First, I’d like to apologize to Nick Homa’s grandparent’s for the use of profanity a few posts back. The line in question it is a quote from the film “The Big Lebowski”, which is one of my favorites. I assure you I don’t hate anyone, and don’t normally use the f-word as a modifier in my writing. I will temper my language from now on. Thanks for reading, and providing Nick with wonderful baseball genes.
***
Storm
It’s obvious, the league president contacted Storm from the X-Men, and had her use her mutant powers to bring a fierce downpour upon Spring Hill, to flood the field and cause a cancellation. He has been doing this all season, just to get in the heads of his division rivals and teams who give him grief.
This game will be made up some time this week. Thankfully, Storm will be fighting giant robots in a far away galaxy, and will not be able to help her friend Joe delay the inevitable beating by the South Oakland Ducks any longer than a few days. (put that on your bulletin board, you Mutant lovers.)
In other news, the Ducks will take on the Confederacy on Saturday at a field to be determined sometime in the noon hour. That will give me another week to anger them into hitting me with a pitch.
South Oakland will potentially play four games in six days this week. We will be provided 24 hours notice before any games are scheduled.
This is happening league wide in an attempt to get all the rain-outs played, every team will deal with this, so don’t start feeling sorry for ourselves, or mad at Joe just because we had our pitching rotation set on “Decimate” for the final playoff push.
The Ducks’ bullpen is ready to pick up the slack. Jim has been dreaming of this since the Matadors’ game, TC’s wing is well rested, and ready fire.
In theory, I’m in favor of the move. It would cause problems if the Rakers finished with one more game than the Ducks and the Eagles. I don’t like the fact that I may either have to miss work, or a game because of it. So it goes….
We have a chance to get into the playoffs. I will do everything I can to get to the games, it is in our team’s best interest the rest of the Ducks do the same.
Both Rambo and Captain America would have fought for the Union. Quack.
South Oakland brought the rakes, and the Rakers brought a duck; a stuffed duck with a make-shift noose. The poor bird spent the afternoon suspended on the back stop staring at the Ducks’ dugout. After a brief rain delay, perhaps inspired by their fallen comrade, the Ducks soared over soggy Pie Traynor Field. Everyone contributed, the whole flock. Now the Ducks find themselves in a three way tie for the final playoff spot in the Monongahela Division.
***
Mark Guthrie (3-1) struck out five and scattered eleven hits over seven innings, as the South Oakland Ducks evened their record at 9-9-2, after today’s victory over the Rakers. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, South Oakland came out raking. Eric Lee started the game with a lead off single, Gregg Campbell walked and both runners advanced on a double steal. Catcher, Ben Gwin singled in both runners to put the Ducks ahead 2-1. Then… Kirk Gibson doubled to right, and Gwin scored from first, 3-1 Ducks after one.
It appeared as though the Rakers would figure out Guthrie. The Rakers scored two runs in the second, but were hitting the ball hard, Ben Sorosky hit a line drive right at SS, Andrew McCray, Nick Homa threw out a runner at home after a single to left, and Jeremy Barchie flew out deep to left. Their outs all came on hard hit balls.
The Ducks defense was spectacular, they picked up Guthrie in the middle innings, and stole several runs from the Rakers.
Were it not for two “oh-my-god” catches: the fist by right fielder Coby Kolaja, on a flair to right, the second by Gregg Campbell on a ball which seemed destined to be a triple, the Ducks may have found themselves playing catch-up.
Inspired by the defense behind him, Guthrie settled down, and the Rakers bats became as lifeless as the stuffed Duck hanging from the back stop.
After the second inning this was some of the best baseball, we’ve seen this season. Both teams battling for their playoff lives, the plays were made, the pitchers were phenomenal, and the intensity was as thick as the mud behind home plate.
Neither team could take controll of the game, the score was tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the sixth, then it was time.
McCray continued his domination of the Rakers right fielder, a lead off double put the winning run in scoring position with no outs. Nick Homa laid down a perfect sac bunt, and the muck tripped the Rakers fielder, Homa was safe at first. Eric Tans pinch hit for Ken Griffey Kolaja Jr, and reached on an error. Bases loaded, no outs.
KT Murphy; hitless the last two games, benched against the Eagles, stepped to the plate 0 for 2 on the day with a ground out to the pitcher and a strikeout in his previous two at bats. Redemption.
Barchie left one up, and Murphy made him pay, an RBI single and it was 4-3 Ducks.
Garret Moore drove in another run with a fielder’s choice to the right side. with runners on second and third with one out, Adam Smith was intentionally walked to set up the double play. “Rick” James Spagnola took it personally. In a profanity laced at-bat, Spagnola singled in another run with a shot up the middle, just past a diving Brandon Eberle.
The bases were still loaded for Eric Lee who stomped the life out of the Rakers with his third hit of the day.
Lee doubled to left-center, and the Ducks would take an 8-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh. After a lead off single, Guthrie got a double play ball, and the Ducks survived three consecutive two-out singles by the Rakers to hold on for the 8-4 victory; the biggest win in a long time for the storied South Oakland franchise.
BULLET POINTS
Thank you to everyone who came out to watch the game.
Eric Lee had a heroic game, 3-4 2B, 2RBI…It is possible he also stole two bases and threw out two runners at the plate.
KT had a clutch RBI single late in the Black Sox game, and did it again today.
I think I had the plate blocked on the first play at home, but that last guy was absolutely out at home.
If your going to bring a duck noose to our game, bring an American Flag to the Rebels game, if they show up it will be hilarious. Thanks for your perpetuation of the Confederacy nickname as well.
Speaking of the Rebels, I told John Tremmel I’d mention that he earned a spot on the Braves farm team. The only catch I’ve seen that was almost as sick as the one Campell made, was made by Tremmel, a basic Jim Edmonds over the shoulder type grab. Campbell’s was tougher, by a hair, and it was definitely in a more important game.
We won this one without our starting SS, our all-star catcher and Wojoton.
Is Wojoton headed to the DH role, given the emergence of Ken Griffey Kolaja Jr. in right?
How about three consecutive RBI by the 8, 9, 10 hitters: Murphy, Moore, Spagnola.
A Smith is hitting around .400 over the last couple games, the Ducks probably have the best Smith, Smith combination with Jesse and Adam.
Homa had a solid gam at third, and went 1-2 with a run scored.
Guthrie, the Ducks “other ” all-star pitcher, leads the team in ERA and is tied for first in wins. I think with two games left it’s about time we gave him the “C” on his jersey, we can use….Duck tape. WOOOOOOOOOOO
The Rakers are solid citizens, I wish I could root for them, but we’ve got a Wild Card race on our hands.
Batting Practice at 6pm at the pitt field tomorrow.
To clarify an earlier error, Bulldog Brian Strom can in fact pitch. I just feel he’s a better outfielder than a pitcher, that’s my assessment. He struck me out last year, never again.
I’d like to implore the Ducks to plan some recreational activities for this evening which will not have an adverse effect on their performance in the game tomorrow afternoon. Drink six beers, not sixteen. Stay up till 1am, not 11am. Everyone’s different; whatever you can handle and still go 4-4 with three doubles. Read the comments on this post if you haven’t allready
Monongahela Division Round-up, and the last Rakers’ pre-game post. Thank you, coach Eberle, for putting this web address on your site. Classy move from a guy who has done a good job bringing stability to the Knights/Orioles/Knights/Rakers.
Maybe someone will cut the outfield grass for the game tomorrow.The Rakers play the Confederacy today. The Rebels have had trouble getting enough soldiers onto the battlefield, and are in danger of being dissolved into the NABA Union, as per the “three-forfeit rule” established during the winter meetings. When the Rebels have their best players, they are a formidable opponent.
The worst case scenario, a Rakers win today, would put the Ducks a full game behind the Rakers in the race for the last playoff spot. Since we will most likely finish with fewer games played than the Rakers, it is absolutely imperative we take the game tomorrow. The resurgent Eagles (8-9) have two games at hand on both the Rakers and the Ducks. They have four games left on their schedule (Rebels, Phantoms, Warriors, Black Sox) as of now they will finish with 22 games played. If nothing changes, the Rakers (9-9) will finish with 23 games played, two battles against the Rebels, a game against the Hurricane-Carters, and two vs. the Ducks. South Oakland (8-9-2) has two games vs. the Rakers, and a Monday night home game vs. the red hot Bulldogs. The Ducks are scheduled to finish with 22 games.
We have to win, and get some help against the Eagles, (I’m looking at you Warriors). The Rakers are in the same position.
All-star Brian Strom, celebrates the fact his team doesn’t play the Owlz three times a year (I told you the bulletin board material was coming, there will be more)
Sub-plots upon sub plots… The Ducks probable starter for Sunday is Engineer, and right handed pitcher, Mark Guthrie, former Knight. Jeremy Barchie is the only traitor Duck to leave South Oakland for another team, he left to play on the Knights. It is likely Barchie and Guthrie will square off against each other, and their former teams tomorrow. Last season, the Ducks beat the Knights and Barhcie 4-0. A.Smith pitched a shutout. The Ducks swept the Kinghts last year. Theses are not the same Knights, they are now the Rakers and have sweet uniforms. I miss hitting against Knight’s pitcher,”Fats” McGraw, or whatever his name is. The Rakers beat the Ducks 4-1 early this season, in a game Rick actually hit a double, and Chris Roth made his only appearance of the season. (he’s hurt pretty bad) The Ducks roster was just taking shape at that point. South Oakland has done very well in rematches this season.
Nick Homa has 63 strikeouts. The Ducks were 8-16 last season, and are currently 8-9-2, with three games remaining on the schedule. The Eagles (8-9) beat the Black Sox (12-6) last night. The Eagles have four games left. The Rakers (9-9) have five remaining; two against your South Oakland Ducks. I’m no math major, but there are a number of scenarios which could lead to a big headache for the league president, regarding rescheduling rain-outs and potentially replaying ties.
Say it ain’t so, Kenny.
***
There are no heroic tales, without heroic tails…
I applaud your knowledge of the Bad News Bears, but leave Tatum O’Neal (above right) out of this. She has enough to worry about.
The Rakers have spoken: Attention all Duck Players,
After Sorosky or Barchie pitches a complete game gem on Sunday, you female Mallards aka female ducks will not be quaking anymore. Because you Ducklings are vulnerable, your inability to fly around the bases and hit the ball off of Sorosky or Barchie will result in an easy victory for the Rakers. On Sunday the Rakers will be Waterfowl hunting some ducks, and end their little winning streak and potential last spot in the playoff run.
Good Luck Ducklings Bring it on Ducks. Its time for the Rakers to go Duck hunting for the 2nd time this season. Barchie or Sorosky will shut the Ducks down like always to preserve the last playoff spot in the rightful hands on the RAKERS…….”
“It is just stating the facts. The Rakers are strictly business from here on out. The playoffs are upon us and the Rakers will sneak into the last spot. No messing around. The Ducks will be roasted on the campfire after the beating they take on Sunday.”
To see these remarks in context, check out the comments two posts ago.
It would be funny if fast51ball wasn’t even on the Rakers, there’s really no way to tell.
Ducklings…Touché, my friend.
It’s great to be playing meaningful baseball this late in the season. This is a playoff game on Sunday, all hands on deck, Ducks.
Rakers Head coach Brandon Eberle visited Japan recently, and brought home with him some ancient, far-eastern training techniques. Video below.
We need to watch out for that dog on Sunday, I think its a Bulldog. I called the Rakers’ forfeit over the Eagles, word is Don Henley was in rehab, and Glen Frey was working his new solo album. Thanks for reading, Rakers. It’s going to be a good game this weekend. Playoff atmosphere.
New stuff in the Ducks store. All the proceeds go towards next season’s team fees.
I was having a hard time thinking of anything derogatory to say about the Rakers.
Thankfully, Rakers sympathizer, Larry posted a harmless comment a couple entries back providing a nice segue into another Lebowski clip. “Good luck” he says. Right. What does a smart person do if someone swings a rake at his head? he Ducks. I’m not sure how the term “raking” came to be synonymous with hitting the ball well, but it has. The Rakers are also sponsored by a landscaping company (the name escapes me but they have a banner), which all of us should patronize if given the chance. What a wonderful team name, given the circumstances. It even ends in “s” which, as a literary traditionalist and a baseball traditionalist), I admire. TANGLED WEB OF NABA HISTORY Nich Homa set the Ducks single season strike out record last game. The Ducks single game record is held by current Raker, Jeremy Barchie, who struckout 17 Black Sox two seasons ago, in a 5-5 tie. The spread on the game was Ducks (-.5), so who knows how legit all those K’s were, I did see a few noted gamblers on the premises. Barchie came to the Ducks towards the end of the 2006 season, the only loss he suffered as a Duck came at the hands of the Orioles, who were once the Knights, then became the Knights again, before current head coach, Brandon Eberle took charge and they became the Rakers. Barchie conveniently left to play with his friends on the Orioles/Knights/Rakers.
I remember that loss two seasons ago because it was the last time I hit a home run. it was a line drive that traveled at least 290 feet to right center. we were playing on a small field. The home run came off All Star pitcher Ben Sorosky (sp.), off of whom I recorded my first hit of this season. Basically I own that guy. Actually, he is very good and I am fortunate to have had the success I’ve had against him. The Rakers have great pitching, they don’t seem to score a lot of runs, but they beat the Black Sox three times this season. The only other teams to beat the Black Sox this year are the OwlZz and the Ducks. It would be quite a different playoff picture if the two expansion teams (the Owlz and Hurricanes) were placed in opposite divisions, but I’m sure the league president’s Bulldogs (10-9) don’t mind, they are tied for third, in the same division as the two win Hurricanes. We will probably get Barchie or Sorosky this Sunday. I enjoy the challenge of hitting against those two, whom I consider to be two of the best in the league. Although I don’t think either of them have over 60 K’s this season. It would be great poetic justice for the Ducks single game strike out record to be set against the Rakers. And for the author of this blog to get beaned in the spine.
Benedict Arnold. Traitor
BULLET POINTS
Homa is a beast, he will have a chance to redeem an early season loss to the Bulldogs on Monday.
McCray grounded into the game ending double play the first time we played the Eagles, he had the game winning RBI on Monday.
Guthrie is swinging the bat well, he’s due for another triple.
Every game it’s someone different, coming up with a clutch hit.
The Eagles were quite loud, right up until the end, when we beat them.
Class act by Kolaja to let Giess hit for him in his last regular season game of the season.
TC is doing a better job than I did at finding the balance between getting everyone in and winning. We are assured a better winning percentage than last season, a lot of that is due to how TC has managed. Where were you in ’06, Skip?
Keep reading Bulldogs, I’ll give you some more bulletin board material in a day or so.
A somewhat well thought-out Rakers preview and the rest of my thoughts on the win over the Eagles will be up at some point. Right now the all star game is on. Stay tuned.
We missed the home run derby on Monday. One day at a time, Josh.
Nick Homa broke the Ducks single season strikeout record (60 and counting) and Andrew McCray hit what proved to be the game winning single in the bottom of the sixth, as the Ducks (8-9-2) defeated the Eagles (7-9) to remain in control of their own destiny for the final playoff spot in the Monongahela Division.
It was a pitcher’s duel early. Nick Homa faced only nine batters through three innings, and Eagles’ starting pitcher Don Henley held the Ducks in check for most of the game. In the top of the fourth, the Eagles screeched and clawed their way to a 3-0 lead.
With one out, Joe Walsh doubled and Glen Frey reached on an error, scoring Walsh. Frey would steal second and score on a Bernie Leadon single. Leadon moved to third on an error and scored on a soft liner by Randell Cunningham. Homa induced a Vai Sickahema groundout, and struck out Brian Westbrook to end the inning. The Ducks tallied a run in the bottom of the fifth courtesy of a bases loaded walk by Eric Tans. 3-1 Eagles after five. The Ducks got to Henley in the sixth. Henley beaned Rick Wailen, who stole second and moved to third on a Mark Guthrie single. Gwin Walked to load the bases for all-star catcher Jesse Smith. Smith came through with a clutch two-run single to center, to tie the game at three. Ryan Novak Walked to load the bases for Andrew McCray…
woo-hoo
The Ducks went ahead 5-3. Homa retired the side in the top of the seventh.
The dramatic come from behind win sets up what amounts to a playoff game with the Rakers (9-9) Sunday at 3pm.
The Ducks’ single season strike out record was previously held by Ian Dickman (56).
THE BATTLE FOR THE FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT Ducks vs. Eagles, Monday, 9pm, Spring View Field Last season the Ducks finished 9-15. How and the hell did we win 9?As this season winds to a close, South Oakland (7-9-2) is right in the thick of things. The Eagles(6-7) played the Rakers(8-8) yesterday. The Eagles probably forfeited, and the Rakers didn’t enter the win on the league site. Ideally the Eagles won, we will beat them tonight and there will be a log-jam at 3rd in the division. The game tonight is thick with playoff implications. If the Rakers are in fact 9-8, we must stay withing two games of them, a win will put us a game back, with two games against the Rakers remaining. A loss and we need some help. I don’t know what’s going to happen with the rain-outs or the ties. I’d hate to be the League President right now. There will probably be controversy.
I hate the Eagles; Hotel California makes me want to vomit. Pink champagne on ice, indeed. Who names their baseball team after a soft-rock group?
Joe Walsh’s involvement in the Eagles shows why drugs are bad. I doubt he’d give up playing songs like the one below to play “Witchay Woman” and “Desperado” if he weren’t hooked on smack.
Homa has to be upset about how things transpired yesterday, he’s on the hill tonight. This is Les Gies’s 2008 Ducks’ finale. My family will be in attendance.
Storm
Both Rambo and Captain America would have fought for the Union.
South Oakland Ducks Baseball 