This was an interesting change of pace. With Cody Decker in town with the visiting team, he brought his finance’, Jenn Sterger with him. She sat in with Steve Kaplowitz on his local sports talk show. It wasn’t really an interview; Jenn was more of a co-host for two hours. She was quite well-spoken and engaging. She certainly has some inside information on sports from her sports broadcasting career and from being with her future husband. I didn’t have access to the live studio video feed, but it was inferred that she looked great too. (A reported record number of viewers were watching.)
There were plenty of sports talk topics on tap for today to comment on, such as Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension and Colin Kaepernick’s unemployment. Brett Farve was not mentioned by name, but the topic came up. I liked Jenn’s informed, passionate, professional takes on these matters. On the other hand, I didn’t really agree with most of her positions. They were too ESPN. You know, “Tim Tebow sucks! Free Colin Kaepernick!” Still, I was heartened by one of Jenn’s little asides. She’d met an actress at a Los Angeles dinner party that she really looked up to. Then she was horrified and disappointed as the actress left to go do drugs. At least, Jenn doesn’t have Hollywood morals.
Today’s game between the Chihuahuas and the Las Vegas 51’s started off with a cello version of the anthem by a Grammy-award winning artist. It was lovely. Tim Hagerty sounded very happy to be back home after a long road trip. In Tim’s discussion with Kappy before the game, he was pleased that his toddler son still recognized him.
In the top of the first, two bad defensive plays gave the 51’s a run. The crowd immediately began grumbling. For some defensive redemption, catcher Rocky Gale gunned down a runner at second on a steal. Tim was already calling him safe, as it looked like an easy steal. He was shocked Gale got him. Unfortunately, another score came in on a solo home run, 2-0 51’s. Franchy Cordero got one run back on a leadoff homer that may have landed on top of the Big Dog House, 2-1.
El Paso fan-favorite, Cody Decker, came up in the second to a round of applause. Jenn related that the love affair is mutual. Don’t be surprised to see him show up at some of his favorite local restaurants. I almost think I heard walkup music for him. Cody walked and was then driven in by a two-run homer, and another run scored on top of that, 5-1. A “misting” started over the stadium from rain clouds in the area. In the bottom, Nick Buss was called out at first on an infield hit. Uncharacteristically, he got mad about it and argued. It was quick and, upon looking at the replay, he was actually safe. Then there was a roll of thunder. The field was immediately cleared, and the rain began. Tim took off his headset as a precaution. The station went to ESPN Radio.
The MLB free game was the Rockies visiting the Marlins in Miami (Florida, not Ohio or Oklahoma). Not only was the video blacked out, I joined the game in the bottom of the eighth, tied at three. Thankfully, I still got the offered radio feed. A not so great development was the Marlins driving in three runs in the inning, including two off a triple. 6-3 Marlins final.
In other MLB news, I didn’t pay enough attention to the St. Louis Rally Cat story. He ran out on field during a game against the Royals, right past an amused Lorenzo Cain. A brave stadium attendant was slightly harmed subduing the cat. Sorry, Kitty. Fans aren’t allowed on the field. That’s an eject-able offense. Yadier Molina, inspired by this good-looking black and white cat, then hit a grand slam home run, earning the super-fan pussycat his nickname. Said cat was then claimed by another fan, who was likely drunk, and then he was lost. Rally Cat was found a couple of days later. Hopefully, he’ll get a friendly new Cardinal-fan owner. The Royals were swept, by the way. The Cardinals have worked themselves into a position to challenge the Cubs for the Central.
An hour later, play in El Paso resumed at 9:00 pm. It was also very windy for the rest of the night. I suspect much of the crowd abandoned the park. Two new pitchers entered the game. In the fourth, the Chihuahuas loaded the bases on three singles with no outs. But, they only came away with a run and the inning ended on a double play, 5-2. In the fifth, the pups were back on the attack. Diego Goris doubled in a run. A fielder’s choice brought in another. Buss then singled in the tying run. Five all.
Cody Decker homered in the top of the sixth. I was away at the time, so I don’t know what the crowd reaction was, probably not good (but I’m sure they still liked him). The 51’s ended up scoring three and retook the lead, 8-5. The Chihuahuas got back a run in the bottom and a Chase d’Arnaud home run in the eighth, but 8-7 51’s was the final. Tim sounded disappointed. Me and the rest of the fans were disappointed too. The 51’s are one of the worst teams in the PCL (as were the Baby Cakes). The Chihuahuas shouldn’t be losing these games. They also shouldn’t have taken three of four from a very good Grizzlies team either. That’s why this is so frustrating. At least Cody had a good game.
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