Entering Sunday’s play at Highland Field, the Happy's Source for Sports Indians were undefeated in Komoux Masters Real Baseball league and tournament play. A confident swagger was evident as the team took the field for a noon-time start. By 12:05, the swagger was history.
Usually a pretty tight defensive group, the tight part vanished. A booted double play ball, a deflected double play line shot, a missed tag at third base – you kind of get the picture. After half an inning, the Giants had scored four runs, and that was just about the game.
The Indians got half of those runs back in the bottom half of the inning, but should have scored half a dozen. In total, the Tribe left about 15 players stranded.
But, all the blame for the season’s first loss cannot be placed on the Indians. A certain Dave Bennett had a heck of a day – at the plate and on the mound. In the first inning, his rocket to left field for a single and RBI was the main blow. In the third inning, a similar blow to left. Then, in the fifth, a solo dinger to the power alley in left-centre.
Bennett then came out of the bullpen to throw the last three innings and put the game to bed. The Indians failed to score against him, as he finished off the seventh inning with a 3-6 double play and was caught pumping his fist and ripping his Dundee shirt off.
A full slate of games this Sunday: Astros and Cubs at 9:30, the highlight game at noon as the Indians attempt to get back to their winning ways against the Jays, Yankees and Twins at 2:30, and Giants and Cards at 4:30.
Drive to the north end of Torrence Road, park, and walk about 500 feet west to our great little fenced field for the games. Get there early for the best seats. See you at the park!