So, we lined up outside the gate and we waited....and waited. It ended up being one of those times when the guard was kind of a dick, and there was something obviously messed up with the count, and yet, there we sat, waiting.....
We got in by about 5:15, and quickly warmed up, and once again declined the infield and outfield in order to get the game started. And get it started we did, coming head to head with our favorite rivals the Giants. Yet, this time, it wasn't 18-0, after the second inning.
Sean Presley, rested and looking sharp despite the scruffy beard, was dominating on the hill. His shoulder may have been sore, but his heart and spirit were firmly in play when he took to the bump.
For once, we actually scored the first run, going ahead on Ed's clean ground ball up the middle. Way to go Ed, thanks for not flailing away as so many first timers will do. Doing the pitching for the Giants was Mario, who we have faced before, but never with this much riding on the stake of the game. His short arming days seem to be behind him, as he had a deceiving fastball and a wicked curve, when it was working.
Jimmy was given the mantle of lead off man, based on his last showing at the Q, but this time it wasn't his turn. The game was decided by the patient bats and the topsy turvy calls of the man behind the dish, Junkyard. Yes, the closer for the A's, was the man calling the balls and strikes. Or should we say strikes as he saw them...
The true heroes proved to be Stoner, Greg and others who took walks when they needed to, or made important sacrifices when the time was right. Of course, that is only part of the story. Chris Powell took at least 4 balls off the chest and stomach, and turned them into outs, which helped immensely.
In the end, we played 7, Satch came in and threw 6 pitches in relief for the 6th and then got cocky and gave up the tying run in the 7th. In the win column, at least I didn't give up a hit to Red or Johnny Badass. We were cut short by last bell, and not a man among us will disagree that we need to bring up the last 2 innings before we start anything new with the Giants. It's the principality of the thing....
The Marin Brewing company provided high quality after game service, as usual. But then again, I am the nice guy.
Highlights:
* Ed had his first SQ RBI and had the guy at third, if only we had appealed the call
* Solid defense for the whole game, most of the hits were legit
* The patience was great, when we got a nice string of walks for the go ahead
* Mario still had at least 6 strikeouts, including me, and with many a thanks to Junkyard who's strike zone was as expansive as his sentence
* We certainly took advantage of the right side, and no one got thrown out for not legging out the single to right field
* Two out rally baby!
* John McG and Ed played a great 2nd and got some key outs!
* Johnny Badass is so badass that he doesn't care about catchers interference, he'll take a bat on the arm for the team
* Stoner and Phelps are the lucky third base coaches, you want a run, get these guys coaching.
* Got a single with the War Hammer
* We had a couple of close plays at the plate, one where Johnny Bad ass was crashing hard and slid head first, was tagged out, then slapped the ball out of Greg's mitt just for fun, and one where Johnny Bartlett was out by a mile, and got a little high face action to cement the play.
* We picked a guy off at second to preserve the tie
* Jimmy ran so far to collect a ground rule double, we were worried he might come back with scars and a cellie.
* Small pine tar bottles are illegal. Large water bottles are fine. If you can provide a good explanation why, you might be able to run a CA prison.
* We met the first woman warden. She seemed very smart, sure and capable. The asst. coach introduced her as "pretty". Keep reaching for the glass ceiling, Ex-Warden Jeanne Woodford.
* All in all, a great game, and I think we were all a little relieved that it ended up a tie.
See you on Sunday, rain or shine!
S. Paige
No comments:
Post a Comment