Tomlinson Stars in Doubleheader Sweep

September 6th - Living up to his nickname "Captain Clutch", Ryan Tomlinson helped lead his team to a doubleheader sweep on Sunday afternoon at Corklestick Park. Tomlinson, Kevin Ryan and Patrick Cork took aim at the entire Massey family as Ross, Josh and Justin all returned to Robinson for the twin billing. In the first game, Tomlinson flirted with history on the mound while Patrick Cork provided him with the offensive support. After a pair of Josh Massey throwing errors from the mound, Cork powered a 3-run homerun just over the fence down the right field line in the top of the 4th which was more than enough for Tomlinson. After retiring the first six hitters, Tomlinson allowed a soft single in the bottom of the third inning and then retired 15 consecutive batters - allowing just one hit through the first seven innings. A bloop single from Ross Massey started the eighth. Two batters later, Justin Massey drove a double into deep right field and Ross Massey follwed it with an RBI single to cut the lead to 3-1. With one out and runners and 1st and 3rd, Patrick Cork relieved Tomlinson on the hill and escaped the jam and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up the save.

Tomlinson picked up the win allowing one run in 7 1/3 innings on just four hits. Cork picked up the save retiring all five batters he faced on strikeouts. Josh Massey suffered the loss despite a solid outing. He allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 11 hits over 9 innings of work. Cork led all hitters going 9-for-13 with a double, triple and 3-run homerun. Tomlinson added a pair of hits and scored once. Justin Massey and Ross Massey each had two hits with Ross driving in the only run of the game.

Stats for 9/6/09 Game 1

(Ryan Tomlinson, Kevin Ryan, Patrick Cork) vs. (Justin Massey, Ross Massey, Josh Massey)

RT/KR/PC	000	300	000	-	3	11	0
JM/RM/JM	000	000	010	-	1	4	2

Hitting
R.Tomlinson 2-13, R; K.Ryan 0-13; P.Cork 9-13, 2B, 3B, HR, 3RBI, 2R
Ju.Massey 2-12, 2B; R.Massey 2-11, RBI, R; Jo.Massey 0-11

Pitching
R.Tomlinson (W) 7 1/3 IP, 1ER, 4H, 2K; Jo.Massey (L) 9IP, 3R, 1ER, 11H, 4K; P.Cork (S) 1 2/3IP, 0R, 0H, 5K

Defense
Assists:  R.Tomlinson 1; K.Ryan 1
Errors: Jo.Massey 2

Josh Massey took the hill in the second game of the doubleheader as well, this time taking on Kevin Ryan. After going hitless in the first game, Kevin Ryan blasted a solo shot to right to lead off the second game, but the lead didn't last long as Justin Massey knocked in a run on a single in the top of the 2nd to tie the game 1-1. Ryan knocked in another run in the bottom of the third with an RBI triple, and Tomlinson followed with an RBI single of his own to move the lead to 3-1. The score remained 3-1 into the eighth inning, where once again the Masseys threatened. With runners on second and third with two outs, the Masseys were in position to take advantage of a new rule this season. With two outs and a runner on second, a long single has the potential to score the runner from second. If the initial throw misses, the offense has the option to send the runner from second to the plate and the outfielder gets a second attempt with the throw to get the runner at home. Josh Massey blooped a single in front of Tomlinson in right field and Tomlinson's throw was offline - scoring one run. The Masseys decided to challenge the arm of Tomlinson and send the other runner from second base and force another throw from Tomlinson. However, Tomlinson's second throw was on the money and two-hopped into the chair for a huge outfield assist to keep the game at 3-2. "We were hoping that new rule would add some drama to games this year, and that's really the first time it's had a major impact," said Commissioner Patrick Cork. "It adds some strategy and forces the teams to make some tough decisions - this time it backfired on the Masseys, but I think everyone would agree they had to take that chance at that point late in the game." The drama didn't end there as the home team chose not to use Patrick Cork for the save, but went with Tomlinson instead. Ross Massey lined a single to left to start the inning, but Tomlinson was able to get Justin to ground out and Josh to line out to move one out away from the win. However, Ross lined another ball down the third base line which would have moved runners to 1st and 2nd, but Tomlinson once again came up with a big outfield assist to end the game and pick up just the second save of his career, and first since the opening season in 1998.

Every batter had either 2 or 3 hits in the second game with four different players driving in runs. Josh Massey was 3-for-11 with a triple and RBI, Ross Massey was 3-for-11 with a double and Justin Massey was 2-for-11 with an RBI. Kevin Ryan led the winners with a 3-for-11 game with a homerun and 2 RBI, Tomlinson was 2-for-11 with an RBI and Patrick Cork was 3-for-10 with a double and triple. Kevin Ryan picked up the win going 8 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits. Tomlinson picked up the save with a scoreless ninth allowing a single. Josh Massey took the loss in game two as well despite another solid outing - 8 innings, 3 runs and 8 hits.

Stats for 9/6/09 Game 2

(Josh Massey, Ross Massey, Justin Massey) vs. (Kevin Ryan, Ryan Tomlinson, Patrick Cork)

JM/RM/JM	010	000	010	-	2	7	0
KR/RT/PC	102	000	00X	-	3	8	2

Hitting
Jo.Massey 2-12, 3B, RBI, R; R.Massey 3-11, 2B; Ju.Massey 2-11, RBI, R
K.Ryan 3-11, 3B, HR, 2RBI, 2R; R.Tomlinson 2-11, RBI; P.Cork 3-10, 2B, 3B, R

Pitching
K.Ryan (W) 8 IP, 2ER, 6H, 4K; Jo.Massey (L) 8IP, 3ER, 8H, 4K; R.Tomlinson (S) 1 IP, 0R, 1H

Defense
Assists:  R.Tomlinson 2; P.Cork 2
Errors: R.Tomlinson 1, K.Ryan 1

2009 Chair Baseball Game Reports/Box Scores

2009 Chair Baseball Statistics (thru 9-6)