Game Four: Home Field Advantage Holds

After four games in the OEL Championship Series (the sweetest smelling series in the world), the home team is undefeated. This means, of course, that Pittsburgh defended its turf tonight and tied the series at two games a piece.

Interestingly, despite both teams rolling out their #4 starters, the game was fairly low scoring. Pittsburgh broke the ice with a two-out, one-run rally in the first inning. But, the Pisces left the bases loaded, which it seemed would come back to haunt them when Brooklyn roared back. An RBI single by starting pitcher Thomas Fleenor in the second tied the score and Benito Figueredo stroked an RBI double in the third to take a 2-1 lead.

The game remained 2-1 into the sixth inning, as both starters settled down. However, an RBI groundout by Donald "Missing" Parson and and RBI infield hit by starting pitcher Robert Gaertner then gave the Pisces a 3-2 lead. A RBI double by Brian Staudt followed by a RBI single by James Dominy in the bottom of the seventh boosted the gap to a three-run cushion. At that point, Pittsburgh called on its unmatched relief combination of Vincent Furness and Ariel Santos to close out the series-tying victory. Brooklyn managed to bring the tying run to the plate with one out in the ninth, but Santos struck out Randy McGinn and William Marone to end the threat.

Robert Gaertner, who team owner Mack Shultz debated on whether to let start or not, took home Player of the Game honors with his seven strong innings pitched and game-winning RBI single.

League file is posted and web pages en route. Game Five in this classic contest will be tomorrow, by either Nate or me. Will the home field dominance continue, or will Brooklyn break through? Stay tuned.