Boston 1 Cleveland 0

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jacktoast
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Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2018 1:01 pm
Location: Winona, Ms

Boston 1 Cleveland 0

Post by jacktoast »

Boston's Walt Hickerson and Cleveland's Louck staged a stirring pitching duel that was won because one pitcher got down a key bunt and the other one failed to do so.

Hickerson (11-2 3.23) went eight innings allowed just three hits, three walks and struck out an impressive twelve batters. Two of the walks cane in the first inning when Hickerson battled for control of a crisp lively fast ball. He walked two and struck out two in the inning.

The Boston ace retired next six batters before allowing Cleveland's first hit, a fifth inning lead off single by Alex Kuhel. Kuhel stole second base but was left there as Hickerson reiotred the next three batters.

Cleveland managed only two more hits in the game, singles by Chuck Johnson and Craig Zipfel. Louck failed to get down a bunt, then stuck out and Hickerson escaped unscathed.

Louck did not allow a base runner until he walked catcher Jake Bellipanni with one out in the fourth.

Bellipanni led off the sixth inning with a double to break up the no-hit bid. Hickerson got a clutch sacrifice bunt down to get the slow footed catcher to third base where he tagged and scored on a long sacrifice fly by Floyd Cardwell.

Cleveland Relief pitcher Bob Strahs hit Bellipanni with a pitch in the 8th inning, Hickerson was pinch hit for and pinch hitter Juan Sperring hit into an inning ending force out.

Cleveland just could never break through against Hickerson, who allowed only a one out walk in the to Mike Unrowe in the sixth inning. He retired the last seven Cleveland batters before leaving after the eighth inning. Dave Clauss took over in the ninth and earned his league best 26th save. Hickerson's eleven wins ties him with New York's Hans Plenata for the most wins and the loss dropped Louck into third place (10-2 2.66).

The win and Texas' 3-2loss to Washington put the Minute Men in first place by one game.

Texas scored two in the seventh to take a 2-0 lead but Washington rallied for three in the bottom of the seventh to take a lead they would not relinquish. Chick Cudworth evened his record 1-1 as the winning pitcher and Jeff Roberts took the loss falling to 3-4.
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