Gold Country Buzzards

Gold Country Ol' Buzzards Game Report #8

Game: June 9, 2013

Buzzards ground Astros, 12-2

On the farthest away game of the season and a morning game to boot, the Ol' Buzzards car-pooled their way successfully to Galt Community Park. With some sleepy and some still grumpy, the Buzzards warmed up on a cool breezy morning. The team was especially short-handed due to other commitments, vacations and injuries totaling seven Buzzards missing or unable to play in the game. To compound the situation, one player needed to leave early for another game.

With only 16 guys on the roster, it was clear extra players were needed. For a temporary fill-in, Ernie Von Zboray, Pete's brother, showed up to play and brought his 9-year old son, Nick. In uniform, Nick was not only a terrific bat boy, but a good looking one as well. For the season, the Buzzards added Jim Kuchar, a refugee from the Patriots who lives in Grass Valley, to the team.

The Astros play some of their home games at this Galt park baseball field and were on a four-game win streak and tied with the Buzzards after seven games with 4-3 records. The starting pitcher for the Astros was old veteran righty, Ron 'Belly' Turner #13. Taking the hill for the Gold Country Buzzards was the hard throwing righty, Taylor 'Welzy' Welz #26.

The Buzzards jumped on the score board first with two runs in the top of the first inning. Jim 'Kuch' Kuchar started it off with a full-count walk. With one out, Welzy doubled to the opposite field in right, sending Kuch to third. With two outs, Pete 'Baron' Von Zboray hit a high bouncer over the third baseman's head for a clutch single driving in Welzy and Kuch for the early lead.

The Astros scored one in their half of the first inning on two hits and a sacrifice fly for a 2-1 score after one dig.

The Buzzards threatened in nearly every inning before scoring two in the fifth. Ray 'Bull Dog' Henry got to first with good hustle on an infield misplay of his dribbler in front of the plate. Two outs later and with Bull Dog at second, Dan 'Wookie' Wukmir hit a sharp grounder into right field for a single to score Ray. Wookie then stole second base and scored on Welzy's triple down the right field line. Taylor was left stranded at third to end the inning with the score after six innings, 4-1.

The Astros did not have many scoring opportunities. The Astros lead-off runners in the second and fourth frames were quickly wiped out by double-plays. And excellent defensive plays abounded in the outfield with a nice running catch in left field by Kelly 'KG' Garcia of a sinking low liner in the sixth inning, and Bull Dogs' amazing catch in the deep left field corner to rob the hitter in the seventh. The tough defense made it hard for the Astros to rally.

After a sixth inning that had the bases loaded with Buzzards and no outs, then not to score, the Ol' Buzzards were anxious to add some runs in the top of the seventh. Bull Dog led off with an infield hit showing hustle and linebacker speed to beat a very close play. One out later, Kuchie bunted for a single taking advantage of a deep playing third baseman. With two on, Wookie pulled the first pitch into right field on the line for a double driving in Ray from second. With runners at second and third, Welzy walked on a full-count to load the bases. Batting next, Norm 'Burner' Tucker walked on seven pitches to force in Kuch from third for the second run of the inning. The Baron then hit a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Wook.

With two outs, Kelly hit a line drive single to left field scoring Taylor. Up next, Barry 'Crush' Forman blasted a shot past a diving right fielder for a triple scoring two more runs. Steve 'Cookie' Cook then walked on a 3-2 pitch putting runners at the corners. Batting next, the 11th hitter of the inning, Gregg 'Surf Dawg' Novotny spanked a single up the middle scoring Crush. Batting for the second time this inning, Bull Dog lined a single to left for hit number two in the inning, and knocked in Cookie for the eighth run of the dig. The score was 12-1 going into the bottom of the seventh.

Since the league's 10-run mercy rule kicks in after seven innings of play, the Buzzards wanted to hold the Astros to at least one run and end the game. The red-jersey and white pants clad Astros did not go down easy. With two on and no outs, their clean-up hitter crushed one high and deep into the left field corner. Bull Dog, recently off of the six-week disabled list for his knee and just entered the game, made a spectacular catch before falling to the ground. With runners at the corners, a run scored on a failed double-play grounder to make the score 12-2. The next batter grounded out - Wookie to Cookie (short to second) to end the game.

Buzzard pitching was excellent. Welzy pitched the first five innings and threw 51 pitches (36 strikes & 15 balls) in facing 17 Astros. Taylor gave up one run on three hits with four strike-outs and no walks. Surf Dawg finished the game with two innings of work throwing 38 pitches (24 strikes & 14 balls). Gregg faced 9 Astros and gave up one unearned run on two hits with no base on balls allowed.

The Buzzard offense scored four runs in the first six innings and eight runs in the seventh inning to end the game early. The 15 hits and eight walks made for some nice run production. The hit club for the game included: Barry-2, Baron-1, Bull Dog-2, Cookie-1, Kelly-2, Kuch-1, Surf Dawg-1, Welzy-2 and Wookie-3. The ribbies were courtesy of: Barry-2, Baron-3, Burner-1, Bull Dog-1, KG-1, Surf Dawg-1, Welzy-1 and Wook-2. The offense was boosted by the eagle-eyed Buzzards that took a base on balls. The walkers (without canes at this time) were: Cookie, Kuch, Norm and Pete. The double-walkers were the pitcher feared: Crush Forman and Welzy.

The previously mentioned defense was solid and made it easier for the pitchers. The two defensive gems in the outfield by Kelly in the sixth and Ray in the seventh were keys to keeping the Astros score low. There were also two double-plays early in the game to keep the Astros in check. In the second inning with one on and one out, Welzy fielded a hot come-backer on the mound then turned to second to feed Wookie crossing the bag. Danny then threw to Pete at first base to end the inning. In the fourth frame with one on and one out, Wook caught a line drive at shortstop then doubled-off the runner with a throw to Ernie at first base to end that inning.

Also noteworthy was the solid performance by Burner Tucker behind the plate for the entire 2 1/2 hour game. There was no relief for the catcher today. Injured Buzzards Deano Perkins and Mumbles Kelley came to the game as emergency back-ups plus to coach and score keep. That also helped and was much appreciated by the team. A good all around game and nice win against the Astros in the seven inning contest. Those cold drinks always seem to taste better after a victory.

The Ol' Buzzards really appreciate Ernie, Pete's older brother, playing plus bringing Nick to the game. It was nice to have a good bat boy for the game.

The next baseball game is this Sunday, June 16th, on Fathers' Day. The Buzzards play at 10 o'clock against the Yankees at Playfields Park in Davis.