Clippers Win Opener 6-4 Over Dragons
!!!
Clam Display Focus and Businesslike Form Across the Board
!!
Cucci Blasts 2 HR’s, Phil Knocks in 2 & Bier Explodes w/ 3 Hits
!
In a rematch of the 2008 Championship Game, The Clippers defeated the defending Champion Dragons on Opening Day 2009, 6-4, in front of a half-packed Wright Field on a glorious Memorial Day. The victory served as a sweet slice of redemption pie for the Championship Game loss, but also demonstrated a newfound “focus” amongst the long time mates. The Clip show came out determined to prove they belong back in the Champions Circle, and that determination was evident on the field.
“You can often tell how a year is gonna go by the first batter of the season”
--- Bob Uecker, Major League
Surely y’all recall, that line was followed by a swinging “oops” bunt single by Willie Mays Hayes. Well the Clippers own version of the fleet footed lead off man started the 2009 season off with a little bit more authority, but hopefully the old adage will ring true regardless. CF Brian Bier led off the 2009 campaign with a scorching double down the left field line that glazed off of Goldberg’s glove at third and trickled into the outfield. In classic Bier form, the CF slid into second ahead of the throw, and after allowing the puff of dust to settle, the leadoff man picked himself up and clapped enthusiastically to his exultant teammates on the bench.
"I'm healthy this year. Thats it.", said the prolific catalyst of the Clip show after the game. "The legs are working, I'm in good shape. Thats really the foundation you need in this here game. That, and a shnazzy aerodynamic haircut."
P Christopher Clarkin was up next and hit a fly ball off the right field wall. As he rounded first, Bier rounded third and the throw appeared to head home. Clarkin, rounding the bag, then got held up when Seth jumped and intercepted the throw. Clarkin booked for second and drew the throw, allowing Bier to score from third, giving the Clippers the early 1-0 lead. (Some say genius, others say baserunning gaff #1 on the day) 2B Phil Abs flew out, but 3B John Cucci blasted the 3rd pitch he saw over the right centerfield fence for his first HR and a 2-0 Clipper lead. LF Matt Lipinsky singled, but SS Teddy Nags was absolutely robbed on a line shot to right. Clippers, 2-0.
The Defending Champs got one back in the bottom of the first. Kenny led off with an absolute pop-up fence scrapper that RF Andrew Sosa simply ran out of real estate on, giving Savelson a chinsey double. Nick Dolen popped up to Mac at first, but Sconzo grounded one up the middle to score Kenny. Friefeld, last years semis and finals hero flew out to left and Goldberg grounded out to third.
The Clam tacked on another in the third. EH Nick D grounded out, but Bier lined his second hit of the day, a single, into left. Clarkin worked the count to 3-2 but had to swing at a borderline-at-best pitch, grounding to first and advancing Bier to second. The advance ended up being important though, as Phil Abs connected on a super clutch 2-out grounds rule double over the right field fence to score Bier. Cucci popped up to end the frame. 3-1.
The boys and girl added one more in the top of the fifth when C Brian Sosa flew out, SCF Jenny and Nick D reached on errors and Bier doubled to score Jenny with one out. Clarkin hit a sac fly on another 3-2 count but Nick was thrown out trying to score.
Clarkin coasted till the 5th when he clearly began to tire. He walked Goldberg to begin the inning and was helped out by a BLAZING Bier on a Seth liner to the left centerfield gap. Bier covered half the field in getting to the ball and made the incredibly tough play look easy. Defense counts boys and girls, and the play would prove to have saved at least a run. CD reached on an error, and Alex hit a grounder to 1B Adam Kupe at first who astutely threw to second for the second out, keeping the tying run out of scoring position. Jo hit a dribbler down the first base line that Clarkin picked up but couldn’t throw around her, and the ball ended up in the outfield, plating a run on the error by the pitcher. Kenny singled to score another but Nick flew out with a runners on first and third to keep the Clippers up a run, 4-3.
The exciting affair took another step when in the top of the sixth the Clippers hit back to back HR’s for only the 2nd time in their illustrious franchise history. Abelson and Cucci sent absolute rockets to the Church and Boardwalk respectively, to give the Broadway Bombers a 3-run lead, 6-3. Lipinsky singled again to follow Cucci, but Teddy was robbed once more on a liner to right. Sosa flew out and after Adam reached on an error, B Sos flew out to left.
Yet again, the Dragons clawed back. Sconzo singled to start the 6th, but the Clippers version of Tinkers to Evers to Chance, Cucci to Abelson to Kupersmith, turned a nifty double play on a Friefeld grounder to third. Cucci made a effortlessly smooth pickup, gunned it to a perfectly covering Phil, who made a gorgeous catch and throw to Adam at first, making the turn like a true professional. The play would turn out to be one of about five such plays that eventually saved runs, as the Dragons would still scratch one across in this inning. Goldberg followed a Goldberg walk with a single and Seth doubled over the right field wall to score one, leaving runners on second and third with two outs. CD grounded out to Phil who made a great stab on a tough bounce to end the inning and preserve the lead. A great play by the tallest Clipper ever that definitely saved two runs and very likely the game.
Cucci would turn in one last dazzling defensive play in the seventh. Alex walked to start the inning, Dragons down 2. He advanced on a ground out, and Kenny flew out. On an absolute scorcher down the line, Cucci backhanded a Nick Dolan blast and just nailed the speedy runner to end the game. Between Bier, Phil, Cucci and Adam A’s the defense definitely made their presence felt in this game. Defensive pride is indicative of overall focus and the Clippers showed they were brimming with both on this Memorial Day opener.
Clipper Notes:
The Clippers evened up their all time Opening Day record to 8-8 in their 16 year history. It was their second straight Opening Day win, after shutting out the Dogfish 5-0 in last year’s opener. It was at least the third time they played the Dragons on Opening Day, winning the First Ever Clipper Opener in 1994, falling to the Dragons on an extra inning walk off by Goldberg in 2003, 5-4 and winning the thus far ‘rubber match’ here in 2009.
Slugger John Cucci is tied for the league lead in HR's with 2 |
