Mister Baseball

by Thommy Brolin

The third round of the swedish season was cut short when four games were cancelled due to snow (doubleheader between Leksand and Stockholm, doubleheader between Rättvik and Alby) and two due to rain (doubleheader between Gefle and reigning Champions Karlskoga. In the Dalarna region where Leksand and Rättvik are situated, between 10 and 20 cm of snow fell prior to the games, and in Gefle heavy raining stop play.

The only match-up that could be played was last years runner-up Sundbyberg playing hosts to ever dangerous Tranås. Tranås had started the season as expected with a 3-1 record, and Sundbyberg far below expectations with 1-3.

The two games played Saturday gave Sundbyberg the opportunity to get back on track as they managed to sweep the mini-series with a very convincing 7-2 win in the opener, and complete the sweep with a nail-biting extra inning win in game two.

The hero of the first game was Sundbybergs starter Michael Andersson who recorded his first complete game of the season. Michael had a shut-out going entering the ninth inning, and had only given up three hits in the first eight innings. In the last frame he tired somewhat and conceded two runs on four hits. Overall he gave up two runs on seven hits, while striking out four and walking only two.

The seven runs scored for Sundbyberg came behind Per Lindgren who was 3 for 5, Philip Gajzler and Peter Elfwing who were both 2 for 4, and Eric Mercado and Oliver Gajzler with 2 RBIs each.

David Wennerlund and David Leander were most productive for Tranås, both going 2 for 4. Relief pitcher Karl Knutsson made his season debut with three scoreless innings pitched, and going 1 for 2 with a RBI offensively.

In the second game Sundbyberg came out with another good start as they went up 4-1 after the second inning. After the fourth Tranås had reversed the score and was up 5-4. Tranås then extended their lead in the eigth with two more runs and was up 7-4 when Sundbyberg came to bat in the bottom of the ninth.

Tranås starter David Leander, who had been in total command after the second inning, gave up a lead-off walk to Sundbybergs ss Eric Mercado. Sundbybergs rf Philip Gajzler and lf Per Lindgren then hit consequtive singles and 3b Robert Porsklint tied the game with a double to leftfield.
David Leander was followed by Karl Knutsson who struck out dh Robin Bäckström and 2b Oliver Gajzler, and when c Peter Elfwing grounded out the second Tranås came out of the inning with the score tied.

In the top of the tenth Tranås filled the bases after the first two batters were put out, but Sundbyberg pitcher Carl Sjölin got Matt Merrifield to ground out to Shortstop, and that gave Sundbyberg the opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the frame.

Michael Andersson, who had entered the game in the 8th inning grounded out to second, but then Sundbybergs speady lead-off Joaquin Pedroso belted a triple to the track in leftfield. With one out and a runner on third Karl Knutsson struck out Eric Mercado, but the next batter
Philip Gajzler hit the game-ending single to rightfield, and Sundbyberg had 8-7 win.

Carl Sjölin pitched impressively over seven innings in relief (!) and got the win. Philip Gajzler’s single in the tenth was his fifth hit of the day, as he went 5 for 6. Joaquin Pedroso and Robert Porsklint had three hits a piece as Sundbyberg compiled 16 hits in the game.

David Wennerlund, Sean Kammerer and Nils Bergehed each had two hits for Tranås.

Notes:

Sundbybergs closer ace Johan Tisell started his first game since 2004, and pitched three innings setting up for Carl Sjölin. Tranås reliever Karl Knutsson also holds the position as Sweden’s national team coach.

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Saturday, May 17 2008
	13:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Tranås	07:02
	16:00	Sundbyberg Heat	Tranås	08:07

Standings