The Chicago Hounds lost a close one today, dropping the game 5-4 to the Aviators on a beautiful day at Winnemac Park. The Hounds gave up 5 runs in the first 3 innings, all 5 were via the walk (4 were walked in with the bases loaded in the 2nd, the fifth run walked to start the next inning). Mike Marra (#15, P) relieved Matt Burch (#6, P/1B) in the tough second inning, and Marra pitched a fine 4.1 innings the rest of the way.
The Hounds came crawling back after being down 5-0, scoring 2 in the 5th and 2 in the 6th, but just did not score enough to win. The Hounds have lost 8 games this year, and in each and every loss they scored 5 or fewer runs. So the Hounds look to get at least 6 tomorrow to beat the Aviators for the first time this season.
The Hounds threatened in the first when Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) walked and stole second, but 3 Hounds failed to hit him in. The Hounds threatened again in the 3rd. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) walked and Bielinski singled. Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF) reached on a fielder’s choice, and then Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) loaded the bases with a walk. But the Hounds failed to score again. The Hounds finally touched home plate in the 5th, scoring 2 runs after the first 2 batters were retired to start the frame. With 2 outs Steffens singled, Bielinski singled, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Riggenbach then doubled, driving in 2 runs.
The Hounds scored 2 more in the 6th–TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) doubled, and Kurt Kerrigan (#12, 2B) placed a flypop in no man’s land between first, second, and right field. Max Kiefer (#21, LF) then singled, driving in 2 runs.
But that was all the Hounds could muster, and they went 1-2-3 in the 7th inning to lose 5-4.
The Hounds defense was solid today, Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 1B) threw a guy out at the plate from his knees, the Hounds turned a lineout double play from Schoenbach to Correa Jr. in the first, and the Hounds recorded no errors. But too many walks for the Aviators, and just not enough scoring for the Hounds.
We play the Aviators again tomorrow at Winnemac at 9:30 am. The fans deserve a win and the team deserves a celebration at K’s Dugout after a victory.
Also, Tony Correa (#13, EH) looked into the possibility of the team camping out at Winnemac after the Friday night game and before the Saturday morning game, but the Winnemac supervisor said “absolutely not.”