I had been looking forward to this game for awhile now . . .
Ever since I selected it as my “weekday treat”. I try to attend at least one weekday afternoon game during the season. A couple years ago I attended one against the Halos – on a glorious June day (so glorious, Torii Hunter lost a ball in the Safeco sun!). Last year I had planned to attend one in August but, work duties derailed my plan and . . . I missed Felix’s perfect game 😦 By pure luck, this game ended up on a Felix turn and, while he wasn’t perfect, he was pretty typical Felix. Unfortunately, the bats were pretty typical as well – and much more often than not – that doesn’t cut it.
But, despite the loss, being at the ballpark with a friend ~ including lunch and margaritas at Edgar’s ~ was a pretty splendid way to spend the day.
ON THE MOUND
Felix rebounded fabulously from the horror show that was his last performance in Anaheim.
I heard something about him going up to one of the trainers or coaches (I didn’t catch who) after that game and grabbing them by the shoulders saying, “that will NOT happen again!”. Well, so far (save for a rough 31 pitch 4th inning where he gave up the TWO runs but also struck out the side), so good . . .
SEVEN innings ~ SIX hits ~ TWO earned runs ~ TWO walks ~ ELEVEN strikeouts
} Tom got another opportunity to get some work in and get right – and took another step forward . . .
He threw EIGHT pitches (5 fast balls, 3 curves) and got fly ball outs on both batters he faced.
} Charlie came in to take care of the last batter of the 8th . . .
and did so on THREE straight sliders (called, swinging, swinging). He gave up a hit and a sac bunt in the top of the 9th
} Yoervis entered with ONE out and a man on 2B . . .
He got the second out of the inning on a ground ball but then, an IBB to the lefty, Snider and then the righty, Mercer promptly hit an RBI single and got to 2B on the throw. He had the next batter, Marte struck out but, it was a wild pitch and he was able to get to 1B and another run scored and pretty much sealed the deal for the Bucs.
AT THE PLATE
Not much to see here ‘cept yet ANOTHER Raul homer (his 18th – a solo shot), a Kendrys double and a Michael S sac fly. Nick also got another couple of hits (and leads the team in AVG at .287). But, considering the 0 fer 5 with RISP, another frustrating game where they had their chances and didn’t capitalize. Not to single out Kyle (since he’s been one of the more consistent hitters) but, the 9th inning was especially deflating after Mike Z got a pinch hit single and Nick’s single sent him to 3B – Kyle stepped to the plate and . . . grounded directly down the 1B line on the first pitch.
IN THE FIELD
* a nifty strike ’em out, throw ’em out to end the 7th
tweets of the game . . .
Compass Rosy 