Even with my new terrible work hours, I was still knocked out after that game and woke up late. Thankfully, I got up in time for the rubber match between the Rangers and Yankees. The radio call picked up (late as usual) with Adrian Beltre hitting a two-run homer as part of a three-run first inning. Later in the first after Aaron Judge got on, Eric Nadel commented that, “Napoli looks like a little leaguer next to him.” Mike Napoli, playing first today, is not a small person.
In the second, Joel Pineda, starting for the Yankees, took about 15 minutes to put two runners on and then give up a home run to Shin-Soo Choo. You could hear Yankee fans grumbling. If you were going to do that, couldn’t you have done it quicker? Drew Robinson, a name I didn’t recognize playing second for the Rangers, got his first hit, RBI, and home run all in one swing in the fourth in his first start. He also made a great play in the field earlier. He can reportedly play any position. 7-0 Rangers after four complete.
Then it began. The Yankees scored on a hit by Judge, right after the previous batter struck out, but reached on a wild pitch. Then there was a three-run homer by Gary Sanchez. 7-4 Rangers. In the seventh, the Yankees scored two more times and got the crowd back into it. 7-6 Rangers.
Finally, with two outs in the ninth, Matt Bush was pitching to Aaron Judge. It was kind of a forced move for manager Jeff Bannister to put Bush in and everyone held their breath. After a battle, Judge singled. Gary Sanchez came up next. Bush managed to strike him out to end the game, and perhaps get his closer job back. 7-6 Rangers final. Whew!
Tonight’s Chihuahuas’ game versus the Isotopes started in a rain delay in Albuquerque. (It felt like rain here too.) Thankfully, it was a short delay. Thankfully, because they went back to regular programming and ESPN Radio has been completely unlistenable this week over the NBA (Nothing But A-holes) draft talk. I don’t know who any of these players are that you guys are talking about, since all you’ve talked about for the last six months is Lebron and how much you hate the Warriors.
The coverage started with a very regal chorus performing the national anthem. It was the Santa Fe Opera performing. Very cool. There was also Christmas music playing between innings. Tim Hagerty explained that it was half-way to Christmas night. Santa was in the house, and there were holiday giveaways for the fans in attendance. Tim was still buzzing about last night’s game. He said that there were only a couple of thousand left at the end of the game. The stadium lights went off immediately after the last out, plunging the stadium into darkness, the music started, and the fireworks show began right then. Meanwhile in the Isotopes’ clubhouse, Jon Gray had bought an extravagant spread of steak and shrimp for the team. Needless to say, it got cold waiting for them.
The Chihuahuas managed a steady drip of runs and led 5-0 after four. The comeback for the Isotopes started in the fifth as Dominic Brown tripled in two runs. The crowd went nuts. Brown scored on a sacrifice, and it was 5-3 Chihuahuas after five. In the sixth, Albuquerque took the lead on a home run, 6-5, and piled on more in the seventh, 9-5.
In the bottom of the eighth, Carter Capps came in for the pups and was called for an illegal pitch. Suddenly, we’re playing softball? (That’s the only other place I’ve seen that call.) Rod Barajas was tossed for arguing. After a second call, a wild pitch by Capps hit the ump, and Capps smirked. He was ejected and nearly got into a fight with the umpire. Right after, Isotopes tacked on some more against the new reliever. 12-5 Isotopes was the final in an embarrassing loss.
6-26-17
Chihuahuas versus Rivercats. The ‘Cats are the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, so Tim Hagerty chatted about how bad the Major League team is. He was also stumbling over some of the Rivercats’ player names, which even a professional announcer would have some trouble with. Their roster is like a U.N. meeting. Oh my, goodness gracious! I just read the Albuquerque Journal account of that five and half hour game on Saturday. After the past-midnight fireworks show, there was a scheduled “fun” run, which took place at 1:00 am. There were participants. What exactly is “fun” about a run with a bunch of strangers? Seems like tequila shots would have been more “fun” and appropriate at that hour.
The Chihuahuas got the scoring started in the first by taking advantage of their home field and putting one into the overhanging Peter Piper Pizza Porch. Jabari Blash made a great throw to the plate to keep the Rivercats off the board in the second, but they did tie the score in the fourth with a home run.
And then there were some broadcast issues over the Internet, along with my work commitments. This has not been a good season for KROD’s baseball broadcasting. I missed an interview with PCL President, Branch Rickey. Then I missed Tim recapping the conversation. I think Branch liked the franchise. Tyler Beede pitched eight strong innings for the ‘Cats in a 4-2 win. Tim sounded genuinely disappointed at the end of the game.
Rangers versus Indians. Cole Hamels made his return to the lineup today. Through four innings, he gave up three runs. Unfortunately, he was charged with four runs in the fifth. Amazingly, Cole did not take the loss. The Rangers had been up 9-3 until that point. The final ended up being 15-9 Indians. The Rangers might have had some bullpen issues for this game. Meanwhile, a reeling Rockies team got beat by a crappy Giants team, 9-2. That’s six losses in a row, all to division opponents.
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