Winning Pitcher
Kyle Leslie
With the game tied at three in the seventh, Travis Grozdanich drove
one down the first base line with two out in the top of the seventh
to score both Steve Cavanagh and Kevin Ray. The Firebirds were able
to squeeze one over in the bottom half but left the tying run at
second as winning pitcher Kyle Leslie was able to get the final out
on a flair over first base that Grozdanich was able to get under
using a graceful stride. The Dodgers had opened the scoring on a two
out first inning two run shot off the bat of Kevin Ray. The
Firebirds answered on in the bottom half when a run scored on a
drive to center by Bill Boscher which fooled half of the umpire crew
into thinking center fielder Kevin Ray had caught the ball. When
play resumed the ball was ruled a hit, but the runner was sent back
to third. Mike Willcox followed and made no doubt this time
narrowing the lead to 2-1. In the third after Paul Whintors reached
on an error, Darryl Palmer laced a double to the right center gap
that plated Whintors from first. Paler would later score on a
double play ball by Willcox. Shortstop Steve Cavanaugh tied the game
leading off the fifth with a towering home run to left center. There
would be no more scoring until Grozdanich's heroics in the seventh.
A well pitched game on both sides with Kyle Leslie fanning ten
Firebirds and Don Boscher sitting down eleven Dodgers.
