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On Sunday, the Bombers will travel to Ohio River Boulevard Field in Emsworth for a 12PM matinee against the 5th Place Bulldogs.  Having met earlier this year for a Sunday afternoon doubleheader at Findlay Township, the Bombers took both games of the doubleheader from the "Dawgs.  The Bulldogs will look to enact revenge on this day. 

The Bulldogs, not having played since the devastating loss to the Gray Bats on Monday night, should be well rested going into this matchup.  The Bombers, on the other hand, will be playing a double-header against the 2nd Place Hurricanes at Warrandale Park.  One would think that the Bombers would use their best arms against the Hurricanes on Saturday.  The Bulldogs pitching staff, coming off of 4 games in 3 days last weekend, should be well rested.    It is likely that Sunday's game will feature Dan Morgan on the bump.   Morgan enters the game with a 1-2 record and an ERA just over 5.  This would leave Rankin on the mound for Monday night's game against the Eagles at Spring Hill.

Keys to a Bulldog Victory:

-  The bats must come alive.  It is imperative that the Bulldogs concentrate on putting the ball in play and minimizing the strike-outs. 

-  Solid defense.  The Bombers have some good hitters, and the 'Dawgs cannot afford to offer second chances if they expect to win.

-  Enthusiasm - Along with all of the equipment, enthusiasm and confidence are the other things that need to be at the game.

-  More than 9 guys must show up

-  Joe Graff, the OBP king, needs to be at the game.  Graff and Brian Strom, two of the Bulldogs best leadoff options, were unable to attend Monday evening's game.

Potential Lineup:

 Graff                C

Jacobs            2B

Strom              LF

Minford          DH

Gala                  1B

Wittmer          3B

Martin             CF

Schaeffer        RF

Philipp            EH

SP - Morgan

RP - Irvine

Notes:

Batting Jacobs in the 2 hole should allow Strom to see some decent pitches hitting in front of Minford.  Strom is due to have a breakout game and begin to hammer the ball.  Strom, being in the 3-spot, will also provide some speed on the basepaths for Gala, who is a non-runner with weight  hamstring issues.  A perfect scenario would see Graff getting on base, stealing second, and Jacobs lining a shot to left scoring the fu-man-chu'd Graff from 2b.  Rounding out the lineup would be Wittmer, who hit is 1st dinger of the season Monday night, and Adam Philipp.  Philipp,  who is hitting .300 on the season, seems like a guy that can put the ball in play each at bat, and is a good candidate for turning over the bottom of the lineup.

Fans are encouraged to attend.  For more information, or for directions, please visit www.pittsburghnaba.com and click on Locations.

Related posts:

1. Bulldogs Scrimmage Bombers
2. Game #2 Preview – Bulldogs vs. Hurricanes