Big Train Rout Bombers

In front of a crowd of 764, the Bethesda Big Train moved within a half game of the Orioles with a convincing 11-2 win over the College Park Bombers on Wednesday night.

The Big Train got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning. Left-fielder Clay Whittemore (Jacksonville State) led off the inning with a single through the hole between third and short. Whittemore then stole second base before scoring on an RBI triple to right field by designated hitter Chris Duffy (Central Florida).

In the top of the fourth inning, the Bombers tied up the game when second baseman AJ Casario singled and scored on a sacrifice fly to center off the bat of designated hitter KC Warden.

The Big Train broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Big Train took advantage of three walks, two errors, two wild pitches, a balk, and a bad bounce to score ten runs on seven hits as the Big Train sent 13 batters to the plate. First baseman Evan Friedland (Michigan State), Duffy, and right fielder Andrew Foster (Bowling Green) all had hits, and both Whittemore and center fielder Pat Minogue (Northern Illinois) had two in the inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Bombers scored a run to make the score 11-2. Catcher Jon Quigley singled and scored on a sac fly to left field by shortstop Mike Kelch.

Starting pitcher Keith Moreland (Charlotte) pitched well for the Big Train once again. Moreland gave up just two runs on eight hits and struck out three through seven innings to improve his record to 4-0 in seven starts. In relief, Hugh Adams (St. John's CHS) pitched two scoreless innings allowing just one hit.

Game Notes: The Big Train mascot Homer celebrated his ninth birthday along with his fellow mascot friends Nemo, Westie and the Chick-Fil-A cow. The Big Train would also like to thank tonight's sponsor, Friedman Billings Ramsey, and their special guests, Peace Players International. PPI uses basketball as a way to bring kids in areas of conflict together. Tonight's Carl M. Freeman Foundation Non-Profits of the Night were Threshold Services, the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, and the JCC of Greater Washington. 200 Big Train fans also received Chik-Fil-A coupons as part of Chik-Fil-A Night. 38 fans filled out a survey about their experiences at Povich Field this season and received a cookie thanks to the Bean Bag. Be sure to come Thursday and Friday to fill out a survey and get a cookie. The Big Train's final home games of the regular season will be this Thursday, when they take on the Herndon Braves, and Friday when they take on the first place Orioles in a double header that will likely decide the top seed in the upcoming playoffs.

Bombers... 000 100 100 2 9 3
Big Train... 010 (10)00 00- 11 12 1

Win: Keith Moreland
Loss: Mike Castrignano

Box Score