Lake Erie was the first to score. Crushers designated hitter Joey Burney hit a double before taking third base on a wild pitch and then finally coming home on a passed ball in the second inning.
McDonald, granted four free seats behind the plate, beckoned the catcher to him and coached his technique to perfection. Later in the game, the catcher snagged an errant outfield throw with his bare hand, and a passing crow with his teeth.
The Belters evened the score in the sixth inning when Normal designated hitter Jason Merjano led off with a solo shot just inside the left field pole and just over the fence. Sam Judah hit a two-out two-run single giving the Belters the lead, 3-1, tipping his cap to McDonald afterward.
"Mac told me the curveball was comin'. No way I'd have guessed it otherwise. No freakin' way," Judah said.
After five and one-third innings, Crushers starter Rob Blanc's (0-2) night ended as reliever Brad Duffy came out. Blanc gave up four hits, one home run, two earned runs and recorded six strikeouts, but wore down under McDonald's relentless heckling about his windup, ear hair and other matters.
CornBelters starter Kevin Johnson (3-1) came off the mound after seven innings. Johnson had five hits, one walk while striking out six. By the second inning the catcher was glancing over his shoulder to get signs from the singer. By the end of his stint, the pitcher was taking signs directly from McDonald.
Race Parmenter took the mound for the CornBelters in the eighth inning. Parmenter struck out two batters en route to his fourth save of the year, racing to the backstop to high-five McDonald moments before the team carried him and Dena onto the field.
The CornBelters (18-13) will look to sweep the Crushers (10-19) Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. They are undefeated in McDonald's 4 trips to the microphone for them.
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