Gold Country Buzzards

Gold Country Ol' Buzzards Game Report #12

Game Two: July 8, 2012

Buzzards pounce on Dodgers early, win 15-4

After a nice win in the first game, the Buzzards got ready to take on the Rancho Dodgers in the second half of the twin bill. The starting pitcher for the visiting Buzzards was the tough right-hander, Mike 'Big Mac' McCabe #32. The Dodgers sent young righty, James Rivera #55, to the mound to open the seven-inning game.

The lead-off batter, Evy sent his usual 'game opening hit' greetings to the pitcher, this time it was a double to the left-center field gap. Welzy followed with a hard grounder to short that was misplayed putting runners at first and second. Batting next, Troy 'Nogy' Nogosek walked to load 'em up for Bob 'Woody' Wooden. Batting clean-up, Woody smashed a 1-2 pitch to the fence in left field that cleared the bases with a double.

After an out, Bake knocked in Woody with a line drive single to left. The Baron then singled to left-center putting two runners on base. After an infield hit by Wookie scored a run, Redondo crushed the ball to deep center field and it smacked the bottom of the fence in the deepest part of the field to plate both runners with Wook hustlin' from first base.

Batting next, Donut hit a run-scoring single. Big Mac followed with a hard hit double down the third base line scoring Donut for a 9-0 lead in the top of the first frame. Nice start to a game - nine runs.

The Dodgers scored a run in their half of the inning on two walks and a hit. They had a hard time gettin' solid wood on Big Mac all game. The Rancho kids got seven hits (Grey #4 - catcher in game one, playing second base, batting second, hit three of them, all singles) in the game.

The Buzzards scored two more in the second inning. Welzy led-off with an infield single. Woody doubled him home one-out later with a rocket shot to deep left field. Kevin followed with a run-scoring double to center field. After two innings the score was 11-1.

The Blue team scored a run in the third inning on a couple of hits to make the score 11-2 until the fifth frame. In the fifth, the 'not so old' Buzzards added two more runs. The Baron led it off with a base hit to right field. Next, Jim 'Milli' Milligan, hit an 0-1 pitch to deep right field for a double scoring Pete. Flash ran for Milli at second. Wook walked on four pitches to put runners at first and second. Up next, Redondo hit the first pitch for a single to left with Flash scoring easily to make the score 13-2.

The whiny Dodgers hit the scoreboard twice in the bottom of the fifth on a single, delayed steal, double, infield throwing error and a two-out single to keep the score within 10 runs at 13-4.

The Buzzards, showing no mercy, scored two more in the sixth dig. Evy led-off with a base on balls and stole second. After an out, Nogy was aboard on an infield hit putting runners at the corners. Next, Woody hit an 0-2 pitch sharply through the left side to knock in Dave. Flash followed with a walk before Bake's base hit ended the scoring at 15-4. The 10-run mercy rule then kicked-in, so the Dodgers had one more at-bat to score a couple of runs. Four Dodger batters later, the game was over.

The sweep of the Dodgers was due to excellent pitching, solid defense and good hitting. In this game, McCabe pitched the complete game and was ready to pitch more. Mac faced 27 batters and threw 83 pitches (58 strikes & 25 balls). He gave up four runs, two earned, on seven hits with two walks and six strike 'em outs.

The Buzzard offensive explosion to open the game was impressive. The nine runs on eight hits, a walk and an error was a little numbing to the Dodgers chances to split the double-header. The 21 hits in the game produced 15 runs for an easy win. The hit club included every Buzzard in the 12-man line-up: Baron (3), Bake (2), Donut, Evy, Flash (2), Mac (2), Milli, Nogy, Redondo (2), Welzy, Woody (3), and Wookie (2). The doubles were hit by Big Mac, Evy, Flash, Milli, Redondo, and Woody (2).

The Buzzards did not encourage the near continuous Dodger chirping during the game. It is tough losing big in a game, but doing it more quietly is preferred. The spry Ol' Buzzards did enjoy Dodger first base coach, blonde Bobbie, and were distracted by her bouncing around again in the coaches box and shouting instructions and encouragement on each play. She also warmed up her left-fielder with throws (southpaw) before each defensive inning.

This Dodger 'energizer bunny' kept this up for both games. Nice eye candy with curves, plays ball and coaches, maybe she has a sister for Donut. We play the Dodgers again on August 5th.

This was the last game at Colfax High for the Buzzards this season. The remaining home games will be at James Field. It was great to sweep the Dodgers on this warm day in the Gold Country. Another good day to be a Buzzard.

Buzzard Note #1: All Star ballots were passed out on Sunday with the 45+ division game on July 11th at Playfields Park in Davis. With a combined 45+ A & AA game, only three players were allowed to represent the team this year and everyone received votes. The tally showed Evy and Welzy tied at the top and they accepted. Keppie and Flash were next, but could not make the game. In close voting, Donut was next and Scott accepted the assignment.

Buzzard Note #2: The radio broadcasted game on KAHI 950AM is coming up later this month on July 29th. The 2 o'clock game will be followed by a bbq.

Buzzard Note #3: This Sunday, July 15th, the game is at 5 o'clock at Lembi Field in Folsom. The prey is the Mudville Nine.

Buzzard Note #4: We have six games left with no more double-headers. The regular season ends on August 19th. That makes August 26th the most important date on the Buzzard calendar. On August 26th, the Buzzards will be playing the single-elimination playoff game against the Valley Cats. The winner advances to the 3-game championship series. The Cats (10-3-2) beat and tied the Free Agents in a DH last Sunday. With the games remaining and the team records in our division, the Buzzards (9-4-1) will either be in second or third place and playing the Cats either way in that first round playoff game. The Dragons are 12-1.