Game 5 - CN LL vs Yuma

Game 5 was shaping up to be a big one. Both teams, Chandler and Yuma, were making there way through pool play with winning records and now meet face to face. This six inning gem had it all. Chandler lost the coin toss and played again as the visitor. The 8 am start time came early but this game was filled with energy on both sides.

Crash rocked a 1-1 pitch in the first to lead off with a single. Turbo struck out, then Huck singled to left. Chandler had runners on the corners with one out. Thunder then struck out for out no. 2, bringing J Dub to the plate. J Dub lined the first pitch down the first base line, but it was foul. Chandler tried to get something going with a fake steal to second trying to score Crash from third. Instead, Huck was tagged out at second to end the inning. Yuma also started quickly in the bottom of the first with a lead off double. Chandler had S.I. going for them on the mound. Chandler's defense hung tough getting a 5-3 ground out, a strikeout, and ending the inning with a pop up to short. End of 1, score 0-0.

J Dub back at the plate in the second after runner caught stealing in the first tried to bunt his way on, but was thrown out. Spaz also grounded out to the pitcher and Brando followed with a strikeout. Yuma's pitcher was throwing hard. In the bottom of the second, Yuma led off with a single, but S.I.'s curveball got the next batters to both ground out 1-3. Yuma had a runner on third and the no. 8 batter up with a 3-2 count, when S.I.'s pitch sailed about 10 feet over Brando's head at catcher. It was a sign of just how hot and humid it was even with the early start time. The batter got the walk, but the runner was held at third. S.I. regrouped to get the next batter to fly out to Crash at short ending the inning with 2 runners left on base and the score still 0-0.

Chandler got things going in the third when S.I. helped himself out with single to left that went through the left fielder's legs, landing him on second. After a strikeout, Crash hit an RBI single deep to right, scoring Special K (SPR for S.I.). Crash stole second, but was stranded after another strikeout and a fly ball out to left. Yuma had their top of the lineup up in the 3rd and the 1-0 Chandler lead didn't last long. S.I. struck out the no. 1 batter, but the no. 2 hit a grounder to Crash deep at short. The throw was on target to Huck at first but late. One aboard for Yuma. The next two batter's singled up the middle scoring two. The 3rd ended with Yuma on top 2-1.

Both pitcher's dominated in the fourth and fifth innings combining for 8 strikeouts and no scoring threats. Chandler did end Yuma's fourth with an awesome play at 3rd, when Thunder fielded a sharply hit ball and threw the runner out at first. After 5, still 2-1.

Yuma changed pitcher's to start the sixth and Chandler took advantage with each batter putting the ball in play. Turbo and Huck had fly outs to the outfield. Then with 2 outs and 1-1 count, Thunder created a little storm of his own with a solo HR to tie the game. J Dub grounded out 4-3 to end the opportunity. Chandler went to the bottom of the sixth with their pitcher S.I. still on the mound. Chandler had to face batters 6-7-8 to try and push the game into extra innings. S.I. hit the first batter. The next batter flew to left, but Chandler was unable to make the play. Chandler caught a break when the runner on first stayed on the fly ball. Chandler was able to throw to second to get the force out, giving Chandler a chance with one out and a runner on first. Things got tougher after the next batter doubled to right putting runners at second and third with one out. Yuma cashed in on a RBI single to break the 2-2 tie and win the game 3-2.

After their second straight loss, Chandler is now 3-2 in pool play and waits till Monday to wrap it up against Sunnyside-Tucson.