New Lenox, IL - The Lions Den was buzzing in anticipation of the 6:30PM game for first place honors between the previously unbeaten Brew Jays and the hosting one-loss Gnaturals. The game started inauspiciously as Ryno walked the game's first batter. Things turned around right away with an MH pop out to first base followed by a 6-3 double play to end the inning harmlessly. The Gnats caught a flyer coming out of the gate with five straight hits before making their first out. The fourth hit of the inning was a Suits three run blast to stake the Gnats to a 4-0 lead. Zlogar followed with a one out two-run homer to put the Gnats up 6-0 after one inning. The Gnats held the Jays scoreless in the second while tacking on a run to lead 7-0 after two innings. Ryno kept the Gnats defense humming along by shutting down the Jays in the third inning while the offense hung up another run to lead 8-0 after three frames. Jays went down 1-2-3 in the fourth while the Gnats scored another run to lead 9-0 after four. The Jays put their first three batters on to score the team's first two runs and threatened to tighten up the game with "Everyone's Pitcher" Billy Barta up to bat. Barta took the count to 3-2 and fouled out on the first base side on a Ryno highball. The injured Dom O. grounded into a nifty 4-6-3 double play spun by G-Dog and Suits to end the inning. With a chance to end the game with a three spot in the fifth inning, the Gnats left two runners on base and did not score to lead 9-2 after five. The Jays went quietly in the top of the sixth to provide the Gnats with another opportunity to end the game early if they could score three runs. Jake Koz started the rally with a one out hit followed by a Stapes RBI triple to the fence to put the Gnats up 10-2. Zoot Suit lined a single to left to score Stapes and pull ahead 11-2 with one out. Pratl singled to advance the winning run, Suits, to second base. That set up the heroics for Jamaica to line a single to left to score Sutor and end the game at 12-2 in walkoff fashion. The Gnats defense hit a high mark tonight by holding the Jays to two runs. Ryno faced the minimum amount of batters in two of the game's six innings while only facing four hitters in three of the frames. The most batters the Jays brought up to the plate was five in their two-run 5th inning. The two runs allowed by the Gnats tonight make it a total of 33 given up the entire season or 6.6 per game to put things in perspective. The season has a long way to go and the New Lenox Park District's first tie-breaker of runs allowed as opposed to second tie-breaker head-to-head play may become a factor down the line but the only important factor is the ability to win the next game; which happens to be against Water Chasers as the Gnats play host in the 8:30PM start. It's Bring More Booze night at the old ballpark so come on out and cheer on the pesty Gnats.
Noteables:
September Weather - Tonight's time and temp are brought to you by WLLS Weatherperson Stacy Cutler. Stacy threw out the game's first pitch while holding an umbrella in her non-throwing hand.
Rules, rules, rules - Nearly every player and fan who are situated on the third base side passes up this sign but likely never reads it. Have you ever read this sign? How many rules are you breaking??
Ya Win Some, Ya Lose Some - With the loss tonight, Billy Barta is now 1-1 vs the Gnaturals in the Fall of 2022. As you recall, Barta (or whatever his name was that night) won the game for Rhino Sealcoat. Hey Zlogar, you really should run for New Lenox Park District President and clean up this cesspool.
Hey McFly! - Has anyone seen Nick and actor Crispin Glover in the same room at the same time?
Warm-ups - The Gnats stretch out their arms for Tuesday night's matchup against the Brew Jays.
Z Warm-ups - Mike Zlogar seen warming up his arm for tonight's game. The Z pre-game warm-up routine always includes a good leg stretch and a simulation of how to get out of a pickle. No pickle tonight but better to be prepared than fail to plan.
Ladies Night II - Kathy leads the celebration as the Gnats were leading the Jays late in the game.
That Ole Sage of Mine - It stinks but it is keeping the good juju on the side of the Gnats. The lighter of the sage, Mike Pratl, used the good energy to make a fine running catch in the 4th inning while fellow outfielder Cap'n Jack made a nice running catch on a ball in the 7th inning.
Daily Double - The originals were the Cubs' Bobby Dernier and Ryne Sandburg. Jack and Jake pictured here, have been terrorizing opposing defenses since the early 2000's and were quietly assembled again for the Fall of 2022.
Gene and Roger Bossard - Before The Sodfather, Roger Bossard became the White Sox head groundskeeper, his father Gene held that title for the Sox from 1941 to 1982. Both would be proud of the field conditions tonight as the recent rains and cool weather had the infield in immaculate condition.
The Wayne King Connection - With Suits being the winning run on second base and Jake Koz coaching third base after recently scoring earlier in the inning, both former JJC hurlers wanted to make sure to properly represent all of the "non-athletes" and get the final run across safely.
Photo Bomb - Leave it to Cap'n Jack to run all the way from the outfield to get his mug in the winning scoreboard shot with the Gnats players running off the field.
Handshake - This picture would normally be the leading headline of the Gazette but the burning sage preempted the end of game pleasantries.
Rare Air - The Gnats walk off the field to celebrate their victory over the Jays to put them in first place after five weeks of play. This is the latest in the season the Gnaturals have been in first place and look to stay there with a win next week against Water Chasers. Starting pitcher for the Chasers is Billy Barta so that will be a tough match-up for the Gnats.
Kangaroo Court - All fines, including this evening's, are paid up except the week one dollar of G-Dog, Pratl's pop out double tonight and 2 bottle rockets by Ken. Stapes and Suits are overpaid 1 dollar each.
Turd of the Week - The Brew Jays. The Jays scored two runs on six hits and a walk while stranding three runners. Two batters struck out and another two rapped into double plays. Credit to the Gnats pitching and defense as no errors were committed and many fine defensive plays were made to keep the Jays off the bases.
Saving the Best for Last - Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs Bradley Foster on the birth of their 9lb 22.5" son Henry William. Tallness does not escape the Foster clan at 22.5 inches and counting. The Gazette speaks for everyone in being relieved that "Jay" or "Barta" is not part of the naming convention. Congratulations to the new grand parents Kit and Joe. Congratulations to Aunt Kelsie and Uncle Ryno. The next diaper is dedicated to tonight's win........Piss and Shit on the Brew Jays!!!
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