Chico Thespians @ American Eagles of Tupelo

Rupe v. Benson (April 11)
The year hadn't started off that great for the Eagles. By the end of this series, the Eagles will likely find themselves looking forward to next season . . .

Benson, making his first start of the season against the lowly Thespians, had no trouble in the first inning. It was the second inning that brought him down and brought down quickly. Cruz led off with a double and advanced to third on a Mo Vaughn error. Mackowiak doubled. Beltre doubled. Rupe, the freaking pitcher, singled and advanced to 2nd on the throw at home. Walker doubled. Piazza singled. By the time the fans got back from the concession stands, the score had changed from a 0-0 tie to a 6-0 game. The Thespians never looked back either. So much for being lowly.

To make matters worse, Eagles rightfielder, Jermaine Dye, stretched himself out trying to reach a shallow fly. He landed awkwardly on his throwing shoulder and will be out for the next 8 days.

The essentials:
Game Day 11
Thespians 060 000 201 — 9 15 0
Eagles 000 000 010 — 1 4 2

Thespians Data:
Pitching — Rupe (W) 8.0, Williamson 1.0
Catching — Piazza 9.0
Home Runs — None
Stolen Bases — None
Injuries — None
Ejections — None
Limits Used — Rob Mackowiak 3 v R, 1 v L, Garcia (I)

Eagles Data:
Pitching — Benson (L) 2.0, Paronto 4.0, Herredia 2.0, Santana 1.0
Catching — Santiago 9.0
Home Runs — None
Stolen Bases — None
Injuries — Dye (8 days adjusted)
Ejections — None
Limits Used — Munson (I), Cerda (I), Ainsworth (A)

Other Info:
Day Game: 60's clear, light wind, Cuzzi's crew (N)
Attendance: 28,954

.

Astacio v. Trachsel (May12 - 1st of DH)
Jeff Weaver pitched well. Not great. Just o.k.. But there are some things that are completely out of control of the pitcher. Centerfielder, Jose Macias, and rightfielder, Danny Bautista, gave great chase to a ball hit into the gap. It was painful to watch them both running full speed and collide with each other. It was actually Alfonso Soriano, Eagles second baseman, who reached the ball to throw it in while Bautista and Macias remained on the turf. Fortunately, if there can be a fortunately, Piazza lacks Soriano's speed and stopped at second with a stand up double. Both Macias and Bautista will miss the next 25 days.

Now down 5-1 and three of the Eagles outfielders out for an extended period of time, the once lowly Thespians poured it on. Top of the 8th inning: Damon, homer. Walker, walk, Piazza, single. Giambi, walk, Cruz, single. Cabrera, single. Grissom, base clearing double, Beltre, home run. The final score was a very ugly 12-1. But we still had another game to play ... the bottom half of this double header.

The essentials:
Game Day 12
Thespians 000 100 470 — 12 17 0
Eagles 000 001 000 — 1 7 2

Thespians Data:
Pitching — Astacio (W) 9.0
Catching — Piazza 9.0
Home Runs — Damon, Beltre
Stolen Bases — None
Injuries — None
Ejections — None
Limits Used — Garcia (I)

Eagles Data:
Pitching — Weaver (L) 6.0, Powell 1.0, Heredia 2.0
Catching — Barrett 9.0
Home Runs — None
Stolen Bases — Soriano
Injuries — Macias 25 days (adjusted), Bautista 25 days (adjusted)
Ejections — None
Limits Used — Munson (I), Cerda (A), Ainsworth (A)

Other Info:
Night Game: 60's partly cloudy, light wind, Froemming's crew (S)
Attendance: 34,313

.

Byrd v. Ainsworth (May12 - 2nd of DH)
Kurt Ainsworth, making his career debut, started the second half of the twinbill. He worked five innings giving up only 3 earned runs. It would be that fourth run, the unearned one, that would earn him the loss on the game.

As has been the Eagles nemesis this year, errors killed them this game also. Five errors in three games to go along with the fielding mishap of Macias and Bautista set the tone of this entire season. The Thespians came in with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. They did it. The Eagles suffer the sweep and so much more.

Dye out 8 days. Bautista out 25 days. Macias out 25 days. When will it all end. Not soon enough, I'm afraid. Not near soon enough.

The essentials:
Game Day 12
Thespians 110 011 000 — 4 6 0
Eagles 200 100 000 — 3 5 1

Thespians Data:
Pitching — Byrd (W) 5.0, Eischen 2.0, Kim 1.0, Williamson (Sv)1.0
Catching — Piazza 9.0
Home Runs — Grissom
Stolen Bases — Damon
Injuries — None
Ejections — None
Limits Used — Garcia (I)

Eagles Data:
Pitching — Ainsworth (L) 5.0, Cerda 3.0, Williams 1.0
Catching — Santiago 9.0
Home Runs — Vaughn
Stolen Bases — None
Injuries — Mercifully, none
Ejections — None
Limits Used — Munson (I), Cerda (A), Ainsworth (Spot)

Other Info:
Night Game: 50's partly cloudy, light wind, Bonin's crew (N)
Attendance: 31,656