JrBB Phillies

Game 4 Royals 10 Apr

A Classic

     Where do you start to describe what was a classical, well-played baseball game at Fleet Park, Harbor Park or Veterans Field?  Jacob’s 5 inning, 2 hit, 11 K, 2 walks would be a start.  Joseph’s unbelievable work behind the plate would be a start.  10 of 11 batters putting the ball in play would be a start.  SMART, HEADS-UP DEFENSE would be a start.  But—let’s start with error-free defense, 7 innings of error-free defense, greatly aided by incredible, early-season pitching and superb work behind the plate.  Again, no extra bases on outfield hits due to excellent outfield work of Justin, Kyle, Chris and Austin (Jacob & Orion played outfield but the intimidated all the batters!).

     Jacob started well, getting a lead-off, full-count strikeout.  After a walk, single, hit batter, the Royals scored on one of the very few PB.  Jacob closed the first with 2 more Ks.  In our half of the 1^st, Jacob hit a 1-out single to right and stole 2^nd/3^rd.  Orion drew his first of four walks, stealing 2^nd.  Joseph drew a 2-out walk t load the bases before Justin flied out to short center.  After 1:  Royals 1; Phillies 0.

     In the 2^nd & 3^rd, Jacob retired 6 straight, on 5 consecutive Ks and a fly-out to Sam.  Austin ROE to lead-off the 2^nd on a sharply hit ball to 2^nd.  Marcus replaced Austin on the bases, stole 2^nd & 3^rd and scored on a PB.  Chris walked and advanced to 3^rd before a coaching error got him CS at home.  George and Sam struck out to retire the Phillies. After 2:  scored tied at 1.

     The Phillies took the lead in the 3^rd, starting with Orion’s second walk. A 1-out bunt by Joseph advanced Orion and Joseph ROE.  Marcus singled to center, scoring Orion from 2^nd.  Joseph was called out on a questionable call at the plate (clearly safe from a Phillies point of view).  Marcus stole his was to 3^rd and scored on a PB to Austin.  After 3:  Phillies 3; Royals 1.

     Wyatt Brown led-off with a double to left, quickly relayed by Kyle to George to Jacob, who tagged out Wyatt caught between 2^nd & 3^rd—key momentum breaker.  After a fly-out to short and Jacob’s 9^th K, the Royals were retired.  IN the bottom of the 4^th, Kyle & George both GO on sharp hits to 3rd and 2^nd.  Sam drew a 2-out walk, but was stranded at 2^nd on Jacob’s GO.  After 4:  Phillies 3; Royals 1.

     Jacob continued his dominant pitching in the 5^th recording Ks on their 7^th and 8^th batters.  Their 9th batter walked, but was caught napping at 1^st.  Phillies added 2 insurance runs in their half, starting with Orion’s 3^rd walk f the evening. He advanced to 2^nd, stole 3^rd.  With 1 out, Joseph reached on a dropped 3^rd strike.  Marcus singled again, scoring Orion and advancing Joseph to 3^rd.  Austin reached on a FC where Joseph was caught in no-man’s land on a good defensive play by the royals.  After Chris drew his second walk of the game, Marcus scored on a PB before Austin was out on a FC by George.  After 5:  Phillies 5; Royals 1.

     Sam relieved Jacob on the mound, who threw 83 pitches.  Royals got 3 singles to lead-off.  Outfield hits to Chris (left) and Austin (right) were kept to singles—huge!!—even though the lead-off single eventually scored.  After a fly-out to Marcus (SS) on the foul-line behind 3^rd and another single to load the bases, Sam struck out 2 batters to retire the Royals with bases juiced.  In out half of the 6^th, Sam drew a lead-off walk, advanced to 2^nd on an errant pick-off and stole 3^rd.  Jacob hit a towering shot to center for the first out.  Orion drew his 4^th was of the night and advanced to 2^nd before the Phillies retired on 2 Ks.  After 6:  Phillies 5; Royals 2.

     Phillies defense & pitching held in the 7^th.  Sam & Orion combined for a 1-3 PO of the led-off batter.  Sam struck out the 2^nd batter and walked the 3^rd, the Royals’ lead-off hitter.  A ground ball right to 2^nd base was fielded by Josh who got the force out unassisted to secure the win.  Phillies win a superb game 5-2.

     Our 4^th game was without defensive error!  Outfield played very well, keeping his to singles and hitting the cut-off just like we practice.  Defense talked their way through 7 innings.  Key defensive plays by Marcus, Josh, Kyle-George-Jacob were momentum crushers.  Outstanding pitching by Jacob set the tempo of the game for 5 innings.  Strong closing pitching by Sam kept runner from reaching for free.  The hallmark of this game was the excellent work behind the plate by Joseph.