Friday, July 08, 2011
Monday, July 04, 2011
Maurading Muckrakers Shatter 9 Mugs and a Pitcher for Fifth Consecutive Win
CONCORD -- You want to know when you're cool, hip and happening? When you've got a beer named after you, that's when.
So fill up that pitcher with Muckraker Ale, courtesy of Luke Abbott Brewery, gather 'round the hitchin' post, and let's all recount with gusto the mighty Muckrakers' latest in a string of triumphs, a 20-12 mauling of their personal punching bags, 9 Mugs and a Pitcher, last Thursday on Field 3.
Lately, the drinks have all been on the house and have gone down so smoothly at Ye Olde Muckraker Tavern. The Men of Muck continue to knock down the best D League-South has to offer, having now won an astounding five games in a row. The team that once stood at 1-4 with little postseason hope is up to 6-4 and feeling pretty good about its chances, although more work needs to be done with two regular-season games remaining.
Something about 9MAAP gets the 'Rakers' juices flowing. Yer Heroes blasted three home runs vs. 9MAAP after piling up 27 runs against it in the last encounter. Chris White, Dave Alcorn and Bob Brindley all went yard in this one as the Muckrakers pulled away for the decisive victory.
This one was a slugfest early, with pitcher Dave Taxier gumming the works somewhat with his Worst Start Ever. The 'Rakers led 13-11 after three innings, but 9MAAP tallied only once more the rest of the way, thanks to fine long relief work from White. Meanwhile, the offense continued to do its thing, applying the dagger with a five-run seventh inning. Brindley, he of the high-visibility florescent yellow hat, landed the big blow, a two-run jimmy-jack to cap off his 5 for 5, four-run, two-ribbie evening.
White, who'd homered in the first, led the RBI parade with five. Shortstop Reed Johnson turned in a 4 for 5 effort, and Matt Knauff and Jose Gomez contributed three safeties apiece to the 29-hit attack. Rick Browning returned to the lineup and bashed a couple hits and scored four times.
After it was all said and done, it was over to Master Luke's abode for some good eats and brew. Sure, it was all fine and grand, but that's what happens when you're the D-League South cock of the walk. Strut proud, Muckrakers, strut proud.
So fill up that pitcher with Muckraker Ale, courtesy of Luke Abbott Brewery, gather 'round the hitchin' post, and let's all recount with gusto the mighty Muckrakers' latest in a string of triumphs, a 20-12 mauling of their personal punching bags, 9 Mugs and a Pitcher, last Thursday on Field 3.
Lately, the drinks have all been on the house and have gone down so smoothly at Ye Olde Muckraker Tavern. The Men of Muck continue to knock down the best D League-South has to offer, having now won an astounding five games in a row. The team that once stood at 1-4 with little postseason hope is up to 6-4 and feeling pretty good about its chances, although more work needs to be done with two regular-season games remaining.
Something about 9MAAP gets the 'Rakers' juices flowing. Yer Heroes blasted three home runs vs. 9MAAP after piling up 27 runs against it in the last encounter. Chris White, Dave Alcorn and Bob Brindley all went yard in this one as the Muckrakers pulled away for the decisive victory.
This one was a slugfest early, with pitcher Dave Taxier gumming the works somewhat with his Worst Start Ever. The 'Rakers led 13-11 after three innings, but 9MAAP tallied only once more the rest of the way, thanks to fine long relief work from White. Meanwhile, the offense continued to do its thing, applying the dagger with a five-run seventh inning. Brindley, he of the high-visibility florescent yellow hat, landed the big blow, a two-run jimmy-jack to cap off his 5 for 5, four-run, two-ribbie evening.
White, who'd homered in the first, led the RBI parade with five. Shortstop Reed Johnson turned in a 4 for 5 effort, and Matt Knauff and Jose Gomez contributed three safeties apiece to the 29-hit attack. Rick Browning returned to the lineup and bashed a couple hits and scored four times.
After it was all said and done, it was over to Master Luke's abode for some good eats and brew. Sure, it was all fine and grand, but that's what happens when you're the D-League South cock of the walk. Strut proud, Muckrakers, strut proud.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Muckrakers stay hot
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Not Those Guys Again! Rakers Fall to, Yes, The Guys
CONCORD -- You know what the Guys had to be thinking before their little link-up with the Muckrakers last Thursday on Field 3.
"Oh, the Muckrakers ... them again, for the second week in a row. The team we beat by 10 runs. The team that scored just two runs and had just 10 hits against us. We shall smite them again, with ease. And then we'll pick a better name for our team, because the one we have right now is kinda plain and boring."
Well, the Guys still have the same tired moniker as far as we know, but they also got the fight of their lives and emerged feeling relieved to take home the "W" after a 14-13 slugfest.
Giving it their all following a bye week, the 'Rakers put their previous outing vs. the Guys in the rearview mirror and returned to their normal, robust-hitting ways and lashed 24 hits in this go-round. The Men of Muck led late, 12-9, but the stunned Guys roared back and used the long ball to surge back in front.
Los Muckrakeros found themselves needing two to tie, three to win in the bottom of the last inning, but their last-gasp rally fell just short. Rick Browning led off the comeback attempt by smartly drawing a walk, and leadoff man Randy Striegel -- yes, you heard that right, Bub, leadoff man -- bashed a single to send Browning to third. One batter later, Dave Alcorn singled in Browning to cut the Guys' lead to one. Alas, that's as close the Yer Heroes got, and they were forced to accept their fourth consecutive defeat of the season.
Although saddled with yet another close defeat, the 'Rakers did return to their high-scoring, big-hitting ways. Perhaps this was helped along by a lineup shakeup from Fearless Leader Chris Wagnon, who placed Striegel atop the order, and Striegel responded with a 4 for 5 outing with three runs scored. Alcorn moved into the three hole for the first time and pounded out three hits while driving in a couple. Shortstop Reed Johnson held down the fourth spot quite nicely (3 for 5, three ribbies). Wagnon and Jose Gomez also had three-hit games. And so forth and so on on down the lineup.
And the 'Rakesters played the solid defense as well, none as frequently as Alcorn, who earned the nickname "Wi-Fi" for his showing at the Hot Spot. Alcorn stopped many a rocketed blast at third base, wielding his sturdy glove and recording out after out. Gomez also had a nice stick-with-it feed to Reed at second base for a forceout.
Starting hurler Dave Taxier (two hits) collected a strikeout in the game, but karma came back to bite him where it hurts the next inning when he himself struck out looking. Such is life in the D-league fast lane.
In the final analysis, this one boiled down to the Muckrakers' persistent all-singles attack vs. the Guys' long-ball power, and in the end, long-ball style won out, but just barely. The Muckrakers proved in this one they are ready for a seven-inning scrap, any time, anywhere.
"Oh, the Muckrakers ... them again, for the second week in a row. The team we beat by 10 runs. The team that scored just two runs and had just 10 hits against us. We shall smite them again, with ease. And then we'll pick a better name for our team, because the one we have right now is kinda plain and boring."
Well, the Guys still have the same tired moniker as far as we know, but they also got the fight of their lives and emerged feeling relieved to take home the "W" after a 14-13 slugfest.
Giving it their all following a bye week, the 'Rakers put their previous outing vs. the Guys in the rearview mirror and returned to their normal, robust-hitting ways and lashed 24 hits in this go-round. The Men of Muck led late, 12-9, but the stunned Guys roared back and used the long ball to surge back in front.
Los Muckrakeros found themselves needing two to tie, three to win in the bottom of the last inning, but their last-gasp rally fell just short. Rick Browning led off the comeback attempt by smartly drawing a walk, and leadoff man Randy Striegel -- yes, you heard that right, Bub, leadoff man -- bashed a single to send Browning to third. One batter later, Dave Alcorn singled in Browning to cut the Guys' lead to one. Alas, that's as close the Yer Heroes got, and they were forced to accept their fourth consecutive defeat of the season.
Although saddled with yet another close defeat, the 'Rakers did return to their high-scoring, big-hitting ways. Perhaps this was helped along by a lineup shakeup from Fearless Leader Chris Wagnon, who placed Striegel atop the order, and Striegel responded with a 4 for 5 outing with three runs scored. Alcorn moved into the three hole for the first time and pounded out three hits while driving in a couple. Shortstop Reed Johnson held down the fourth spot quite nicely (3 for 5, three ribbies). Wagnon and Jose Gomez also had three-hit games. And so forth and so on on down the lineup.
And the 'Rakesters played the solid defense as well, none as frequently as Alcorn, who earned the nickname "Wi-Fi" for his showing at the Hot Spot. Alcorn stopped many a rocketed blast at third base, wielding his sturdy glove and recording out after out. Gomez also had a nice stick-with-it feed to Reed at second base for a forceout.
Starting hurler Dave Taxier (two hits) collected a strikeout in the game, but karma came back to bite him where it hurts the next inning when he himself struck out looking. Such is life in the D-league fast lane.
In the final analysis, this one boiled down to the Muckrakers' persistent all-singles attack vs. the Guys' long-ball power, and in the end, long-ball style won out, but just barely. The Muckrakers proved in this one they are ready for a seven-inning scrap, any time, anywhere.
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