GRUESOME? NOPE... STILL THE SAME SIZE.

Game # 18

July 28th, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. the Gruesome Devils.

Hurtin' Units tie 19-19,  no wait, not at tie, Hurtin' Units win 23-19. 

Team Record 10-5-2 

Keogh Park- Coming in to this game the Hurtin' Units record over the last 8 games was 1-5-2 and we had dropped down to fourth position in the standings. I was looking a the standings, before this game and there were 5 teams with 2 ties this season, the Units were one of them and our 2 ties came over the last 2 games. Back to back ties, I wonder how often that has been done and I wonder if back to back to back ties have ever happened in our league. 

The weather for this good was good, warm temperatures, hovering around 25 degrees, soft breeze and a sun cloud mix. 

At game time we had 11 guys dressed to play, Chilly was the only missing body for this game. Chilly was working Caribbeana in Toronto. 

The Hurtin' Units were the visitors in this game. 

In the top of the first inning, the Hurtin' Units came out hitting the ball and when the dust settled there were 5 Units runs on the scoresheet. In the bottom of the inning, the Gruesomes put up 2 runs. The second inning was not much different for the Units, putting up another 6 runs and holding the Gruesome of the scoresheet. After 2 complete innings, the Units lead 11-2.

The third inning would see both teams put 2 runs each on the scoreboard. The Hurtin' Units scored another 4 runs in the top of the fourth inning, but for the first time in the game, the Gruesome showed some hitting power and countered with 6 huge runs. The score after 4 complete innings was 17-10 for the Units. The game was a little bit closer now. 

In the fifth inning, the Units scored 2 more runs and stopped the Gruesome attack. The sixth inning was called the "OPEN INNING" and the Units scored 4 more runs, completing a 6 innings in a row scoring runs. In the bottom of the inning, the home team Gruesome would get their final kick at the can, and they took the Units to school. The score going into the bottom of the Open was 23-10 for the Units, 3 outs and back to the Legion. The Gruesome didn't see it that way and starting hitting the ball all over the diamond, in the gaps, over the heads, under the gloves, through the holes and after sending 15 batters to the plate would score 9 runs

The problem with the 9 runs was the scorekeeper thought that the Hurtin' Units only had 19 runs (not 23) and it was thought that the game had ended in a tie. We (the Hurtin' Units) would believe we had tied for our 3 tie in a row, but when we got back to the Legion it was discovered that the Units actually had 23 runs and won the game. 

There was something special about tying 3 games in a row, 3 ties in a season is pretty much unheard of, but it was not to be and the Units would go on to get their 10th win of the season. 

I don't like the fact that we gave up 9 runs in an inning, when we had kept the Gruesome in check most of the game, we have a bit of a tough time closing the door when we have a lead. We need learn how to stop the teams in the final inning. 

The Hurtin' Units next game is Thursday August 4th against the Sons of Pitches.