It’s one thing to dominate a game, and the Ducks did not dominate on Monday, it is another thing completely to go out when you don’t have your best stuff, when you’re stiff and sore, and undermanned – nursing a bayonet wound from the last battle with the Confederacy, and win anyway. There’s something i find more gratifying about it.

Fletcher didn’t have his best stuff, but he still held the Rebels to one run.
He battled.

Dr. Jones had to shuffle the lineup with two of our best hitters,

SS, Frank Castle (above, ) and inf. Ryan Novak, mia,

and CF, Mars visiting friends in FLA

Kirk Gibson played a phenomenal game at short, and with Watson up the middle made all the plays. We got clutch hits and despite some odd base running occurrences, and some good defense by a much improved Fightin’ Reb’s team, The Ducks prevailed.
Our best hitter is mired in a slump, but he found a way to help the team win with his defense, throwing out three Rebels, two at third, one at second, and called a great game behind the plate.
Wojton made a great catch in the gap.

I don’t have the book – things will be a bit jumbled, here.
For the most part, this is not a friendly rivalry, and it got more heated today.

It’s not likely we will see this team in the playoffs, and its unlikely they will exist next season, but it was fun while it lasted. They have some talent on that team, and their nickname has really been the inspiration for this blog.

Most of those guys hate the shit out of the Ducks, and really wanted that game last night, which makes the win even sweeter.

Thanks to the fans for Quacking for us last night.

***

The early innings went quickly, Chris Feathers, put up a typical, Feathers-esque gutsy performance on the mound, and kept the Ducks scoreless for two innings, while Fletch worked out of trouble in the first two innings.
With one out and a runner on first in the top of the second, a diving attempt at what the Ducks left fielder thought was foul territory hit off his ten year old glove and went out of play, putting runners on second and third.

scored it a double,

Fletch came back to strike out some guy from South Carolina, and with two outs and runners on second and third, Fletch bounced one off the plate, the runners tried to advance or something, and Smith destroyed some kid with a throw to third. out of the inning.
I don’t know why but there was quite a fuss put up at this point. something about home plate being part of the playing field.
the batter never fouled it off, and i was in the outfield, but I’ll defer to Kenny Powers for the call

It was 0-0 going into the top of the third when with two outs, the Rebels lead off man bunted for a basehit and stole seocond.
Jefferson Davis hit a shot to deep short, Kirk made a diving stop and almost threw out Davis at first, but Davis’ blinding speed beat the throw and the runner went all the way home on the play.
good hustle, he ran like his plantation was on the line.

1-0 Rebels.

J. Smith threw out Davis at second, Kirk helped him with his helmet because he is a good sport.
More yelling and blaming the umps from The South.

In the bottom of the third Wojton walked to lead off the inning and Gwin doubled to left center.
Jefferson Davis was on his horse,

A perfect relay throw cut down Wojton at home, Gwin advanced to third.

after Kirk flew out to the fence, the Captain stepped into the box.

double to left.
he’s on fire.

1-1.

In the top of the fourth, the Rebels tried to mount a counter attack.

shame on a Rebel

Some guy hit a shot to right center, but Wojton was there

Another guy got thrown out at third, and there was a growing undercurrent of nastiness brewing, it was tangible. The Rebels started to get frustrated.

In the bottom half of the inning, Watson led off with a single, then Homa hit a blistering shot to left that was dropped by the Rebels outfielder, Watson was thrown out at second on a play he appeared to beat the throw, but whatever.

(remember that time you argued with the ump and he changed his mind?- didn’t think so)

Homa was on first with one out, Depo hit a monster shot to right, that got through the Rebels right fielder, guest thirdbase coach Garrett Moore sent Homa, the relay was off-line and Homa slid in safely.

Depo tried to take second, not happening.

Coby was hit by a pitch before Feathers recorded a K to end the inning.

2-1 Ducks through 4

but we had 3 consecutive players reach base and only got one run, how would we respond?

Fletcher struck out the Rebels 3-4-5 hitters in order in the top of the fifth

In the bottom of the 5th, Gwin was hbp, Kirk was thrown at and wound up with a walk, then once again

Captain singles to center.
Gwin scores

3-1 Ducks.

The frustration continued to mount in the Rebels dugout, as they continued to not score runs.

robbed on a questionable strike 3 last night.

The Ducks added an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th on an rbi ground out by Gwin.
Kirk was thrown at again.

You don’t want to know what phase 3 is.

The Rebels had a soldier on first in the top of the seventh, and had two hard hit outs before Fletcher enticed a ground out to end the game.

Now we have the Black Sox and their ace in a show down for the two-seed.

Great Scott…That’s Heavy

We have to travel to the lion’s den that is Moore Park.
All we can ask for is the opportunity and we’ve earned it.
1 run separates the Ducks and the Black Sox in our two games this season.
one half game separates us in the standings.

Back to the future with Kenny Powers and Co. this Saturday

Quack.

Ducks 5 Gray Bats 2
South Oakland sweeps the season series.

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