Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody!
December had the 2 series for the Gamblers – the Kernels and the Hitmen. First up were the Keith Smith and the Kernels.
The Gamblers came out of the gate hitting scoring twice in the first and once in each of the second and third innings to take the early 4-0 lead. The Kernels plated two in the bottom of the 4th and then the Gamblers put up a five spot in the fifth to make it 9-2. With C.C. on the hill all was looking good. In the bottom of the 6th Ryan Howard took C.C. deep. Beltran followed with a single and then Wright and Ethier went back to back. Fukodome and Navarro each singled and after Burrell fanned, Robby Cano singled home Fukodome to chase Sabathia. Jensen Lewis put out the fire as the Kernels closed to within two. The Gambler pen shutdown the Kernels over the last 3 innings as Three Rivers went on to win 11-7.
The Gamblers once again struck early in game 2 scoring four times in the first the last two coming on a Prince Fielder blast. Aaron Laffey yielded just 3 runs on 3 hits as the Gamblers won 6-3.
In game 3 Three Rivers drew first blood again scoring 2 in the fourth. The Kernels came back in the bottom half with 3 grab their first lead of the series. But the Gamblers came right back in the top of the 5th with a three spot to go ahead for good. The Kernels mounted another come back attempt closing to within one but Craig Breslow shut the door in the 9th as the good guys won 8-7.
Brandon Webb took the hill in game four against his old team. He dominated the Gambler bats through four innings allowing just one hit. However, Webb had a blister issue and had to leave after four. Nobody seemed to notice that Webb was gone as Jarrod Washburn allowed only an unearned run. The Kernels offense put up 10 runs to win 10-1.
The Kernels got another fine pitching performance in game 4 as Joe Blanton allowed just 3 hits and two runs as the Kernels won 6-2.