Game 15: White Sox vs Diamondbacks

Yesterday marked our final game as the 2008 Diamondbacks.  As the sun fell on the day and the season, the visiting White Sox would end up taking the contest 14-1.

1st Inning

The Diamondbacks took to the field first and had a tough start. Nick took one off the mound and threw over to Adam for an out, but five runs came across during the 1st.

Nick and Brad both singled, but we didn’t score during our half of the inning.

2nd Inning

Nick (at third) made a cool throw to Adam (at second) to get a sweet out. Adam also took a bounder and got an unassisted out at 2nd, tagging the base before the runner.

Our 2nd inning highlight featured Seb’s long shot into right center for a beautiful single.

3rd Inning

The D-Backs defense held pretty tight during the third. Nick took two unassisted outs at first, making them look easy. Emma snatched a high pop at second for a really nice play.

No D-Backs reached base during the third.

4th Inning

Emma pitched decently before tiring, but the ‘Sox tagged got five runs. Adam got an unassisted out at first during the inning.

Emma singled (into center field) and Ryan also got a nice hit in the 4th.

5th Inning

The fifth inning featured Dylan D, who pitched and didn’t give up any runs. He also had two snared off the mound with super throws to Adam at first (one was a very entertaining throw from the ground, and the other just quick throw right on target). Emma also had a nice scoop at shortstop and got the runner out after the long throw to Adam.

During our last time on offense, we squeaked a run with singles from Seb, Dylan V, and Kyle.

End Notes

Adam, Emma, and Nick all did a good job! Dylan D had a great last inning and Seb had two nice hits. The blogger especially loved the young players, who’ll take over the reins next year, with their efforts as they got some hits during the last ups.

Game 14: Diamondbacks vs Mets

The Diamondbacks faced the Mighty Mets for the 2nd time and played well. We almost pulled off the upset, but we came up short and were narrowly defeated 5-4.

First Inning

Nick boomed a double and Brad singled, but the D-Backs didn’t score in the top of the first.

On the field, Nick grabbed one on the mound and Emma scooped one at 2nd, each tossing to Adam at first for two nice outs.

Second Inning

Dylan D singled, but the batters continued to be chilly early.

The Mets would score twice, but Nick (at pitcher mound) threw a beauty to Seb at third for the final out of the inning.

Third Inning

Two balls were hit hard, but right into the shortstop’s glove during the third.

Despite 3 strikeouts, the Mets would score 2 more in the bottom of the inning.

Fourth Inning

The bats came alive, as Team Purple scored 3 runs. Singles were hit by Nick, Adam, Emma (a great smash into left), Ryan, and Seb. Dylan D’s fielder’s choice brought in an RBI.

Brad took the mound and proved to be wonderful at pitcher! Not only did keep them scoreless, but he had two great stabs and tossed over to Nick at first for 2 outs!

Fifth Inning

The Diamondbacks would scratch out another run on hits by Nick, Dylan V, and Adam.

Nick pitched the fifth, but the inning was highlighted by a crawling Dylan D who tried so hard to get an out at third!

Game Notes

Dylan V did a great job today, getting a sweet hit in the 5th, as well as a nice stop in right center on a bounce.  Thirdbasemen Seb and Dylan D also played well and Brad was impressive at pitcher.

Game 13: Diamondbacks vs Yankees

The Diamondbacks were up against the Yankees with the temps hovering in the 90s amid the humid sunshine – it’s crazy to think we played in longjohns a few weeks ago. With, perhaps, the team’s pool party on the kids’ minds, the D-backs were defeated 12-6 in five innings.

1st Inning

The Purple came out hot, scoring three runs off 6 straight hits from Nick, Brad, Adam, Seb, Tyler, and Ryan.

The defense struggled as the Yanks came storming back to score 5 of their own. The Yankees had several booming hits into the outfield, but Brad had a nice stop off a single bounce to left field. Nick had a nice scoop off the pitcher mound and tossed to Adam at first for our only out.

2nd Inning

Emma had the only hit of the inning with no other D-Backs reaching base.

The D-backs held the Yankees scoreless during the second. With the bases loaded, Nick grabbed one off the mound and tagged home plate for the final out – what a heads-up play!

3rd Inning

The Diamondbacks kept fighting and added 2 more runs in the 3rd. Adam, Seb (a beauty into left field!), Tyler, and Ryan all singled.

The Yanks came roaring back again with 5 runs in the 3rd, as the only out of the inning was a strikeout. Devon made a great stop in right field and showed good poise out there.

4th Inning

Nick, Brad, Adam, and Tyler all singled to add another D-Back run.

Tyler pitched a masterful 4th inning, getting a lot of strikeouts, throwing hard, and only allowing 2 runs to score. He was helped by Emma, who had a nice unassisted out at second, and Adam, who took a roller to first and beat the runner to the bag.

5th Inning

Our youngest player had a double, but he was stranded at 2nd with no other Diamondbacks reached base, ending the steamy game.

Highlights and Other Bits

Ryan had a great game with 2 hits and he almost caught two fly balls in left field! Tyler had 3 hits and was real impressive at pitcher. In the heat, this blogger was impressed with Devon’s hustle on defense and great swings up at bat.

Game 12: A’s vs Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks and A’s met for the second time this season, albeit with a similar result. The A’s remained unbeaten, bringing down our purple guys 7-0.

Inning One

The D-Backs took the field first. Nice defensive plays were made by Nick at pitcher and Emma at 2nd, who both scooped up easy balls and threw to Adam at 1st.

Nick continued his hitting ways, but he was the only one to get a hit during our ups. Adam’s smash toward right was impressive, but the ball was caught by their 1st baseman.

Inning Two

Again, Emma had a beautiful grab at 2nd and threw to Adam at first. The A’s also struck out twice during the inning.

There were no hits for any of the D-Backs during the bottom of the inning.

Inning Three

The Diamondbacks kept the A’s scoreless during the third, with two more strike outs. Nick had an effortless, unassisted out at first.

Dylan Daniels hit a single hard into left, but he was stranded there because the bats continued to be cold.

Inning Four

Dylan D got his shot on the pitcher mound. He did a good job throwing some strikes and allowing only two runs. Emma got another bounder and threw over to Nick for an out. First baseman Nick made a sweet unassisted out.

The Diamondbacks didn’t reach first base during the fourth.

Inning Five

Adam took charge at pitcher, as the A’s struck out twice and didn’t score during inning five. Adam also had a wonderful defensive play on the mound, snaring a ball hit back to him and throwing to Nick for the out.

Brad kept his hitting streak alive with a beauty into center field for the only offensive highlight.

Inning Six

Pitching for the purple now was Nick, who only allowed one A to cross home plate. Emma got an unassisted out at 2nd, tagging the base ahead of the runner. Nick was great on defense, getting two on the mound and tossing over to Adam at first. The nifty spin move for the 2nd out was spectacular!

The Diamondbacks went down 1-2-3 to end the game.

Highlights

This game was a tough one for our kids. A slow, wet field made it easier for the very-talented A’s infield to suck up the balls on defense.

Nick, Adam, and Emma were wonderful on defense. A special shout-out goes to Kyle, who did a wonderful backup in right field, snagging a well-hit ball and throwing nicely into Emma for a great play!

Game 11: Diamondbacks vs Yankees

The Diamondbacks, looking for some offense, faced the Yankees for the first (and only time) this season. They brought their bats, but the kids in purple came up short, losing 11-6 in a well-played game.

First Inning

The Diamondbacks started with a bang, scoring three runs in the first. Sweet singles were stung by Nick, Brad, Adam, Emma, and Tyler.

On defense the gloves were working as they held the Yanks to no runs. Nick (at pitcher mound) hooked up with Adam (at first) for two nice outs. Emma grabbed one at 2nd and tossed to Adam for the final out.

Second Inning

Tanner got the only hit of the 2nd inning, poking a nice one toward the third base bag.

The Yankees scored once among three strikeouts. Tho he didn’t get an out, Seb did a nice job keeping the ball in front of him on a hard hit ball into left center.

Third Inning

Team Purple got three more runs with great hits from Nick, Brad, Adam, Seb, and Tyler. Emma smoked one to the second basemen, who unfortunately for Em, made a nice catch and then threw to first for a double play off one of her best hit balls of the season.

Emma decided to take matters into her own hands on defense, as she got two outs during the bottom of the third. She tagged second base for an unassisted out and caught a sky high pop for another. The Yank bats did warm up, as they scored 5 runs during the inning.

Fourth Inning

As the field got hot, the Diamondbacks cooled off and wouldn’t score again during the game. Dylan D and Tanner had the hits during the forth.

On defense, Emma had her first shot at pitching and did pretty well, despite 5 more Yankee runs. Tyler had an unassisted out at 2nd to highlight the defensive play.

Fifth Inning

Brad, Adam, and Seb singled during the fifth, but no runs came across.

Nick pitched a great fifth inning as he threw hard. Adam got an unassisted out at first and Nick grabbed another one off the mound and tossed to Adam for an out.

Sixth Inning

The D-backs attempted to rally, as Tyler, Dylan D, and Tanner all singled. Despite loading the bases, our three runners were stranded on base as the game ended.

Highlights

Emma played well with a single (and great play robbed her of a nice hit), sweet defensive plays, and good outing at pitcher today. Offensive highlights came from Tyler who had three hits and Kyle who had a nice one. Dylan D and Seb both did an impressive job at catcher. Almost, D-Backs. Now let’s get those A’s!

Game 10: Diamondbacks vs Red Sox

The Diamondback bats were as cold as ice as they faced a good Red Sox team for the second time. While no D-back got past second base, the Sox scored plenty, winning the game 12-0.

Inning One

During our first ups, Nick slapped a single into left, but he was stranded at first.

On defense, Nick caught a high-popper off the mound and Adam took an unassisted hopper at first.

Inning Two

Seb singled, but three D-Backs struck out in 2nd.

Among two runs and a strikeout, Nick (at pitcher) grabbed two slow rollers and threw easily to Adam (at first) for 2 outs.

Inning Three

Emma had the only single of the third inning.

The wheels came off on defense during the third, but Brad had a beautiful catch in left field that got the Purple Team fans cheering. Adam (now at short) took a bounder and threw nicely to Nick for another out.

Inning Four

Adam had a monster double, but was left there as the bats continued to struggle.

Emma at second scooped up a sweet one and tossed it to Nick for the out. Adam grabbed one at pitcher’s mound and threw to Nick for another. Adam pitched well, tho 4 runs came across for the Sox.

Inning Five

The D-Backs went down in order in the fifth.

Nick pitched this inning and held the Red Sox to two runs. Nick snared one off the mound and threw over to a waiting Tyler at third (great catch!). Tyler also snagged a liner at third to end the inning.

Inning Six

The Diamondbacks again went 1-2-3 to end the game.

Highlights

This game was a tough one for the team in purple. However, Nick hustled all over the field and had a good stint at pitcher. Brad’s catch in left and Tyler’s stab at third were great plays on defense. With the cold bats,  Adam’s booming double into center field was the offensive highlight of the day.

Game 9: Rangers vs Diamondbacks

On a hot holiday weekend afternoon, the Diamondbacks hosted the Rangers. The D-Backs played well, but ran out of luck during a tough fifth (and last) inning, eventually going down 12-6. This game featured our first “kid pitching” of the season.

First Inning

Purple Power hit the field first with our veterans providing some great defensive highlights. Nick snared a pop-up off the pitcher mound, Emma snagged a well-hit grounder at 2nd and threw to Adam for the out, and Adam grabbed a bounder for an unassisted out at first.

The team came up to bat and had six hits and 5 runs. Singles were slapped by Nick, Brad, Adam, Tyler, Seb, and Dylan D. Emma was robbed by poor play calling by this blogger, as she called out Emma at first even though the Ranger’s first baseman was off the bag (sorry!) — but  Em did get an RBI.

Second Inning

The Rangers had a tough at bat with two strikeouts. Second baseman Emma scooped up a weak one and tossed to Adam at first for a nice out.

Back at the plate, the D-Back bats were quiet, except for a nice single by Nick.

Third Inning

On defense, Nick was all over the field the ball with 2 unassisted plays at first. Dylan D snatched one at pitcher’s mound and threw a beauty to Nick for another out.

Team Purple scored another run during the bottom of the third. Adam started it off with a booming double and was followed by a Tyler single. Seb’s fielder’s choice brought Adam in.

Fourth Inning

The Diamondback defense remained tough, keeping the Rangers scoreless in the fourth. Emma at second sucked up a bouncer and threw an easy one to Adam at first between 2 more strikeouts.

The D-Backs managed a sweet hit by Dylan V, but they didn’t score in the bottom of the inning.

Fifth Inning

Nick hit the mound to pitch, but the Purple seemed to lose their power during the top of the 5th. The Rangers would score 8 runs (and go around their batting order) and the D-Backs failed to get a single out.

Possibly frustrated by the long top of the inning, the D-backs couldn’t muster a hit during their final at bat.

Game Summary

The Diamondbacks played well during the game and had a good chance to win it until the end. Kudos goes to our catcher (4 innings behind the plate during a hot day). Congrats to Nick who started our pitching strongly and to Adam for his super-duper double.

Game 8: Orioles vs Diamondbacks

For the first time in a while, the Diamondback fans had nothing to shiver about. On beautiful, warm Saturday, the D-Backs came to play and bested the Orioles 10-5.

Inning One

The home team Diamondbacks took the field first. The Orioles loaded the bases, but Nick snatched a popup at pitcher’s mound and threw to Tyler at third for a double play.

On offense, Team Purple mustered three hits and got one run. Nick smacked a ball into left for a double, Brad hit once nicely into center, and Adam’s single got the RBI.

Inning Two

Two Orioles’ batters struck out and Nick snared a slapper back to the mound for a sweet out.

Emma slapped a hard shot to the third baseman (who made a nice catch for the out) and the rest of the Diamondbacks went down swinging during the bottom of the inning.

Inning Three

Back on defense, it was Adam who caught a sky high ball at shortstop for a great play.

During the bottom of the third, the D-Backs caught fire and scored four runs. Singles were hit by Devon (a real nice poke), Nick, Brad, Tyler, Seb, and Emma.

Inning Four

The Orioles came back to score 2 runs of their own,  despite two strikeouts and a nice put out at catcher.

The D-Backs scored another run off three hits from Tanner, Nick, and Brad.

Inning Five

Tyler caught a screamer at third and almost got the double play with a nice throw to Nick. Adam got a sweet scoop and made an unassisted out at third.

The offense came out swinging again as the Diamondbacks scored 4 more, almost making it around the lineup. Solid singles were hit by Tyler, Seb, Emma, Brad, and Devon.

Inning Six

During the top of the 6th, the Orioles scored 3 times, attempting a comeback. Seb caught a nice pop-up off the mound to end the day’s highlights.

Shout Outs

The team played well today, running the bases well – nice job running hard (and through first) and not straying off the bags while on other bases. Brad and Nick (Mr. Hustle) continue to hit well, but Devon gets the special nod with his two sweet hits today. Also, loved the catches by Tyler and Seb – great job!

Game 7: Diamondbacks vs White Sox

The Diamondbacks headed to McGee Middle School to play the young White Sox on another chilly Monday evening. This fun game was full of highlights and the D-Backs won it 11-8.

1st Inning

Off the bat, Team Purple  got a run in the first inning with powerful hits from Nick and Brad, while Adam got the RBI on a fielder’s choice.

The defense was exciting early! Nick had two great plays at pitcher. First, Nick stabbed a grounder off the mound and made a solid throw to Adam (at first). Emma (playing second) scooped up a solidly hit ball and threw to Adam getting another batter out easily. Then Nick ended the inning by chasing down a pop up and hanging on as he rolled toward third (great concentration!).

2nd Inning

The D-Backs didn’t score in the 2nd, but Dylan D continued his streak with a sweet stroke into left center.

Taking control of the defense, Emma (still at 2nd) and Adam (at 1st) combined for 2 nice plays. Adam ended the inning with an unassisted tag at first.

3rd Inning

Five straight hits lead to three runs in the 3rd. Nick swatted a beautiful ball into left center and was followed by singles from the bats of Brad, Adam, Tyler, and Dylan D.

The White Sox got 3 runs of their of own among 3 strikeouts during the bottom of the inning.

4th Inning

Two more runs crossed the plate with hits from Devon, Brad, and Adam.

Nick took charge on defense for two solo outs at first, catching a soft liner and beating a runner with an unassisted play. Seb also snagged a hit to third and easily beat the runner to the base.

5th Inning

The kids in purple got another run in the top of the inning with hits from Ryan, Dylan D, and Seb.

The bottom of the fifth was one for the record books – we got a rare triple play! With the bases load, Emma caught a hard shot to second base, then she flipped it to Nick at first for the 2nd out, and Nick threw back to Emma on 2nd who tagged the errant runner for the final out. It was a thing of beauty – very impressive!

6th Inning

The Diamondbacks continued their great play by scoring 4 more runs during the top of the 6th. Super smacks were hit by Nick, Brad,  Adam, Tyler, Ryan, and Emma.

Team Highlights

Adam, Brad, and Dylan D each had three hits apiece.

Nick was a monster on both offense (2 hits) and defense as he caught a pop-up and a liner and had a big part in the triple play.

Brad gets a big game ball! Not only did he smack three singles, he played his heart out in the field. Though he didn’t get any outs while at pitcher mound, he made a picture perfect throw to Emma (at 2nd) while playing left field.

Game 6: Diamondbacks vs Red Sox

The Diamondbacks hit the field on another raw Monday evening. Despite a valiant fifth inning rally, we were bested 15-12 by the talented Red Sox.

1st Inning

As the “away” team, the D-Backs started the game on offense. Nick, Brad, Adam, and Tyler all singled, bringing in three quick runs. On defense, the team struggled to handle the Red Sox smashes. Emma (at 2nd) and Nick (at 1st) made two nice unassisted plays.

2nd Inning

Back at the plate, Team Purple went down 1-2-3. During the bottom of the third, Adam at short grabbed one and threw over to Nick at first.

3rd Inning

Devon, Nick, and and Adam all singled, but the runs wouldn’t come during the third. On “D,” the highlight came from Tyler who snared a high-pop at short (very impressive)!

4th Inning

To start it off, Tyler singled — he certainly was exciting on the base path as he slid into 2nd, 3rd, and home! Other hits came off the bats of Dylan D, Dylan V, Tanner, and Kyle as we scored 2 more runs.

During the bottom of the inning, Adam grabbed a roller and tagged first base ahead of the runner.     

5th Inning

Although the score was somewhat lopsided and the night was getting cold, the Diamondbacks decided it was time to get hot. Purple Power scored 7 runs in the inning. They not only batted around the lineup, they had 7 straight hits! Great determination from Nick, Brad, Adam, Ryan, Tyler (nice one into left), Emma, and Dylan D.  

In Sum

This blogger’s “Player of the Game” Award goes to scrappy Tyler Ralph, who played with grit on both sides of the ball. A big mention also goes to Kyle Bisson – no hits got by him! Great job, guys!

Let’s keep the bats going for Friday’s game against the White Sox.