OAKLAND A’s & SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS FANTASY

2005 BASEBALL LEAGUE
FROM THE STANDS

Archbishop Riordan High School

APRIL 3, 2005
Jim Realini

San Jose Giants 13 Fresno Giants 10 in Game #1

            League play started up after the frustrating rain delays with the San Jose Giants behind strong pitching by Michael Simon and Steve Kowalski stifling the Fresno Giants 13-10.  Simon flustered Fresno for five innings and then Kowalski finished the last four.  Rolly Hofstedt and Bill Wineberg were the big hitters.  Rolly drove in five runs with two singles and a double.  Wineberg had two singles with three RBI’s.

            The Fresno Giants finally broke out with Matt Schmuck driving in the first Fresno run of the season.  Dr. Guy Peabody (2 singles), Rube Donig (2 singles), Mark Bruzzone (single and double), and Bill Pederson (single and double) led Fresno’s hitting barrage.  Lueders, Vargas, and Miller chipped in singles.  Miller’s hit went foul a yard wide of line then spun back in for an infield single.

            The San Jose Giants had some nifty, you-had-to-be-there to believe it defensive plays.  Dave DeCruz started off with a diving grab in centerfield that covered him in the mud and blood he wore proudly throughout the rest of the game.  The game ended on an amazing 5-6-3 double play with JR Riley ss hustling to cover second base.

Kansas City A’s 7 New York Giants 4 in Game #2

            The Kansas City A’s behind sturdy pitching by Mark Fitzpatrick and Scott Wagner and a solid defense, muffled most of the New York Giants 7-4.  Fitzpatrick and Wagner combined for 8 K’s.

            The Giants did have their moments.  Bobby Hartkop, who finished up pitching for Bad Chilly, whacked a 345 foot two run homer over the left centerfield wall.  Bobby did come to the plate in the ninth inning with the bases loaded, but KC’s Wagner got him to pop-up.  Mike Burrell made a “classic” over-the-shoulder, Willie Mays, running, tumbling grab in deep right centerfield.

            Ken Callaway provided plenty of excitement to this mostly well-played game by smacking a double and a single for 4 RBI’s.  Gordon Yost went three for four with Dave Gayner and Mike Byron adding singles.

Reminder: next weeks’ triple-header is at Washington Park in Burlingame.