Dodger starting pitcher, Brett Medford, perplexed White Sox batters with an arsenal of pinpoint fastballs balls that he moved in and out and tricky off-speed pitches for 4 scoreless innings. In total he went, 4 and 2/3 innings with 5 strikouts; allowing 1 earned run on 6 hits and 3 walks. The Dodgers staked him an early 2-0 lead off of a lead off single by Lucas and a home run to left center filed by Christian. The White Sox continued to battle the injury bug as team batting leader, Cashion London (.516 BA, .622 OBP), was hurt on the first play of the game - chasing down Lucas' bloop single to shallow right field. Cash would stick it out for the remainder of the half inning, accounting for an assist, before yielding to a severely twisted knee. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Robert Togia took the mound for the White Sox for his second start of the year and shook off the early home run to deliver 3 solid innings of work. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits and a walk. Robert was relieved by Malik Cole who was solid in 2 scoreless innings. He allowed no hits and struck out 4.
The Dodgers took a 3 run lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. White Sox center fielder, Dathan Bailey (.345 BA) , stirred things up with a hard hit triple to right center field. The throw from the outfield found its way into the White Sox third base dugout, allowing Dathan to score on the play. Robert drew a key 7 pitch walk after falling behind 0-2 on the count. The White Sox called on the fleet footed Alonzo Billups to pinch run for Robert. Malik stepped to the plate and sent a ground ball to the left side of the diamond to move Alonzo to third base. Alonzo would ultimately score on the play due to a missed catch by the Dodger third baseman. With the bases clear and one out, left fielder, Jordan Strong , stepped to the plate and sent a deep fly ball to left-center field that was snagged by Dodger center fielder, Christian. With two outs, Grant Craddolph (.378 BA) collected his second hit of the day by legging out a ground ball to the third baseman. Grant would use his speed to advance around the bases and score on a wild pitch, a passed ball, and an error. The Dodgers sent Anthony to the mound to relieve Brett and collect the final out of the fifth inning but the damage was done as the White Sox evened the score.
The Sox sent staff ace, Navari Julius , to the mound in the top of the sixth inning. Dodger slugger, Christian, stroked a line drive single to center field to lead the inning off. Anthony laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Christian into scoring position. to set the table for Dodger first baseman, Micheal, who delivered an RBI infield single on a ground ball to shortstop. Navari settled in to get the next two batters on strikes and stay under 20 pitches for the outing.
For the second time in the game, the White Sox found themselves needing a comeback to claim the game. In a scene reminiscent of the White Sox late inning win over the LLL Yankees, White Sox utility man, Lawrence Gilliam (.367 BA ) stepped to the plate and got the rally started with a towering double to straight away right field for his second hit of the day. The White Sox would call on Alonzo again to pinch run for Lawrence. Jabril Geter legged out an infield single to short stop but was unable to advance Alonzo who stayed at second. Robert put the next pitch in play with a ground ball to short stop. Alonzo was recorded out on the play but Jabril was able to score on a Dodger error.
At the end of six, the score was tied at 5, and the Dodgers and White Sox were headed to extra innings.
Grant took the mound for the White Sox in the top of the seventh. The Dodgers showed great resolve as they again got the lead off batter on base with Alan laying down a great bunt down the first base line. He would move to second base on the play on a White Sox error but was almost picked off moving to second base by a head's up play by Lawrence in right field. Brett was hit by a pitch to get runners on first and second. Alan and Brett would advance a base on a wild pitch. With runners on second and third, Lukas delivered an infield single to third base to score Alan and give the Dodgers the lead. Grant settled in to close the inning with two strikeouts and an unassisted out handled by Shane Early at third base.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Grant stroked a line drive to right field to set the stage for the Sox's third comeback of the game. Navari, who is batting .478 on the season with a team leading .957 slugging percentage, came through with huge RBI double to left field, scoring Grant. The Dodger manager issued an intentional walk to Shane to set the table for Lawrence. Lawrence sent a ground ball to the right side of the diamond to move Navari to third base. With two outs, Jabril stepped to the plate and delivered his second walk off hit of the season with a well hit RBI single up the middle to score Navari and end the game.
Hats off to both teams for a well played exciting game.
The game ball goes to Jabril Geter for the key walk off RBI.
The Web Gem of the day was turned in by Dathan Bailey with an exciting catch on a line drive to shallow left-center field. Dodger starting short stop, Anthony, also played an excellent game at shortstop before moving to the mound.
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Ladera Little League White Sox
2009 White Sox Game Schedule
2009 White Sox Stats
2009 Major Division Standings
http://LaderaWhiteSox.blogspot.com - Blog
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2009 White Sox Stats
2009 Major Division Standings
http://LaderaWhiteSox.blogspot.com - Blog
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