By JON DARLING
The Isotopes Times

The Isotopes are 2-2, have been outscored on the season and there are a lot of low numbers when looking over everyone’s batting averages.

The slow start doesn’t have coach Jon Darling worried, and he points to one stat to why he thinks the Topes are the favorites to win the championship in 2012: .643 — the combined on-base percentage for leadoff hitter Kenny Jacobsen and Kurt Homer, who has hit second.

Jacobsen has been on a tear to start the season. In four games, Kenny is hitting .750 with an OBP of .786. He’s 9-for-12 this season with two walks.

Behind him, Homer has an OBP of an even .500 with three hits and a team-leading four walks.

“The guys at the top of the order are getting on base, that’s what they’re supposed to do and they’re doing it well,” Darling said. “The middle of the order is off to a slow start, but when the heavy hitters come around, there’s going to be plenty of ducks on the pond to drive in.”

Jacobsen and Homer have each reached base in the first inning in all four games this season and have been on base a combined 18 times in four games, yet the duo has scored only seven times.

“Historically, the top of the order has been an area of concern,” Darling continued. “Over the years, we’ve tried several different combinations up there, looking for guys to get on base for Tom Jachimczyk and Dave Gagliardi in the middle. Now, we’re found a combo that works, and we’re only going to score more runs as the bats come alive and the temperatures get higher.”

On top of the success at the front of the batting order is a stronger middle. In addition to Yim and Gags, the longtime combo in the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, Eric Marshall, Eric McAndrew, Ryan Walsh and Jeff Dacosta have made the lineup deeper. It’s a simple formula: Guys getting on base and good bats to drive them in. It’s a combo that’s gonna lead to a lot of wins.

Season Highlights

There have been only four games, but there are a number of noteworthy plays already in 2012. … Yim slammed a two-run, walk-off homer in the first win of the season, 15-14 over the Sand Demons. … In that same game, Homer platted two runs with a bases-loaded double on an 0-2 pitch with no fouls to burn. Also in that game, Dacosta, Ry Chabot and Patrick Long had back-to-back RBI singles with two outs in a big second inning. … Long had a beautiful opposite-field double down the right-field line and scored what proved to be the go-ahead run in a 7-5 win in Westport over the Wrecking Crew, a game that also saw Marshall throw a perfect strike from left field to hose a runner at the plate and Gags drive in the final run of the game with a long triple that arguably would have cleared the fence at Cushman.

Around The Bases

Walsh leads the team with five RBIs and boasts a .545 batting average … Chabot is off to a good start to the season, hitting .444 with two walks, making for a .545 on-base percentage. … Some other teams in the league count errors as hits, and while this isn’t the Topes’ policy, it does shine some light on who’s reaching on errors, i.e. who’s hitting it down and hard. Jordan Chabot is only hitting .285 on the season, but if counting errors as hits, his average shoots up to .571. … There have been 96 penalty beers so far this season (156 if counting preseason games). Jordan Chabot, Walsh, Homer, Dacosta and Mike Hochella have all had to make extra runs to the packie this year. … There has been no set make-up date for the rainout with KMP last Thursday, but the rainout with the Misfits will be made up on June 19 at Cushman in a doubleheader. … The Rose Alley Ale House has two cool new happenings that are worth checking out. First, on Monday nights from 8 p.m. to midnight, the bar is serving breakfast for dinner, complete with a variety of Bloody Marys. Also, check it out on Facebook for details on how you can turn your New Bedford parking ticket into half-off your meal … The jerseys are done and will be available on Tuesday. Compliments to Justin Estrella of Just Your Way Screen Printing in Westport. Find it on Facebook for more information.

Looking Back

From time to time, the Isotopes Times will look back at a notable game of yesteryear. Today, we take the DeLorean from Back to the Future to July 14, 2009, when the Topes were 18-3 heading into a 6 p.m. contest against the Wrecking Crew at Cushman Park.

After McAndrew led off the first inning with a lineout to third, Kenny came up and knocked a basehit to center. Yim followed with a two-run homer over the fence for an early 2-0 lead. The Topes fell behind, 4-2, heading into the third, when they scored five runs on back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Kenny and Yim. The Topes broke the game open with an eight-run fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Yim. The Topes cruised from there to a 19-8 victory, but not before Yim made it a three-homer game with a solo shot in the sixth.

Oh, Yim also pitched that game, filling in for former pitcher Matt Biltcliffe.

Yim’s evening took a disastrous turn when KMP rolled in for the second game of the doubleheader. He slammed a two-run homer in the first to give Rose Alley a 4-1 lead, but tore his Achilles in the third inning rounding second base after a single. KMP scored 10 runs in the fourth and went on to win, 14-13.

Yim’s statline for the night: 6-for-6, four home runs, a double, nine RBIs, six runs scored, seven innings pitched and one ruptured tendon.

Looking Ahead

Rose Alley will have its first of five doubleheaders Tuesday at Cushman against the Wrecking Crew (6 p.m.) and Sand Demons (7:30 p.m.). The week after is a home-and-home series with the Red Eyes at Cushman on Tuesday and Wednesday. Other games to check out around the Sandlot Softball League include: Bulldogs at Red Eyes (5/16), Sand Demons at KMP (5/17), Crew at Misfits (5/21) and Bulldogs at KMP (5/24).

The Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford announced its season schedule recently, and suspiciously there is a lack of good jams coming in the fall and winter. Who is coming, however, is hysterical comedian Ron White (Tater’ Salad). Did you know Ron White got arrested one year ago for possession of marijuana on a private plane? He got busted because of an anonymous tip to police he had cheeba (he was found with less than three grams). He takes the stage in New Bedford on Oct. 1. … Fans of the awesome movie “300″ will be happy to hear that there’s a sequel in the works. According to published reports, Frank Miller (also the writer behind Sin City) has finished writing the sequel, which reportedly will take place between the Battle of the Thermopylae and the Battle of Plataea (the fight the Spartans are preparing for at the very end of the movie). … Figures, a week after I proclaim that I wouldn’t mind if J.D. Drewdropped dead that he starts to heat up. I think Tuesday night’s home run was the first I’ve seen from him that actually made a difference in a game. … Speaking of the Red Sox, what’s with players sucking while they’re here then going to a different team and kicking ass (Hanley Ramirez, Roger Clemens, Jamie Moyer)? Exhibit A, though, has to be Brad Penny and John Smoltz: In their last two starts in Boston, they combined for 35 hits 19 innings; In 19 innings with new teams (in only three starts), the pair have allowed only 12 hits. … Congratulations to The Bulldogs, who won their fourth-straight Sandlot Softball League championship on Monday in Westport. “The Bullfags always play their best ball in the playoffs. That’s what makes them the class of the league,” said Jon Darlng, former coach of the third-place Isotopes. … Few links for your Thursday enjoyment: A report about a teenager who cries tears of blood (weird); Deep-fried butter is only the tip of the iceberg for the State Fair of Texas’ menu (yummy?); The best prom ever? How about $175-bucks a head for a three course meal and a full, school-sponsored bar(awesome); and one of the former Mighty Morphin Power Rangers thinks his kicking-butt ability is real, he wants to fight in Mixed Martial Arts. … Congratulations to Mark and Sarah Biltcliffe, who tied the knot last weekend. Best wishes to the newlyweds. … Today wold have been Jeremy Glick‘s 39th birthday. Glick, a former Judo champion, famously said “We’re going to rush the hijackers,” on 9/11 before he and other passengers forced the plane down in Pennsylvania, well before its target of Washington D.C. He was awarded the Medal of Heroism posthumously, the highest civilian honor. … Happy 29th birthday to softball player Jennie Finch. I don’t think she’s as hot as others hype her up to be. What is impressive is her stats: In six years with the U.S. National Team, she had 397 strikeouts in 239 innings and an ERA of 0.42. … Happy 14th birthday to eBay. Did you know that eBay owns 25 percent of Craigslist? …  Coming soon to Decent Community: New England Patriots 2010 preview. How will the Pats fare this season? What are their biggest weaknesses? Can they go all the way? Answers to burning questions and predictions from the experts at Decent Community.

WESTPORT — The Rose Alley Isotopes put up a great effort Monday buy failed in their bid to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Isotopes lost 6-3, and combined with last week’s 11-2 loss, were eliminated from the Sandlot Softball League playoffs by the Misfits.

“We just couldn’t muster enough hits when we needed them,” coach Jon Darling said. “We were upbeat the whole game. We were cheering and supporting one another. We were really into this game but just couldn’t hit the ball enough to win.”

Matt Biltcliffe drove in both runs in last-week’s loss with a first-inning single. Pat Long platted two runs Monday evening on a double to center. Kurt Homer accounted for Rose Alley’s other run with a hard ball up the middle that got by the outfielders for a home run. The Misfits will start their best-of-five finals series against the three-time defensing champion Bulldogs on Wednesday.

2009 marked the third season in the last four that the Isotopes have had the best record in the regular season but failed to win the championship. Not helping Rose Alley’s offensive struggles in the playoffs was the loss of Yim, who had surgery recently to repair a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.

Darling said that despite the early playoff exit, the season is not a failure by any means.

“It’s fun coming out a few times a week and having some brews. It was a blast and it made the summer of crappy weather that much better,” he said.

Before hanging up his cleats for on the 2009 season, his last as coach, Darling wanted to thank his teammates and the Ale House for their support, as well as express gratitude to all the Decent Community readers.

“A lot of the guys were a delight to play with. I’ll never forget some of the great things that happened on and off the field with the Isotopes. The thousands who visit Decent Community every day helped take the Topes beyond SouthCoast, and the Rose Alley Ale House was just awesome in sponsoring the team,” he said, adding that he felt “honored” to be coach of the team for three seasons.

Although no one has stepped up and said they would take over the team next season, Darling said that assistant coach Dave Gags, Long and newcomer Kenny Jacobsen would all make great coaches if they would like to lead the squad in 2010. “They’re all responsible and have great people skills. Any of them would make an outstanding leader next year.”

Decent Community is hitting the road tomorrow for the Phish concert in Hartford, Conn. Two set-list predictions I hope come true: Ya Mar and Lizards. … I am very psyched for The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, starring Jeremy Piven as basically Ari trying to sell used cars. I Found a great trailer approved for mature audiences only that shows some pretty decent stuff. The way I look at it, the more Ari the better. I think my favorite Ari line is in season No. 1 when he’s running along and sees his neighbor’s dog taking a dump. He yells to his neighbor as he runs by “If you’re thinking of not picking that up, I’ll fucking kill you,” as he jogs into his driveway. I bet hardcore Entourage fans will agree with me here, though, in that some of Ari’s best stuff is when he’s so pissed he can’t even get a word out of his mouth. … I’m not a criminal, but I think I would have enough common sense that if I robbed someone, I wouldn’t have a yard sale two days later and try to sell off all her stuff. … Decent Community’s favorite softball team, The Rose Alley Isotopes, have their backs against the wall, according to coach Jon Darling. In an e-mail to us a few days ago, he wrote that the Topes lost their first playoff game, 11-2, on Tuesday and face a must-win game today against the Misfits. … One year ago today, Michael Phelps set the Olympic record with his 14th career gold medal. Despite his whole controversy about the pictures of him hitting a bong and becoming a proponent of legal cheeba, he still rakes in $5 million annually on endorsements. …  Jason from Framingham sent us an amusing email after reading the Old Country Buffet Review. “The OCB shit you speak of is legendary. You guys should do a article about other chain restaurant shits. Like the Outback Steakhouse dump (Get the Bloomin Onion) or the Chilis Babyback ribs shit.” I went to Google to see if anyone had a Web site like this. Whatever you do, do not click on anything after Googling “Taking a shit.” … I sometimes find a quarter or a nickel when walking on the sidewalk. I usually put it in my pocket and smile. I’ve heard stories of people finding $1 or even $20. Decent! But I don’t know what to say to the people in Florida who found a 60-pound bag of cocaine worth $1 million lying on the sidewalk. … Happy 36th birthday to former porn star Brittany Andrews, who retired from the business a few years ago to attend film school. Andrews used to raise money for L.A. charities by auctioning off fellow porn stars to rich dudes for big cash for an evening. Here’s Andrews in action. … Happy 50th birthday to Danny Bonaduce, the crazy dude who played Danny Partridge back in the day. Did you know his second wife, whom he divorced in 2007 after seven years of marriage, met him on a blind date and they got married the same day? He’s currently banging 27-year-old Amy Railsback, a former substitute teacher who is now his manager.

The rumor rambled a few weeks ago about the Stoneforge Tavern coming to Dartmouth is officially true. The restaurant is going on Route 6 near BJ’s Wholesale Club in a building that has housed the Ground Round and IXTAPA. It will be all casual dress, unlike other Stoneforges that have casual and fancy sections. … I always buy a copy of Madden football and dominate with the Patriots, but I always end up with Josh McDaniels or Romeo Crennel as head coach. Why? Because Bill Belichick isn’t in the game. Never has been. Why is he the only one of the 32 NFL head coaches not featured in the annual Madden game? He’s the only one who’s not a member of the NFL Head Coaches Association (NFLHCA) union. Maybe that’s why he’s not well-liked in the coaching fraternity (and why no one came to his defense during Spygate). … I’d like Decent Community members to join me in expressing my sympathies to Helmet Head, who was recently stripped of his Portuguese heritage by Portugal President Anibal Cavaco Silva. “We have strict rules about our cultural heritage,” Silva said. “When Portuguese people living in Mass. don’t attend the annual Madeira Feast in New Bedford, we take action. He’d be better suited as Dutch or French.” … Speaking of The Feast, anyone think that after raising the price of a beer to $4 that the Feast Committee could afford to get some liquid soap in the men’s bathroom? Just a bar of soap sitting there just doesn’t get it done for tens of thousands of people. … Isotopes coach Jon Darling e-mailed Decent Community during the team’s bye week to give a few updates. He wrote that Polish power-hitter Yim underwent successful surgery on his Achilles’ tendon Monday and should be on the sidelines cheering on the team when they start playoff action next week. He also wanted to congratulate the team leaders in 2-out RBIs: Kurt Homer (18), Matt Biltcliffe (13) and Dave Gags (11). … Congratulations to longtime Community member Mike Rocha on his recent engagement to the extremely decent Megan Best. Good luck and best wishes to them both. … Happy 67th birthday to former druglord George Jung, also known as “Boston George” and the guy who Johnny Depp played in the movie “Blow.” If you don’t want to wait until his Nov. 27, 2014 release date, you can go to his Website, georgejung.com, and buy something of his “Smuggler Wear” clothing line. I’m not joking, go ahead and buy a Jung teeshirt for $40. The “Blow” soundtrack plays in the background while you’re shopping! … Happy 58th birthday to former WWF wrestler Dino Bravo. Sadly, Bravo was shot 10 times in the back of the head for crossing the Canadian Mafia in an illegal cigarettes ring on March 11, 1993. What was Bravo, “Canada’s Strongest Man” doing when  he got shot? Watching hockey in his living room.

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes clinched the top seed in the playoffs Monday for the third time in the last four seasons with a double-header split with KMP. The Isotopes will now have a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

“Getting the top seed is huge,” coach Jon Darling said. “We can rest up with a week off then host the lowest remaing seed, meaning we won’t have to play both the Bulldogs and KMP on the road to a championship.”

KMP and the Bulldogs join the Isotopes as being many games over .500 while the other three teams in the league are well below.

Monday’s clincher at Livesey Park didn’t start well as Rose Alley dropped the first game, 11-3. The bats came alive in the clinching, second game of the double-header for an 18-10 victory. Ethan Gifford busted out big time Monday, going 6-for-7 while Kurt Homer had seven RBIs as part of a 6-for-9 day. Chris Pinault picked it up in the second game, getting on base five times in the No. 2 spot in the order with a 4-for-4 day with a walk and five runs scored. Both Dave Gags and Eric McAndrew had triples in a six-run fifth inning that sealed the win.

The Isotopes played well again Tuesday night in a 7-4 win over the Misfits at Cushman Park to finish the season at 23-6. Pat Long (3-for-4), Pinault (3-for-4), Kenny Jacobsen (2-for-3), Homer (2-for-3) and Chris Desmarais (2-for-3) paved the road to the ‘Topes finishing the regular season on a winning note.

QUICK HITS

Monday was Homer’s first time back in the No. 5 spot after going 2-for-9 in the No. 2 spot in the previous two games. … Pinault on Monday became the first Isotopes not named Yim to reach base five times in one game. It was a sign of good things to come for Pinault, who posted an .876 average for the week … Tuesday’s game was the annual pick-names-out-of-a-hat-lineup day, featuring Long, Bilty and McAndrew, who played great defense Tuesday, 1-2-3 in the order. Homer was the unlucky ‘Tope for the second straight year, getting picked last again. … The 2009 season is the third straight year the ‘Topes have finished with 23 wins after posting 23-7 marks in 2007 and 2008. … Not surprising, Yim won the Isotopes’ batting title for the season, coming in at a .722 clip. In the final regular-season statistics, he was followed by Jacobsen (.554), Homer (.509), Gags (.450), McAndrew (.422), Long (.409), Pinault (.404), Mike Rocha (.379), Matt Biltcliffe (.373), Desmarais (.368), Darling (.366), Gifford (.321) and Cousin Scott (.250). … Rose Alley’s next playoff opponent is unknown, but it will be either the Misfits, Wrecking Crew or Outlaws. The Isotopes have a combined 17-1 record against those squads.

FAIRHAVEN — Seven innings just isn’t enough anymore.

The Rose Alley Isotopes needed extra frames in both games this week in a pair of thrilling, come-from-behind victories over the Outlaws.

“The Isotopes showed a lot of heart this week — maybe more heart than I thought we had,” coach Jon Darling said. “We got key hits in key situations and some big defensive plays when it mattered most.”

The offense continued its struggles since Yim injured his Achilles’ tendon on July 14. Through the first four innings of each game, the Topes (21-5) had totaled only four runs and the meat of the order (Kurt Homer, Kenny Jacobsen and Dave Gags) hit a Julio- Lugo-on-steroids-like .292 for the week.

The Topes started the week with a 14-9 win Monday in Westport. Mike Rocha had the loudest hits of the day with a 2-run triple in the fifth and an RBI double in the ninth that proved to be the game-winner. Pat Long made the play of the day when, after committing an error to start the eighth inning, made a diving catch on a short fly to the outfield to keep the score tied. Eric McAndrew knocked a huge, game-tying double in the seventh innings to bring the Topes back and force extra innings.

Long came through against the Outlaws again on Wednesday at Cushman Park. With new bats being busted out, Long smashed a two-run triple to the right-field fence in the fourth to get the Topes back in the game. McAndrew’s two-out, seventh-inning hard ground ball turned into the game-tying play on a Outlaws error. After holding the Outlaws scoreless in the eighth, pitcher Matt Biltcliffe pushed the game-winning single to right field, scoring Gags and sealing a week of come-from-behind victories with a 6-5 win.

QUICK HITS

Yim was medically ruled out of the remainder of the season after a visit to the doctor on Thursday. The Polish power hitter will undergo surgery on his ruptured Achilles’ tendon on Aug. 3 and is facing as much as a 12-month recovery period. If you’re into praying, he could use a couple. … Wednesday’s game was played at the the field on the east side of Cushman Park, known as WomanCush. It was the Topes first game there this season, bringing their record there to 10-2 since the end of the 2006 season. … Wednesday’s game was a makeup from Tuesday, when Rose Alley got rained out for the eighth time this year. The Topes had totaled four rainouts in the previous two seasons. … Darling was the only Isotope to not record a hit last week. … Darling also announced Wednesday that this season will be his last as coach. … At 21-5, the Topes need to win two more games to clinch first place and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They are back in action Monday against KMP at Livesey Park then return to Cushman to host the Misfits at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Topes will wrap regular-season play on Wednesday against the W. Crew in Westport.

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes just crushed the Wrecking Crew by 11 in the first half of Tuesday night’s double-header. The team slugged beers and had a jolly time in between games after watching Yim slam three homers and drive in seven in the 19-8 trouncing. KMP rolled in and the Topes jumped out to an early 7-1 lead.

Then tragedy struck.

After homering in his first at-bat, Yim knocked a single and advanced to third on a double by Dave Gags, but on the way to third he came up limp with a pain in his ankle. He needed a pinch runner and limped back to the bench in pain after the inning. Coach Jon Darling was hoping it was just a rolled ankle.

“He was hurting for sure. He said he popped his Achilles tendon,” Darling said. “He was still limping hard a few days later. He’s in rough shape and is probably going to have to be examined by a doctor. His return at any point this season is extremely doubtful.”

The Topes are going to have to step it up without Yim, who leads the team by a wide margin in every offensive category, including homers (15), RBIs (56), doubles (15), batting average (.744) and on-base percentage (.722).

Rose Alley went on to lose to KMP, 14-13, despite a spirited 5-run, last-inning comeback that fell just short when Darling lined out to the pitcher with the tying run on third base. KMP scored 10 runs in the fourth inning and the Topes just couldn’t muster enough offense to get a win.

Rose Alley jumped right back in action Wednesday against the three-time defending champion Bulldogs. The Topes jumped out to a 7-5 lead but the Bulldogs pulled away, scoring multiple times in the fourth, fifth and sixth for a 12-7 victory.

Several Topes had big weeks at the plate, lead by lefty right-fielder Kurt Homer, who hit .909 (10-for-11). Kenny Jacobsen (9-for-12, three doubles, four RBIs), Matt Biltcliffe (6-for-11, HR, double, five RBIs), and Darling (6-for-10, BB, double, three RBIs) paced the offensive without Yim, who was 6-for-6 with four homers and nine RBIs before injuring himself.

The two losses put the Topes at 19-5 for the season, holding a slight edge over KMP and the Bulldogs in the race for the top seed in the playoffs. Both teams have eight losses.

QUICK HITS

Tuesday’s game against KMP had more the just Yim’s injury. Outfielder Chris Desmarais was a little shaken after running into the left-field fence going for a ball and Homer cut his knee up sliding to knock down a ball in right. … What’s Tubesteak been doing on his summer vacation? Playing for the Topes, of course. The smooth righty was 3-for-4 on Wednesday in a guest appearance. … Mike Rocha made his return from the DL this week after cutting himself trying to separate frozen veggie burger patties with a steak knife after drinking heavily. He reached base safely in all three games, including a 3-for-4 game against KMP. … Livesey has need been kind to the Topes in the past three years. Not including playoffs, the Topes are 5-8 there since the start of the 2007 season after Wednesday’s loss. … The Isotopes are not walking as often as last season. In 2008, the team averaged 1.8 free passes per game compared to this year’s 1.4 … The Isotopes can clinch home field throughout the playoffs by winning their next four games, starting Monday against the Outlaws in Westport at 6 p.m. before hosting the Outlaws Tuesday at Cushman Park for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

WESTPORT — The Rose Alley Isotopes keep playing good softball, winning two games this week to improve to 18-3 on the season.

Coach Jon Darling is happy with the team’s record, but feels there are still some things that need to improve if the ‘Topes are going to win their first Sandlot Softball League championship.

“We’re playing well, but we’re not perfect by any means,” Darling said Tuesday night after the game against KMP was rained out. “We need to get better on the basepaths and better with the bats, but for the most part, we are playing the best softball we’ve played in the modern ‘Topes era.”

Pat Long led the charge Monday in two wins over the Outlaws, going 6-for-7 with three RBIs and a walk as the ‘Topes cruised to 11-4 and 10-7 victories.

“He’s hitting the ball as well as anyone right now,” Darling said of Long, who’s fifth on the team in batting average at .452. “He’s hitting to all fields and dropping base hits in at clutch times.”

Rose Alley busted the first game open in the third inning with four straight, 2-out RBI singles by Nick Mitcheson, Long, Darling and Ethan Gifford. Dave Gags added a two-run single in the fourth as the ‘Topes cruised to an eight-run victory.

Yim had the loudest hit of the evening with a three-run blast to left center in the second game to put the Isotopes up 6-2 in the second inning. He added two more RBIs in the sixth with Gags and Kurt Homer also driving in runs to seal up the four-run win.

QUICK HITS

Mitcheson made his return to the Topes Monday. Also known as “The Body,” Mitcheson played five seasons for the ‘Topes before an injury forced him to the sidelines. He had three hits and three RBIs in his return. … Pitcher Matt Biltcliffe missed his first games of the modern ‘Topes era Monday. There is now no member of the team who has played in every game in the five-year modern era. Yim came in from the bullpen, tossing two solid games in Bilty’s absence. … The league’s Web site, www.sandlotsoftball.com, is under construction, but should return soon with standings and team stats. … Not surprising, Yim leads the team in batting average (.724) and on-base percentage (.702). Rounding out the team leaders in average are Kenny Jacobsen (.571), Homer (.462), Gags (.458). Jacobsen is also second in on-base (.571) followed by Homer (.482), Long (.463) and Eric McAndrew (.457). … The ‘Topes are a perfect 20-0 when playing in Westport since the end of the 2006 season. … Coach Darling e-mailed Decent Community to praise the efforts of Homer and Long for their efforts trying to get the field playable for Tuesday’s game. … The Isotopes are back in action next week with a double-header Tuesday against the Wrecking Crew and KMP at Cushman Park before battling the rival Bulldogs on Wednesday.

FAIRHAVEN — The Rose Alley Isotopes (16-3) won both ends of a thrilling double-header Tuesday night and cruised past the Misfits Thursday to extend their hold on first place in the Sandlot Softball League.

Both of Tuesday’s contests were won in walk-off fashion.

The opener against rival KMP started well with Yim nailing a three-run homer in a five-run first inning. The Topes’ bats went silent until the end and KMP battled back to tie the score at 6-6 late in the game. The Topes prevailed in their last at-bat when Dave Gags nailed a line-drive triple to left center. Following two intentional walks to Kurt Homer and Matt Biltcliffe to set up a force at home, Mike Rocha hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to left center, scoring Gags to seal the 7-6 victory.

The Topes sat around drinking beers before the second game against the W. Crew but still managed to lead 4-0 early on RBIs by Gags, Homer, Cousin Scott and Eric McAndrew. Rose Alley fell behind 5-4 in the sixth inning before Pat Long nailed a 2-run bloop single to center. The W. Crew pushed the Topes’ backs against the wall with a 3-run seventh for an 8-6 lead but Rose Alley battled back again with the top of the order scoring three runs without making an out. Gags and Homer drove in the tying and winning runs, respectively, as the Topes swept the double-header with a 9-8 win.

The Isotopes continued to drink heavily on Thursday, when a scheduling conflict forced them to watch a Bulldogs-KMP matchup at Westport before taking the field against the Misfits. When the Topes finally got on the field, they scored early and often, putting up runs in every inning except the second for a 17-2 victory. Yim led the way with a 5-for-5 day with a triple, double and five RBIs. Kenny Jacobsen (3-for-5, 4 runs scored), Gags (2-for-3, 2 doubles, 4 RBIs), Chris Desmarais (2-for-4, 2 doubles) and Cousin Scott (3-for-4, RBI) paced the offense over the Misfits.

QUICK HITS

The Isotopes drank 180 beers this week, with three 30-packs downed during the double-header and two more 30s, an 18-pack and a 12-pack going down against the Misifts. … Rocha is going to be on the disabled list for the foreseeable future after injuring his hand trying to separate veggie patties with a steak knife. … In Rocha’s absence, a ‘Tope from the past is set to make his 2009 debut Monday. … Yim’s first-inning blast Tuesday was his 10th of the season, the third-straight year he has reached double-digits in homers. … Yim, Desmarais, Kenny and Cousin Scott all tried their hands at pitching this week with everyone doing well except for Scooter, who was pulled after throwing eight straight balls. … The Topes will play three games this week. They open Monday against the Outlaws in Westport at 6 p.m. before hosting  KMP Tuesday at Cushman Park at 7:30 p.m. A return trip with the Outlaws is in order for Wednesday in a makeup of a rainout at 6 p.m. in Westport.