Opening Day Victory for Dodgers over the Angels

It was an all-around winning day, as the Dodgers led by coach Tim Jemal used strong pitching, timely hitting, and some clutch defense to get their first victory. The highly touted Angels were not able to get much going against Nathan, Alex and Jack, and the clutch hitting of Tyler, who knocked in four of the six runs, proved to be too much to handle for Coach Kyle's defending Single A Championship team.

Strong defense by Corey at 2nd base in the 1st inning, and a heads up throw from Jack to Corey for the force out in the 2nd inning, and Nathan was able to keep the Angels from reaching home. (Coach Tim helped the inexperienced umpire who thought a tag was required even though it was a force play--that's why we pay him the big buck!) They loaded the bases in the first, but our friend Jordan (from Tigers winter ball) was struck out by Nathan, stranding the runners. Nathan easily retired the three batters he faced in the 3rd inning, striking out his fourth batter of the 13 he pitched to.

Alex came in to start the 4th inning, and the Angels were able to sneak across a run with three walks and a hit. The Dodgers came back to tie it up, as Alex raced home on a single by Tyler, evening the game up at one through five innings! Incredibly, after one out in the top of the 6th, the Dodgers were able to get 8 batters in a row to reach base, blowing the game open with Tyler's bases clearing double. The inning ended with Tyler, Nathan and Jack left on base, but the Dodgers had the game well in hand.

Alex left the game after his max pitches were reached, and Jack came in with runners on 1st and 2nd and one out. He closed things out with just 11 pitches, striking the first batter out looking, and getting the final batter to ground to Fernando at 3rd base who easily scooped up a grounder and stepped on third!

WELL DONE DODGERS!!