The Twin Cities Thunderchickens got their 9-game series in against Chuck Lucas and his Northside Hitmen for May albeit a little late. That was due to many things not the least was me breaking my left clavicle last Sunday. Chuck and played the five home games for Twin Cities a week and a half ago and we went 1-4. We finished the last four games on Saturday and we won only one more proving that I can lose just as well with one arm as I can with two. My rolling arm is ok, by the way which is to say I can still roll 23-12s and 43-29s just fine.
With Chuck’s Hitmen up, you might as well call them the Monsters. He’s got Miggy Cabrera, Paul Goldschmidt, and Mike Trout leading the way. There’s only so much good pitching that will stop those guys.
Regardless, playing APBA with Chuck is always fun, win or lose. Even over Skype, there’s lots of banter and we get off on fun tangents.
Highlights were few
In Game 2, Scott Diamond (DRZ) held on long enough to keep the game close so that rookie Alex Torres could win it in extras. Nick Markakis drove home Geovany Soto who got on via an E-6. Chuck likes to make fun of Soto because of his issues with “recreational” meds. I let him do that because until I drafted Yan Gomes this year, Soto has been the better hitting catcher on my team.
It wasn’t until Game 7 when we saw another win. Jose Tabata, Ryan Zimmerman, and Justin Maxwell hit back-to-back-back doubles which contributed to a four-run rally. We won 6-5 with Jeremy “Give ‘em Hell” Hellickson getting the win and Torres getting the save this time.
Gory details
For the 9 games series, we scored only 24 runs. Five the games were one-run games which tells you how close the series really was.
Albert Pujols hit a homerun. His FIRST homerun of the year in 82 at-bats.
With the 2-7 series, our record dipped below .500 for the first time this season. We are now 22-26.
Looking ahead
Jason Kipnis’ batting average took a dip but he’s still our team leader with a .315 mark. He also leads with 30 runs scored, 13 steals and get this, 7 homeruns. Even as our leadoff batter, he comes in second on the team with 21 rbis. Ryan Zimmerman leads with 24 despite his .171 batting average.
Stephen Strasburg is happy to be a Thunderchicken. He’s 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 63 Ks in 58 2/3 innings. In limited time (25 2/3 IP), Joe Kelly has a 0.70 ERA. Rookie Alex Torres has given up just one run in 13 1/3 innings so far.
The Illowa APBA League will be convening for our Spring Weekend this Friday! We’ll be getting back to our Iowa roots and meeting in Bettendorf, Iowa. For the weekend, we’ll be playing APBA Baseball. No draft, no All-Star Game, just baseball!
Considering we have a 5-13 record against the Chicago-based City Boys and a 17-13 record against the Country Gents, I can’t wait.
I think playing APBA one handed became legal in Illinois on Sunday. Were you in Illinois?
You should be OK in Iowa this weekend. Playing APBA one handed became legal in Iowa a few years ago. One of the first states to make that societal advancement.
DonS.
DonS,
thanks. You made me snort and giggle in a public place.
Tom
Nelly thought he could whomp me with one hand behind his back or in a sling in this case.
Ordinarily he can and does.