On The Rails in Paradise

 

New Lenox, IL - After suffering a double-header loss last week to the Brew Jays and Beggars, High Voltage was back at it Tuesday night with games against Paradise Bay and Off the Rails.  The opener was a snoozer all the way as the Volts hosted Paradise Bay.  Bay went scoreless in the top of the first inning while HV jumped to a 4-0 lead on the strength of a Sutes two-run blast and a Jeffrey Sketches inside the park homerun that beat the outfield.  Paradise Bay showed some resilience by answering back with a seven run outburst to take their only lead of the night 7-4 after an inning and a half.  PB would not score again in the contest. The Volts erased the deficit in the bottom of the inning with one swing on a Jaybird grand slam to take an 8-7 lead.  Both teams went scoreless in the third inning with PB putting up a zero in the top of the fourth.  The Volts came out swinging by scoring their first six batters before the first out was made.  A couple of runs and two outs later, the Volts led the game 16-7 and managed to get a combination of five hits and two walks to end the game early with a Zlogar two RBI game ending double and a 22-7 win over Paradise Bay.

Game 2 was a much more spirited contest against an improved Off the Rails team captained by The Deacon.  Visiting High Voltage made some noise in the first inning by loading the bases but could not manage to score a run.  Rails took the lead on the first pitch of the game, which was launched over the left-center field wall by Ryne Sandstone.  The Volts clawed back with a two-spot in the top of the second inning, and would hold on defense for a 2-1 lead after two innings.  The Volts tallied five times in the third inning to open up a 7-1 lead.  Off the Rails stormed back with six runs to tie the game and had runners on with one out when Lefty Baines rapped into a 6-3 double play to end the rally.  The Volts scored eight times in the fourth inning for a 15-7 lead. The Rails scratched back with three runs to close the gap to 15-10.  Both teams went scoreless in the fifth inning.  High Voltage scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning to hold an 18-10 edge with time running down on the clock.  Off the Rails scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning with time running out as the last out was made with High Voltage on top 18-12.  The win improves the Volts record to 4-2 on the season with Off the Rails searching for their first victory in the tough Tuesday Night five team league.  Next up is Beggars on September 24th for a 9:30 night cap.  Every fan bringing a blanket or pillow to next week's game will be admitted for free.

Notables:

Power Outage - Folks attending last night's late games were treated to a partial lunar eclipse. Fans attending the 8:30 game were treated to a rare power outage by Volts bats as they were out homerunned five to one.  The Volts only had five extra base hits in the game but were placing the ball all over the Lions Den to accumulate 18 runs.

Fishing Tale - Larry, Moe, and Curly are pictured holding up prize catches from this past weekend's trip to upper Lake Michigan.  What they are not telling you is that they bought the fish at Irv's Golf & Fish and passed it around as if they each caught a nice smallmouth bass.  The reports are that 57 smallmouths were caught in the two days but we cannot confirm the story.

Moondoggie - Off the Rails added famous surfer, Moondoggie, to the lineup.  The 'Dog' went two for three on the night with both being sharp hits.  The only out was a pop fly to right-center field that right-fielder Jay had to run 100 feet for to make the catch as Koz was calling the right fielder to make the play from jump street.  Still a PO9 in the book.

Yes Dear - The first haircut our staff has noticed on Miguel in 10 years.  Looking sharp!  He even cleaned up the facial hair.

Expecting - Koz and Koz are talking about the future.  PB Koz is talking about the art of watching a toddler.  Volt Koz is telling him that he and his wife are expecting their first child.  For you around the league that read this, give Volt Koz a congratulations the next time you play against him.  The fall season will be the last time he looks this rested.  Congratulations from the Gazette staff to High Voltage Koz and his lovely wife on their upcoming child!  First milliAmp in the High Voltage future.

Sunday Crowd - Attendance numbers have been low all Fall season.  7:30 games seem like 9:30 games. Can't imagine what a 9:30 game must feel like.  Attendance throughout the league has been scarce for the past month.  The league is looking into matters and has hired The Count to conduct a study looking into attendance numbers and how to make the game sustainable moving forward.  We recommend looking for a 6th, 7th,and 8th team...ah ah ah.

Softball Guy - Every team has got one.  Some may have two or more.  It's Mr. Softball Guy.  Give this a listen and use the comments to nominate your own team's Mr. Softball Guy in the first annual Mr. Softball Guy Derby.  The staff at the Gazette nominate Cap'n Jack, who has a few of the qualifications of Mr. Softball Guy, and intertwines with another of the two Softball Guy types......Mr. Stats Guy.    Have fun!