DM scores 31 runs in two games
DM had defeated Louisville 17-11 led by a grand slam by SS Turcotte in the 6th and an 8-run outburst two innings later to defeat the Sluggers and close out that series with two wins. The Kernels then had an off-day, which they spent in meditation. The team came home to face nasty Nashville, who DM would take two of three games from, including this 14-12 contest that featured 20 popping hot™ Kernel hits.
DM scored five in the second on four hits, two walks and a Nashville error. Makin, who had struck out in the first to cat calls from the home crowd, plated two with a bases-loaded single. DM increased its lead to 7-3 after 3, and 9-5 after 5, in a game that was tiring for pitchers. NSH starter Lindsay was removed after allowing 6 runs (3 earned) and G Dennis removed after giving up six hits in 2.2 innings and the only 3 runs he's allowed all season.
The Bluebirds struck back for six runs on six hits in the 6th off ineffective A Richmond, just recalled from the minors, and he exited the game with his ERA at 11.42. GM Ramirez was seen burying his head in his hands during Richmond's performance. Score now 11-9 Birds.
Makin hit a solo home run in 6th off J Woodbury to tighten the score to NSH 11-10. Trzcinski, who had blown a save in the 6th held NSH quiet in the 7th. After the stretch, the Kernels scored four runs on five more home-team hits, including Makin's second home run against Woodbury. Rf Manoell Whanon and 1b Erk Wignes also had run-scoring hits to put the Kernels up 14-11 with two innings to go.
Jeff Doane held the Birds scoreless in their 8th. DM added three hits to bring that total to 20 poppers. Makin got a two-out single that would have scored another run but the not-so-speedy catcher Elmer was thrown out at the plate by Cf Tingle. Despite that out at home, Elmer scored 4 in the game. Makin brought his hit total to 5 for the game.
All eyes were on Dobbs as he took the mound in the top of the 9th, the 28+ thousand crowd on its feet, the twenty hits by the team singing in their ears. Dobbs retired number nine man Eliot (.344) and Tingle (.308), then allowed a one-run bomb by Wafid Bishr (.364), which was his 9th of the season and the 5th for Dobbs to give up. The crowd silenced momentarily, and then let out a collective sigh when Dobbsie walked Juan Rivera (.357) on four straight balls. Clean up batter Bin Nawaf (.270) hit a weak grounder right to Dobbs, who flipped to first baseman Eric Wignes to end the game; there was pandemonium that hadn't been heard at Edward Murphy Stadium since the 2056 Brewster series. And after starting and losing two games versus Chicago and YS9, Dobbs extended his save streak to 10 in 10 ops; and then went to 11 the next day vs the same Boobirds (DM won that one 3-1), and to 12 saves in as many chances two days later to Bikini.
Makin was, of course, the player of the game. He ended up 5 out of 6, with two homers and 5 rbis. These were the only two round trippers by Makin of 2059. Norman and Elmer had three hits each. Trzcinski ran his record to 4-0. The next day DM prevailed 3-1 vs Nashville, on 7-inings of shut out work by Albert Krant (1-1, 2.53) vs Steven Clayton (3-1, 3.66).
And Nashville (36-7) lost its first series of the year.
DM, in the two games v Louisville and Nashville scored 31 runs on 35 hits. As of May 18 the team, which is 13th in the FL in home runs is nonetheless 4th in the league in runs scored (211). Free agent pick up Isat Kasturirirangangungun is hitting .357 in 112 at bats (.903 OBP). Des Moines, now 23-20, is in a hot race for the wild card in the FL.
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