Game 5: Ultimate Sack 10, TCBC 12

What an exhausting game! 22 runs were scored between the 2 teams on 25 hits, 22 walks (see accompanying illustration) and 8 errors -- but finally a satisfying outcome for Three Cities.

John Toth pitched 5 innings of no-hit ball, but the inconsistent strike zone of the home plate umpire made him leave the game after the 5th, although comfortably in the lead, sooner than the Three Cities' faithful would have liked. Brian Plona followed Toth on the mound, registering a solid 2 innings of relief for TCBC's first hold of the year, and he was followed by newcomer Lou Gerig in the 8th, who managed to pick up both the blown save and the win on an innings' worth of work. Josh Taylor then handled closing duties in true Cleveland baseball style: 2 quick outs, then a hit and 2 walks to load the bases before getting that ever-elusive third out for the save.

On the offensive end, TCBC's trio of POTW nominees Toth, Jimmy Swearingen and Danny Taylor led the attack, helping put the team up 10-4 entering the 8th inning. Toth was 4-4 with a run scored, Swearingen knocked in 4 runs on 2 hits, and D. Taylor did not register an out -- going 3-3 with a triple (scoring on an overthrow to third) and contributing a walk to lead off the 8th inning rally that put TCBC ahead for good. Following Taylor's walk and a sacrifice bunt by John Millin, Chris Miller and Charles Miller drew back-to-back walks and John Stewart came to bat with the bases loaded and one out (cue ESPN cut scene). Stewart then came through with the crucial hit of the night -- a solid double down the left field line, scoring both Taylor and a hard-charging Chris Miller -- for the game-winning RBI.

Also joining the hit parade were Josh Taylor, Plona, Millin, Gerig and Charles Miller.

Here's the stats:

game05-1

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