Three home runs by Scott Schiffman proved to be not enough as Brian Mangan held on to slam the door shut on Guy with Dog and lead Team Crave to victory.  Mangan came on with the bases loaded and nobody out in the 8th inning, and got some insurance in the ninth inning to put away GwD.  This week's game proved to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with several lead changes and a close finish.

Schiffman had three home runs -- one off each pitcher -- en route to 16 total bases, but a power surge by the other team (5 home runs) proved to be too much for GwD to overcome.  There were plenty of firsts and records set in this contest, the most notable of them being the ten total homers hit by both teams, shattering the old mark.  The only other player to hammer multiple home runs was newcomer James Esatto, who hit the first two of his career for the Crave.

The pace was set early as both starters, Joe Lee (GwD) and Larry Siu (Crave) ran into trouble early.  The Crave jumped out to a 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Brian and Bobby Liaw, but Larry gave that all back in the bottom half, surrendering a grand slam to Scott and then another homer to the Guy with the Dog himself.  The teams then continued to battle, with the lead changing hands three times.

In the 2nd, Chris Plakas hit his first career home run.  Plakas has been a consistent hitter throughout his career, collecting a massive 43 career hits entering the day, but this was his first bomb.  It came at a good time for GwD, retaking the lead for them. 

Jose Cornier also had a breakthrough game, and collected the first of his three hits in the X inning.  Cornier, a fan favorite, had only one hit on the season entering Saturday, but upped his average to a gaudy .Z with his 3-for-7 performance.  He also reached base via error.

Wilson Ramirez and Chris both provided good relief when they first entered the game, but they too caught the home run bug and left to unceremonious exits.

Leon also hit his first career home run, but in his first career game.  Having not done much before the arrival of his girlfriend, he promptly homered after her appearance.

Shunya Togashi also had a first, but a much less positive one.  Shunya, affectionately called Shinjo, has made a living by putting the ball into play this season, going 27 plate appearances without recording a strike out, and striking out only three times in five games last season.  On this afternoon however, he struck out swinging against Ramirez in the 6th, and proceeded to strike out in his next two at-bats in a row.  As someone astutely mentioned, his strikeout cherry had been popped.

The Crave had been cruising along until the 8th inning, when Ramirez finally got into a jam he could not extricate himself from.  He had pitched a flawless 7th, but loaded the bases and gave up X runs before making way for Mangan in the 8th inning.  Mangan, who thrives in these pressure situations, allowed only a reach by error and a walk to mar his three straight strikeouts to end the threat.  He battled through a severe dizzy spell to get through the ninth and save the game for Ramirez.

Afro Mike also got in some quality time on the mound, finishing the 8th inning after Plakas' departure and keeping the game within reach for GwD.  Unfortunately, Schiffman's homer (his millionth off Mangan and his third of the game) was the only offense in the final frame.