It was another beautiful day at EMLL when the Sand Crabs visited the Orioles, in the 45+ division of the MABL of Southern, Wisconsin.  Ely Torres started on the mound for the Orioles, and Randy Gaber toed the slab for the Crabs.  The Crabs announced their presence with authority, scoring 9 in the top of the first, and the O’s grabbed a couple in their half, thanks to some less than Tenacious D by the Crabs.  The Crabs got 3 more in the second, and another nine in the 3rd, sending 15 men to the plate.  The Orioles pecked back for a run in the 4th, and the Sandies got one in the 5th and 6th.  Gaber was relieved by Bernie Albright in the 6th, and he pitched two scoreless frames.  In the 7th, crafty knuckleballer Randy Oliveras made his Crabs pitching debut, sprinting in from the brick bullpen in seconds flat.  The good news is, he got the hold.  The Orioles unleashed a rather unwelcoming barrage on the rookie pitcher, scoring 6 on 4 hits and some free passes.  In the end, all agreed he was still a good person.

The game was called after the bottom of 7, due to time restrictions.  Final score, Sand Crabs 23, Orioles 9.

Steve Waugh led the Orioles with 3 hits, and Aaron Meyer collected 2.  The Crabbers had 5 players with 3 hits, and one with 4, although methinks the scorer was a bit generous on that player’s first AB.  Mike Kauffman drove in 5, and given the size of his car, that is saying something.  Tim “Mackles” McInernay earned the SPOG award for coming off the schneid with a 3 for 3 performance, and a HBP.

Gaber got the W, and the pitching/defense SPOG, going 5 strong, allowing 1 earned run, 5 hits, one walk and 4 K’s.  The game was recapped at Slice’s, and mini-tacos were washed down with Schlitz…and one Hamms by a player who chose his fate, but shall remain nameless.