June 1-2

The unseasonably warm weather continued on Wednesday as the R-Phils hosted Akron in game #2 of the series, we got underway at 2:05 with an announced game-time temperature of 86 degrees. The ballclub made it two straight over Akron with a wacky 12-9 win. The boys led 9-2 in the seventh inning, the Aeros scored seven runs to draw even before the R-Phils scored three in the bottom half for the margin of victory. It was Home Run Derby as Tuffy Gosewisch, Matt Rizzotti, Cody Overbeck and the rehabbing Shane Victorino all went yard for the home team. Tuffy was the offensive star with a grand-slam homer and six RBI, Overbeck and Victorino each had two runs batted in and Derrick Mitchell had a run-scoring hit as well, Chris Kissock won it in relief of starter Josh Zeid. We had better than 4400 in attendance, many attracted by Victorino's presence. The game ended right around 5:00, I high-balled it down 222 for the night's street hockey at the rink. Ron was there to open up and get things ready, I was there by 6:05 as we started at 6:15. Three games were played, we were done by 9:00 and by 11:00 my bedroom light was out in anticipation of the early wake-up call on Thursday. That call came shortly before 6:30, the game began at 9:35. We play one morning game each year, the practice began in 2002 and I freely admit I'm not entirely fond of it but if 8100 people are crazy enough to show up at that hour I guess I can be crazy enough to show up and work. It was much cooler on this day, 68 degrees at game time. The ballclub lost 8-4, Tim Kennelly had a big day with three hits, a run scored and two RBI. J.C. Ramirez started on the hill and took the loss. The game wound down at 12:30, in the evening we played another three-game night at the rink. The regular season is all but over, the playoffs start on Monday the 6th (and I'll be absent since the R-Phils return home that night after a weekend on the road). With the weather considerably cooler since Wednesday morning it should a good night for sleeping. Take care, thanks for reading.