KINSMEN — Sunday, July 27 — The SweatSox entered Sunday’s matchup carrying a 10-7 record, but left Kinsmen battered after a 17-10 defeat at the hands of the Rockets in a game where the visitors seemed to have an answer for everything.
The Rockets piled up 19 hits and scored multiple runs in six of the seven innings, relentlessly pressuring a SweatSox pitching staff that never found its footing. Even more frustrating for the home side, 17 of those 19 hits came against the club’s (only) top two arms.
“Look, we’ll take the silver linings where we can get them,” said SweatSox manager Cory Bond. “At least it wasn’t a mercy.”
Josh Ramage was tagged with the loss after battling through five innings. Ramage struck out six but surrendered 10 runs as the Rockets repeatedly strung together hits and capitalized on defensive miscues. Eric White followed with an inning of relief, allowing four more runs, before Bond and Geoff Nolan combined to finish the seventh, giving up three additional tallies.
Offensively, the SweatSox showed life throughout the afternoon but were never able to fully erase the deficit.
Mike Pignat earned Offensive Player of the Game honours after going 3-for-4 with two singles, a double, and four RBI. Pignat was one of the few hitters to consistently solve Rockets starter Mike Bayley.
“After 20 years, I think I’ve finally figured Bayley out,” Pignat joked afterward. “Unless he’s just setting me up for something even worse down the line.”
Eric White added another spark at the top of the lineup, swiping five bases and scoring four runs in a dynamic performance that kept pressure on the Rockets whenever the SweatSox reached base.
Not every defensive moment was as sharp, however.
In a dubious distinction, I, Shaun Keay was named the game’s “Most Offensive Defensive Player” after a three-error afternoon at first base.
“A performance like this might be a sign it’s time to retire after the season,” I (Keay) said. “Or at least switch to EH permanently.”
For the Rockets, veteran right-hander Mike Bayley once again proved to be a thorn in the SweatSox side. Making what felt like his 14th consecutive start against us, Bayley tossed a complete-game nine-hitter, allowing four earned runs while striking out one.
He also wasted no time setting the tone, drilling Eric White with the first pitch of the game before cruising through seven innings.
“I had to establish the inside part of the plate early,” Bayley said with a grin. “Eric White’s too dangerous if he gets comfortable, so I figured I’d welcome him to the game the old-fashioned way. After that, everybody knew whose afternoon it was going to be.”
SweatSox slugger Geoff Nolan could only shake his head at Bayley’s latest masterpiece.
“I’ve faced some real studs in Tier 1 — Geoff Magnus, Marc Charbonneau, Josh Soffer,” Nolan said. “But I’ve never seen anything quite like Mike Bayley before. Legend.”
Despite the loss, the SweatSox still managed to reach double digits offensively, a small consolation in an otherwise lopsided contest.
They’ll look to regroup quickly when they return to action Thursday against the Gladiators at the Sportsplex, with first pitch scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Final SweatSox vs Rockets Notes/Thoughts:
- Only Craig fell for the Rockets pregame bullpen shenanigans.
- Even after a loss, the SweatSox have officially clinched a spot in the postseason.
