Los Angeles Baseball League

Tigers!

The Tigers went out on a hot afternoon at Glendale Sports Complex to claim the Central Division Post Season Championship.

There was one problem.

The Brewers said, "Not so fast." And then proceeded to give the Cats a championship game that kept fans and players on the edge of their seats until the last out.

The Tigers again turned to their Ace, Reilly Smith, to hold down the top offensive crew in the division. But the Brewers quickly struck in the first with a Luis Cruz single followed by a August Hagman double to draw first blood. Another run in the second and the Brewers showed they were going to be a tough out.

Mark Behn started for the Brew Crew and did a magnificent job of keeping the Cat bats off balance, giving up a run here and a run there, but never letting the Tigers quite catch up to the Brewers who continued to add on a run here and a run there.

But like he always does, Reilly Smith fought, staving off numerous Brewer rallies to keep the game close. Going into the bottom of the 7th, the Brewers still held a 7-6 lead after a clutch single by Stefan Marks cut the lead to one in the 6th.

Finally the Cats struck. Kris Wynne was hit by a pitch to lead off, followed by a walk to Mike Plude. Josh Clapper hit a clutch single to tie the game and then up came Tiger veteran, Don "Bubba" Bixby.

Still a fantastic hitter, Bixby lashed a 2-run single to finally put the Tigers ahead.

Earlier in the game, Chris Bishop badly pulled a groin muscle while scoring from 2nd. Yet he gutted it out the rest of the game, unable to run much faster than a walk. Yet he still drove in the Tiger's 4th run of the inning later with a clutch walk with the bases loaded. It gave the Cats another insurance run which they'd soon find they'd definitely need.

But like the monster in the horror movies, the Brewers couldn't be killed that easily!! They rose again with a rally in the 9th to cut the lead to 2 and put the tying runs on.

As he has been all year, Reilly Smith was up to the task, retiring the side and clinching the game for the Cats.

Every Tiger came up big for the Cats today, first by hanging in there when the going was tough, when the Brewers were looking like they were going to steal one. And secondly at the plate, hanging in there against the Brewer pitchers who deserve tons of credit for a gutty pitched game. Troy Combs and Donny Bixby Jr also had hits: every batter in the line-up contributed with at least one single.

Special well-wishes and hopes for a quick recovery to Tyson Hilgenburg who suffered a compound fracture to his finger on a short hop in the second. The team thought of you and was inspired by your toughness the whole game (as well as the afore mentioned guttiness of Chris Bishop).

And congrats to the Brewers and Steve Fleishman. They gave us all we wanted. They're a classy, talented, and good group of guys.

The Tigers bid a good future to Donny Bixby Jr, who leaves the Cats after a great run to serve our country in the Army.

And finally, "Senior!" Even though he was a gaffer in the movie industry, Bubba Bixby deserves an Oscar for completely faking out his coach! After the game he told me he had something really important to tell me. I completely bit and it set me up for a direct hit with an ice water shower. Beautifully done!

Date: August 14, 2022     Time: 1:00pm      Venue: Glendale Sports Complex