Muzechka mows down Armena

In a game that Armena could have clinched their first playoff spot since the Axemen-Royals split in 2007, it was lefthanded Kyle Muzcheka of the Holden Blue Jays who stole the spotlight.

After a 45-minute rain delay and some work by the grounds crew, it was Muzcheka who got early help from his team on some Armena errors. The Royals looked like they would get out of the first inning after a couple Holden singles.

Veteran Pat Kawaliak hit a looper to the mound with two outs, but Armena starter Ian Sherbaniuk thought shortstop Adam Johnson could get it. He couldn’t, and a single by Stephen Hrbac cashed both runs. Another three unearned runs made it 5-0 after three for the Blue Jays. 

But Sherbaniuk shook it all off and started going in the middle frames. His offence on the other hand – not so much.

Muzcheka struck out 10, and gave up just three hits. When the few runners who did get on, made it to scoring position, the Royals couldn’t find a timely hit. Muzcheka struck out both Chad Samoiseti in the second inning and Jason Buzzell in third with two runners on both times. It ended Buzzell’s 17-game hitting and no strikout streak. 

The Royals then went 1-2-3 in 4-5-6 innings and the Blue Jays tacked on an earned run finally in the seventh, which led to the 6-0 final.

No other games were played Thursday night. The win put the Blue Jays a half game ahead of the Royals and  sets up a huge game against Bardo Tuesday night. Armena on the other hand now needs to win on Tuesday in Ryley and get some help as it all comes down to the final week of the season.

Posted on July 6, 2012