Baseball Journal August 2019 Part 2

8-7-19

I lost access to listening to the Richmond Flying Squirrels (and other stations) at work sometime in July.  My last game with them was a no-hit bid against them.  I’ve not had much experience with no-hitters, but this was the first time I’d heard the broadcast of a team on the wrong end of one.  I was getting tickled as the Squirrels’ broadcasters kept mentioning the no-hitter, trying to jinx it.  I’m not saying that worked, but it was broken up in the ninth.  I was reminded of this incident while listening to an afternoon Rangers game today.  Ariel Jurado had a no-hitter going into the middle innings.  Eric Nadel dutifully gave the no-hit line score and then immediately said, “Shh,” trying not to talk about it.

Meanwhile, to finish off last week’s eastern games, Yadier Molina hit a home run for the Memphis Redbirds against the Chihuahuas.  He’d only had been bunting in games up to that point and hadn’t been cleared swing away until the last game of the series.  The pups fielders were not expecting those bunts.  Molina got sent to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals afterward.  I wonder if my Aunt Judy went out to see her favorite player while he was in town?   

Today, the Chihuahuas had their first home game after their long road trip.  This was also their first game at home after the Wal-Mart shooting in town, which I’m not discussing here.  The team was wearing their black away jerseys with El Paso on them and their EP caps.  The Padres would wear and sign some EP caps for a charity auction the next day.

For the game, the pups scored 12 runs.  They hit four home runs (Aderlin Rodriguez hit two).  They’re only five away from the PCL record.  (The Twins briefly passed the Chihuahuas for home run lead, but took it back with this game.)  Ty France finished the game going 4 for 5 with a .399 average!  He was .400 when he 4 for 4 earlier in the game.  The Chihuahuas also lost today 20-12 to Round Rock.  Alex de Goti hit for the cycle, as the Express scored in every inning, which is a feat rarer than a no-hitter.  With this horrific loss, the Chihuahuas also finally lost first place to Las Vegas in the division.

8-9-19

I don’t think you could blame me for not listening to tonight’s Chihuahuas game.  After that terrible Wednesday loss (as mentioned above), they then lost last night, 12-11 to Round Rock.  The Chihuahuas were getting beat badly, but managed claw back into it until they rallied in the ninth inning.  They were down to their final strike two or three times over the course of scoring two and nearly tying it.

For tonight’s game, Round Rock scored four in the first.  I started listening to the Brewers versus the Rangers on MLB.TV.  While I’m a big fan of the Rangers’ broadcasters, I couldn’t resist getting to hear Bob Uecker’s Brewers’ radio call.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear too much of it with various work distractions.  He did have an interesting chat with his partner about travelling via trains to back-in-the-day to get to games.  It wasn’t a bad way to go, especially given that teams travel by bus and station wagons in the minor leagues.  I didn’t know that Sunday games used to always used be scheduled double headers.   

I made occasional checks of the El Paso game, pretty much fearing the worst.  It was 8-1 early when I checked the first time.  I think El Paso’s “fan pitching experiment,” while amusing, probably needs to come to an end.  They should start using Triple-A pitchers again.  I tentatively only looked at the score a couple more times.

Suddenly in the ninth, I noticed the score was 12-11 with the Chihuahuas only a run behind and the game was still in progress.  I immediately brought the radio call back up.  The first thing I heard was Tim Hagerty screaming, “Walk-off grand slam home run!”  Oh my, goodness.  I don’t think I’d ever heard him so excited.  The Chihuahuas won 15-12.  They scored 10 runs in the bottom of the ninth, a team record.

Having not listened to the game, I had to get the details in the game recap that followed.  It was 12-5 going into the ninth.  Ty France, the pups’ best hitter, had been taken out halfway through the game to give him a rest.  Matthew Batten, a position player, had pitched the top of the ninth.  He got the win.  Our walk-off hero was Esteban Quiroz, who was pinch hitting.  Even more, that home run set the new PCL record. 

This game got some national press, probably somewhat due to the shooting last weekend.  There were some highlight reel catches for both teams in the game that made it even more interesting.  The next day, Tim reported that they could only find one other 10-run walk-off win in the ninth, which occurred in 1901.  Even more shocking, instead of faking it, many of the fans in attendance admitted that they had left early, as I admitted to not listening.

8-19-19

Tim Hagerty had a delightful guest on tonight for today’s Chihuahuas game against the Fresno Grizzlies: Baseball Brit.  (It suddenly occurs to me that I didn’t bother to get his actual name.)  As the nickname would imply, he’s an Englishman that’s into baseball.  Really into baseball.  Right now, he’s travelling around the country with the intention of seeing 162 games this season and promoting the sport, major and minor leagues. 

That said, “Brit” was so charmingly full of British reserve and modesty, I wonder how he’s promoting himself.  Tim told listeners to search his nickname to find his Twitter feed.  “Oh, dear.  Please don’t.  Goodness knows what might come up.  I have a British friend who runs a much better baseball Twitter.  Go visit him.”  Brit seemed quite baffled by all the attention he’s garnered from various national media outlets.  The guy was so retiring, polite, and soft-spoken, I have to ask how he got on the air with Tim.  He was seriously not promoting himself. 

I unfortunately missed some of his backstory.  From what I gathered, Brit was introduced to baseball while working in Japan and South Korea and watching their games and collecting Japanese baseball cards.  He saw Shohei Ohtani playing in person in Japan.  He also got to watch quite a few MLB games.  They show a lot of games there with Kenta Maeda with the Dodgers and Shin-Soo Choo with the Rangers. 

Brit was at the Yankees/Red Sox London games and did some TV commentary.  Tim asked if he’d be working for ESPN again for next years’ games.  Brit insisted, “I have no job whatsoever.”  (He also off-handedly mentioned those two games were the highest attendance games for the MLB this year.)  Unprompted by Tim, he called Southwest University Park the best minor league park he’d been to.  Brit reiterated that on his Twitter feed later.  His feed also includes his first trip to an In-and-Out Burger while in California and a picture of a cactus when he drove through New Mexico.  Next, he’s off to visit, “The incredibly named ‘Sod Poodles,’” in Amarillo.

Tim held Baseball Brit over to talk to him for a full inning.  Tim was loving the conversation.  The game itself was a happy blowout for the Chihuahuas.  They won 9-1.  It was 1-0 Chihuahuas until a seven-run sixth inning.  I actually missed the barrage because I was listening to something else at the time.  Jacob Nix, on rehab, threw five scoreless innings in the win.  However, the Las Vegas Aviators came back in the ninth in their game to keep pace, so they’re still tied in the standings.  Lastly, the Griz featured a player named Chuck Taylor.  I wonder what kind of shoes he was wearing.

8-21-19

It was a game of numbers between the Chihuahuas and the Fresno Grizzlies tonight.  There were five plays at the plate tonight, including two force plays, all of them got the runner.  There were two bunt single attempts in a row for the Chihuahuas.  One worked; the next one didn’t.  The El Paso crowd booed that last one.  I’m not sure it was because the tying run for the Chihuahuas was called out at the plate, or if they were upset by the greedy ill-conceived bunt attempt in the first place.  There were seven errors.  Five of those were committed by the pups.  They didn’t deserve to win this one.

Fresno almost took a first inning lead, but their runner was thrown out at home.  This got the crowd into it.  In the bottom, there was a wind-aided homer by Aderlin Rodriguez to give the Chihuahuas the lead.  Swirling winds around the stadium made flyballs an adventure for most of the game.  There was even a light rain shower, but it didn’t stop play. 

By the seventh, the game was tied at three.  Another great defensive play lit up the fans, as Seth Mejias-Brean made a diving catch on a deflection by the pitcher.  But by the eighth, the Griz were up 7-4.  It was seeming a lot like last night’s loss, where Fresno scored a bunch runs in the ninth to break a tie and win it.  In the bottom of the eighth, the Chihuahuas got it to 7-6.  That’s where the two consecutive bunts came in with runners on base.

The Griz were up 8-6 in the ninth.  The pups weren’t done though.  An error put two runners in scoring position.  Estaban Quiroz tied it with a single.  Austin Allen then won it on a flyball single with the outfield playing in.  He had to be reminded that he still needed to touch first by the winning runner as he crossed the plate.  Chihuahuas win 9-8.  Unfortunately, the pups are still a game behind the Aviators in the standings. 

Okay, I hope to be back next week with some Aggie sports recaps. 

Baseball Journal May 20-22, 2019

Short entry to clear these posts before Memorial Day weekend.

5-20-19

It was 40 degrees and wet and damp in Albuquerque.  “That’s hittin’ weather,” said the Chihuahuas and the Isotopes as they scored a combined 31 runs.  The pups won 21-10 and hit five home runs.  I said I wasn’t planning on doing anymore random baseball coverage, but I’ll make an exception when I hear or see something interesting happen on field.     

5-21-19

As great as the Chihuahuas’ offense was yesterday, they were actually completely upstaged by another PCL team that night, the Reno Aces.  They scored 25 runs.  Yasmany Tomas hit four home runs to go into the record books for that achievement. Matt Szczur hit for the cycle. 

The Padres’ radio broadcast was talking about these two teams playing each other tonight, while their parent clubs are playing each other too (the Padres and the Diamondbacks).  The Chihuahuas did lose to the Aces in El Paso, 10-7.  Tomas homered again and the pups had three.  They are averaging over two homers a game and are on pace to shatter the professional home run record.  Tangential trivia, two of three Aces’ outfielders were former Chihuahuas.

5-22-19

Two quick day games were on this afternoon.  The Aces beat the Chihuahuas at home 9-1.  Aces had four home runs, including one by Yasmany Tomas and one by baseball legend Cody Decker, who was pinch hitting.  The pups’ only run was off a home run.  Co-worker Chuck went to the game.  He’d been looking forward to it, but came back disillusioned.  He did like the hot dog meal he got there.  Dear Aggies Sports, take notes.  Good concessions can smooth over bad losses by your teams.

Meanwhile, and irritatingly at the same time, the Rangers were playing the Mariners.  When they said Joey Gallo and Willie Calhoun weren’t playing today, I went back to the Chihuahuas.  But, when that game quickly turned into a beat down, I tuned back to the much tighter Major League game.  The Rangers won 2-1.  Hunter Pence scored both runs, one by a solo homer and by being driven in by Nomar Mazara for an unearned run.  The Rangers made good use of an opener and the bullpen did well.  It was a quick two-and-a-half hour game.  I’m not anticipating a good season here, so I’ll note these victories when I can.

At work later, MLB.TV had a second free game for the day on.  (I didn’t bother with their afternoon game, since I was already listening to two games on the radio.  Also, I can’t get MLB.TV to work at home worth a crap.)  I watched a bit of the Yankees beating the Orioles.  Then I heard a bit of Flying Squirrels baseball.  Judging from what I’ve been hearing the last couple of years, the Giants farm system is crap.  And, yes, I am bragging about watching and listening to all this baseball.

Sports Journal April 2-5, 2019

4-2-19

Meeting NFL Player JJ Birden

I was really dreading our quarterly meeting at work.  I was absolutely kicking myself that I didn’t take the night off to see Aggie Softball playing the Lobos tonight.  (Our girls won both games of the double header.  Yay!)  One, the meeting was offsite at the Convention Center.  Thankfully, it’s reasonably close to work.  Two, and much worse, the last time we were there, the food was terrible.  Those weren’t small chickens; those were pigeons!  Three, from a personal standpoint, there are some people at work that I just don’t want to be anywhere around.  The best I could say about the last meeting is that I liked the guest speaker. 

This time, the meal was great.  The Convention Center staff really improved here.  The speaker was also good, JJ Birden.  He had a compelling story for a professional athlete.  I’m not even sure there are too many NFL punters who are just 5’10” and 150 lbs.  JJ was a wide receiver.  He was a long jump track athlete that had to talk his way on to the Oregon football team.  He managed to get drafted.  The end of his NFL dream was a series of releases from four teams in a period of five days. 

Except he didn’t wake up and kept on dreaming.  JJ made it back on to the Chiefs’ practice squad.  He worked hard enough that he got into the final game of the season.  JJ had eight catches and two touchdowns.  From there, he had a seven-year career in pro football.  JJ has a great claim to fame in that he played with Joe Montana.  I’m sure he’s somewhat gotten over having to ask his audience if they know who that is and having the half them not have a clue.  (I felt like such a Boomer.)  Even more impressive, after his playing days and having three kids, him and his wife took in five more children from a relative. 

I went up and met him after the meeting with some other co-workers and got a picture.  I had a couple of questions about Joe Montana.  However, since there were more people behind me (all women, some rather attractive, it was a good thing his wife was with him), I limited myself to a short comment.  They said he was going to be talking to some Aggie athletes the next day.  On the off chance Brooke Salas was there, I asked him to say something encouraging to her before going to her WNBA tryout.  

Even better than the dinner and the entertaining speaker, we all got a takeaway.  A couple of days later, everyone got a signed copy of his motivational book, courtesy of our business.  I’ve skimmed it.  (Look, a week later, I still haven’t even been able to read by MLB season preview magazine yet.)  The book is inspirational with an interesting life story.  There are practical tips for success that he’s learned over the course his football career that could help anyone.  And you’ve got some interesting football anecdotes, which should please fans of the sport.  (If we’d been sitting around chatting for a while, I might have broached my trepidations about the league.)  

Okay, a bit of a different sports blog story for me, but I thought it was interesting enough to write about.  This was cool, though I’m probably going to be dreading the next quarterly meeting anyway.    

4-4-19

Chihuahuas Opening Day!  I’d seen the stadium in its soccer configuration on Sunday   (3-30-19).  During the match they said that the grounds crew would start tearing down the soccer field right after.  I imagine that’s quite a task.  I’d watched a video during the week showing off some improvements at the stadium.  There’s a new party deck on top of Big Dog House, though I swear it had chairs facing away from the field.  There’s another new party area, maybe the former patio along the first base line.  There’s a couple of miniature golf holes and a ping pong table installed there?  El Paso Locomotive signage is now all over the stadium along with a dedicated team shop for them.

And my enjoyment of this game got off to a bad start.  I’d tested out KROD’s Internet stream yesterday.  “We’re sorry.  We’re experiencing technical difficulties.  We’ll be right back shortly,” said a pleasant female voice.  Contrary to her assurances, the stream was not up today either.  I started jumping through hoops and eventually found an alternate stream on Tunein. 

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get this site at my other workstation, so I missed the first hour of the game.  I was gritting my teeth the whole time.  I was not shutout though.  It was time for Richmond Flying Squirrels Baseball!  Err . . . briefly.  I was able to catch the ninth.  They had a huge crowd for their Opening Day, who were staying late to watch the fireworks afterward.  They got a pretty dramatic 1-0 win over the Hartford Yard Goats.  For some reason, both teams were going to take on Latino identities for their next game.  If you think “Flying Squirrels” and “Yard Goats” are dumb names, the Spanish equivalent isn’t any better and was clearly causing the announcer some consternation in pronunciation.

Finally, I was able to sit down and listen to the Chihuahuas over my dinner.  There were the friendly pleasant tones of our old friend Tim Haggerty doing the call.  It was a standing-room only crowd at the ballpark of 9,600+.  They were playing the new Las Vegas Aviators.  Gee, I’ll miss the 51’s and their alien mascot.  (Of course, I’m kidding.)  In addition to a better name, they’ve got a brand new stadium and are now affiliated with the A’s.  The game was moving along very quickly (though delayed for Opening Day pregame ceremonies) and was already in the fourth.  This was because the game was scoreless.

Ty France broke the seal with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth.  I’d just stepped out of the room for a minute when it happened.  Ahem.  The Aviators tied it in the fifth (I had again just stepped out) and took the lead, 3-1.  Tyler Higgins replaced starter Jerry Keel and came in with bases loaded.  Skye Bolt came up for Aviators and struck out to end the inning.  Tim loves the guy’s name.  They’ll never let him get called up.  His name fits the team name too well.

In the bottom of the fifth, Esteban Quiroz got the pups back in the lead with a three- run homer, 4-3.  (I was out of the room again.)  The Aviators got a two-run homer, and then went back-to-back with a solo shot in the sixth to retake the lead, 6-4.  Of course, I was listening at that time.  Tim chuckled as he miscalled them The 51’s.    

Ty France did it again in the seventh, as he doubled in two runs to tie it at 6.  In the eighth, an Aviator solo homer hits the display truck in outfield (I think), 7-6.  The Chihuahuas left two on in the bottom.  Unfortunately, the Aviators tacked on two more in the ninth to make it 9-6.

But, it wasn’t over yet and the pups wanted to give that big crowd a show.  France sac’d in a run.  He came close to getting another double, but Bolt nabbed it.  With two on and two out, Jason Vosler drove in another run with a single.  Next, an error loaded the bases.  The crowd was going wild by this point, down by one.  Alex Dickerson, who’d been out for two years with injuries, came up.  He nearly got a hit, but was robbed by a sliding catch by Bolt that ended the game.  Aviators win 9-8, but it was a good game.  Ty France went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI’s in the game.  He’s looking good.

Tim mentioned during the game that the newest Triple-A team is the San Antonio Missions.  They kept their great Double-A name.  I checked out the team and came up with this factoid about their stadium.  Check this out.

On July 27, 1998 Wolff Stadium witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime feat. Tyrone Horne of the Arkansas Travelers hit for the 'home run cycle.' It is believed to be the only home run cycle in the history of professional baseball. Horne belted a two-run home run in the first inning, clubbed a grand slam in the second inning, slugged a solo shot in the fifth, and completed the accomplishment with a three-run homer in the sixth.

4-5-19

Friday night Aggie Baseball.  It’s the opener in an important series versus GCU.  It was a pretty decent night here, but I was okay with just watching over the Internet.  Brock Whittlesey started a bit rough for the Aggies.  The Lopes loaded the bases on him, but he got out of it with a couple of strikeouts.  And then I had to leave to go to another workstation and missed most of the middle of the game.  This kind of stuff really kills your recapping.  Even worse, the Flying Squirrels weren’t playing when I changed cubicles.    

GCU scored three in the fifth.  I came back in in the bottom, but missed Logan Ehnes’ two-run homer and Eric Mingus’ solo shot to tie it.  Alex Reyes came in for the sixth in relief and gave up a run, 4-3 GCU.  In the seventh, Mingus had two errors at third and two more runs scored, 6-3.  In the eighth, there was an error by Nick Gonzales at second.  They’re contagious.  GCU scored another run on no hits, 7-3.  In the bottom, Tristen Carranza brought in Nick thanks to an error.  It’s an epidemic, or they’re all playing tight. 

7-4 GCU was the final.  The Aggies had four hits and there were seven combined errors in the game.  Ron, who was there, was disgusted.  Aggie Softball did beat Utah Valley 1-0 next door at the Softball Complex.  (I can’t stand the miserable scheduling this season.)  OMG!  My favorite opposing player, Basia Query, hasn’t graduated and is still playing for the Wolverines.  I may be attending the softball double header tomorrow instead of the baseball.

I thought about jumping ship to the Chihuahuas, but things were going worse with them.  The Las Vegas Aviators dropped eight on them in the third.  I did join the game in the eighth when the Aggie game ended.  The Chihuahuas’ game started an hour later than the Aggies.  I was briefly worried that the pups’ game would finish first.  12-4 Aviators was the final.  

Baseball Journal August 28-31, 2018

8-28-18

The story of the night was the Richmond Flying Squirrels.  (Disclaimer: your baseball story of the night might be completely different and probably is.)  Once again, it was a light baseball night for me.  I tuned into the Squirrels early in the evening.  Yesterday, they thought they were far away from setting an ignominious record for scoreless innings.  Well, there they were in the sixth inning, still scoreless and now holding a new record.

The crowd there seemed well aware of the situation.  In the bottom of the sixth, when a runner got to third, they actually cheered.  In the seventh, the Squirrels got runners on second and third with nobody out.  After a pop-up out, catcher Jeff Arnold came to bat and ended the streak at 33 1/3 innings definitely with a three-run homer. 

Unfortunately, the Squirrels’ losing streak continued.  The next inning there was a play at the plate with Arnold and the runner was ruled safe.  The Reading Fightin’ Phils would go on to win.  The announcers doubted the call at the plate, but there’s no replay in Double-A.  “We need cameras first,” said one of the guys.  The play and the result also ruined the storyline for the night.  The announcers were too depressed to do their usual haiku afterward.

There was a big matchup in the MLB between the A’s and the Astros fighting for first in the AL West.  I probably would have been more interested in the game, except the MLB.TV free game had me under a local blackout for video.  Yes, Houston is “local” to me in Las Cruces, New Mexico in the sense that we’re on the same continent.

I didn’t really like the Astros’ radio call, so switched to the A’s, which was a little less grating.  They were reporting a sellout tonight in Houston.  Probably not coincidently, it was the fourth time this season the team had offered replica World Series rings.  The other three times were also sellouts.  For their own team, the announcers reported that there’s another city council proposal for a new stadium.  Good luck on that, unless you guys win a World Series yourselves this year. 

The A’s announcers also promoted a “town hall” meeting between ownership and the fans.  They said that several fan suggestions had been implemented at the park from previous meetings.  Given that Oakland’s other two pro sports teams are deserting them, this is the A’s opportunity to own the town.  With enough community outreach, maybe they can get a new stadium. 

As for the game, it was close and tense.  The Astros had loaded the bases when I started listening and then the stream suddenly stopped like last night.  Reloading the page didn’t help; it would repeat the last minute I’d heard and stop in the same place.  I gave up after a couple of tries, figuring I’d already missed the drama of the current situation.  Between weirdness and the blackouts, this really isn’t selling the MLB.TV service to me.  The A’s ended up beating the Astros 4-3.  It’s a one-game lead for the Astros for now.           

I turned over to the Chihuahuas’ game.  They were in Fresno, playing the Grizzlies, who may be their opponent when the playoffs start.  I struck by a couple of things I was heard in the background.  On a routine flyball out by the Chihuahuas, there was the sound effect of Apu from The Simpsons saying, “Thank you.  Come again.”  The PA announced that anyone retrieving a foul ball could bring it to the service desk and receive a prize, “And you get to keep the ball.”  

Tim Hagerty was talking about the team’s impromptu airline arrangements to get to Fresno.  He received a phone call from airline while he was on the air, which he couldn’t take, obviously.  He hoped they were letting him know that his bags had finally arrived, “Otherwise, I’ll need to do some shopping tomorrow.”  As for the game, I’d tuned in in the middle of an inning, but wasn’t sure which one or what the score was.  After the Chihuahuas’ second error of the game let in a run, Tim finally reported that it was 8-0 in the third.  Suddenly, I had other things to do and watch.  I came back for the end.  The pups did make a bit of a comeback with the final being 9-4 Grizzlies. 

8-29-18

Oh, no!  Tonight’s Dizzykitten stream is her last until she comes back from Korea.  Thank goodness, I’m off next week too.  I’d miss her if I was here at work without her stream.  Not sure which Korea she’s going to.  If it’s North Korea, Trump and the US Seventh Fleet may have to go there to get her back from Kim Jung Un.  If it’s South Korea, she obviously has elaborate plot to kidnap K-Pop boy band BTS.  (BTS will refused to be rescued.) 

Oh yeah, baseball.  The MLB.TV free game tonight was the Cardinals versus Pirates.  I missed the play of the game in the fourth, or should I say hurl.  Matt Carpenter barfed at first base and had to leave the game for nausea.  The Cardinals’ announcers mentioned that the team has had a bunch of injuries, which has resulted in a bunch of call-ups.  If the Chihuahuas make it to the PCL Championship, this might be helpful.  The Pirates won 2-0 and the Cardinals lost their lunch.

I came into the Chihuahuas/Grizzlies’ game in the sixth, as the pups were in the middle of sending eight-straight batters in a row as they batted around.  Ty France singled in a run, Shane Peterson hit a three-run homer, and Raffy Lopez tripled in two runs, which led to a 6-0 lead.  Starter Colin Rea pitched five scoreless innings.      

However, the Grizz made a comeback in the eighth.  They loaded the bases and a run was walked in.  Kyle McGrath came in and struck out the side, but gave up a double that scored two more runs to make it 6-3.  Rowan Wick came out in the ninth for a no-drama save.  Chihuahuas won 6-3.  That’s a team record 80 wins.

8-30-18

It was a little strange to hear Aggie Football on a Thursday at 5:00.  They were playing Minnesota on the road.  This was a “money game,” though not a “big money” game for the program.  The Aggies did give them a game for about a quarter and a half.  Matt Romero’s first interception led to a 7-0 lead for MN.  But after a subsequent fumble recovery by the Aggie defense, Romero hit Izaiah Lottie on a fade in the endzone to tie it.  To start the second quarter, the Dylan Brown hit a career-long 45-yard field goal to give the Aggies a 10-7 lead. 

The Aggie defense came up with a big sack next, but right after, gave up a big play.  That series lead to another Golden Gopher touchdown, 14-10 MN.  Romero was nearly intercepted again, but the officials waved it off.  Aggie special teams got off a tremendous fake punt to keep a drive going.  The team went down to the MN 21 and went for it on a fourth and one and didn’t make it.  I’m not going to say the Aggies would have won this game, but that coaching decision probably took points off the board. 

The Gophers would score another touchdown to make it 21-10.  The Aggies went three and out, which was bad, but the runback for another touchdown was likely backbreaking.  The half closed out at 31-10.  The rest of the game, which I admittedly didn’t listen to (I was busy at work), the Gophers pretty much ran it out.  48-10 Minnesota was the final. 

The shocking difference in the stats was the running game: Aggies 38 yards, Gophers 295.  The sacks were 4 to 0 in Minnesota’s favor.  As Jack Nixon observed, the Aggies were one-dimensional on offense, actually out-passing MN, but it made them way too predictable.  Turnovers were even at 1.  I am encouraged by that.

I did start watching the MLB.TV free game between the Tigers and the Yankees in the second half.  It was 7-5 Yankees in the top of the ninth with Dellin Betances in to close.  After one out, I stepped away for a minute.  When I came back Victor Martinez was getting congratulated in the dugout.  He’d just hit a tying two-run homer.  Next up, Niko Goodrum hit a solo, go-ahead homer which would be the 8-7 Tigers game-winner.  Both shots just cleared the short porch in right field.  Heh, heh, heh.  When they were designing the new Yankee Stadium did anyone say something like, “Hey, other teams might be able to take advantage of this design flaw.”

I listened a little to the Chihuahuas and the Grizzlies.  The Grizz led 3-0 for much of the game.  They added a couple more in the eighth.  The pups scratched out a run in the ninth.  Brett Nicholas struck out to end the game with a 5-1 loss.  He tossed his bat and tried to argue his way into an ejection for some reason.  Tim Hagerty made an interesting statistical observation during the game.  El Paso and Fresno probably have that best current lineups of the contending PCL teams.  However, in the baseball, the best teams only win about 60% of the time. 

8-31-18

After listening to an Aggie Volleyball match this morning, going to an Aggie Soccer match this afternoon, and listening to another Aggie Volleyball match this evening, you’ll forgive me if I’m a bit sports-ed out.  Not to mention, I was running our month end processing tonight.  I wasn’t even interested in tonight’s Chihuahuas/Rainiers game when I saw the 6-1 Tacoma score after seven innings.  I almost didn’t listen.  What a mistake that would have been. 

In the top of the eighth, the umps got together and chatted.  Tim Hagerty didn’t know why until Chihuahuas’ reliever Carter Capps threw his first pitch and was warned about his delivery.  Capps has had run-ins with the umps before about his hop-step, but hadn’t been called on it in five previous appearances.  His catcher, Raffy Lopez, immediately turned around started arguing, which was grounds for a quick ejection.  Manager Rod Barajas was also tossed right after.  Capps had to change his delivery and couldn’t pitch.  After walking a batter, he had to be taken out.  Brad Wieck finished the inning.

In the bottom, Ty France cranked a two-run homer to make it 6-3.  How about this kid?  Wieck polished off the top of the ninth and went two shutout innings with six strikeouts.  Tim said at the time, “If the Chihuahuas come back and win this, they should thank Wieck for these shutdown innings.”

We went to the bottom of the ninth down three.  On the first pitch, Brett Nicholas hit a solo home run to make it 6-4.  Dusty Coleman doubled and Auston Bousfield singled and moved him to third.  Nick Shultz then hit a sacrifice to bring in Dusty and make it 6-5.  Are you believing yet?  Forrestt Allday walked.  Carlos Asuaje flied out.  And look who’s up next.  Ty France pounded a ball over the center fielder’s head, bringing both runners, and winning the game 7-6!  “It’s over!” yelled Tim. 

The Chihuahuas had a 4:00 am plane ride to get to El Paso this morning.  Tim admitted to being exhausted even only calling the game, much less playing.  The two ejections might have lit a fire under the dogs tonight and got them going.  That’s 17 home wins in a row. 

I’m off next week.  No posts, but I will hopefully come back several reports from live events, including today’s.

Baseball Journal August 19-21, 2018

8-19-18

The Rangers played the Angels in Arlington.  Matt Hicks was doing the commentary with Jared Sandler.  Eric Nadel was out for the weekend.  It was overcast there, but they didn’t seem worried about the weather, especially after the two-and-a-half hour rain delay last night.  I couldn’t get that game to come in later in the night, but I wasn’t trying too hard either.  Too bad I missed it.  The Rangers won 11-6.

In the first, Roughned Odor drove in Shin-Soo Choo.  Ruggie has really got it turned on.  Late last night, Matt did a limerick in honor of Bartolo Colon, who was honored before the game.  He has the all-time record for wins for a Latin player.  Matt said he’d never worked harder on a poem.  He was still revising it right up until when he read it.

Yovani Gallardo started for the Rangers.  He struck out the side in third.  In the fourth, the Angels scored a run on a play at the plate.  The runner got around Isiah Kiner-Falefa taking the throw.  Shohei Ohtani, who hit a three-run hr last night, scored on a double play to make it 2-1.  The fans at the park suddenly applauded.  The announcers figured it was for the clouds completely covering the sun and providing some shade.

In the fifth, the fans were probably not quite as pleased with the weather.  Severe winds kicked up, even blowing a fair ball foul.  The guys had trouble keeping their notes from flying away.  Unsurprisingly, rain started up soon after, delaying the game for 20 minutes.  I took a nap.  Play resumed and a bit more rain fell in the sixth. 

In the bottom of the seventh, it was full-on raining again.  Ruggie came up with two on and jacked out a three-run homer.  The crowd erupted.  Jared Sandler gave a tremendous call of the play.  It was now 4-2 Rangers.  With the rain increasing, the grounds crew dragged out the tarp with two outs in the inning.  Matt and Jared admitted to being lost in predicting the weather, because Eric was the one with the magic weather app.  During the hour delay, Matt composed a limerick about the rain and Ruggie’s home run, which he read in the eighth.  In the ninth, Jose LeClerc made short work of the Angels for the save and a 4-2 Rangers’ win. 

That was a long broadcast, but I was busy during it writing.  About an hour later, the Chihuahuas played Las Vegas.  Steve Kaplowitz and Butch Henry were again doing the commentary.  A lovely cello version of the Anthem started the proceedings.  I could hear some dogs barking, so it was obviously a Bark at the Park game. 

In the first, catcher Raffy Lopez threw out a runner to end the inning.  In the bottom, Luis Urias was hit by a pitch and was then doubled home by Raffy.  Brett Nicholas drove him in to make it 2-0 pups.  Kappy had dropped an eggroll in the booth during dinner.  He was sure Tim Hagerty would be furious when he got back.  In the second, a single and an error by Forrestt Allday got the 51’s a run, but the batter was thrown out trying to advance to end inning, 2-1.  Javy Guerra came right back with a homer to make it 3-1.  In the third, a balk moved up Raffy on base, who was then driven in by Shane Peterson to make it 4-1.   

The fifth was special for a couple of fans as there was a proposal between innings.  (She said, “Yes.”)  In the sixth, Dusty Coleman made a diving catch in the outfield.  He’s been making some good plays out there for an infielder.  The 51’s scored later in the inning to make it 4-2.  Guerra did it again in the bottom by driving in two to make it 6-2. 

In the seventh, Patrick Kievelhan, former Chihuahua, hit a two-run homer.  It seemed to carry in the wind.  Another run scored on a double to make it 6-5.  Jerry Keel had been pitching since the fourth, but there was no relief in sight.  He came back out in the eighth and got one more batter before he was taken out.  Kazuhisa Makita came in and gave up a two-run homer and the lead, 7-6 51’s. 

It was looking bad in the ninth.  Allday was on first, but there were two outs and two strikes on Luis Urias, whose hitting streak was on the line.  He tripled to tie the score.  Ty France came up after an intentional walk.  He banged one off the wall to bring in Urias to win it 8-7.  Wow!  This call-up kid Ty is impressing the heck out of me.  Games like this are why I never get tired of baseball.

8-20-18

I’d been watching (well, mostly listening, because I was busy with work) Gibi on Twitch playing Fortnight for a while, when I checked the MLB website for the free game.  It was the Giants and the Mets and it just started.  However, I just couldn’t tune away from Gibi. 

Today’s stream was titled, “If I don’t win a solo match today, my family disowns me!”  She came in second in one match and screamed and fell out of her seat and kept screaming.  She started talking to herself, “Gibi, stop looting.  You’re going to get yourself killed.”  The funny thing was that she wasn’t listening to herself and continued to loot.  Gibi came in second twice, but didn’t win and her family disowned her.  I should have posted a marriage offer to give her a new family.  (I can already sense this blog is going to turn into a daily Twitch-watching summary in the offseason.) 

The game, meanwhile, moved pretty quickly and was already official by the time I tuned back.  I felt a bit bad for not watching, but I could listen to the red-hot Chihuahuas later anyway.  I looked at their schedule.  Oops.  They’re off today.  This was my only game.  Nevertheless, I regret nothing.  (Gibi was so fun today.)

Actually, my viewing of the game never got on track.  It was 1-0 Mets for most of the game.  This was the Giants’ feed of the game.  Rich Waltz and, former player, Javier Lopez were doing the call.  They were doing a good job.  Javy had a very relaxed, conversational style.  I came in in the middle of a discussion about position players pitching.  60 different players have done it so far this year.  They thought there should be an award for the best one.     

They had quite a bit of discussion on the Giants’ hitting woes.  They’ve tried all the “voodoo” stuff and a “Come to Bochy” meeting to break the collective slump.  Eventually, the Giants did manage to scratch out a run to tie it tonight.  Mr. Met was shown working the crowd.  Javy mentioned he was a Mets’ fan as a kid, watching them on WOR on cable.  (I saw them there too.)  Jon Miller came in to work with Javy later.  Even with the close score, I still wasn’t really paying attention.  I kept assuming it was going to be over soon.  It wasn’t. 

Let’s jump ahead to the thirteenth inning.  In the top of the inning, the Mets made two errors, had a wild pitch, and allowed a stolen base without a throw.  All that said, the Giants only scored because two fielders collided on an infield popup by Brandon Crawford that allowed Andrew McCutchen to score from third.  “It’s better to be lucky than good,” observed Javy.  The Giants won 2-1 in a tidy four hour, 20 minute game.  I think the only people left there at Citi Field were the group of Giants fans who came together on a charter bus from their hotel.

8-21-18

When I got into work yesterday, I asked some co-workers how the Chihuahuas’ outing went.  There was apparently a good turnout for it.  The hour delay wasn’t too bad and the rain was pretty quick.  I asked if Chico came by.  He did and played catch with one of them.  An opposing player even tossed a ball into their section.  The fireworks show was spectacular.  All that said, I-10 was indeed closed that night.  Getting back home, especially given the late start and the fireworks, was a long, difficult process for some.  I’m still okay with not going, though playing catch with Chico would have been cool.  

Before tonight’s Chihuahuas’ game, I heard a couple of interesting baseball interviews.  On El Paso Sportstalk, Tracy Ringolsby, Rockies reporter, was a brief guest.  Boy, is he smart about the team and baseball.  I wish Steve Kaplowitz had had more time with him.  Ringolsby also offhandedly dropped at the end of the interview that he knew Don Haskins well and had some stories about him, so he’ll be invited back.

Meanwhile on the Flying Squirrels’ game, they interviewed an umpire, whose name I unfortunately missed.  (I’ve got to start writing down names better.)  His knowledge of baseball was real deep and fascinating.  The announcer asked the ump to explain a “fourth out."  I’ve never even heard of this.  Even after looking at the Wikipedia entry, I still don’t understand it.  Did you know that there’s a difference between the “hitting stance” and the “batting stance?”  It makes a difference in calling high strikes how the batter stands when he actually swings, as opposed to how he just stands in the box.  And in answer to the question, “Do umps do makeup calls?”  The answer was a resounding “No.”  (They only do that in the NBA, which is a reality show, not a real sport.)

Tonight in El Paso, the Chihuahuas were taking on the Isotopes.  The Rockies affiliate featured one of their top prospects, Brendan Rodgers, and distinguished veteran, Matt Holliday.  Tim Hagerty was particularly excited to talk about Holliday during the game.  (Good to have you back, Tim.)  I missed the first half of the game.  Chihuahuas’ starter, Walter Lockett drove in a run in the second.  Matt Holliday drove in a run in the third. 

I basically joined the game in the fifth with the score 3-3.  In the sixth, El Paso got two runs, one on a double play and another on a single by Forrestt Allday.  The crowd hadn’t finished cheering when a large clap of thunder suddenly stopped play.  The umps cleared the field and the tarp came out as rain was incoming. 

During the one-hour, 21-minute break, I found out about Nationals giving up on the season and sending Daniel Murphy to the Cubs.  I’ve seen this guy do well in the playoffs.  This move might be a big deal later on.  Even more shattering was that they’d put Bryce Harper out on the waiver wire.  I’m not sure if it was surprising or not that he fell all the way to the Dodgers, who also refused to take him.  The Nats waited too long.  They couldn’t even give him at this point.  Now Harper just walks away.

Play resumed in El Paso.  In the seventh, Rodgers drove in a run on a fielder’s choice to make it 5-4.  Shane Peterson made a sliding catch to end the inning and saved a couple of runs.  In the bottom, Ty France homered to make it 6-4.  Where did this kid come from?  RBI-landia?  In the ninth, Colten Brewer came on.  He put two on with nobody out, but got the next three batters without letting a run score.  6-4 Chihuahuas and 14 home wins in a row.  The fans are getting spoiled.        

Baseball Journal August 13-15, 2018

8-13-18

It was a perfect storm.  I was overwhelmed at work and I walked into four baseball games on TV and radio.  Simply, the work overcame me, along with some equipment issues, and I basically only got peeks in on the games and missed a bunch.  The multiple games were my fault at least, as were my scattered notes.  All the games inconveniently overlapped each other.  I’ll take each of them separately. 

My first game of the night was actually by happenstance.  The TV in the breakroom had been left on, so I flipped over to see who the Diamondbacks were playing.  It was Rangers.  While the Chihuahuas’ game that was on was more important to me, I couldn’t resist actually watching a game in Arlington.  It was 4-3 Texas in the seventh when I came in.  Zack Greinke just came out.  Robinson Chirinos had hit a three-run homer earlier, along with a Ronald Guzman solo shot.  The D-Backs’ announcers were impressed with the Rangers’ power.

They mentioned a curious roster fact that Arizona was carrying three catchers, while the Rangers only had one official catcher in Chirinos.  Isiah Kiner-Falefa is their backup, and he’s good, but he also plays at other positions.  Chirinos drove in Adrian Beltre in the eighth to make it 5-3 Rangers, which was the final.  I missed the ninth.  That’s pretty much how my night went.  The stadium and the fans had a classy moment in the eighth.  Jake Diekman, who was traded to the D-Backs from the Rangers at the trade deadline, was warming up in the bullpen.  When he got up, his Ranger highlights were played on screen and he got a nice ovation from the crowd.

Hey, I wonder what’s on the MLB Network?  I thought as the Ranger game went to a commercial.  It was the premier matchup of the night between the Giants and Dodgers with Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw facing each other.  Though the game was in Los Angeles, they were carrying the Giants’ feed, which included Jon Miller doing the announcing.  How I would have loved to have watched this game, but I couldn’t.

Bumgarner went six innings and gave up two runs, while Kershaw went eight with one run.  I stepped in to the breakroom in the top of the ninth.  The Dodgers were up 2-1 with two outs and two on.  The Giants just loaded the bases when I stepped back out for a minute.  (On Twitch, Dizzykitten was playing with one of her cats onscreen and I couldn’t look away.)  When I came back, the Giants had just taken the lead on a pinch hit single by Nick Huntley.  After another single and an error, it was 5-2 Giants, which would be the final.  Dodger fans were devastated.  They had all been standing and clapping when the Giants were down to their last strike.       

Meanwhile, the Chihuahuas were playing the Bees in Salt Lake.  This series was the last meeting between these two teams who are at the top of their division.  Not being able to listen at my other workstation caused me to miss the beginning of the game.  I picked a good moment to start listening in the third with two on and two outs.  Luis Urias got knocked down by a pitch, but came back swinging on the next.  Urias hustled an infield hit into a single.  Auston Bousfield on second, who was off with the pitch, managed to score for the first run of the game. 

The Bees managed to score twice in the fifth to make it 2-1.  In the eighth, while I was distracted by Dizzy and posting to my blog, I heard Francisco Mejia hit a home run to give the Chihuahuas the lead, 3-2.  I’d missed Urias hitting a sacrifice to tie it earlier. 

The game wasn’t over yet.  In the bottom of the eighth, pups’ starter Jerry Keel came out.  TJ Weir was in with two on and one out.  There was a mound visit during which the PA played Stand by Your Man.  Weir got two outs and got out of it.  In the ninth though, Weir was left in for a second inning and got one out, but the Bees made a successful comeback.  They tied it, and then won it in a walkoff.  4-3 Bees.  I was too busy with work to be sad.

I still had another game option.  The MLB.TV free game was the Padres versus the Angels.  It was audio-only and in the eighth, but I went ahead and listened.  Ted Leitner was again not doing the commentary, but Jessie Agler and Tony Gwynn Jr. were.  I’m not sure what his playing status is, but Gwynn sounds just like his old man.  What I heard of him, I liked.  On the subject of high fastballs, he said, “It’s like Chocolate Mousse.  It looks so good, but it’s so bad for you.”       

  

Just as I tuned in, Justin Upton robbed Eric Hosmer of a home run at the wall.  He stole it from a fan even.  However, it worked as a sacrifice and brought in the tying run for the Padres to make it 2-2.  Upton led off the ninth with a double, but fan-favorite (judging by the cheers of the San Diego crowd) Kirby Yates struck out the next three batters, including Albert Pujols. 

In the tenth, the Angels mounted a rally.  Christian Villanueva made a great throw to Freddie Galvis covering third to get the lead runner there.  Shohei Ohtani came in as a pinch hitter.  I left the room and it was 6-2 Angels when I came back.  Okay.  Hosmer got his homer in the bottom, but 6-3 Angels was the final.  Oh, to have gotten so much baseball tonight and to have it be all so unsatisfying.  Even the results I liked, I didn’t get to see the end of the game.  We’ll hope for a better day tomorrow. 

8-14-18

Yeah, I pretty much did the same thing again today.  At least I got caught up with my work.  I should have listened to the Chihuahuas again, but I knew the Rangers and the Diamondbacks were playing on TV and couldn’t resist.  Of course, what I also couldn’t do was sit down and watch very much.  It was 5-1 D-Backs in the sixth.  Elvis Andrus got a hit and I’d never heard this over the radio before, but the PA in Arlington played an Elvis Presley fanfare right after.  It was awesome. 

The Rangers managed to score a couple of runs to make it 5-3.  Joey Gallo struck out to end the inning.  One of the Arizona commentators noted that the pitcher could throw to that low and away spot a hundred times and Gallo would never hit it.  I can believe that.  I saw Roughned Odor make a great dive and toss to second for a force out to end the inning in the eighth and save a run, but that was about all.  6-4 D-Backs was the final.  Jon Jay, in the gray AZ pjs had the snazziest light blue shoes to with them.

The Cardinals and the Nationals were playing in the MLB.TV free game earlier in the evening.  I still didn’t get to see more than a glimpse.  I couldn’t even write my Aunt Judy to see if she was watching the game back in Missouri.  Matt Adams came to the plate for the Nats when I started watching.  Yadier Molina delayed the game for a minute so that the crowd could applaud the former Cardinal.  I missed Cardinal pitcher John Gant getting his first hit, a home run, but I did see an usher negotiating for the ball. 

In the eighth, I saw Bryce Harper hit a high and away pitch to the opposite field for a homer.  Marcel Ozuna in left field stood there in shock after watching it go out.  Yadi just sat there on a knee at the plate like a statue as Bryce trotted by and patted him on the shoulder.  The Cards won 6-4.  That’s seven in a row for them, but they’re still in third in the Central.

I listened to a bit of Flying Squirrels playing the Baysox.  They were in the middle of a double header and they were playing to see who would be in last place in their division.  It was kind of sad.

I came into the actually-important-to-me Chihuahuas versus Bees game late and did a poor job of listening.  I basically missed all the scoring, but here it is.  Javy Guerra hit a two-run homer in the third and Ty France doubled in a run to make it 3-0.  In the bottom, the Bees came back to make it 3-2.  It was Javy again in the fourth with a fielder’s choice RBI to make it 4-2.  The Bees came back again with a homer, 4-3.  Luis Urias scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh to make it 5-3.

Okay, I was really listening the ninth (sort of).  Francisco Mejia doubled and Allen Craig drove him in to make it 6-3.  In the bottom, the Bees got two on with one out.  Jabari Blash, I think leading the league in home runs, came out on deck to pinch hit and the crowd roared.  Travis Radke came in to face him in his Triple-A debut.  He got him out on one pitch and got the save.  Nice going.  The Chihuahuas won 6-3.  One more game in Salt Lake to see if the pups can expand their lead in the division.

8-15-18

There was just one game on today for me, so there was no excuse for me not to concentrate on the big rubber game between the Chihuahuas and the Bees tonight.  (“Big rubber?”)  Of course, I was still being bombarded with actual work while at work (the nerve) and my attention just wasn’t there.  Also, it seemed like the Chihuahuas were doing all of their scoring while I out of earshot.  The good news was that they scored plenty tonight, but the downside was that I didn’t get to hear it.

Actually the only thing I got to completely hear on the radio (an actual radio, not an Internet stream) was the first Aggie Coaches Show for the school year.  It was good to hear Adam Young again talking about NM State.  He had football coach Doug Martin on for most of the hour.  The coach seemed very cautiously optimistic about the team.  I didn’t realize their season started early next week.  They’re at home and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN 2.  Yes, I’d like to go, but it likely won’t happen unless I can go with someone.  While the team went 2-2 and I froze my butt off at times going with Ron a couple of years ago, I did enjoy the spectacle, even during the bad losses.  I’ll probably at least be listening in on the game.    

In Salt Lake City, Jabari Blash was starting for the Bees tonight.  He is leading the PCL in home runs, but I think he’s too injured to really play at the moment.  Tonight, he went 0-3.  Having seen the guy in person (6-15-16), Blash is a heck of physical specimen.  The Bees’ manager may have been desperate to get him into the lineup for some possible run support.  Speaking of interesting lineup moves, the Bees brought out a new pitcher in the second inning.  Tim Hagerty didn’t think the starter was injured.  He did notice that the reliever was throwing with a different hand than the starter, thus screwing up the Chihuahuas’ lineup.  Gamesmanship?   

Tim sounded serious tonight.  This was the last meeting between these two teams in contention to win the division, and winning or losing meant a pretty big swing in the standings.  In the bottom of the second, a ball took a bad hop on Allen Craig at first and a run scored to give the Bees a 1-0 lead.  In the third, while I was out of the room, Francisco Mejia doubled in a run (boy, that trade for him is looking better all the time) and Craig singled in a run to make it 2-1. 

In the fourth, Shane Peterson dove for a ball and came up juggling and finally dropped it.  He just missed throwing out a runner at second right after the drop as Luis Urias came off the bag to catch it.  On the next batter, catcher Raffy Lopez picked off the runner at first, so the defense was still on point for the pups.

In the fifth, Forrestt Allday was hit on the hand and ran around the grass in pain, but stayed in the game.  The Bees went to their third pitcher, so maybe it was just an unannounced bullpen day (which would still be gamesmanship to have not announced it).  Allday would score on a hit by Ty France (another good new addition to the team).  Raffy doubled in a run and Peterson also drove in a run.  6-1 Chihuahuas. 

In the sixth, the Chihuahuas got caught in an odd rundown that didn’t involve any running, but the Urias still drove in a run that inning to make it 7-1.  At this point, Tim loosened up considerably and became his more usual conversational self.  By the ninth, the Bees were using their centerfielder to pitch, Bo Way.  Just hearing that name, I had assumed he was Asian, until I looked at the spelling and saw his picture.  He hit Peterson, but struck out two and was throwing at 89mph, so he had some skills.  The Chihuahuas won 7-1 and were now up four-and-a-half games in the standings.  Woo hoo!

There was one other game on that I could watch.  Once again, somebody left the break room TV on, so I flipped over to the MLB Network.  Later, they again showed the Dodgers and Giants playing in Los Angeles.  It was again the Giants’ feed, which still surprises me.  I’d briefly check in on the game during the night.  It was 0-0 in the sixth, before the Dodgers scored one.  In the seventh, they put up two more to make it 3-0.  In the eighth, Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run homer to tie it.  I watched the extra innings a little more, but missed the Dodgers winning, 4-3, on a sacrifice in the twelfth.  I noticed most of the crowd also missed the end as the stadium was nearly empty by then.