The Red Sox travelled to Bishop's Cross on Wednesday night to take on the Thornhill Reds in what was a re-match of the 2017 GTBL Championship. Pickering had lost 4 games in a row coming into this one, and turned to veteran RHP Brad Binns to get the start in this one.
Unfortunately for Pickering, things started very slow with a three up, three down first before Binns took to the mound and loaded the bases with none out. When all was said and done for the Reds in the first, they left with a 2-0 lead.
From there, Reds rookie starter Adam Jafine and Binns threw well - with Pickering scraping one run across on a RBI single from catcher Jack Lang (after he had just narrowly missed a 3 run homer on a foul ball call), while Thornhill tacked on one run in the 3rd inning after 3B Warren Kember reached on an error and came around to score.
When Jafine left the game, the bats woke up for Pickering an inning later - and they did not quiet down the rest of the way. In total, the Sox put up 11 runs in the game's final 4 innings against three different Reds relievers, highlighted by Jack Lang leaving no questions about another long fly ball - this one staying fair and leaving the yard for his first HR of the season.
Shaun Slemko relieved Binns in the 6th inning, and was very strong, finishing the game's final 4 innings, allowing a single run which Thornhill scored in the bottom of the ninth inning. Slemko picked up the win in this one for his efforts, his first of the season.
Game Highlights/Notes
- C Jack Lang went 4-5 on the night with a HR, 2RBI and 3 runs scored.
- 2B Matt Melissis went 3 for 4 with a SB and a very strong game defensively.
- CF Peter Ricciardi made the defensive play of the early season, robbing Gianfranco Morello of extra bases early in the game while starting a relay to double off the runner at first. Ricciardi caught a ball deep in the left center field gap on a full dive somewhat over his shoulder. It was a truly incredible play and saved at least a run.
- LF Andre Steer left this game in the 6th inning due to getting old. The injury isn't considered serious and he is day-to-day.
- OF Kravice Batts went 3-5 with a triple for the Reds.