PARK OF THE BREWER– After a rocky 2-4 start to our season, the SweatSox took to the field with something to prove against the Barons, and by the end of the night, we had proven it in convincing fashion, sealing an 11-1 victory powered by a game-defining 5th inning.
The SweatSox’s offense took time to ignite, but when it did, it was an inferno. The game’s turning point arrived in the 5th inning, as they exploded for nine runs, transforming a manageable game into a one-sided rout. The inning’s highlight came on a 2-run single from Cory Bond, which stretched the SweatSox’s lead and snuffed out any chance of a Baron comeback. Mark Bond, making his first start since July 2021, was nearly untouchable on the mound, tossing a 5-inning complete game. He surrendered just two hits, struck out four, and allowed no walks or earned runs, facing a mere 18 batters.
Offensively, Eric White and Kent Johnston set the tone for the SweatSox in the 3rd, with each stealing third base and scoring on errant throws by the catcher that gave us a lead we’d never give up. Andrew Hierlihy also earned himself an honorable mention, hustling to beat out a fielder’s choice in the 2nd inning—though his speed couldn’t save him from getting caught by a speed camera on Bronson Avenue after the game.
Defensively, the left side of the infield was rock-solid. Third baseman Larry Pawelek and shortstop Eric White combined for six assists and three putouts. Though Pawelek may have looked like he was running on luck on a few grounders, he assured me (Shaun Keay) afterward that it was all part of his plan to rack up style points.
Notably absent from the SweatSox sideline was Josh Ramage, the “Hero of Hydration,” who ended his 82-game Ironman streak to attend a Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. concert at the Palladium. Unrelated, the overall attitude in the SweatSox clubhouse was extra positive in this game. We don’t quite know why.
Eric White, who hasn’t missed a game since July 21, 2019 when he was forced to serve an automatic 1-game suspension by getting ejected in the final 2 innings, is our new Ironman at 71 straight games played. White still has a ways to go to reach Cory Bond’s franchise record of 181 straight games (or 211 if we’re including playoffs).
The SweatSox will be hoping Ramage’s absence doesn’t become a trend as they prepare to take on the Lumberjacks this Thursday at the Sportsplex.
NOTE: Since Ramage wasn’t there to bring his average up to .400, be the winning pitcher, and earn Player of the Week Honours, there was no post game SweatSox tweet. The Barons had one though.
Finally, when it’s all said & done, we may look back at this victory as perhaps our best all-around game this year, Lest We Forget we once gave up 17 runs in the first inning of our last game in Tier 1, not so long ago.
Final SweatSox vs Barons Notes/Thoughts:
- Kent finally got his pine tar, but had to pay a steep, steep price for it
- If not for a 7-hour round of golf at GreyHawk, we might’ve seen a different Primeau on the bump
- You can’t just de-pant
- Lane Assist mode should really be called Apres Baseball Hyjinx Mode
- Trevor will party with a snake, raccoon, or bear, but he draws the line at a family of skunks
- The next SweatTrip might be going to see midget wrestling in Massena
- Geoff Nolan is not in his 50’s, he’s just mature
- “Long live Ski Bunnies & Soccer Moms” -AH
- Steve Brown is our “break in case of emergency” catcher
- If there’s a pallet of discounted golf balls you need to get rid of, Kent Johnston is your man
- Joints are okay at Snoop or the Stones, cigarettes not so much
- The Missouri Tourism Motto: We Got Trees
- Did I really have to listen to Andrew, Cory, and Cop list off every single baseball player they’ve ever played with?
- Josh’s Chuck-Streak is still intact after a surprise appearance just before last call
NEXT UP: for the SweatSox is a home & home series against the Lumberjacks, beginning tomorrow night at the Sportsplex, followed by a Sunday night clash at Trillium. Weather permitting.
#WONTHEHYJINX