Game 2 - Daytona Beach Pickleballers @ New York Patriots
Patriots lead series 1-0
Mulder Emerges From Pitchers Duel Victorious as Patriots Take 2-0 Lead to Daytona Beach
The Patriots moved to within one game of the sub-league series and an unexpected promotion to the Silver tier with a 2-1 win over the Daytona Beach Pickleballers in Game 2 of their Divisional Series. Daytona tried to throw New York off balance from the start, as they changed their listed starter at the last second to Al Downing. The Patriots were unfazed, as they pounced for two quick runs in the first inning. Jose Reyes led off the inning with a triple, and scored on a Curt Flood sacrifice ground out. Pete Rose then tripled off of Downing, and was brought in by an RBI single off the bat of Gregg Jefferies.
This was all Mark Mulder needed, as he was in cruise control. Mulder went 7 innings, scattering 5 hits while striking out 4 and walking 2. Mike Jackson, Gene Garber, and Claude Osteen combined on a scoreless 8th and 9th innings, with Osteen getting the save.
The series now shifts to Daytona Beach, where the Pickleballers will be looking to win the next two and bring the series back to New York for a decisive Game 5.
W - Mulder (1-0)
L - Downing (0-1)
SV - Osteen (1)
New York leads series 2-0