The Chicago Hounds lost to the Electrons at Winnemac today a full MLB 9 innings. The Hounds played a great game and were tied through the complete CMBA 7 innings and then had 2 extra to play as the score was still tied at 3-3 after 7. Unfortunately the Electrons scored in the top of the 9th and the Hounds were unable to counter. Final was 7-3, but it was really much more like a 1-run loss.
Tim Riggenbach (#8, P) had a bevy of fans at the game celebrating his recent birthday, and they watched him throw a gem for 8 innings, only giving up 3 runs, 2 earned. He dominated the Electrons for the second time this season, and we hope to get a chance to face them again in the playoffs with Riggenbach on the mound again.
The Hounds scored 3 runs themselves, and 2 were on Electron errors. Keith Richardson (#17, RF) reached on an error in the first frame, was moved to 3rd by a single by Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B), and then Mike Marra drove Richardson home with a sac fly. TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) scored in the bottom of the 4th after reaching by error, then moving to second on a wild pitch. Matt Burch (#6, DH) singled and stole second, and then Brian Hearns (#30, 1B) drove in Rinaldi with a single. The only earned Hound run came in the 6th. Kurt Kerrigan (#12, 2B/P) reached on a fielder’s choice and Big Daddy Burch drove him home on a crushed double. The Hounds threatened in the bottom of the 8th, with the bases loaded with only 1 out, but the Electron pitcher struck out consecutive batters to prevent the Hound win.
The top of the 9th was won by Winnemac, as it ate up shortstop Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) who bobbled a possible double play, and then the very next batter hit another possible double play ball, and this one hit the Winnemac lip and bounced several feet over second baseman Tony Correa (#13, 2B) for a Winnemac hop “hit.” Winnemac had taken its toll on others this day, but Schoenbach made one of the most spectacular plays we have ever seen at third, as a ball bounced straight up at the last second at his head and he whirled his glove hand like Daniel-san in Karate Kid to make the play. Schoenbach and Kerrigan also turned a nifty 5-4-3 double play with Hearns to end the top of the 6th.
In any event, the Hounds had a few chances to win today, and it was an especially hard loss. But Annie’s sandwiches, beer, and Doritos made it a little less difficult for several Hounds who participated in a picnic after the game.
The Hounds are now 13-7, which is a great record after 20 games. With 10 to go the Hounds still have 20 wins in sight. To put it in perspective, last year the Hounds had 14 wins on the entire season, but still made the 2015 playoffs.
The Hounds next play on Tuesday 6/28 at Taft High School in a rainout makeup game v. the Vikings. The rest of the Hounds will need to hustle to tay and top Tim’s fan base.