There were five games tonight, three on TV, one on the Internet, and one on the radio. They all pretty much overlapped. Let’s get to it and try to sort it out. The first game on the MLB Network tonight was a pivotal division matchup between the Cubs and the Brewers in Milwaukee. As usual, both sides were getting cheered during the game. There was at least one whole section of Cubs fans by their dugout. No sign of Front Row Amy. Something must have happened to her.
When I joined the game, it was 2-0 Brewers. I’d missed the play of the game where Jason Heyward robbed Ryan Braun of the home run. I did see Braun pop up with the bases loaded. You know, he still doesn’t look like a ‘roid user, and he never did. That’s the part of that story that never made any sense. Also in the game for the Brewers was Lewis Brinson. He was a standout prospect for the Rangers, traded for catcher, Jonathan Lucroy. The Rangers might be wishing for a “do-over.”
It was 2-1 in the ninth, Kyle Schwarber made a pinch hitting appearance with Anthony Rizzo on with two outs. He struck out. The catcher asked for the last pitch up, while the commentators were saying that the pitcher should throw it in the dirt. The pitcher hesitated, like he could hear them. The catcher nodded at him, “Just do what I tell to and stop listening to the guys in the booth.” Always listen to the catcher.
I was really more distracted by the Diamondbacks and Cardinals on Fox Sports Arizona. I again missed the biggest play in the game. D-Backs pitcher, Robbie Ray, was hit on the back of the head by a line drive early in the game. He gave the crowd a bit of a wave while he was being carted off. They reported he was “alert” at the hospital, not the most encouraging prognosis.
As tight as the other game was, this one was even tighter. The first and only run of the game came in the sixth off a run-scoring single by the Cardinals. Certainly the D-Backs relievers had stepped up in the game in an emergency. In the eighth, the Diamondback offense finally had a legit threat with runners on the second and third with no outs. There was a strikeout, a runner thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice (upheld on review), and a strikeout of Paul Goldschimdt. Trevor Rosenthal would end up getting a two-inning save in a 1-0 Cardinal win.
I still couldn’t get into the MLB free game site, even re-entering my password. Once again, I was watching on Yahoo. It was the Indians and White Sox. It was 6-0 Tribe when I looked in, so didn’t really follow it. 9-3 was the final, though the White Sox did load up the bases at the end, trying to make a comeback.
The Chihuahuas played the ICubs in their series finale. In spite of all the rain in the area this week, somehow it all avoided the stadium. There were sprinkles at the beginning of this game, but it didn’t rain. Iowa went up 6-1 early while I wasn’t paying attention. In the seventh, the Chihuahuas surged to a comeback with four runs to make the score 7-5. The ICubs scored two in the ninth to make it 9-5. In the bottom, the pups kept coming. They loaded the bases, though painfully, as Nick Buss took a pitch off his foot. Matt Carasiti came in for the ICubs after a run scored. Yangervis Solarte, down on rehab, drove in two, but that was all. 9-8 ICubs. Though having a losing record, the Chihuahuas are still very much in the hunt for the division due to Salt Lake’s collapse.
Finally, the MLB Network’s second game was the Dodgers versus the Giants. I was busy, but noted that the lead had changed hands a couple of times. It was 6-4 Dodgers in the eighth when I joined the game. It took a moment, but I noticed that Buster Posey was at first. I’m not sure who was catching for the Giants. The Dodgers announcers were so busy talking about the Dodgers’ imminent World Series games, that they almost couldn’t be bothered actually call the game. (Shame on you Orel Hershier. You should know better to always concentrate on the game.) In the ninth, Kenley Jansen struck out the side for the win. I admit, these guys are looking pretty impressive.
7-29-17
I knew I was going to have a conflicted day today between the Rangers and Chihuahuas, since both games started at the same time, and I wanted to listen to both. It got confusing, flipping back and forth. Worse, the games weren’t very good, so my notes were scattered and very incomplete. (The night’s Rockies’ game was rained out.)
I started off in Round Rock, listening to the Chihuahuas play the Express. It was 104 degrees there. Tim Hagerty read off the starting lineups, and it was also like the pups were playing the Rangers. Ryan Rua, Drew Stubbs, Jurickson Profar, Jared Hoying, AJ Griffen, and Tanner Scheppers all came into the game. There was even a former Chihuahua/Padre Will Middlebrooks playing for the Express. I’m surprised the team isn’t doing better.
Due to some pre-game ceremonies, that game started late. I switched over to the Rangers/Orioles. Adrian Beltre was two hits away from 3,000. There was a full house in Arlington to see him, even with 55% humidity making the night miserable. Beltre got a standing ovation for his first at bat. A great play got him at first.
Back in Round Rock, a home run, two errors, and an unearned run gave the Express a 2-0 lead. The stadium must be near train tracks, as you could hear trains during the game. In Arlington, Joey Gallo had a home run robbed by a highlight reel catch by Adam Jones. Even the Texas crowd applauded him. It was 4-0 Orioles.
In the fourth, Beltre singled for hit #2,999. The station came back late from commercial, and I almost missed it. The crowd roared. Tim Hagerty mentioned the Beltre hit right after it happened. In the sixth, the crowd became antsy for the next Beltre at bat and boo’d anything delaying it. I lost the last of my signal just before it happened. I was holding my radio, trying to get every last once of reception. The hit didn’t happen then thankfully.
Meanwhile, the Chihuahuas weren’t doing well in their game. After a six run sixth, it was 9-1 Round Rock. I focused on the Ranger game. In the bottom of the ninth, still trailing 4-0, nobody had left the ballpark. The crowd gave Beltre a thunderous standing ovation for his at bat. They played the PA announcing him. Unfortunately, he grounded into a double play. Eric Nadel thought he was overanxious tonight in his swings. The Chihuahuas lost 9-2. It was very hard to keep up with two games, especially when you’re really just listening for just one thing.
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