Galaxy Gas 2059.38 – Stars Beat Bikini 11-8

[DugoutDesperado]

After going 3-1 against another team trying to squeeze into the playoffs when Hawaii came into town, our Stars from Valencia travel into Bikini. Bikini is currently holding onto the last wild card slot and is sitting two games ahead of Valencia so it could be a pivotal series on who has a leg up after the Stars leave Bikini.

Also, it has been rumored that the two owners, Greathouse and Collins, have a vast history spanning 38 years when they played for the little-known juggernaut team called the PLAIG (Pretty Lousy Athletes in Government) back in late 80’s in the ever-present Indianapolis circuit where Collins was frequently the cut-off man as Greathouse played in the outfield. When asked about the past history, neither GM had much to say outside the fact that the PLAIG was a two-sport franchise (also played the roundball indoors it seems) and there were many friends and foes encountered along the way.

After the pre-game handshake and pleasantries, the Stars were all business as they plated 7 runners in the 1st inning, shocking the sparse home crowd of 27,488 Krillians. After Kenny Blackwell stroked a one-out single to left field, Vincente Rivera followed up with a 2-run blast Carlos Schumann then hit a single followed by a free pass to the next 2 batters on 8 straight pitches to load the bases. Tyler Conklin then hit a 2-run single followed by a 3-run homer off the bat of Rafael Elias. The Stars scored 5 of the 7 runs with 2 outs.

Bikini then decided to provide its fair share of fireworks in the bottom of the first courtesy of a RBI single by Jeffrey Smith and a 3-run shot by Run-ming Gui. The Krill closed the gap to 7-5 in the 3rd inning when Jeffrey Smith hit a sacrifice fly.

Valencia then added a run on the 6th inning and 3 more in the 7th to stretch the lead to 11-5. Habib bin Ameen hit a sacrifice fly to score a run in the 6th, and Carlos Schumann hit a 2-RBI double in the 7th followed by a RBI single from Tim Bartlett.

Bikini had on last surge in the bottom of the 9th when Roger Kidd hit a 3-run shot making the score 11 to 8 but that is all that the Krill could muster.

Reserve catcher Rafael Elias led the Valencia hitting with 2 hits and 3 RBI.

Johnny Rice (3-0) gained the win in relief while Samuel Nebraska (8-15) was the hard luck loser after being removed two batters into the game before the Krill bullpen imploded.

The win moves Valencia to within a game of the last wild card spot.

[BaseClogger]

Roger Kidd looking like a smart promotion.