Game 2 at the Lab in Albuquerque between the Chihuahuas and the Isotopes. A barbershop quartet singing the anthem got the proceedings started. (Some interesting anthem singers lately.) The crowd was again large and loud. Much like yesterday, both teams were playing tight, and there was no scoring for the first half of the game.
Tim Hagerty was a lot looser today calling the game. After one break, he came back on chuckling. “If you get caught laughing on the radio, you should explain why.” Unfortunately, game action was going fast and he’d already told this story earlier on an El Paso sportstalk show, so I was having trouble following the thread. The PA at the stadium was playing the Gin Blossoms between innings. Earlier in the season, I think the Albuquerque’s radio announcer had bet Tim that Isotopes would catch the Chihuahuas in the standings. Like 17 games back, that was a pretty safe bet at the time. Tim likes the Gin Blossoms (me too, they’re one of my favorites), so I think the other guy, who hates them, has to sing one of their songs in public (I think). The PA apparently found out about this and was having a good time with it. The other announcer was in an uproar in his booth. Tim’s end of the deal was that he’d have catch a bullpen session with a pitcher who throws 99 mph. He has a definite personal stake in the Chihuahuas winning.
Meanwhile, the MLB.tv free game was the Royals vs the Marlins. I would have liked to have watched more, but being at the same time as the all-important Chihuahuas game and other distractions, I was only catching bits of it. I did see Jeff “Frenchy” Francoeur on his new team after a trade, the Marlins, beat out an infield single pinch hitting. His teammates were amazed and amused. I wonder if there’s a chance he’ll end up back playing with the Chihuahuas at some point in his career. The Royals won 5-2. They’ve won 10 of 11. Can they catch the Indians?
Well, the Rangers helped them out with a 9-0 win over the Indians in Arlington. Cole Hamels, no doubt wishing they were in the National League so he could hit one out like Yu Darvish, had to settle for pitching 8 shutout innings. Carlos Gomez, recently let go by the Astros and picked up by the Rangers, made a good impression on his new team, hitting a home run and driving in 3 runs. There’s been some real animus towards Gomez from the fans and within baseball. Honestly, I don’t know what the problem is. I haven’t followed his story at all. As long as he hits and doesn’t cause any problems, I’m good with him.
Back in Albuquerque, Tim has threatened the board op, Sal, with being barred from future broadcasts for being a jinx. The team has lost 7 in a row when he’s been working the studio and Tim can’t afford any more losses. He was just kidding. However, after an error, the Isotopes opened up the scoring in the 5th with an unearned run. They’d score twice more and win the game 3-0. Rockies pitcher, Christian Bergman, pitching tonight went 7 scoreless innings and drove in two runs. He may be back in the majors soon. The Isotopes are now 4 ½ back of the Chihuahuas with 7 more head-to-head games left. (Cue the Jaws theme.)
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