By Javaris Jamar Javarison-Lamar | JavarisJamarJavarison-Lamar@3Wolves.net
Madison, WI
Another Friday night game for Madison (this time away) and the same results. The Wolves and Sluggers took the field in Louisville and the game was never in any doubt for the hometown Sluggers, who jumped out to an early 2-0 in the bottom of the first and never looked back. The Wolves were ONLY able to muster 1 hit in the game, (Mauro Soto) in the 6th inning to break up the no-no. Lenard Thornton was shelled for 6 runs over 3 innings in this game. The Sluggers were able to put up 13 hits and 9 runs on the Wolves staff. "Let's just burn the tape on this one", said head coach Will Myers. Final Score: Wolves 0 - Sluggers 9
After a day off for travel the Wolves opened up a quick 2 game series with the defending BBA champions. Editor's note: (Nothing better to get the team out of a funk than to play the defending champs!) The Wolves came into the game on a four game losing streak. They had confidence as Miyamoto was on the bump. In typically Yorikane fashion, he wasn't spectacular, but he was better than the Bluebirds starter Adrian Custello. The bats woke up in this one as Manobu Shimizu put the team on his shoulders for win against the Nashville Bluebirds. Shimizu, went 2-4 with a home run and a double, while adding 3 RBI and scoring once. The winner of the game was Madison reliever Raphael Castagna, now 2-0. The loser was Juan Cerda. Todd Stone closed it out for his 2nd save. Mauro Soto, also aided the Madison cause with a 2-run single in the bottom of the sixth. For the game, the shortstop went 1 for 4, while adding 2 RBI. Final Score: Wolves 7 - Bluebirds 5
So much for riding that one game winning streak into the second game of the series. The Wolves continue to dig themselves deeper into the bottom of the division, once again failing to produce any consistent offense. The Wolves batters were stymied by the bluebirds pitching staff scoring only 2 runs on seven hits. They also uncharacteristically committed 2 errors in the game. Carter Morris took the loss, he is 0-3 on the season, lasting only 3.2 innings and giving up another 5 runs. Salvador Allende led the way offensively going 2-4 and scoring a run. Final Score: Wolves 2 - Bluebirds 11
Another off day for travel and the team finds itself at Utopia Field to face the Nine in a 3 game series. Taking the mound for the Wolves in Game 1 was Buwono Mainaky who delivered a magnificent performance stifling the Yellow Springs offense enroute to a much needed 1-0 Wolves win. Todd Stone picked up the save for Madison, his 3rd of the year. The victory puts the club back within one game of .500 (10-11). The Wolves only mustered 2 hits in the game, half of them in the first inning. (Single by Allende) who reach second on a ground out to first by Chris Mann, then stole third base (this team is trying anything to generate runs). But it paid off as Manobu Shimizu delivered with a SAC fly that scored Allende, but the Wolves up 1-0 in the top of the first. Mainaky scattered 4 hits over 7 innings for the Wolves. With the win, Mainaky goes to 3-1 on the year with 22 strikeouts. Final Score: Wolves 1 - Nine - 0
You know what this team needs??!? An 18-inning game so we can all get double the amount of AB, and stretch our staff even more. Guess what Madison fans you got it!! Despite a great performance by Madison right fielder Manobu Shimizu, Shimizu went 4 for 7 with a home run, 3 singles, and a walk. He scored 2 times. The Wolves had the game won if they could just hold on, as they put up a run in the top of the 16th to go up 5-4, but Raphael Castagna could shut the door, allowing the tying run to score. Yellow Spring would finally put a nail in the coffin in the bottom of the 18th on an odd passed ball by C Bin Wan. Campos gave up back-to-back singles, and on a 2-1 count, the ball in the dirt gets back Wan allowing Tomas Borges to score. "We had the game right there for the taking," said Madison manager Will Myers. "But we decided not to take it." With the loss Madison falls to 10-12. Final Score: Wolves 5 - Nine - 6
The last place Wolves are still only 1.5 out of the final WC spot...
