Giants live to play another day

With Memorial Field Men's Fastball League awards night taking place, there were a lot of trophies handed out after Tuesday's game.
The Park Hotel Giants ensured the league championship trophy was not one of them.
The Giants won 5-4 with a two-out, seventh inning walk off double by shortstop Rod Bauck off of Canadians ace Xavier Tremblay, bringing the series to at least a fourth game Thursday.
"I think he tried to beat me with a curveball outside, and my focus was just putting the bat on the ball and trying to drive the ball the other way," said Bauck.
The Canadians led 4-3 in the fourth inning after a well-placed RBI double from Joel Jordison. It wasn't until the sixth inning when Giants centrefielder Lee Smith hit a solo home run to tie the game.
"It put us right back in the game again and it was a big hit," said Bauck. "He came through for us, and it was a great team effort tonight."
With extra innings looming in the bottom of the seventh, Giants John Schmidt and Todd Whitehead hit back-to-back, one out singles. Catcher Terry Banilevic flied out to shallow left field to send up Bauck.
Canadians catcher Dave Helland, eager to win his third league title in four years, still feels his team is in the driver's seat.
"We're all right," he said. "We're a good ball team. I mean, the Yankees lose the odd ball game, right?
"They've got to beat us two more times. Today, we hit the ball hard at the wrong spot. (Shortstop) Jeff Weekes hammered the ball three times right at guys."
But winning Giants pitcher Derek Ross was solid in the game, striking out seven and allowing only five hits. Canadians veteran hurler Trembley also pitched extremely well, mixing his pitches well in a nine-K performance. He also performed well at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a sacrifice bunt.
"He's a horse," said Helland, unconcerned about the potential of wasting a good night on the mound from his pitcher. "You can't slow him down. He's like The Hulk. Today, we didn't score runs when we were supposed to and it cost us."
Bauck ended the day 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Wendell Collinson was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
"They're a good team," said Helland. "They're not going to quit and we're not going to quit. They have to beat us two more times and the pressure is on them. We're all right."
The series will continue Thursday at Memorial Field.

Corey Atkinson can be reached at 691-1260