ALWAYS SUNNY IN BANANALAND: PARTY ANIMALS STEAL 3-2 WIN OVER THE BANANAS IN CITIZENS BANK PARK

The Greatest Show in Sports was hosted by its greatest stage yet. A sold out crowd of 45,000 fans gathered in Citizens Bank Park to watch that greatness unfold before them, making it the largest Banana Ball game ever played in the history of the sport. 

“These environments are hard to beat,” Party Animals Head Coach Mike Vavasis said prior to the game. “You really can’t come into these MLB stadiums and have a bad day. The energy is nuts. The electricity is off the charts, and it’s just the energy brought to us by the crowd, you can’t beat it.” 

Like many games before this, the Bananas called Noah Niznik to the bump to kick off the game of the season. Heading into this outing, Niznik had been credited with 10 wins, and had just under 97.1 innings under his belt. Throughout the year he had tallied 57 strikeouts and was looking to collect a few more in the home of the Phillies. 

The Bananas kicked things off pretty hot defensively, closing up the top of the first with back-to-back-to-back trick plays. Eric Jones Jr., caught third baseman Danny Hosley’s throw between his legs at first for the first out of the game. Center fielder DR Meadows caught a pop-fly mid-backflip for out number two and closed out the inning with a catch off of his glove. 

Dalton Ponce, boasting a 3.44 ERA going into the game, was the starter on the mound for the Party Animals. It was a 1-2-3 inning for Ponce, who notched a sub-two minute outing.  

Jason Swan was the match to a flaming Animal offense in the top of the second inning. The Bananas’ attempt at a double play wasn’t quick enough for the Fresh Prince’s speed, deeming him safe at first base.

Tanner Thomas moved him to second on a fly-ball to deep left, setting the stage for Dustin Baber’s success with two outs and two on. 

Baber’s clutch RBI double gave the Animals the first run of the game. 

The Bananas’ Super Reese Alexiades had his at-bat cut short when a fan caught his foul ball for out one in the bottom of the frame, and because only one guy in yellow crossed home, neither team was awarded the point for inning two.  

The third inning was highlighted by Olson’s 100th trick play of the season, which came only after Chase Achuff’s solo shot over the left field wall. The no-doubter was the 100th home run of the 2024 Banana Ball World Tour. 

Greatness followed greatness as the Bananas called Shane Victorino to the plate. The two-time All-Star and World Champion was met by a standing ovation. 

“To feel this feeling once again is unimaginable,” Victorino said in regard to the sold out crowd. 

The Party Animals were booed when they took him down at first base, but Victorino tipped his hat to the guys in black as he walked off the field. The Animals ultimately took the point for the inning, giving them the first point of the game. 

The Bananas tied things up in the bottom of the fourth when Flash tha Kid slid into home right before Taj Porter’s tag. A fan challenge overturned the initial call and granted the Bananas their first point. 

The Boys in Yellow welcomed another MLB legend to the mound in the top of the fifth. Joe Blanton, a Phillies World Champion, came to the bump to relieve Kyle Luigs and get the guys out of a jam. The all time great delivered. 

“Honestly to be able to step on this field and throw a pitch one more time,” Blanton said, “it’s special.” 

The Party Animals closed out the fifth inning defensively strong. They won the frame and gained back their one point lead. 

In the top of the seventh inning, Major League All-Star and World Series Champion, Jamie Moyer was greeted at the bump with a standing ovation. 

RobertAntony Cruz noted things up in the bottom of the frame with a three-run walkoff home run. It was Coach Rac’s second home run in an MLB stadium this season. The crowd roared as he tumbled through home plate. 

Bryson Bloomer responded quickly in the top of the eighth inning. His RBI-single scored Jake Skole and gave the Party Animals what was ultimately the winning point. 

In the bottom of the frame, Drew Gillespie made his first appearance since August 24. He had been rehabbing an ankle injury, and had been eager to get back up to the mound. His successful outing was capped off by the appearance of Phillies Legend Ryan Howard, who was ultimately Gillespie’s second out of the inning. 

The Bananas couldn’t take back the inning. 

It was the Party Animals’ game in Citizens Bank Park. 

“I’m happy to be here with the boys,” Brady Kais, the Party Animals’ closer said.