Minneapolis Blanks Athletics

Mark Berger chucks the rock in the 1st inning.

The sport of baseball is without a doubt one of the greatest skill sports, but also one which seems to rely on opportune breaks and a little luck some times. As they old saying goes, "That's why we play the games." For the second day in a row, the Athletics hit the ball hard, but right at 'em. For the second game in a row the team was held to just two hits. The day before it was fly-outs that killed them. On Sunday it was 15 ground outs that told the story.

As many games have gone this year, the team was short handed on Sunday, right at the minimum, with not one bench player available. The team undeniably plays at its best when it gets a full bench, but there is certainly never a lack of effort when the numbers are down.

Justin Hahn holds the runner at 1st in the 1st inning.

Mark Berger took the ball and pitched well for five innings, scattering eight hits while giving up four runs, one of them unearned due to a defensive error. He struck out four in the start. It was a sweltering day and Berger pitched efficiently through the first four innings, with 12, 9, 12, and 10 pitches each. Only in the 5th was he forced to work longer, due to an error on what should have been out number three, forcing him to throw eight more pitches and toil in the heat longer than he needed.

Berger was also responsible for one of Lakeville's two hits on the day, a 1st inning single up the middle on a 2-1 delivery.

Mark Berger collects a hit in the 1st inning.

Sidewinder John Degerness came on to pitch in relief in the 6th, throwing two innings of one-hit shutout ball. Deggy struck out two as he held the Minneapolis attack at bay.

John Degerness pitches in the 6th.

Degerness also collected the Athletics second hit with a single up the middle in the 4th inning.

Deggy collects a hit in the 4th inning.

Nick Daniels closed the game out, pitching the 8th and 9th, giving up just one hit and one run, both in the last inning.

Nick Daniels pitches in relief in the 8th inning.

Offense was the clear absence and the tale of the tape for the day. After piling up 9 hit against Burnsville, 12 against Elko, and a season high 20 against Eagan, the bats were woefully quiet for the second day in a row. After three games with 41 hits, the Athletics managed just four on the weekend.

Brent Johnson behind the plate in the 9th.

Defensively there were were web gems for the afternoon. Third baseman Trent Larson started the game with a nice play on a short ball and tough hop behind the mound. Left fielder Eric Watts made a great throw to pitcher Mark Berger who made a quick relay to catcher Brent Johnson to get the runner at the plate in the 2nd inning. Centerfielder John Degerness made a terrific running catch in the right-center gap in the 3rd. Second baseman Nick Daniels helped start a quick 4-6-3 double-play in the 4th. Mark Berger made a great catch in shallow center in the 6th. Justin Hahn made a nice play to start a 4-6-3 double-play in the 9th.

The sickest defensive play of the day had to come from shortstop Eddie Golom who robbed a Texas League blooper into no-man's land in shallow left, snaring the ball while running with his back to the infield in the 8th inning. A remarkable catch from the former Notre Dame infielder.

Offensively, the Rocks out-hit the Athletics 10-2 on the afternoon.

Collecting hits for Lakeville were...

• Mark Berger 1 for 3
• John Degerness 1 for 3

The Athletics next game is on the road Wednesday at Elko with a 7:30 night game at Fredrickson Field.