Dirty Buc Ho's: Game 3 Summary

Dirty Buc Ho's: 9
Blitzkrieg: 7
(8 innings)

Date: Sunday, 06/08/08, Start Time: 9:30A, Park: Field of Dreams

The Dirty Buc Ho’s (3-0)—the Sunday Dirty Pirate Hookers—arrived early at Field of Dreams for a 9:30AM showdown with arch-rival Blitzkrieg (3-1) on 06/08. Blitzkrieg handed the Ho’s their only loss when they won 2007 Sunday Championship. The atmosphere surrounding the Championship rematch was as heated as the 90+ degree weather and eventually devolving to an exchange of one line barbs between Blitzkrieg pitcher Bill A and DBH pitcher John C. Further adding to the tension was former DBH’er Todd S patrolling the Blitzkrieg outfield.

The Bucs offense sputtered the first time through the lineup going 2-12 with singles by Mark M and Brett B as the sole contribution. Blitzkrieg starter Bill A mastered the Ho’s through the first four innings of the game while holding the Bucs to 3 hits on 38 pitches and not allowing a runner into scoring position. Blitzkrieg took advantage of the Buc’s offensive malaise and scratched out 6 runs in their first four offensive innings.

Bucs’ starter Deryl B. allowed a leadoff single to Mike W, who deftly took second on a pop out by Heather. Bud B drove him in with a triple to the left center wall and scored on an errant relay throw by Mark M. Deryl held Blitzkrieg scoreless for his second and final inning of work before being replaced by John C who retired three of the first four batters he faced while surrendering only a solo “just enough” home run to Blitzkrieg’s fearsome Bud B. “I wanted the pitch outside but it caught too much of the plate” John C said.

John C continued to pitch through the 4th where he ran into some trouble. After a quick Bill A flyout, he walked Brandi G “on 5 strikes…” He then nduced a ground ball from Rob that went through the infield as an E-4. John C walked the diminutive Stacie S on four straight pitches before grounding the speedy Todd S into a 4-6 fielder’s choice. The error and walks proved costly as Dale W took advantage of the fourth out by lining a two RBI double to left.

The Bucs mounted a brief threat in the 5th when Kim F reached base on a misplayed grounder down the third base line and a Steve F single to center. The Ho’s were unable to score, however, as Bill A settled down and retired the next three batters. Down 6-0 with a paucity of outs for the Buc’s offense, John C sent in his third pitcher of the game, Mark E, for the bottom of the 5th. Mark E responded by quickly working a 10 pitch scoreless 5th. “That was huge…” John C said. “Blitzkrieg has been steamrolling opponents on offense all season. To put up a zero in that spot was critical if we were going to have a chance to get back in this game…”

The Ho’s finally broke through in the top of the 6th, when they batted around the order and scored 7 runs. John C started the offensive surge when he legged out an infield single. Christina C followed with another single before Ben launched a RBI single to left. Mark E lofted a fly ball to right that was misplayed and allowed Christina C to score. Ben Ho and Mark M were plated on consecutive RBI singles by Matt T and Erika S. “That’s the way the team is constructed” John said. “We get on base and turn the wheel…”

The Ho’s continued to plunder after Mark M reached on a fielder’s choice and Kim F popped out. Steve F, Lauren C, and Brett B lined consecutive two out singles—the final two scoring Matt T and Steve F. Bill A ended the offensive deluge when he induced a line-out to short by Jo Ho. The damage was done, though, with the score now 7-6 and the Buc’s on top.

Back in the game and craving a win, John C sent his ace closer Ben Ho to the mound. Ben Ho worked a quick 1-2-3 bottom of the 6th maintaining the Ho’s scant 1 run lead. Deryl B started the Buc’s half of the 7th with a single, but was stranded as Bill A worked through the bottom quarter of the order.

With the pressure mounting, Ben Ho strode out to the mound in the bottom of the inning looking to end the game. Blitzkrieg would have no part of this plan and refused to give up with Todd S working a rare walk and Dale W lining a single up the middle. With runners on the corners and no outs, and the top of the order at the plate, Blitzkrieg sensed victory. Bob popped up to Matt T in left. With no lane to throw home, Matt T thought quickly and threw to 2B catching Dale W in a pickle. Eventually, Dale W made it back to first, but Todd S scored tying the game 7-7.

Ben Ho popped Heather to short bringing Bud B to the plate already sporting a triple and HR. John C and Ben Ho had a conference at the mound with the winning run in Dale W looming at 1B. “I was telling Ben Ho where not to pitch Bud…he can hit it out to all fields but we were trying to limit damage…” With Ben Ho’s next pitch, Bud B pounded the ball into the ground for a 6-4 fielder’s choice. “Matt’s play was huge…” said John C “…he left the force in tact…”

As fate would have it, Matt T led off the top of the 8th and continued with another big play—a groundball double to left. Erika S ripped a line drive single at Bill A and Matt T moved to 3B. Mark M scored Matt T on a groundball through SS that also allowed Erika to go to third. After an infield fly by Kim, Steve F lofted an RBI single over Pam at second to score Erika for the final run of the game. Up 9-7 and with the Buc’s largest lead of the game, Ben Ho took the hill one more time and closed out the game by working a 6 pitch 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th and handing the Ho’s an exhilarating victory.

John C. had nothing but praise for his team in the post-game press conference: “I’m very proud of the effort we showed and the way we hung in there today. Blitzkrieg played a hell of a game…but we were able to pull it out. Deryl B, Mark E, Ben Ho all did a great job. Matt T was huge. Their play kept us in the game until we could score enough runs…”

When asked about his performance, Ben Ho added “I know my role on this team…I’m the closer…my stuff is very different from the other pitchers…” John C continued: “I’m proud of the Ho’s…we hung in there, played smart, held on, and gave our offense a chance to score…” When asked if this made up for losing the championship last summer, John C said “That’s theirs…nothing’s taking that away…but this is why everybody plays…you can’t wait to face your friends and do well…”

The Dirty Buc Ho’s look to make it four in a row when they face the ARC Barsinasters next week at Field of Dreams. —MF with JC contributing

Boxscore	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
DBH	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	2	9	6	2
Blitzkrieg	2	0	1	3	0	0	1	0	7	20	2

Player	Slot	Pos	PA	AB	H	W	IBB	HBP	ROE	K	SF	S	EB	CA	GIDP	RIDP	1B	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	ROB	Avg	OBP	Slg
Matt T	1	LF	4	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	2	1	2	0.750	0.750	1.000
Erika S	2	3B/2B	4	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	1	4	0.500	0.500	0.500
Mark M	3	SS	4	4	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	6	0.250	0.250	0.250
Kim F	4	SF	4	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0.000	0.000	0.000
Steve F	5	RF	4	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	1	1	4	0.750	0.750	0.750
Lauren C	6	EH	4	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	0.250	0.250	0.250
Brett B	7	CF	3	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	4	0.667	0.667	0.667
Jo Ho	8	C	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0.000	0.000	0.000
Deryl B	9	P/3B	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.500	0.500	0.500
John C	9	P	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	1.000	1.000	1.000
Christina C	10	2B/1B	3	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0.333	0.333	0.333
Mike F	11	1B	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.000	0.000	0.000
Ben Ho	11	1B/2B/P	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	3	0.500	0.500	0.500
Mark E	12	EH/P/EH	3	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0.000	0.000	0.000
Totals:			42	42	16	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	15	1	0	0	9	6		0.381	0.381	0.405

Blitzkrieg
Pitchers	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	HBP	ERA
Bill, L	8	9	6	16	0	0	0	5.25
DBH
Pitchers	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	HBP	ERA
Deryl B	2	2	1	3	1	0	0	3.50
John C	2	4	1	2	0	2	0	3.50
Mark E	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0.00
Ben Ho, W	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	2.33
Totals	8	7	3	7	1	2	0	2.63

Dirty Pirate Hookers: Game 6 Summary

Dirty Pirate Hookers: 20
Xerox: 4

Date: 06/13/08, Start Time: 6:00P, Park: Legion

Friday the 13th meant good fortune for the Dirty Pirates as they rolled to another easy victory. The Pirates poured on the offense--scoring in 4 of 5 innings of the mercy rule shortened game. Deryl B, in his second pitching start of the season, and Ben Ho befuddled the Xerox offense and combined for a 4 run, 8 hit game. "That was a great start by Deryl B..." said Ben Ho, while adding a shot at manager John C "I'm happy to be used according to the team plan..." Deryl continued with praise for Ben Ho and a shot at the seemingly besieged manager: "He (Ben Ho) pitched great, that's the way we're built...I was happy to finally get another start...I like playing 3B, but I'm a pitcher..."

The Pirates opened the game with 3 runs in the top of the 1st. A single by the debonair Erika S and a walk by the sizzling Steve F put two on for John C who laced a 2 run double to the center-right gap and may finally be regaining his stroke after a series of early season injuries. "I'm not there yet..." said John C "Still a way to go...but I feel better..." Tracy Z--DL'd for the bulk of the season--lined a single behind short to score John C for the Hookers 3rd run of the inning. "I'm happy to be back and playing...I'm feeling better...I still have to be careful..." said Tracy Z.

Xerox responded with 1 run in their half of the inning courtesy of a Zack S HR to the left-center gap. A single and double by Hannah P and Bryan S would go for naught, stranded, when Deryl B worked a 7-5 fielder's choice to Candice.

The Hookers turned the wheel some more in the 2nd when Jo Ho and Mike F led off with a pair of singles. An E-6 loaded the bases for Ben Ho who jumped on the second pitch and launched a deep grand slam, home run to right. "I'm working out of my slump..." said Ben Ho "...I'm more comfortable with the way I'm being used..." Matt T laced a line drive single to left taking an extra base on a misplay by the LF. Erika S plated Matt T with an RBI single and Steve F followed with another base hit. After Erika S was eliminated by a fielder's choice, John C blooped a single into no-man's triangle scoring Steve F for the Pirates 6th and final run of the inning.

Working into a groove on the mound, Deryl B stymied the Xerox offense in the bottom of the 2nd surrendering only an infield single to Louis N. "It was hit too softly and he's too fast..." said Deryl "...there's no way Erika could come up with that play..."

The Hookers added 3 more runs in the 3rd on consecutive two out singles from searing Mike F and Christina C, an RBI single by Ben Ho and a laced 2 run single by Matt T--who grabbed two more extra bases when the ball was misplayed by the RF. Xerox would respond with their 2nd run of the game on a double by Zack S and a RBI single by Jason H.

The Pirates continued to pour on the offense in the 4th plating 8 more runs. After Erika S reached on an E-4, Steve F lined a single to RC bringing John C up with 2 runners on. A controversial bloop single to short center scored 2 more runs and was followed by a string of 7 consecutive two out hits. Deryl B lined a single to left to score John C and was followed by a Jo Ho single. Another Mike F RBI single and an astonishing 2 RBI triple by Christina C kept the inning alive for Ben Ho and Matt T who respectively responded with an RBI single and an RBI double. A Tony D RBI single capped the Hookers offense for the game at 20.

Upon completing 3 very effective innings of work, Deryl B was removed for Ben Ho "I was pitching well..." said Deryl B "...but...that's Ben's job..." His hesitation suggesting he should have pitched more. At any rate, after giving up a home run to the LC gap to the speedy Louis N, Ben Ho settled in and worked 3 quick outs to end the 4th.

Consecutive singles by Lisa K and John C to lead off the 5th went to waste as Xerox finally managed to keep the Pirates from scoring. After surrendering another solo HR--this time to Zack S in the RC gap--Ben Ho worked another quick 3 outs to end the game. "I'm happy to finally get it together at the plate and on the mound...you can expect more of the same..." said Ben Ho.

"It's starting to come together..." said John C; "Our offense is starting to produce. Our big hitters--men and women--are getting on base...hitting the gaps...this is good."

But based on recent comments by Ben Ho and Deryl B, all may not be well. When informed of their recent comments, John C said "Apparently for some...even in winning, there is no solace. Look, I have an open door policy...if people have problems they should come to me...not vent to the media. I do what I feel is necessary to put the best team on the field each game. Again, I'll say this...if they perform like they did today...they can talk away..." When asked if his job was in jeopardy, John C responded "Where do you guys get this "non printable adjective" stuff?!!! We just played a good game here...let's talk about that!"

With their recent good play, the Hookers pulled their record even and look to go a game over .500 with a win over JLA on Tuesday, June 17, 6:00P at Bishop Maginn.

Pirate Hooker Sighting:
The Pirates have gone 2-0 since Christina C donned her special occasion Pirate garb. When asked how she felt about wearing the outfit, Christina responded "Pretty silly...I mean I'm all alone out there...but as long as it's good for the team..." Indeed it was. The Hookers have played noticeably better since Christina wore the Pirate outfit and her bat has heated up as well. John C added "It was real good for the team...we needed to lighten up a bit...I can't thank Christina enough for doing that for the team...she's the ultimate Hooker..." When asked if this was the DPH version of the Golden Thong, John C quipped "I doubt it...there's a bunch of guys here that nobody needs to see in fishnet stockings...what they do on their own time, however, is their business..."

Correction:
The last game summary stated Ben Ho earned his second save of the season. This was erroneous as it was actually his first save of the season.

Boxscore	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
DPH	3	6	3	8	0	x	x	20	25	3
Xerox	1	0	1	1	1	x	x	4	8	5

Player	Slot	Pos	PA	AB	H	W	IBB	HBP	ROE	K	SF	S	EB	CA	GIDP	RIDP	1B	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	ROB	Avg	OBP	Slg
Tony D	1	SS	4	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0.250	0.250	0.250
Erika S	2	3B	4	4	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	1	1	0.500	0.500	0.500
Steve F	3	CF	4	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	0	4	0.667	0.750	0.667
Lisa K	4	C/EH	4	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	6	0.250	0.250	0.250
John C	5	RF/SF	4	4	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	2	5	7	1.000	1.000	1.250
Tracy Z	6	2B	4	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	5	0.250	0.250	0.250
Deryl B	7	P	3	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	2	0.333	0.333	0.333
Joe F	7	RF	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2.000	0.000	0.000
Jo Ho	8	EH/C	4	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	0.500	0.500	0.500
Mike F	9	EH	3	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	3	1	3	1.000	1.000	1.000
Christina C	10	1B	3	3	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	3	2	5	0.667	0.667	1.333
Ben Ho	11	SF/P	3	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	3	6	6	1.000	1.000	2.000
Matt T	12	LF	3	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	2	3	3	1.000	1.000	1.333
Totals:			45	43	26	1	0	0	3	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	21	2	1	1	20	21	47	0.605	0.600	0.744

DPH
Pitchers	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	HBP	ERA
Deryl B, St	3	2	2	6	2	0	0	4.67
Ben Ho, W	2	2	2	2	0	0	0	7.00
Gm Totals	5	4	4	8	2	0	0	5.60
Xerox
Pitchers	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	HBP	ERA
Ybecka B	5	20	11	25	0	1	0	15.40

Game called after bottom of 5th by virtue of mercy rule.