Baseball Review // Record-Journal Expos Drop 2, To Bristol Greeners (2-0) and Rainbow Graphics (4-2) (GHTBL)

https://ghtbl.org/

Greeners @ Expos box score :::

https://ghtbl.org/event/greeners-expos-3

Expos @ Graphics box score :::

https://ghtbl.org/event/expos-graphics-3

Greeners-Expos photos are here :::

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1519182588811957&type=3

Expos-Graphics photos are here ::: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1519192588810957&type=3

It's been an interesting week for the Record-Journal Expos.   On Tuesday night, at Ceppa Field, they lost 2-0 to the Bristol Greeners.   The Greeners had runners on in the first inning where a sac fly brought in the first run and then a double by Herb Melfor brought in AJ Lorenzetti (who had also doubled).  This set the score at 2-0 after the top of the first and it never changed.   The pitching of both Trevor Mays and JD Tyler seemed to shut down much of the offense for the rest of the game.

In a similar manner, when the Expos went to Northwest Park on Thursday night to face the Rainbow Graphics, they put up two runs in the top of the first inning, which was most of the offense for the game.  Jon Remillard singled in Javon Malone and then Evan Wilkinson singled in "Superstar" Luke DiMauro with a hit to shallow right field.  This put the score up at 2-0 and it would stay this way until the bottom of the sixth inning.

Much like the pitching duel between Trevor Mays and JD Tyler on Tuesday night, there was also a pitching duel between AJ Rooks and Charlie Hesseltine.   This was also an interesting pitching matchup because of the youth of AJ Rooks, who has only started for the Graphics twice (and won both games) versus the experience of Charlie Hesseltine.   This could also, ultimately, become a pitching matchup in the playoffs.

The top of the sixth inning saw Evan Wilkinson hit a deep shot to left field with runners on first and third, two outs.   This ball felt like it would certainly drop over the left fielder's head, but Christian Steiner made a catch that was just unbelievable.   That perhaps the play which saved the game for the Graphics, and had that not been caught, this could've ended up tied 4-4 and into extra innings.

The bottom of the sixth inning saw Dan Orzech single in Ethan McDonough for the first Graphics run of the game.  Dan Steiner singled in Eric Anderson with two outs and the game was tied at 2-2.   Christian Steiner loaded the bases.  Eric Brainard hit a fly ball just far enough beyond the first baseman but not far enough out to right field that three Expos players collided trying to catch it.   This was a double for Eric Brainard, which also happened to drive in two more runs to put the Graphics up 4-2.   

Had that ball been caught, the game would've been tied 2-2 and who knows what would've happened from there (extra innings?) but the same could be said for the top of the sixth, so some key moments in the sixth inning for the Graphics to secure their win.

I find it odd that the Expos both lost with a Greeners 2 run first inning but couldn't beat the Graphics with their own 2 run first inning.  Sometimes baseball is just like that and following these two losses to start the second half of the season, the Expos have four games coming up in the same week.

First, the Expos travel to South Windsor to meet the Phillies, which should be a good game, at 1pm on Sunday.   Tuesday night the Expos are home against the Vernon Orioles, who remain with only two losses. And then on Wednesday they travel to Middletown to face the Mets, who are 1-0 against the Expos this season, so it will be interesting to see how these two games play out as on Thursday the Mets  come to Ceppa Field.  

It will be fun to see how this second half of the season shapes the playoffs, as the Orioles still remain with only two losses but the Phillies handed the Bankers their third loss.   Everything just feels close at the top and it's never a bad time when you get to see Tyler Repoli pitch one out to end a game.