Coming off another disappointing loss to Flor de Cana that dropped the boys out of first place for the first time all summer, the Beat is now faced with the challenge of running the table for the remainder of the season to assure a playoff birth. The team took the first giant step toward that goal today with a conclusive 25-3 drubbing of Old Clamhouse in which the Beat set an all time record for hits in a game with 35 and had the best team average (.673) in over 12 years and second best all time. It didn't quite start that way though.

With Pete in Istanbul on gameday, Big Daddy took the reigns again and continued his incredible record as interim manager. Clamhouse came in shorthanded and with a 7th showing up just at gametime, they filled out their lineup with a few Ballers that had just lost to Flor de Cana in the breakfast match. Unfortunately, one of those Ballers just happened to be the pitcher who handcuffed the Beat through the first few innings with a wicked high arc that just dropped off the table.

Jacq Wilson (4-6, 2B, 5 runs, RBI) started the game with a grounder just past the second baseman and D-Rey (4-6, 2B, 3 runs, RBI), in his first game in the 2 spot, dropped in a Texas leaguer. Three straight outfield flies ended the inning but it was enough to push Jacq across for the game's first run. Clamhouse answered back in the bottom of the inning with two hits and a fielder's choice tying the game at one.

The Beat continued to struggle in the second with three more outfield pop-outs with no runs scored. Special K, working with nothing but a good arc, fed Clamhouse a diet of flutterless knucklers that still managed to put the House down in order to end the 2nd.

Big Daddy (3-5, run, RBI) popped out to start the 3rd (if you're counting, that's 7 of the 10 Beat batters popping out off the Baller's pitcher) before the top of the order got their second shot and this time made it count. Jacq singled, D-Rey doubled, and Kev (5-6, 3 runs, 4 RBI) lined a ball just inside the right field line driving in both and putting the Beat up 3-1. Clamhouse went down quietly following a leadoff hit with two FCs and an outfield fly.

The Beat tacked on another run in the 4th when Mark St.Georges (2-5, 2 runs) reached on a fielder's choice, advanced on a throwing error and was driven in on a single by big Jim Colletto (2-3, BB, SF, 2 RBI). Big Daddy lined out to right center then Jim, moving somewhat like an 18-wheeler on a hill, was gunned down trying to advance to third to quickly end the inning with the Beat up 4-1 (what's that Cardinal baserunning rule about never making the third out at third base?) Clamhouse mounted their first big threat in the bottom of the 4th leading off the inning with 3 consecutive singles to load the bases. Terry stepped up and drove a shot deep to left field into the teeth of the wind. Big Tim backpeddled...backpeddled...and then turned and ran. With every Beat player praying for a miracle, Tim somehow managed to catch up to the ball with a back-handed, over-the-head catch that had web-gem written all over it. Clamhouse scored one on the sac fly, but Tim's quick return to the infield held the other runners in check. A grounder to D-Rey at short notched the second out and Brian turned in another fine play to end the inning taking a blooper to right center on a hop and gunning down a runner at second for a 9-6 fielder's choice.

In the top of the 5th the Beer Bitch gauntlet was thrown down and the boys seemed to finally find their hitting shoes. Jacq led off with a double. Kev, Jacque (4-5, 2B, 3 runs, 4 RBI), and Tim (4-6, HR, 3 runs, 4 RBI) singled upping the score to 6-2. With two on, Mondo (3-5, 2 3Bs, 3 runs, 5 RBI) drove a ball that somehow split the gap in right center for a 2-run triple, with Mondo scoring on a booted throw in. Brian (4-5, 2 2Bs, 2 runs, RBI) stepped up and drove a ball to the same place for a double that was also booted into a 4-bagger to put the Beat up 10-2 before Jacq stepped up for the second time in the inning and popped his way into next week's beer bitch. With the Beat now up by 8 you could hear the air leak out of Clamhouse. Three quick outfield flies set them down in order and the Beat was back up to bat.

The Beat following a leadoff out with consecutive singles by Kev, Q, and Tim to load the bases. Mondo followed with his second triple in as many at batsof the game and Brian doubled in Mondo putting the Beat up 14-2. With the Clamhouse order coming up for the third time, Kev abandoned the flutterless knuckler for the backspin and started off the Clamhouse 6th by snagging a liner up the middle then striking out the #3 hitter swinging. Clean-up hitter Manny stepped up and absolutely scorched a 2-out liner that went so far over Tim's head in left that it landed somewhere around shallow right on the Jackson #2 diamond (note to self: "don't throw Manny the backspin"). But as quickly as you can say Beat 14, Clamhouse 3, Vick popped to Jacq in right and we were heading to the 7th.

Clamhouse brought in Manny (their regular pitcher) to wrap up the 7th. That was all the Beat needed to turn this game from a blowout to an embarrassment. D singled but was forced at second. D-Rey, Kev and Q all singled with Q driving in two. Big Tim stepped up and finally got a hold of one deep into left center for a 3-run jack. Mondo, Brian, and MSG singled to load the bases again. Colletto sacrificed in the Beat's 20th run, then the Beat went on another 2-out tear than has been the signature of this summer team. Big Daddy, Jacq, D-Rey, and Kev all singled with RBIs. Jacque doubled in another making it 25-3 before the Beat 7th ended, well over the time limit. Clamhouse had one last at bat but fizzled quickly ending the game with a comebacker for a 1-6-3 double play.

Following the teamwide struggle through the first four innings the Beat put on a hitting clinic dropping 20 runs in the last 3 innings to put the game away. By the time the game ended, six of the Beat's ten starters had racked up 4 or more hits. Now I can't go without saying that this was absolutely the slowest and, as another Beat player aptly described, laziest outfield we've played against in years. By the poor attendance and the lack of effort one can only conclude that Clamhouse has given up and is phoning in the rest of the summer season. In contrast, the Beat's flawless defense stepped up with some incredible plays to squash Clamhouse's only real threat in the 4th and held Clamhouse until the Beat bats could get on track. 

Game ball for the day goes to Special K for a standout performance on both sides of the ball. Working with less than stellar stuff, Kev held Clamhouse to only three earned runs and four batters or less in five of seven innings. On offense, 5 for 6 with three runs and four RBI. Honorable mentions to Mondo (2 triples, 5 RBI), Tim (HR, 4 RBI), Q (double, 4 RBI). Web gem again goes to Tim for his outstanding play in the 4th that kept Clamhouse from getting back into the game. Beer bitch to Jacq, even though he went 4-6 with 5 runs scored. Beer bitch is a brutal honor, but someone has to wear it (though I'd like to add that since Gunnar was last game's bitch and the team covered him while he was out this week, maybe G-man should chip in next week, huh?).

Next up...Dave Powell, Keno, Dez and company as the Beat take on Il Pirata on Jackson #2 at 10am, September 15.

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