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TLBOrioles · 03-08-2003, 12:28 AM

4/4/2007

We went on the road to Texas today, and I saw my first action in the bigs!

We were holding on to a 2-1 lead after 6 innings, and he brought in some guys to improve the defense a little. However, he had already pinch hit for Eric Chavez, who doesn't handle lefties very well, leaving us without a third baseman on the bench. I was stunned when Coach Howe told me that I was going to make my major league debut at third! I hadn't played there since little league.

I got my first at bat in the top of the seventh, with Matt Holliday standing on first and nobody down. C.J. Wilson was pitching for Texas. He threw me a fastball over the plate on the first pitch, and I couldn't contain myself. I took a good cut at it and did what I do best--took it the other way for a clean single to right.

My good buddy from the minors Marcus McBeth (who's also a reserve on the major league squad now followed that up with a single of his own, driving Matt in and moving me over to second. Brandon Larson went down swinging, then Adam Dunn knocked a clean single into left-center field. I was gone as soon as the ball was hit hoping to score. Initially I thought the left fielder would get to it, but it ended up going to Gabe Kapler in center, and he's got a cannon arm. I knew I had to be flying to get to the plate in time. It was close - VERY close - but I just did sneak in under the tag. So I singled and scored my first time up in the bigs! We ended up pulling in 5 runs in the inning to break the game open, and went on to win 7-2.

Of course my work wasn't done as I trotted out to third for the first time in my life. I only saw one play in the three innings, a routine grounder. It was odd to be standing over there, but I think I could learn to play it.

I came up again in the top of the ninth; this time I was a little more patient. Victor Santos was pitching for Texas, and I ran the count to 3-1 on him. Then he gave me a good pitch to hit, another fast ball out over the plate. I turned on it and ripped it hard, but unfortunately I ripped it right at their third baseman, Mark Teixeira.

So far I'm hitting .500 for my career! It was great to get out there and play, but most of all, it was good to help the team win the game. I'm ready to admit I'm not as talented as some of the guys on this team, but I give all the effort I can. Today it was good enough to help out.

03-08-2003, 12:28 AM	#13
TLBOrioles Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 188	4/4/2007 We went on the road to Texas today, and I saw my first action in the bigs! We were holding on to a 2-1 lead after 6 innings, and he brought in some guys to improve the defense a little. However, he had already pinch hit for Eric Chavez, who doesn't handle lefties very well, leaving us without a third baseman on the bench. I was stunned when Coach Howe told me that I was going to make my major league debut at third! I hadn't played there since little league. I got my first at bat in the top of the seventh, with Matt Holliday standing on first and nobody down. C.J. Wilson was pitching for Texas. He threw me a fastball over the plate on the first pitch, and I couldn't contain myself. I took a good cut at it and did what I do best--took it the other way for a clean single to right. My good buddy from the minors Marcus McBeth (who's also a reserve on the major league squad now followed that up with a single of his own, driving Matt in and moving me over to second. Brandon Larson went down swinging, then Adam Dunn knocked a clean single into left-center field. I was gone as soon as the ball was hit hoping to score. Initially I thought the left fielder would get to it, but it ended up going to Gabe Kapler in center, and he's got a cannon arm. I knew I had to be flying to get to the plate in time. It was close - VERY close - but I just did sneak in under the tag. So I singled and scored my first time up in the bigs! We ended up pulling in 5 runs in the inning to break the game open, and went on to win 7-2. Of course my work wasn't done as I trotted out to third for the first time in my life. I only saw one play in the three innings, a routine grounder. It was odd to be standing over there, but I think I could learn to play it. I came up again in the top of the ninth; this time I was a little more patient. Victor Santos was pitching for Texas, and I ran the count to 3-1 on him. Then he gave me a good pitch to hit, another fast ball out over the plate. I turned on it and ripped it hard, but unfortunately I ripped it right at their third baseman, Mark Teixeira. So far I'm hitting .500 for my career! It was great to get out there and play, but most of all, it was good to help the team win the game. I'm ready to admit I'm not as talented as some of the guys on this team, but I give all the effort I can. Today it was good enough to help out.