Dancing on the head of a pin

Befitting a league with so many professional (and amateur) philosophers, theologians, mathematicians, and lawyers, we seem to be conducting an experiment in how many fantastic beings can dance on the head of a pin. Today we have 3 teams within 0.1 games of first place.  Maybe tomorrow we’ll try four? It certainly seems as though the Dragons are never going to lest someone else pass them into first…

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Haviland:  W, 5 – 4.  (.192, .290, .538;  3.7 ip, 2 er). Just like Saturday, the Dragons got homers from Anthony Rizzo, Jabari Blash, and Steven Souza Monday. (Rizzo also went deep Sunday).  And they needed every one of them to retain their microscopic lead.

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Pittsburgh: “L”, 4 – 1.  (.194, .275, .472; 22.3 ip, 3 er) The A’s could have taken over first place easily had the hitters done even half as well as the pitchers. Stephen Strasburg was particularly dominant, striking out 11 in 7 innings, allowing only 1 earned run.

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Cottage: L, 2- 3.  (.185, .258, .333; no pitching). No pitching?  Crummy hitting? First place was there to be taken, but the Cheese look at the Dragons and see a giant superheated fondue pot. If they weren’t so easily intimidated, they’d be in first place.

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Flint Hill: W 1, L 1; 7 – 11. (.172, .226, .276; no pitching).  The Tornados (and Wolverines) got two games Monday because the Red Sox and Yankees played a doubleheader Sunday, which the Commissioner didn’t notice until the Tornado management pointed it out.  But even with the extra day, the T’s came up short, especially on pitching.  Life is cruel. A few days ago Flint Hillians thought they’d broken through to take the lead. Now they’re in fourth.  The fact that “fourth” means “less than a game back” just makes it all the more excruciating.

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Portland: DNP, (-2) – 4.  (.267, .361, .300;  7.7 ip,  8 er).  Monday wasn’t a great day for the Rosebuds, either. Mediocre offense was the “bright” spot. Scott Feldman’s quintuple chulk ( 1 ip,  5 er) was the low point.

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Kaline: W, 7 – 2.  (.271, .352, .458; 7.7 ip, o er.) Finally, a team putting together a good day. Marcus Stroman pitched 6.7 shutout innings. Danny Valencia blasted a double and a homer and a walk. So the Drive gained a half game on first place.

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Peshastin: DNP, 2 – 1. (.286, .344, .536;  0.3 IP, 1 ER). The Pears gained 0.1 games on their day off. This may not seem impressive, but consider this: the Cheese would have LOVED to gain 0.1 games Monday. And…

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Old Detroit: W 2,  L 0; 16 – 6. (.279, .354, .488; 8 ip, 2 er). The W’s finally got back to .500 after they accomplished a rarity for them this year: good hitting and good pitching on the same day. Underachievers Gregory Polanco and Manny Machado had perfect days at the plate (4 for 4 with two doubles for Polanco; 3 for 3 wth a walk for Machado). Matt Moore got through 7 innings with 2 earned runs.  If the Pears hadn’t gained that teensy 0.1 game, the W’s would be closer to the Pears than the Pears are to first place. What a terrifying thought!

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Canberra: W, 4 – 4. (.217, .308, .391; 1 ip, 0 er). With only 6 batters and one reliever showing up for work on Monday the Kangaroos had little chance to thrive. Getting even the narrowest win is a good outcome with such scant resources.

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DC: W, 6 – 5. (.360, .393, .600;  1 ip,  1 er). Outstanding offense (albeit a bit thin with only 27 plate appearances) made up for mostly absent pitching

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