by Pete

The Beat Comes Back, Overtakes Mars 16-10 Down 7-0 in the 1st, Beatniks surge back with 9 runs in final at bat to complete comeback.

Missing three regulars and down by a touchdown before taking our 1st turn at bat against Mars, The Beat could have understandably folded its tent early in game 5 of the Summer Season. However, led by Kevin Austin's solid pitching and a 20-hit attack, the boys in gray chipped back to tie it at 7-7 in the 3rd before pouring it on with a 9-run, 2-out rally in its final 5th inning at bat to overwhelm the Martians. This could certainly be called poetic justice in view of Mars' stunning 8-run sudden death comeback over us in game 2.

Brian Arcuri went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs and Chris Young chipped in with a 3 for 4, 2 RBI day to pace the offense. Despite being victimized by his defense for 7 unearned runs in a shaky 1st inning, Kevin was masterful, scattering 10 hits and allowing only 2 earned runs on the day.

Coming in to play, this looked to be yet another pivotal game for our side. We were tied for last place with The Hit Men at 1-3 following a devastating thrashing by 1st place Nicoya on August 28. After having exhorted the troops to "step it up" following that dismal showing, we came out flat in the 1st and handed Mars 7 unearned runs on only 3 hits and 3 errors. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 1st, the hometown Beat came back with 2 quick runs on consecutive singles by Donnell "Big Daddy" Moody, Jim Colletto and Chris Young. Greg "Lukie" Lukoski reached on an error to load the bases before game-ball winner Arcuri slapped a 2-run single to make it 7-4. That changed the momentum and seemed to settle us down.

A defensive realignment in the 2nd appeared to steady the Beatniks and helped Kevin hold the Martians scoreless through the next 3 frames. Meanwhile The Beat clawed back with 3 runs in the home half of the 3rd as Jim led off with a walk and was followed by Chris' booming RBI triple to straightaway center field. Lukie plated Chris and came all the way around to score himself on a triple to right and subsequent error by the Mars 2nd baseman.

In the top of the 5th, Mars scored 3 times to vault back into the lead 10-7. Minikil reached on an error leading off the inning and scored on Bork's triple. Stan Fukuda's single then made it 9-7. Brooks singled to put runners on 1st and 3rd before Lillianstein grounded out. The grizzled catcher Young chopped a freak grounder high over the frustrated Big Daddy's head to drive in Fukuda and make it 10-7. Then Brian started a dazzling 6-4-3 double play to stop the bleeding.

Knowing that time was running out, The Beat realized this could be our final gambit. Staring into the abyss with 1 out, I grounded a smash off the 3rd baseman for a single. Mercifully, Brian came into pinch-run for his jet-lagged 40-something manager. After Gunnar, with newly-dyed blue hair, flied to right, leadoff man BJ Bateman singled up the middle to put runners at 1st and 2rd. Kevin grounded a ball that ate up the Mars pitcher to load the bases. Mark "Cottonmouth King" St. Georges knocked in Brian with a single to cut it to 10-8. Then the Mars defense inexplicably fell apart. Donnell singled in BJ, but the throw to the plate skipped past the Mars catcher and rattled around the backstop as Kevin scored to tie it up at 10-10.

Jim "The Thrill" hit a rocket-shot down the 1st base line that almost nailed Big Daddy, but plated MSG for the lead and moved D around to 3rd. Chris followed with a grounder that once again baffled the shortstop and D scored to make it 12-10. Greg then scorched a ball off the 2nd baseman's glove to load the bases, setting up another big moment for game MVP Brian. Arcuri lashed another single to run up the score to 14-10. Yours truly added his 2nd hit of the inning, a signature Texas leaguer in the never-never land over shortstop to score Greg and Brian touched home when Mars threw the ball around on the ensuing relay.

That set the stage for a touch of drama. Having dusted himself off after scoring the 16th run, Brian once again ran for me and Gunnar proceeded to ground a seeing-eye basehit up the middle. Brian alertly headed to 3rd and on an infield bobble of the outfield relay took off for home. With a headlong diving slide from what looked to be half way between 3rd and home, Brian attempted to get his hand in under the perfect throw to the plate. Writhing in pain, Brian asked the ump for the ruling as his teammates gathered round. The ump said out at the plate, but we were all dazzled as Arcuri heroically sacrificed his body for the team.

But with no one on the bench, I was presented with a puzzling dilemma. With an injured shoulder, how could Brian be expected to resume play at shortstop for Mars' final at bat? Players huddled with manager, brainstorming for a solution. However, Brian headed gamely out to short and took his position after a practice throw. Kevin then retired the side and The Beat shook hands with the vanquished Martians. Call it a quid pro quo for their upset in game #2.

This was without a doubt one of the best comebacks in Beat history. We could have hung our heads after handing them 7 runs, but we wouldn't die. Now we're hungry to run the table on the remaining 3 games and finish once again above .500.

Next up, the last place Hit Men on September 18, Rolph #2 at 10am.

View The BEAT's 1999 Final Batting Statistics

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