An Orioles split with the Cubs tightened up the standings in the G.V.L.L. Juniors division this past weekend. On Saturday the previously undefeated Orioles eked out an 8-7 victory over the Cubs at Clinton Field as Aaron Greenwald knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the last inning. Greenwald, Matt Barall and Craig Thompson each had two RBI’s and Scott Ritter homered for the O’s. Sunday’s game at Central Park was a different story as the Cubs won 12-2. Shmuel Mincer pitched well for the Cubs, limiting the Orioles vaunted offense to three hits, helped by solid defensive support from his team. After winning by forfeit on Saturday, the Red Sox were ahead of the Blue Jays on Sunday by 12-7 when time ran out, leaving the Red Sox a half game behind the division-leading Orioles. The Red Sox and Orioles played this coming Saturday at Clinton Field, which should help determine the mid-season leader for the division.
In other Juniors division action, the Cardinals tested their manager’s nerves by squeaking out a 7-6 victory over the Downtown L.L. Brewers on Saturday at Central Park and then rallying to tie the Giants 6-6 on Sunday at Bergtraum Field after spotting them an early three-run lead. Daquan Swindell struck out 10 Brewers in six innings on Saturday and bore down in the last inning by stranding a Brewer on third with no outs. Vince Santvoord doubled in the winning run in the bottom of the last inning. Sloppy fielding hurt the Cards on Sunday, wasting a strong pitching performance by Sam Weiser who gave up only one earned run. Craig Scardapane pitched one inning of relief for the Cards and shut down a Giants rally to preserve the tie.
