OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Yet Another OOTP6 Dynasty, Year 2: One Flew Over the Pale Hose

cknox0723 · 12-04-2005, 10:52 PM

We head into the third game of a 4-gamer in Tampa having allowed more than four runs just twice in the last ten games, but our offense hasn't been on the same upswing. My lack of confidence is fully, sadly rewarded when consecutive singles to left by 2B Ramon Vazquez and Brian Anderson lead to absolutely zilch, mostly squelched by a comebacker off Magglio Ordonez's bat that Tampa moundsman Seth McClung handles deftly to start a 1-6-3 double play. To start the bottom half, Ryan Franklin gets a similar bouncer back to him off the bat of Rocco "The Woonsocket Rocket" Baldelli. But the opposition's second hitter, young outfielder Jason Pridie, hits a little Woonsocket chopper that bounces up over Franklin's head and seemingly into center field...but for Ramon Vazquez, starting at second base for the first time this year after 90+ starts there last year. "Pokey" makes a backhanded flash of the leather and rifles the sphere across his body over to first for a bang-bang out. No rest for the weary, but no rust for infielders on a little sabbatical at shortstop, huh?

Guess not, but Vazquez will get that rest, because apparently that up-the-middle play -- one he doesn't have to make at short -- tickled the rust in his back. Pale Hose nation, hold your breath, because out comes our offensive and defensive catalyst with an injury, all because I had some stupid idea to rest Adam Kennedy and stick newly-acquired Jack Wilson at short. And the manager's a f*cktard!

Apparently the rest of the team is holding its breath, too. Franklin gets out of the first with another ground ball, but doesn't have that chance in the second after an offensive 1-2-3 top half from our "offense." A leadoff walk to Mark Kotsay is followed by a bouncer to short off the bat of the opposition's best hitter, .300 hitting third sacker Andy Phillips, but the supposed defensive wizard Jack Wilson muffs that one. Another walk two batters later loads the bases with one out, but with anemic-hitting backstop Mike Barrett and the pitcher comin' up, you'd think we might get out of the inning. Franklin does retire Barrett, but it's on a medium-range fly ball to left, and Brian Anderson's peg home is just a bit outside. And high. And awful. It allows the other two runners to move up, but luckily the pitcher McClung bounces one to new second baseman Enrique Wilson and we're only down a run. Despite not allowing a hit, so there's no solace to be found in that deficit.

The third inning is boring, as the aesthetically challenged say. I prefer the term 'quaint', like a cottage up in Maine. (Or the fishing village Scarborough) "Buddha" Ordonez singles to left to start the fourth, and after Eric Munson whiffs some serious cheddar, Yorvit! hits a comebacker that the West Virginia native McClung can't handle. Nifty -- a base hit means a run. But Raul Gonzalez hits into a 3-6 force and Frank Thomas (where did I come up with this lineup?) flies out to shallow left-center.

With one out in the next half-frame, Andy Phillips rakes some of those pesky leaves on a blast to left, a rare four-bagger for the line drive hitter. Yorvit! eventually matches that blast with one of his own that just clears the wall in left, but it's the eighth inning by that point and I get the odd feeling that it's too little, too late. When Proven Closer (TM) Ray King comes out of the 'pen for the ninth, that feeling turns into a sickly sort of dread as Frank Thomas and One of the Infielding Wilsons (ewww!) and Olivo go down feebly against the hard-throwing southpaw. And in spite of last-place Tampa doing their best to run themselves out of a victory, getting thrown out four times on the basepaths in two of the middle innings, despite of a complete game four-hitter from Ryan Franklin, the whole pitching-and-defense thing just didn't work out against a guy named McClung who touches the upper nineties.

Obviously the

is not dancing for our offense right now, but maybe it'll dance for fifth starter Michael Nannini in the final game of the set, especially since he's opposed by a 28 year old named Jeremy Guthrie who's making his first start of the season and just sixth career. And, trust me, those first six weren't much to write home about. But we can't manage to punch the ball out of the infield in the top of the first, with the only bright note being that Ramon Vazquez made the first of those outs, meaning that he put a little oil on the rust in his back and got the OK to keep playing.

Nannini fans "The Woonsocket Rocket" to start the home half and then retires left fielder Juan Encarnacion on a bouncer to short, but then the monsters crawl out from under the bed again as Mark Kotsay thumps a double to right and comes around to score two batters later on a single by light-hitting utility man Geoff Blum. He may be the worst choice for any team ever to start at first base, but what the hell, it's the Pale Hose, right? Somehow Deivi Cruz strikes out instead of hitting that knife-twisting three-run tater, but one run seems like fifty right now. I mean, with innings like this...

1B Frank Catalanotto:
Singles to short center field.

3B Eric Munson:
Strikes out swinging.

CF Brian Anderson:
Strikes out looking.

LF Clint King:
Strikes out looking.

...who the hell needs more than a one-run edge?

Nannini's troubles are nil in the bottom of the second, but you don't exactly need a dancing banananana to retire a sickly trio of journeyman John Hattig, Uribe-tastic backstop Barrett, and some pitcher.

Speaking of the pitcher Guthrie, Miguel Olivo greets his first offering in the third inning with a heave of lumber, and the ball flies over short for a leadoff base knock. Nannini executes a perfect sacrifice, something that Jon Garland can't seem to do. Up steps Ramon Vazquez, aching back and all.

"Guthrie rocks and fires a one-one fastball...hard shot near the second base bag, great stop by Baldiris, who scrambles up and pegs it to first -- not in time! Oh, Vazquez dove into the first base bag with reckless abandon and just beat the throw. Great hustle play on both ends, and now the Pale Hose have runners at the corners with one out."

That's why most everyone still loves Pete Rose, you know, the hustle. Vazquez's infield hit motivates our offense, if you believe in that sort of thing, as we wake out of our game (or week) long slumber with a roar. Adam Kennedy whacks a single over the head of first baseman Blum (ha!) to tie the game and keep us in the same situation, runners at the corners with one out. And then the journeyman Guthrie comes unglued a bit, first bouncing a pitch that scoots by Mike Barrett and allows "Pokey" to come home, and then losing "Buddha" to a walk. A double steal works perfectly, another run comes home when Frank Catalanotto literally swings a perfect bunt up the first base line and no one covers home, forcing backstop Barrett to take the out at first. An error by second baseman Baldiris gives us a fourth run, the snakebitten Rays make two baserunning blunders the next half-frame, and it's smooth sailing the rest of the way save for the second home run of the series for light-hitting shortstop Deivi Cruz. (WHAT THE HELL IS WITH DEIVI F***ING CRUZ GOING ALL ENRIQUE WILSON-VS.-PEDRO ON US???

)

But it's a solo shot, and Tampa starter Guthrie is chased by the next half-frame, the top of the fifth, when we add a fifth run onto the board. Unheralded foot soldiers Parker and Walker and Grabow do an admirable job to keep the game close through the middle and late innings, but ain't no glory in pitching behind, so it's Calero and Bevis and Gallo who get the glory in closing out a 5-3 ballgame.

I know it's just the lowly Devil Rays, but every 'W' we notch on our belt is another game that isn't a loss. And we're just the Pale Hose, after all. Three outta four ain't bad for anyone.

Back home for four with the Empire, and then three with Texas. Here comes a key stretch in determining just what the hell kind of bunch we've got here.

12-04-2005, 10:52 PM	#626
cknox0723 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,957	here's to us We head into the third game of a 4-gamer in Tampa having allowed more than four runs just twice in the last ten games, but our offense hasn't been on the same upswing. My lack of confidence is fully, sadly rewarded when consecutive singles to left by 2B Ramon Vazquez and Brian Anderson lead to absolutely zilch, mostly squelched by a comebacker off Magglio Ordonez's bat that Tampa moundsman Seth McClung handles deftly to start a 1-6-3 double play. To start the bottom half, Ryan Franklin gets a similar bouncer back to him off the bat of Rocco "The Woonsocket Rocket" Baldelli. But the opposition's second hitter, young outfielder Jason Pridie, hits a little Woonsocket chopper that bounces up over Franklin's head and seemingly into center field...but for Ramon Vazquez, starting at second base for the first time this year after 90+ starts there last year. "Pokey" makes a backhanded flash of the leather and rifles the sphere across his body over to first for a bang-bang out. No rest for the weary, but no rust for infielders on a little sabbatical at shortstop, huh? Guess not, but Vazquez will get that rest, because apparently that up-the-middle play -- one he doesn't have to make at short -- tickled the rust in his back. Pale Hose nation, hold your breath, because out comes our offensive and defensive catalyst with an injury, all because I had some stupid idea to rest Adam Kennedy and stick newly-acquired Jack Wilson at short. And the manager's a fcktard! Apparently the rest of the team is holding its breath, too. Franklin* gets out of the first with another ground ball, but doesn't have that chance in the second after an offensive 1-2-3 top half from our "offense." A leadoff walk to Mark Kotsay is followed by a bouncer to short off the bat of the opposition's best hitter, .300 hitting third sacker Andy Phillips, but the supposed defensive wizard Jack Wilson muffs that one. Another walk two batters later loads the bases with one out, but with anemic-hitting backstop Mike Barrett and the pitcher comin' up, you'd think we might get out of the inning. Franklin does retire Barrett, but it's on a medium-range fly ball to left, and Brian Anderson's peg home is just a bit outside. And high. And awful. It allows the other two runners to move up, but luckily the pitcher McClung bounces one to new second baseman Enrique Wilson and we're only down a run. Despite not allowing a hit, so there's no solace to be found in that deficit. The third inning is boring, as the aesthetically challenged say. I prefer the term 'quaint', like a cottage up in Maine. (Or the fishing village Scarborough) "Buddha" Ordonez singles to left to start the fourth, and after Eric Munson whiffs some serious cheddar, Yorvit! hits a comebacker that the West Virginia native McClung can't handle. Nifty -- a base hit means a run. But Raul Gonzalez hits into a 3-6 force and Frank Thomas (where did I come up with this lineup?) flies out to shallow left-center. With one out in the next half-frame, Andy Phillips rakes some of those pesky leaves on a blast to left, a rare four-bagger for the line drive hitter. Yorvit! eventually matches that blast with one of his own that just clears the wall in left, but it's the eighth inning by that point and I get the odd feeling that it's too little, too late. When Proven Closer (TM) Ray King comes out of the 'pen for the ninth, that feeling turns into a sickly sort of dread as Frank Thomas and One of the Infielding Wilsons (ewww!) and Olivo go down feebly against the hard-throwing southpaw. And in spite of last-place Tampa doing their best to run themselves out of a victory, getting thrown out four times on the basepaths in two of the middle innings, despite of a complete game four-hitter from Ryan Franklin, the whole pitching-and-defense thing just didn't work out against a guy named McClung who touches the upper nineties. Obviously the is not dancing for our offense right now, but maybe it'll dance for fifth starter Michael Nannini in the final game of the set, especially since he's opposed by a 28 year old named Jeremy Guthrie who's making his first start of the season and just sixth career. And, trust me, those first six weren't much to write home about. But we can't manage to punch the ball out of the infield in the top of the first, with the only bright note being that Ramon Vazquez made the first of those outs, meaning that he put a little oil on the rust in his back and got the OK to keep playing. Nannini fans "The Woonsocket Rocket" to start the home half and then retires left fielder Juan Encarnacion on a bouncer to short, but then the monsters crawl out from under the bed again as Mark Kotsay thumps a double to right and comes around to score two batters later on a single by light-hitting utility man Geoff Blum. He may be the worst choice for any team ever to start at first base, but what the hell, it's the Pale Hose, right? Somehow Deivi Cruz strikes out instead of hitting that knife-twisting three-run tater, but one run seems like fifty right now. I mean, with innings like this... 1B Frank Catalanotto: Singles to short center field. 3B Eric Munson: Strikes out swinging. CF Brian Anderson: Strikes out looking. LF Clint King: Strikes out looking. ...who the hell needs more than a one-run edge? Nannini's troubles are nil in the bottom of the second, but you don't exactly need a dancing banananana to retire a sickly trio of journeyman John Hattig, Uribe-tastic backstop Barrett, and some pitcher. Speaking of the pitcher Guthrie, Miguel Olivo greets his first offering in the third inning with a heave of lumber, and the ball flies over short for a leadoff base knock. Nannini executes a perfect sacrifice, something that Jon Garland can't seem to do. Up steps Ramon Vazquez, aching back and all. "Guthrie rocks and fires a one-one fastball...hard shot near the second base bag, great stop by Baldiris, who scrambles up and pegs it to first -- not in time! Oh, Vazquez dove into the first base bag with reckless abandon and just beat the throw. Great hustle play on both ends, and now the Pale Hose have runners at the corners with one out." That's why most everyone still loves Pete Rose, you know, the hustle. Vazquez's infield hit motivates our offense, if you believe in that sort of thing, as we wake out of our game (or week) long slumber with a roar. Adam Kennedy whacks a single over the head of first baseman Blum (ha!) to tie the game and keep us in the same situation, runners at the corners with one out. And then the journeyman Guthrie comes unglued a bit, first bouncing a pitch that scoots by Mike Barrett and allows "Pokey" to come home, and then losing "Buddha" to a walk. A double steal works perfectly, another run comes home when Frank Catalanotto literally swings a perfect bunt up the first base line and no one covers home, forcing backstop Barrett to take the out at first. An error by second baseman Baldiris gives us a fourth run, the snakebitten Rays make two baserunning blunders the next half-frame, and it's smooth sailing the rest of the way save for the second home run of the series for light-hitting shortstop Deivi Cruz. (WHAT THE HELL IS WITH DEIVI F*ING CRUZ GOING ALL ENRIQUE WILSON-VS.-PEDRO ON US??? ) But it's a solo shot, and Tampa starter Guthrie is chased by the next half-frame, the top of the fifth, when we add a fifth run onto the board. Unheralded foot soldiers Parker and Walker and Grabow do an admirable job to keep the game close through the middle and late innings, but ain't no glory in pitching behind, so it's Calero and Bevis and Gallo who get the glory in closing out a 5-3 ballgame. I know it's just the lowly Devil Rays, but every 'W' we notch on our belt is another game that isn't a loss. And we're just the Pale Hose, after all. Three outta four ain't bad for anyone. Back home for four with the Empire, and then three with Texas. Here comes a key stretch in determining just what the hell kind of bunch we've got here.