Great Hitting at McBride

Chillicothe 9, Richmond 2

The Chillicothe Paints did a much better job of executing their gameplan in Richmond than they did the other night at Lorain. The team was much more aware of what was going on, and while they did still have a bump or two in the road when it comes to defensive plays, and that's to be expected, they did what they had to do to win. Listening to this game through the internet, I felt like I was reminded of the time that the season just started that the Paints were playing like this, and oddly enough, they got off to a great start against these same River Rats.

One thing I want to note before I get into the game would be that the names of these teams can be confusing, to say the least, so you have to bare with me when I mention some team names. I can often assume some things when it comes to those technicalities. I have been so used to calling the Richmond team as the River Rats, with it being two words, because I felt like that made more sense to me. I don't mean any harm by that, it's just that I become amazed at how the teams are actally named. I guess when you play in a league that features two Sliders teams, a team with a similar color scheme, and teams with combined names, then you'd understand why I'd get just a bit confused.

Anyway, as for the game, Clayton Schulz made the start for the Paints, and when he took the mound at McBride Stadium, the mound wasn't very friendly at first because there was trouble when it came to the softness of the mound. It was too soft, meaning that the mound was wet. The Paints have had a history of getting into trouble with the mound at Richmond for whatever reason, but it just happens.

Schulz would pitch six innings deep in his start, giving up four hits and four walks, and overall, he would only give up one run. He struck out three batters, and I have to say that Schulz has continued to be impressive for me because while he hasn't been overly dominant in his starts, and mind you, he's a year younger than me in age, Clayton has been doing such a splendid job whenever he has been given the ball. He's a gamer, and he might be a guy who could be there for the long haul for any affiliated minor league team in the future if he continues to do well over time.

For the offense, the batters did a great job of getting the timely hits in. Like I said before, the Paints were getting in hits, but they weren't getting in the timely hits. They weren't rising to the occasion when it came to situational baseball. In this game, though, the Paints did a great job of getting the runs in, and at the right times.

Kyle Gendron played at shortstop in this game, and he had two singles and an RBI. Left fielder Andy Brouse had two singles and an RBI. Right fielder Eian Banks had a bunt single. Third baseman Zach Leonard had a big 2-RBI double in the third inning. Catcher Kris McDonough, from Ohio University, went deep for a homerun that gave him three RBI's. Second baseman Tim Krofcheck had a double and an infield single.

This was a much needed win for the Paints because this will help them out in the standings, and don't look now, ladies and gentleman, but the Prospect League is already at their home stretch of the regular season. Looking at the standings, I can pretty much guarantee you, barring a big collapse by them, that the Quincy Gems will indeed represent the Western Division in the Prospect League Championship Series. As for the East, the Paints are still hanging onto the lead, and this upcoming series against the Butler Blue Sox will prove to be the biggest series of the first Prospect League year.

Game time for the Paints and Blue Sox game at V.A. Memorial Stadium will be at 7:05 PM. Be there of be something like a square.