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batted balls · 08-26-2006, 07:58 PM

August 19, 2007

Bristol, Conn.--After two straight losses to Ivy, Miami manager Ron Fraser figured the baseball gods couldn't keep turning their noses on his team. That's what he told his team anyway.

"Before we took the field today, he told us we'd win," said Hurricane closer Danny Graves. "We believed him."

That's why Graves decided to challenge Ivy cleanup hitter Lou Gehrig with two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth. With Gehrig representing the winning run, Graves got the All-Star first baseman to end the game with a ground out.

"Never mind Lou had hit two homers already in the game," said Graves afterward. "He hit the ball hard, but I kept it down in the zone and he beat it into the ground right to second base."

The 5-3 victory allowed Miami to salvage the final contest of a three-game series. The win also got the Hurricanes back within two games of front-running Ivy.

"It would have been great to win today," said Ivy manager Bob Seddon. "Give Miami credit. They're not about to concede anything."

Miami did concede games one and two of the series. Ivy took the opener 5-2 behind the strong pitching of starter Ted Olson (13-7). Bill Almon was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Mike Piazza provided the Hurricane offense by hitting two home runs, giving him 21 on the season.

The Eagles also took game two, this time with a come-from-behind victory. Trailing 2-0, Ivy tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth. An inning later, Almon singled in what proved to be the game winner off reliever Jay Tessmer (6-3). With regular closer Dave Sisler unavailable with a sore shoulder, Chris Young pitched the final 1.2 innings to preserve the Ivy win.

"Chris really came through for us," said Seddon.

Miami avoided the series sweep with its Thursday win. Right-hander Wade Taylor (8-3) kept Ivy at bay for seven innings. Taylor scattered nine hits, including the two Gehrig home runs (giving him an East-leading 25). After Jorge Fabergas hit a two-run pinch-hit homer to add insurance to the Hurricane lead, relievers Kurt Knudsen and Graves closed the game out.

"Wade Taylor pitched a courageous game for us today," said Fraser. "He didn't have his best stuff, but he battled all day."

After retiring the first two hitters he faced in the ninth, Graves gave up consecutive walks to bring Gehrig to the plate.

"I thought back to Ron's words before the game," said Graves (shown below). "It gave me confidence . . . I'm also glad Gehrig didn't elevate the ball though."

Ivy (79-45) next opens a three-game home series with Michigan. Miami (77-47) returns home to play a three-game series against Minnesota.

08-26-2006, 07:58 PM	#239 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Miami Salvages Series Finale; Ivy Holds Two-Game Lead in East August 19, 2007 Bristol, Conn.--After two straight losses to Ivy, Miami manager Ron Fraser figured the baseball gods couldn't keep turning their noses on his team. That's what he told his team anyway. "Before we took the field today, he told us we'd win," said Hurricane closer Danny Graves. "We believed him." That's why Graves decided to challenge Ivy cleanup hitter Lou Gehrig with two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth. With Gehrig representing the winning run, Graves got the All-Star first baseman to end the game with a ground out. "Never mind Lou had hit two homers already in the game," said Graves afterward. "He hit the ball hard, but I kept it down in the zone and he beat it into the ground right to second base." The 5-3 victory allowed Miami to salvage the final contest of a three-game series. The win also got the Hurricanes back within two games of front-running Ivy. "It would have been great to win today," said Ivy manager Bob Seddon. "Give Miami credit. They're not about to concede anything." Miami did concede games one and two of the series. Ivy took the opener 5-2 behind the strong pitching of starter Ted Olson (13-7). Bill Almon was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Mike Piazza provided the Hurricane offense by hitting two home runs, giving him 21 on the season. The Eagles also took game two, this time with a come-from-behind victory. Trailing 2-0, Ivy tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth. An inning later, Almon singled in what proved to be the game winner off reliever Jay Tessmer (6-3). With regular closer Dave Sisler unavailable with a sore shoulder, Chris Young pitched the final 1.2 innings to preserve the Ivy win. "Chris really came through for us," said Seddon. Miami avoided the series sweep with its Thursday win. Right-hander Wade Taylor (8-3) kept Ivy at bay for seven innings. Taylor scattered nine hits, including the two Gehrig home runs (giving him an East-leading 25). After Jorge Fabergas hit a two-run pinch-hit homer to add insurance to the Hurricane lead, relievers Kurt Knudsen and Graves closed the game out. "Wade Taylor pitched a courageous game for us today," said Fraser. "He didn't have his best stuff, but he battled all day." After retiring the first two hitters he faced in the ninth, Graves gave up consecutive walks to bring Gehrig to the plate. "I thought back to Ron's words before the game," said Graves (shown below). "It gave me confidence . . . I'm also glad Gehrig didn't elevate the ball though." Ivy (79-45) next opens a three-game home series with Michigan. Miami (77-47) returns home to play a three-game series against Minnesota. Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 08-26-2006 at 08:08 PM.