Baseball Journal June 23-24, 2018

6-23-18

It was good news/bad news on Saturday morning.  The good news was that a Mexican TV station was picking up the Rangers playing the Twins, and I’d be able to listen to the game in English over the radio.  But, this meant I wouldn’t be getting two different games.  Also, there was a 30-second delay on the TV, and the radio reception was poor. 

The Twins went up 2-0 off a first inning homer.  The Rangers loaded the bases in the second.  A walk to .198 hitting Robinson Chirinos forced in a run, and that was with a wide strikezone today.  Delino Deshields singled and drove in two.  Shin-Soo Choo got a ground rule double to drive in another.  He has a 30+ game on base streak going.  Normar Mazara drove in two more.  Finally, a new pitcher came in after the starter had thrown 60 in an inning and 2/3.  6-2 Rangers.

I can’t believe it.  I’m getting soccer updates from the radio guys about Germany and Sweden.  I had the TV sound off; I don’t know if the Mexican announcers were talking about it or not.  What is wrong with me that I’m not interested in an international soccer tournament where a US team isn’t playing?  I guess I’m not hip and trendy enough to appreciate a sport I don’t like, featuring teams I don’t care about, unlike all these professional sportscasters. 

In the third, Joey Gallo hit a double directly into the fielding shift against him.  The Twins had nearly all the fielders to the right of second base.  Chirinos then hit a two-run homer.  Hmm, on second thought, maybe you should be careful pitching to the guy with a .198 average.  8-2 Rangers.  In the fourth, Adrian Beltre hit a home run to make it 9-2.  I’m enjoying this.  In the sixth, Beltre struck out to end the inning and then argued with the ump that he wanted an appeal to first.  The ump was too busy laughing to argue back. 

Yovanni Gallardo had had a pretty good game, but was pulled in the sixth after giving up another two-run homer, 9-4.  In the seventh, Jurickson Profar was hit for the third time in the game.  It seemed pretty intentional, though it took three pitches.  The guys on the radio were baffled as to why he was being singled out.  A few words were exchanged from the dugout.  Oddly, this was the second time this year Profar had been hit that many times in a game (6-9-18).

In the bottom of the seventh, Delino made a running backhanded catch that saved a run, which proved to be important in the ninth.  The Twins loaded the bases with one out.  Keone Kela had to come in for a save.  He gave up two runs on a double.  The bases were reloaded with two outs before Kela got a strikeout to end it.  9-6 Rangers final.

FOX’s game in the evening was the Dodgers and Mets with Clayton Kershaw versus Jacob DeGrom.  I didn’t feel bad about not getting the Astros’ game under these circumstances.  It wasn’t quite the marquee matchup though.  Kershaw was making his first start coming off an injury, skipping any minor league rehab starts. 

The scoring started in the first with a Max Muncy home run to the second deck for the Dodgers.  (I don’t know who this guy is either.)  It may have been an enemy ball, but the fan who got it up there was very happy.  Actually, there were plenty of Dodger fans there in Queens.  In the second, Chase Utley was boo’ed as he came to the plate.  Ah, that made me feel good to know that I’m not the only person still holding a grudge against him.  Kershaw gave up a couple doubles to tie the score at one. 

The Mets scratched out another run in the third to make it 2-1, but Chris Taylor doubled in two in the fourth to make it 3-2 Dodgers.  Kershaw came out after three innings in good spirits.

Flipping around, I noticed a Mexican League baseball game on.  It was the Monterey Sultans versus the Yucatan Lions (I think).  The Sutans’ logo and pinstriped uniforms strongly suggest a Yankees’ influence.  If you need an argument against putting advertising on uniforms, you can check out what a Yankees uniform would look like with it.  (Whew!  It’s really bad.)  Sultan Stadium (I have no idea what it’s actually called) is pretty nice with two large video screens in the outfield and two animated video boards behind home plate.  That was all I saw of the game, it went pretty quickly, unlike most Mexican League games.

Back in New York, Michael Conforto clanked on a fly and gave up a triple.  Before the game, they were talking about a great play he made yesterday with a running, backhanded catch.  Another defensive lowlight was Mets’ catcher Devin Mesoraco taking a foul ball off the cup.  In the bottom, the Mets got two on with no outs and came up with no runs. 

Degrom came out after six innings.  Brandon Nimmo tripled on a whiff in the outfield by Cody Bellinger with no outs.  They still didn’t score.  In the eighth, the Dodgers scored on a squeeze play (see, that’s one way you can score a guy from third) and on a grand slam by Matt Kemp.  Jose Bautista homered for the Mets late, but the game was functionally over with the Dodgers winning 8-3.

While this was going on, the Chihuahuas played the Rivercats again.  Johnny Cueto made a rehab start for the ‘cats.  He looked good, giving up 1 hit in 3 2/3.  Cueto smiled and waved to the Sacramento crowd when he came out.  The Rivercats had a one-run lead, but the Chihuahuas tied it in the fifth, but missed taking the lead then on a failed squeeze (take some lessons from the Dodgers).  Carlos Asuaje would triple in a run in the sixth to give the pups the lead and they’d win 3-1.  Tim Hagerty was surprised to see a youth Chihuahuas team at the stadium.  Up to a certain level, kids’ teams can use minor league logos.           

6-24-18

Before today’s Rangers and Twins game, I heard a little of ESPN Radio.  An Irish commentator was doing World Cup coverage.  I couldn’t resist listening to his lilting poetic accent.  Today’s games were so exciting that he was going to watch some boring baseball to chill out.  Gee, was there a game where three whole goals were scored?   

Actually, he may have had a point about today’s Ranger game.  The first run didn’t come across until the fifth.  The second one didn’t come in until the sixth.  That was it.  Rangers lost 2-0.  Bartolo Colon pitched pretty well for seven innings, but Jose Berrios did better in six with 12 strikeouts and no runs.  Fernando Rodney struck out the side in the ninth to close out the win.  Eric Nadel had exactly zero enthusiasm in announcing the final score.  He was disgusted with the game too.

The Chihuahuas played the Rivercats for the final game of their road trip.  The pups got a 3-0 lead early, including Forrestt Allday scoring from third on a wild pitch.  Later, Carlos Asuaje dropped a popup in the bright sky, which led to a Cat run, 3-1.  In the fourth, pup pitcher Walter Lockett doubled and drove in a run with the outfield playing him shallow.  4-1 Chihuahuas, but they left the bases loaded.  

In the fifth, an error loaded the bases.  Javy Guerra drove in a run, Lockett was walked to drive in another, and a double by Luis Urias brought in two more.  9-1 Chihuahuas with only five of those runs unearned.  Urias missed a fly ball in that bright sky and the Rivercats started making a comeback with three runs scoring, 9-4.

Lockett went back out in the sixth and gave up a leadoff triple, which scored.  With Gregor Blanco coming in to pinch hit, Lockett came out.  The bases were then loaded with Kelby Tomlinson up and the crowd cheering.  A wild pitch brought in a run, but that was all.  Tim Hagerty started having flashbacks of the Labor Day game last year, (9-4-17) where the Chihuahuas were up 9-2 in the eighth and lost.  (I’m still traumatized.) 

Franmil Reyes drove in a run in the eighth, and the pups put up three more in the ninth, which pretty much sealed it.  Allday made a sliding catch to end the game, 12-9 Chihuahuas.  It was a three hour, 22 minute game and a four game sweep by the Chihuahuas.  The game’s length actually put it in danger of running into a travel curfew, which made Tim nervous.  He had a quick story about the Padres, who were playing in San Francisco.  There was a mis-schedule with their team bus to get to the ballpark.  A staff member flagged down an empty sight-seeing bus nearby and made a quick deal.  So the team rode to the stadium, waving at people from the open upper deck of the bus.  

ESPN Radio Sunday Night Baseball was the Nationals versus the Phillies.  The announcers were worried about a rain cloud beyond centerfield right at the start.  One of the guys was mad about his new pinpoint weather app not predicting rain, which was clearly on the way.  Rhys Hoskins hit a monster two-run HR to start the scoring.  He taunted Washington fans before going back to the dugout.  I want this guy to do well, since I have his rookie card.

By the fourth inning, it was raining.  The announcers weren’t sure how hard, since it was happening below the pressbox.  (Visiting announcers are always complaining about how high up the pressbox is at Nationals Park.)  Anthony Rendon homered for the Nats 2-1. The rain seemed to be bothering pitcher Nick Pivetta as three more hits scored another run.  Finally, a delay was called with the score 2-2.

40 minutes later, the game resumed.  (I did nothing of note in the meantime.)  Pivetta came back in to a two on, no out situation and struck out the side.  The rest did him good.  In the fifth, a triple by Odubel Herrera drove in two to make it 4-2.  Nick Williams added a two-run homer to make it 6-2. 

The Nats left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, but in the sixth, they cashed in.  Trea Turner hit an RBI triple and nearly tried for an inside-the-park home run.  Bryce Harper doubled in a run and Anthony Rendon doubled him in to make it 6-5.  With the bases loaded in the eighth, Daniel Murphy hit a single to drive in two runs to give the Nats a 7-6 lead.  Another run added to it.  And then, KROD ran a commercial break on autopilot and I don’t know what happened, except in pieces.  The Nats won 8-6.  What a downer way to end the weekend in sports.

Baseball Journal June 19-22, 2018

6-19-18

The Braves are looking kind of for real, at least today in their game with the Blue Jays.  They won 11-4 in a convincing fashion.  Charlie Culberson was a standout.  In the first with two on, he made a great catch at the wall, and in the fourth, hit a two-run homer. 

It was a two-way no-hitter for three innings in El Paso between the Chihuahuas and the Redbirds.  Memphis opened up the scoring in the fourth via an error, a steal, and a fielder’s choice.  They did get a hit to drive in another to make it 2-0.  In the bottom, Luis Urias tripled and was sacrificed in by Austin Hedges. 

Next inning, Forrestt Allday made a catch falling into the stands.  The pups took the lead in the bottom on a two-run homer, 3-2 Chihuahuas.  They opened it up in the sixth with a Diego Goris two-run homer.  The hit was in question as fair or foul, but the umps gave it to him.  Hedges and Brett Nicholas also drove in runs to make it 7-2.

The Redbirds threatened in the eighth with Kazuhisa Makita pitching.  They scored, loaded the bases, then drove in another, but Kaz finished the inning.  7-4 Chihuahuas was the final.  There was a consultant doing a hardware upgrade tonight.  He heard a little of the broadcast and asked, “Why are they talking about ‘Chihuahuas?’”  I had to explain that was the name of the team.  “There are worse minor league baseball team names,” I added.

6-20-18

The streak is broken.  The Chihuahuas were off.  I missed the MLB.TV free game or it was rained out (not sure which).  And the Diamondbacks weren’t on TV either.  ESPN and the MLB Network didn’t have games on either when I was able watch.  On Twitch, I did see one of my favorite Streamers, Dizzy Kitten, accumulate over $10,000 in donations while trying to do ASMR.  It was mostly one guy doing it and others piled on.  Dizzy kept trying to keep going, but was holding back tears while thanking the steady stream of donators.  Finally, she broke up and cried.  It was like watching someone hit the lottery, but they’d had to work hard for it.

6-21-18

      

Pirates played the Diamondbacks on the MLB.TV free game.  It was audio-only.  They finally did the TV blackout correctly, since the D-Backs are shown locally here.  I listened to the Pirates’ broadcast.  I may not have had a choice actually.  I was enjoying their play-by-play guy.  The D-Backs were up 6-0 in the second, and the color guy said, “They don’t have a powerful lineup.  Nobody has double-digit home runs for the year.”  The play-by-play guy said, “They do.  I think you’re looking at our lineup.” 

At 8-0, the Pittsburgh crowd was booing as Chad Kuhl was finally pulled.  The Pirates mounted a bit a comeback later, but not much of one.  Near the end of the game, the play-by-play guy added this sarcastic comment, “Up six, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Tony Lovullo wants a pitching change.”  9-3 Diamondbacks final.

The Chihuahuas were in Sacramento to play the Rivercats.  Jeff Samardzija was pitching on rehab for the ‘cats.  Franmil Reyes was back on the pups.  A kicked ball in the outfield led to a Shane Peterson RBI.  The Chihuahuas took a 2-0 lead.  In the third, the Rivercats left the bases loaded after a sliding catch by Forrestt Allday ended the inning. 

Samardzija came out after four.  The Chihuahuas teed off on his relief.  They loaded the bases off of a hit batter, an error, and a walk.  Austin Hedges doubled in two as part of a five-run inning to put the pups up 7-0.  The Rivercats got one run in the bottom, but left the bases loaded again.  In the sixth, a third error scored another Chihuahuas’ run.  The final was 10-1 Chihuahuas.  The Rivercats had four errors for the game, and the pups finished by getting 14 outs on them in a row.

6-22-18

What a slugfest!  The MLB.TV free game was the Mariners at the Red Sox.  As I joined the game in the first, the M’s put up four runs.  In the bottom, the Sox took the lead with five runs.  The Mariners looked like they had the handle on knuckle-baller Steven Wright, as they put up two more runs in the second and four in the fourth for a 10-5 lead.  Nelson Cruz to that point had two home runs over the Green Monster and 7 RBI’s. 

This was the Red Sox TV coverage.  They showed a highlight from yesterday where Mookie Betts caught a fly ball and barely had to move.  He took his positioning notes out of his pocket and waved them at the dugout.  He’d been studying them.

Away from my desk for a while, it was an hour until the Chihuahuas’ game.  ESPN Radio was as un-listenable as ever.  Blah, blah, World Cup, blah, blah, Lebron, blah, blah, blah, blah.  In desperation, I sought out a FOX Sports Radio affiliate over the Internet.  Not that was expecting them to talk about anything else, but maybe the host would be less of a tool.  Actually, even that’s too much to hope for. 

Imagine my surprise that there was a baseball game on a Richmond, Virginia station.  It was the Flying Squirrels!  Yes, I’ve heard of these guys.  It’s another minor league team with a goofy name.  They are the Double-A affiliate of the Giants, and they were playing the Bay Sox.  The two guys doing the game were pretty lively and there was plenty of commercial sponsorship for the Squirrels.  (How does this Double-A team get two announcers and the Triple-A Chihuahuas only get one?) 

The team had a player named Jonah Arenado, that’s Nolan Arenado’s younger brother.  I missed the festivities in Richmond last night, as Flava Flav threw out the first pitch.  He was reportedly a big hit with the fans.  Trouble was on the horizon, however.  I was only hearing the game because it had been delayed by rain.  The announcers were watching the radar and there was more coming in 20 minutes.  I did tune in a bit later and they were in another delay.  They eventually called the game.

Back in Boston, holy crap!  I picked up watching in the seventh and the Red Sox had tied it at 10 and had the bases loaded.  JD Martinez, who would finish with 5 RBI’s and a homer, drove in two of the runners on a single.  The shock final was 14-10 Red Sox. 

Elsewhere in Sacramento, the Chihuahuas played the Rivercats and won 3-0.  They got some good pitching today and Austin Hedges had 2 RBI’s.  The pups are now .500.

Baseball Journal June 14-18, 2018

6-14-18

Yankees versus Rays was the MLB.TV free game.  I would have liked to have seen more of the game, sine the Rays are about the only team I’ve seen that never seems intimidated by Yankee Stadium (they never get a home game against them with all the Yankee fans in Tampa Bay), even with the really large crowd there tonight.  As it was, I only got to sit down and watch the ninth where Aroldis Chapman closed it for a 4-3 Yankees’ win.  Blake Snell for the Rays pitched well.  All of the Yankees’ scoring came off of two home runs in the fifth.  Meanwhile, there was some dude in an orange suit and orange top hat sitting behind home plate during the game.  I’m sure there’s a story there.

In El Paso, the Chihuahuas faced the Sounds again.  Wil Meyers and Franchy Cordero were on the roster tonight for a rehab assignment.  I admit that I wasn’t really listening until later in the evening.  The Chihuahuas had a 5-1 lead after four innings, off of Brett Nicholas hitting a three-run homer, Meyers doubling in Franchy, and Luis Urias doubling in a run.  But, the Sounds would start clawing their way back into it to make it 5-3 late. 

In the eighth, the wind suddenly kicked up and a light rain began to fall, while the Sounds loaded the bases.  One runner came in on a sac fly.  A new pitcher came in and gave up a three-run homer on his first pitch.  Suddenly, it was 7-5 Sounds.  And I thought I recognized the name of one of the Nashville players, Bruce Maxwell.  Tim Hagerty talked about him in the ninth.  He was the only “kneeler” in Major League Baseball during the Anthem “crisis.”  He was on the A’s before being sent down because he can’t hit and had some domestic violence problems.  I’m sure when the police arrived on the scene, I’ll bet he hoped they didn’t recognize him.  Regardless, the Chihuahuas lost 7-5.

6-15-18

It was audio-only again for the MLB.TV free game of the Astros versus the Royals.  KC’s main announcer had this elderly, avuncular voice that was like listening to your grandpa tell you about the game.  I missed almost all of the game, but did hear him complain about a spurious challenge by a manager, “I want that 40 seconds of my broadcast back.”  The Astros are on fire lately and won 7-3, mostly because of a grand slam by Evan Gattis.

Meanwhile, the Chihuahuas were playing the Nashville Sounds again.  A brief shower in the bottom of the first sent the El Paso fans scrambling for cover.  Tim Hagerty assured the listeners that clear skies were in view, and rain did clear off.  I missed most of this game too.  Allen Craig homered in the eighth to get the pups within one at 4-3.  The Sounds increased their lead to 6-3 in the ninth. 

It wasn’t over yet.  With the bases loaded, an error brought in two Chihuahuas’ runs, and a sac fly tied the score at 6.  But in the tenth, with a light mist falling, a leadoff two-run homer gave the Sounds an 8-6 win.  Remember, there’s a free runner at second to start extra innings.  Tim said he’d never called a leadoff two-run homer before.

6-16-18

This Saturday was a busy baseball day with four games on tap.  First up was the Yankees versus the Rays.  This was on a different Mexican station than the last few weeks, though it was the same network.  The Yankees won 4-1.  Though seemingly a close game, it mostly wasn’t.  The Yanks were playing loose and smiling the whole time. 

There were some interesting plays.  Yankees’ starter, Luis Severino picked off a foul popup behind the plate from the glove of catcher, Gary Sanchez.  Severino was laughing afterward, but maybe he actually doesn’t trust Sanchez’s fielding either.  In the eighth, the Yankees turned a 5-3-6 double play that went third to first and back to third.  Severino had a good game, going eight, no runs, 9 K’s.  The first pitcher out to close in the ninth gave up a home run to Matt Duffy.  Jake Bauers then tripled on a ball that went in and out of Aaron Hicks’ glove in center.  Bauers came in standing, but slipped on the bag and was almost tagged out.  Aroldis Chapman had to come in to finish.     

To give you an idea of the afternoon heat in Arlington for today’s Rangers/Rockies game, the crowd applauded when a large cloud passed in front of the sun.  The Rockies bullpen was in direct sunlight, which may have influenced their relief decisions in the game.  The Rockies went up two early.  Jose Trevino, who had just been called up with catcher Robinson Chirinos injured and just became a new father last week, got his first Major League hit to tie the score. 

Rangers’ starter Mike Minor worked out of a second and third, no out jam in the seventh.  In the eighth, the Rangers put up three runs to take the lead.  Rockies’ relievers were not sharp.  Keone Kela got the save.  He’s got 15 this year and not had a blown one.  5-2 Rangers in a speedy two hour, 42 minute game.

In the evening, the FOX game was the Cardinals versus the Cubs.  I was surprised we didn’t get the Giants and Dodgers.  Yadier Molina was back catching for the Cards after his groin injury.  My Aunt Judy must be happy to see her favorite player back playing.  They started off well with a Marcell Ozuna two-run homer in the first.  The Cubs would tie it in the fourth on an Addison Russell homer, but Cardinals’ pitcher, Carlos Martinez helped himself out in the bottom by driving in a run.  Next inning, Kyle Schwarber drove in a run to tie it at 3.  The bases were then loaded, but Martinez got two strikeouts looking to end the inning.

The game was in St. Louis, but there was a lot of blue in the stands.  One pair of fans, dressed in opposing team gear, held up a sign that the cameras caught, “We’re friends 345 days a year.”  Ian Happ put the Cubs up 4-3 with an RBI double.  In the replay, you could see Yadi behind the plate putting his head down and shaking it as the bat hit the ball.  By the ninth, it was 6-3 Cubs, after a Jason Heyward two-run homer.  The Cards threatened in th e bottom with two on and no outs, but came up empty.           

In El Paso, the Chihuahuas started their next series which was against the Memphis Redbirds.  Tim Hagerty reported that the players were still buzzing about a Franchy Cordero foul ball yesterday.  It went an estimated 579 ft. and cleared the stadium.  This game turned into a rout early for the pups.  By the second inning, it was 6-0.  The Chihuahuas batted around in the inning.  All of the runs scored in the second were unearned because of an error on the first batter. 

By the fourth, Carlos Asuaje was 3 for 3 after hitting a home run for his fifth RBI.  This drove Redbird pitcher, Daniel Poncedeleon out of the game.  Tim had talked about him earlier.  Aside from discovering Florida and looking for the Fountain of Youth, he’d taken a shot to the head last year in a game that required brain surgery.  It was amazing he was still able to pitch at a high-level.  (And made me feel bad about him getting shelled.)

In the seventh, Luis Urias’ brother, playing on the Redbirds, made it to second, where they chatted amiably.  Their parents were there, rooting them both on.  In the bottom, Ramon Urias threw out Luis at first.  In the eighth, Asuaje hit a triple which gave him a cycle for the game.  Impressive.  The Chihuahuas won 13-1.             

  

6-17-18

For Father’s Day, I took dad out to lunch at McAlister’s and over to Orange Leaf for dessert (they had a two-for-one special for dads today).  At both places, the cashiers said, “Happy Father’s Day.”  We watched some of the US Open golf tournament afterward.  It was interesting.  Shinnecock doesn’t look like a course for beginners or a friendly game.  I kept laughing at one hole that set the pin on a mesa, surrounded by bunkers that were like massive craters.  I liked a story about one of the younger golfers, Tony Finau.  He was down $800 in a skins game with only $20 in his pocket.  He made a hole-in-one to get back even.  I doubt the US Open was more pressure than that.

Dad left before the end, and I tuned into the Rangers versus Rockies matinee on the radio.  It was the sixth and 5-1 Rockies, but I did not miss the show.  Just after I turned it on, the Rangers scored two runs, then Jurickson Profar hit a three-run homer to make it 6-5.  In the seventh, Jose Leclerc gave up two runs off a couple of misplays.  The bases were then loaded, when Gerardo Parra doubled them empty.  Delino Deshields read that flyball wrong.  10-6 Rockies.  In the bottom, the Rangers came back again with three runs, including one off a Profar double.  10-9 Rockies.

The Rockies added on in the ninth with a Trevor Story two-run homer to right, probably jetstream effected.  12-9 Rockies.  In the bottom, Rox closer Wade Davis couldn’t throw a strike.  The bases were loaded with one out.  One run was walked in.  Then Joey Gallo, who’d struck out four times today, also walked to drive in a run.  Finally, Jose Trevino, who came in for Robinson Chirinos in the eighth after an injury, got a bloop hit that scored two and won the game, 13-12.  As mentioned in the last game, he’s a new father.  He’d also lost his father years ago, so the day had a lot of meaning for him. 

That game nearly went four hours, and I’m sure it was hot there in Arlington.  Hold on a couple more years fans; you’re about to get air-conditioning.  At least it was a great game, though I suspect some Ranger fans left early.  I like both teams.  The Rangers are already out of any contention, while the Rockies still have some chance, so it might have been better if they’d won both these weekend games.  They’re certainly not winning anything with these bullpen meltdowns.

The balls were flying out of Southwest University Park in El Paso tonight.  The Memphis Redbirds got off to a 3-0 lead after two innings, including a solo home run.  Austin Hedges homered for the Chihuahuas in the bottom of second, but the Redbirds added another homer in the fourth to make it 4-1.  In the bottom of the fifth, Shane Peterson drove in a run with two on.  Then, pinch hitter Allen Craig drove in two more to tie it at 4.     

Tim Hagerty told a quick story about the Redbirds winning the PCL Championship last year over the Chihuahuas.  The winning ball was thrown in the air in celebration and went into the stands.  A Chihuahuas fan reportedly picked it up and left.  The Redbirds’ organization wanted that ball and they are still hoping to recover it.  Perhaps the fan was listening tonight.

In the sixth, the Redbirds loaded the bases with no outs.  A sac fly got them back the lead at 5-4, but they didn’t add on.  In the bottom, Wil Meyers homered to tie it again at 5.  The Chihuahuas loaded the bases and got a run on a walk for a 6-5 lead, but they left the bases loaded.  In the seventh, Franchy Cordero had a twinge of pain during an at bat.  He dropped his bat and had to come out.  So much for his rehab.

In the eighth, another home run flew out.  Patrick Wisdom with his second of the game, tied it for the Redbirds.  An error put two runners in scoring position, and both scored on a single to make it 8-6 Redbirds, which would be the final.  The Chihuahuas got runners on in the eighth and ninth, but couldn’t get them in.  A double play anti-climatically ended the game.    

 

6-18-18

The MLB.TV free game was Pirates versus Brewers, featuring Trevor Williams versus Jhoulys Chacin on the mound.  Who could have guessed this would be a pitcher’s duel.  I missed most of the game, but saw all the scoring.  Williams finished seven innings without giving up anything for the Pirates.  Chacin went 6 1/3, but was pulled with runners on the corners.  Jordy Mercer would drive in the only run of the game on a double.  Well, that was the game, 1-0 Pirates.  If I’d been watching more, that probably would have been more tense.

Meanwhile in El Paso, the drama left the game early as the Redbirds racked up five runs in the first off Chihuahuas’ pitcher, Walter Lockett.  Ironically, Lockett didn’t have a bad game after that.  He went seven with 9 strikeouts and no walks and no further runs.  Wil Meyers would single in a run the third.  In the eighth, the Chihuahuas loaded the bases.  Luis Urias had about an 11-pitch at bat, including a missed catchable foul ball, before working a walk and driving in another run.  The Urias brothers’ parents had left after the weekend.  They were happy to have seen both their sons win, since they’re on different teams.  Unfortunately, the pups failed to get any more runs and lost 5-2.

Baseball Journal June 9-13, 2018

6- 9-18

Baseball started early today with a noon eastern start between the Nationals and the Giants.  It was 10:00am here and I was watching on a Mexican station.  The Giants' starter was a young man with long hair.  I noticed the cameras kept showing Pudge Rodriguez in the stands.  I was confused until I finally made the connection.  The pitcher was Dereck Rodriguez.  It was Pudge's son making his second major league start. 

Washington DC is currently title town with the Capitals' Stanley Cup win.  The team was there in a suite and they brought the cup with them.  Alex Ovechkin hefted the cup for the crowd.  It also came out after a home run by Bryce Harper.  Later, the video board there also showed Alex eating a hot dog.  He was clearly having a great day. 

Rodriguez came out in the third with the score 5-3 Nationals.  Pudge gave him a standing round of applause.  On the Nat's side, rookie call-up Juan Soto is doing really well and is providing a spark for the team that they needed.  In the seventh, the Giants brought in another long-haired pitcher in Cory Gearrin.  Perhaps they're hoping for another Tim Lincecum.  The final was 7-5 Nats.  The Giants’ offense kept coming back in the game, but their relief pitching couldn't shut down the Nationals.

FOX had regional coverage in the evening.  We didn't get the Yankees and Mets.  The Rockies and Diamondbacks were a surprise option, but we got the Rangers and Astros.  Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre weren't in the field today for the Rangers.  Even worse, a large number of Astros fans were there for the game in Arlington.  I got a look at Isiah Kiner-Falefa.  His name makes a horseshoe around the back of his jersey.

The Astros started off with a two-run lead.  The Rangers loaded the bases in the bottom, but Isiah struck out looking on three pitches to end the first.  In the second, Delino Deshields made a great running, sliding catch in right center.  Rangers' starter Mike Minor even applauded him from the mound. 

In the bottom, the Rangers loaded the bases with no outs.  Jose Altuve made an error on a sure double play that scored a run.  A sacrifice brought in another.  A third hit batter of the inning reloaded the bases, but all were stranded, 2-2.  The Astros' starter, Charlie Morton, was still working on a no-hitter.  All of the Ranger runners were off of free passes.

Delino made another great catch in the third.  This time, not only pitcher, but the Astros' crowd there in Arlington gave him a round of applause.  In the fourth, there was a great interview with Elvis.  He was on the disabled list for the first time in his career.  He was amazingly upbeat and loves to play the game, “All my problems disappear out on the field.”  That's a great attitude to hear.  Morton finally came out for the Astros.  His line was 6 walks, 4 hit batters, 4 strikeouts, and 1 hit. 

The Astros retook the lead in the fifth with a Max Stassi solo home run.  Meanwhile in Denver, Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer to give the Diamondbacks the lead.  Great one-handed catch in the stands by a fan with a mitt.  In the bottom of the fifth, Ronald Guzman got a hit to drive in a run and tie the score at 3.  I think this is the first time I've seen “The Condor.”  He is a big fellow.  Him and Joey Gallo would make a good pay-per-view bout.

          

In the sixth, Nomar Mazara threw-out Yuli Gurriel at second from deep right field.  Back in Denver, the lead changed for the third time.  Thank goodness, I'm not watching that stinker of a game.  The story in Arlington came down to one Ranger stat: 14 left on base, including two this inning.  The Astros made the most of their runners, as George Springer drove in a run, 4-3 Astros. 

Altuve got on in eighth.  There was a great shot of The Condor towering over him at first.  Diamondbacks now up 8-7.  Roughned Odor started a double-play, and Guzman made a great catch of a foul to end the inning.  He immediately handed the ball to a kid in the stands.  Jurickson Profar got hit for the third time in the game.  He made it to second, where Marwin Gonzalez attempted to pull the hidden ball trick on him.  Profar nearly threw his helmet at him for trying it. 

In the ninth, Ruggie turned another double-play.  He must have heard the criticism about his defense.  In the bottom, an Astros fan caught a ball and tossed it to confused kid wearing gear for both teams.  Beltre came on as a pinch hitter with two on.  The crowd was standing for him.  The umps held things up for a minute to conference about the number of mound visits.  Adrian, unfortunately, grounded into a double-play to end the game.  4-3 Astros final.  The Rangers left 18 on base for the game.  Meanwhile, I think the D-Backs won 12-7.  I didn't get a final.  I couldn't get good reception on KOA for the postgame.

The Chihuahuas played the I-Cubs at the same time.  The pups loaded the bases in the first.  The Cubs' manager was ejected for arguing balls and strikes, but the Chihuahuas failed to score.  The Cubs went up 2-0, until a play at the plate in the fourth brought in a run for the Chihuahuas.  The fans disagreed with the call.  Javy Guerra homered to put the pups up 3-2.  The ball hit the top of the fence and went over.  They increased their lead to 4-2 in the ninth.  The Rangers' game just ended as that happened.  This game started 45-minutes later than that one.  The Chihuahuas won 4-2.  Their closer, whose name I didn't catch, was throwing 99mph.

 

6-10-18

The Chihuahuas were apparently rained out today.  Tim Hagerty would come on periodically for a couple of hours with weather updates, but I think I missed his final one.  The NASCAR race was delayed by several hours by rain, but somehow managed to get in half the race and finish it before fog rolled in.  The F1 race was NOT rained out, but wasn't much of a race, as Sebastian Vettel won from the pole.  The Canadian GP sometimes has some drama, including the best race I’ve ever seen (Jenson Button 2011), but this one didn’t have it.  The new Sky Network coverage was unnecessarily hysterical.  Thankfully, I still had the Astros and Rangers playing.

The Astros went up 6-0 in the second.  I was suddenly wondering if I was going to get a game here.  Shin-Soo Choo would drive in two in the bottom to make it interesting.  In the third, the Rangers loaded the bases and Carlos Perez drove in two to make it 6-4.  Who?  You can't tell the players without a scorecard.  In the fifth, a hit and an error brought the score to 6-5.  Ronald Guzman drove in a run to tie it at 6 and drive out Dallas Kuechel.  Yuli Gurriel made a diving play for an unassisted double play to end the inning.

In the sixth, Choo made a great catch.  He can still play in the field.  In the bottom, Eric Nadel pronounced Astros' reliever, Tony Sipp's, time between pitches “intolerable,” and wants a pitch clock installed.  Even the crowd was boo'ing him.  Gurriel homered in the seventh to give the Astros a 7-6 lead.  In the eighth, Adrian Beltre tied it again on an RBI hit. 

Then we had the controversy.  In the top of the ninth with runners on second and third, Keone Kela was called for a balk.  It was obvious, but it wasn't called by an ump in play.  Astros Manager AJ Hinch complained to the umps, who called a conference and then called it retroactively.  This brought a runner on third home to give the Astros an 8-7 lead, which would be the final score.  Rangers' Manager Jeff Bannister was, of course, ejected for arguing about the do-over call.  Joey Gallo struck out to end game.  It was a four-game sweep for the Astros.

Right after the NASCAR race was called (congratulations, Clint Bowyer), I went out for dinner.  I had two What-a-burger coupons left from my Aggie tickets and want to make sure and use them.  Regrettably, it wasn’t one of their better burgers.  I stopped by Target on the way back and impulsively bought a few things, including a small box of baseball cards.  I said I’d stop buying them, but I can’t stop lying to myself.  This box of 72, however, turned out to be one of the best random card purchases I’ve made in years (if not ever). 

Let’s make a list of the haul here: 2 x Aaron Judge, 2 x George Springer, Jose Altuve, Rhys Hoskins (rookie), Evan Longoria, Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, and Mike Trout.  There were a couple of Chihuahuas’ standouts with Ender Inciarte and Carlos Asuaje.  Yankees and Astros cards made up a lot of the box.  What swayed me on buying this was the Target Exclusive label, which featured two Derek Jeter commemorative cards.  Not to mention, I finally bought a pack with a Buster Posey card, years too late in searching for one.

Back at home, I turned on the radio again and found the ESPN Radio Sunday night game on.  I can guess this means that the Chihuahuas’ game was definitively canceled.  With tomorrow’s noon (cst) start, I’m guessing there won’t be a double header, but I’ll tune in early.  Tonight’s Yankees/Mets game was also nearly delayed by rain, but it started on time.  There still some drizzle during the game, though not enough to stop it.  The game moved at a very quick clip as there was no scoring until the fifth, when Todd Fraizer hit a two-run homer for the Mets.  Aaron Judge was sitting out, but came in as a pinch-hitter late.  2-0 Mets was the surprise final.  The NYC JV team finally broke an eight-game losing streak.

6-11-18

I woke up a bit after 9:00am and immediately flipped on the radio to KROD to see if the Chihuahuas were playing a double header to make up for yesterday’s rainout.  I had that pegged.  They were already in the second inning with the score 3-1 pups.  It was ugly and windy there in Des Moines.  There was a light-sounding crowd there for this unscheduled game.  I could hear the umpire making strike calls clearly.  Actually, I could still hear him clearly later when more of the crowd showed up.  He was really loud.   

According to Tim Hagerty, 8:30am was the earliest start for a Chihuahuas’ game.  Tim reported seeing an I-Cubs player delivering coffee to the dugout.  He went off on a bit of a tangent to mention Midnight Baseball in the Alaska, where the sun is still up at that time in the summer, which he said he’d like to cover. 

Luis Perdomo, usually a good pitcher, coughed up two more runs in the bottom of the second to tie the score.  The I-Cubs had already gone to their bullpen in the first.  Tim was surprised.  From his experience, the pitchers usually have the advantage in these morning games.  Diego Goris doubled in a run in the fourth to make it 4-3, but the I-Cubs took the lead, 5-4, in the bottom off a two-run homer that hit the top of the wall.

In the fifth, Shane Peterson sacrificed in a run to tie the score again, but the Chihuahuas left the bases loaded.  They’d load the bases again in the sixth without scoring.  A bunch of kids had come in by this point and were chanting to encourage their team.  In the bottom, the I-Cubs worked a leadoff walk, who was moved over on a sacrifice, who then stole third, and was brought in by another sacrifice, which gave them a 6-5 lead.  In the seventh (last inning for a double header), Dillon Maples for the I-Cubs only needed ten pitches to strikeout the side and end the game.  6-5 I-Cubs.

Game 2 started a bit later than what was the originally scheduled time for today’s game.  It had become bright and sunny, and the crowd had swelled to 7,000.  The team draws well for their day games.  Unfortunately, this was more of a typical get-away, low-scoring day game.  The I-Cubs threatened in the second with runners on the corners with no outs, but the Chihuahuas worked out of it. 

Luis Urias led-off with a triple in the fourth, but was then tagged out at the plate on a fielder’s choice grounder.  No problem.  Javy Guerra came up and hit a two-run homer right after.  Shane Peterson would drive in a run in the seventh to make it 3-0.  Robert Stock closed the door in the bottom for the Chihuahuas 3-0 win.  Interesting stat, the Chihuahuas have twice as many road wins as home wins.  You guys better win if I get out to see you this season.

At work, the MLB.TV free game was the Rays versus the Blue Jays.  I know.  Hardly a stellar matchup.  I joined the game in the first with the score tied at 1.  There at the Trop in Tampa Bay, I could hear what sounded like sounded like a guy on a loudspeaker.  He was yelling something unintelligible.  It wasn’t the PA, since it was going on during at bats.  It gave the proceedings something of a “Mad Max Thunderdome” vibe.  Tropicana Field does have a bit of a post-apocalyptic feel to it. 

During the broadcast, they highlighted the Papa John’s Fan section that could be rented out for small groups.  It was a little cramped pen next to the bullpen that jutted out on to the field.  Well if there’s free pizza involved, I might be enthusiastic about those seats.

The Jays got a three-run homer in the third.  The carry of the ball seemed to surprise everyone, but the color guy said, “You could tell by the sound of the ball off the bat.”  You could also hear the clank of the ball off the empty seat it hit.  If the Yankees and Red Sox didn’t come to town a couple of times a year, this franchise would be unviable. 

The Rays got their bats going in the bottom and tied it at 3.  I saw several high popup plays.  These are always an adventure at the Little Trop of Horrors.  If a ball hits the roof there, it could be foul or in play depending on which catwalk it hits.  I missed the rest of the game working, which sucked, because it was actually pretty entertaining.  The Rays won 8-4.  The guys doing the play-by-play were pretty lively, if a bit homer.

6-12-18

The Chihuahuas were off today.  I just about took the day off from baseball, too.  The MLB.TV free game was a video blacked-out Astros and A’s game.  I went ahead and listened to the A’s radio call, which I didn’t seem to have a choice about, since I couldn’t switch to the Astros’ call.  I admit that I wasn’t paying any attention, but the guys were doing a good job and had some interesting discussions.  The Astros won 6-3.

6-13-18

Tonight’s baseball featured the Chihuahuas versus the Nashville Sounds.  It was windy over the mics in El Paso this evening, but it didn’t seem to interfere with the game.  There was some comedy in the first, as the Sounds’ first base coach and the ball boy tried to grab a bag that was flying around the infield.   

The Sounds built up a 4-0 lead by the fifth, but in the bottom, the pups loaded the bases.  A walk, a sacrifice, a wild throw, and a fielder’s choice brought in four to tie the score.  About halfway through the game, it sounded like the wind calmed down a bit.  The sixth started with the PA leading the crowd in singing Livin’ on Prayer.  I think it was a Diablos’ 80’s night at the park.   

In the seventh, Carlos Asuaje tripled into a corner of the park that Tim Hagerty couldn’t see.  Asuaje tried for an inside-the-park home run, but was thrown out at plate.  However, that hit did drive in a runner already on base.  The Sounds’ manager complained that the ball was actually foul.  The umps huddled and agreed.  (They also had to conference on a balk call earlier that was actually the batter calling time.)  Carlos drove in the run anyway on a single, but is thrown out at second, 5-4 Chihuahuas (or Diablos).  He must have been winded after all that running.

The Sounds loaded the bases in the eighth with one out.  Jonathan Aro came in and shut the door.  Tim noticed Franchy Cordero, who starts a rehab assignment tomorrow, was in the stands mingling with the fans.  In the bottom, Brett Nicholas homered to make it 6-4.  Aro didn’t have a good ninth trying to close it out with two hits and a sacrifice tying it at 6. 

In the bottom of the ninth with a runner on, the home plate ump didn’t make a call a 3-2 pitch and the ump at second didn’t make a call on a steal attempt.  Both umps were waiting on a swing or no-swing call from another ump.  Now with two on, a hit brought pinch runner Dusty Coleman around, but he was thrown out easily at the plate.  Tim had been questioning the why the outfield was playing so far in.  No problem though.  Allen Craig came up next and definitively singled in the winning run.  7-6 Chihuahuas final.