"We definitely work well together," Silvestri says. "The second baseman/shortstop have to know where to feed the ball, where the guy likes it. We work on the things in practice that carry over in the end."
The D-P combo is providing some thump at the plate as well. Middle infielders aren't counted on to drive home runs, but the two have combined for sixty runs batted in, proving the due isn't just defensive minded.
"Everyone knows that pitching is going to help you win games," Martin explains. "So when you get the lines there up on the board, it's just going to be that much easier."
But it's in the field where Silvestri and Martin have shined. The Bulls pitching staff knows if it can throw strikes, there's a good chance someone's going to scoop it up.
"I think it gives them great confidence, and we preach at the pitchers to keep the ball down," says manager Bill Evers. "If you keep it down, good things can happen. The double play combination has really turned the tide."
It's certainly one of the big reasons the Bulls lead their division.
• Credits
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