07/22/06
NY-Penn’s longest game leaves lasting impression
ONEONTA TIGERS NOTEBOOK
By P.J. Harmer
Staff Writer
ONEONTA — Oneonta Tigers shortstop Scott Sizemore said he didn’t have any doubts his team would beat Brooklyn to complete a three-game sweep of the Cyclones on Thursday.
His teammates proved him right — 26 innings and 6 hours, 40 minutes later.
The Tigers and Cyclones played the longest game in New York-Penn League history Thursday, combining for 34 hits and seven errors. The game started at noon. Oneonta rolled back into town around midnight Friday after scoring five runs in the top of the 26th inning for a 6-1 victory.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]"It was tiring for sure," said Sizemore, who finished 5-for-10 with a double, two walks and a strikeout. "I don’t think I’ve ever been so stiff on the field. It was draining, physically and mentally."
Sizemore said it also was hard to keep focus at times.
"Early, I was just trying to put good swings on, but once you get late, you get frustrated and want it to get over," Sizemore said. "So I probably had some bad at-bats, but I refocused and wanted to hit it hard."
Some players said they enjoyed being a part of history.
"It was wild," said Chris Krawczyk, who pitched the 21st-24th innings and didn’t allow a hit or a run. "We were watching the bullpen diminish.
"I was on a day rest and they came running down to see if I could throw," he continued. "I didn’t have a lot, but enough to get through four innings."
According to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), the game is the 429th addition to the society’s "Marathon List" of games that have gone for 20 or more innings.
It was the first 26-inning game in 18 years. The last came in 1988 when, San Antonio beat Jackson.
It also was the fifth game in New York-Penn League history to go more than 20 innings. The last was last season, when Auburn beat Batavia, 6-5, in 22 innings.
"I don’t know how you assess it," O-Tigers manager Tom Brookens said. "I saw it and almost don’t believe it. It’s kind of a shame someone had to lose.
"You try and keep the guys loose," he continued. "I was extra-pleased with the way they kept their focus and how they hung in there."
Oneonta pitching highlighted Thursday’s game. Starter Chris Cody allowed Brooklyn’s run in the bottom of the first. Eight Oneonta pitchers then combined for 25 scoreless innings — the equivalent of nearly three games.
"All of our pitchers did a wonderful job," O-Tigers pitching coach Ray Burris said. "Every one of them shouldered the load — some more than others."
Cody went six innings and was followed by Tim Robertson (1/3 of an inning), Casey Fien (2 2/3), Derek Witt (3), Jose Fragoso (5), Brett Jensen (3), Krawczyk (4) and winning pitcher Randor Bierd (2).
"It’s mind-boggling is what I call it," O-Tigers owner Sam Nader said. "It’s remarkable to go 25 innings at 1-1."
Oneonta’s pitchers combined for a 14-hitter, striking out 17 and walking six.
"The pitching staff did an unbelievable job," Brookens said. "The credit goes to them. Shutout ball for 25 innings, and they all gave us more than they should have. They reached back and gave us what they had."
