Can't Make This Stuff Up!

marklaker · 05-11-2013, 01:59 PM

Third game of the League Championship Series tied at a game apiece. Top of the 22nd inning, knotted at 2. Both teams down to their last arm.... used their last position players 6 innings prior. It's been a game ruled by the hurlers, with 40 punch outs and only 24 safeties up to this point. I have two sporting golden sombreros and they have one with 4 whiffs and another with 5....an association record! With 2 outs, a runner on first, and the count leveled at 3-2, my "tired" pitcher gives up a 2-run dinger to the 8th place hitter. The home crowd is instantly deflated and all energy leaves the stadium. You can hear a gnat fart. The exhausted Mr. Cambridge somehow manages to retire the next batter and we head to the bottom of the 22nd much worse for the wear.

My manager, while still living in the moment and not ready to concede defeat, is already wondering how he's going to cobble together his depleted staff for tomorrow's contest. The fans are dubious, but a flicker of hope emerges when the lead-off hitter is plunked by their "tired" pitcher. The next batter, my All-Star third baseman, singles on a 1-0 count and a low rumble spreads throughout the stadium. With no outs and runners at first and second, Antonio Lopez, a legitimate power threat steps to the dish. Not known for his plate discipline, Lopez jumps at the first pitch and grounds it weekly to short. Thankfully he had the presence of mind to hustle down the line, for the combination of hustle and the poorly struck ball result in only a fielder's choice rather than a momentum destroying twin killing. One out now, runners on the corners, and up steps my back-up shortstop, Octavio Jimenez, who entered as pinch hitter in the 13th. A .271 hitter on the year, used mostly in a platoon role against lefties. With a 1-1 count, he strokes a single into the left-center gap. Runner on third scores and Mr. Lopez decides to test the arm of the left-fielder and the nerves of his skipper by motoring to third. In a bang-bang play Lopez is ruled safe and the trail runner Jimenez trots into second. Fans are on their feet now and the stadium is awash in noise. You can feel the electricity as hope creeps back into the park. One out, down by a run, with runners at second and third, Terry O'Neal the batter. O'Neal is a 21 year-old rookie on the fast track, called to the big club after the All-Star break. While he didn't overwhelm, he hit .263 and played stellar defense. Gonna be a good one and he's 2 for 9 on the day. Count evens at 2-2 and he digs in for the next pitch, bat wagging up and down over his right shoulder. The by now "exhausted" hurler comes set and fires to the plate. It's a hanging slider and O'Neal RIPS it over third base and into the left field corner. Lopez SCORES!!! Jimenez SCORES!!! Pandemonium erupts as the Colonials snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the longest game in playoff history! My oh my!

Can't make this sh*t up.

MizzouRah · 05-11-2013, 02:07 PM

That's awesome!

Déjà Bru · 05-11-2013, 02:14 PM

I'm glad OOTPB can make this, uh, stuff up, though! Good writing, by the way.

elfsutton · 05-11-2013, 02:31 PM

Great story. That was awesome way to end the series.

thehef · 05-11-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marklaker

My manager, while still living in the moment and not ready to concede defeat, is already wondering how he's going to cobble together his depleted staff for tomorrow's contest.

So what happened the next day. What was the state of each team's pitching staff? Do tell.

marklaker · 05-11-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehef

So what happened the next day. What was the state of each team's pitching staff? Do tell.

Both staffs carry 12. I have four relievers at 95% or better, one being a LOOGY. The opponent is in the same boat. Neither of us has our best pen man available. I was contemplating whether I should run a three or four man rotation for the series, but I had to burn one of my potential starters in today's game so the decision has been made for me. They start their Golden Arm (my version of the Cy Young), pitching triple crown winner in tomorrow's game. He shut us down 5-1 in the opener. I counter with my ace, arguably the league's second best arm. Should be a good one. We win and the odds are stacked heavily in our favor. Lose and it's a crap shoot.

Dontcha love this game!

05-11-2013, 01:59 PM	#1
marklaker Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 149	Can't Make This Stuff Up! Third game of the League Championship Series tied at a game apiece. Top of the 22nd inning, knotted at 2. Both teams down to their last arm.... used their last position players 6 innings prior. It's been a game ruled by the hurlers, with 40 punch outs and only 24 safeties up to this point. I have two sporting golden sombreros and they have one with 4 whiffs and another with 5....an association record! With 2 outs, a runner on first, and the count leveled at 3-2, my "tired" pitcher gives up a 2-run dinger to the 8th place hitter. The home crowd is instantly deflated and all energy leaves the stadium. You can hear a gnat fart. The exhausted Mr. Cambridge somehow manages to retire the next batter and we head to the bottom of the 22nd much worse for the wear. My manager, while still living in the moment and not ready to concede defeat, is already wondering how he's going to cobble together his depleted staff for tomorrow's contest. The fans are dubious, but a flicker of hope emerges when the lead-off hitter is plunked by their "tired" pitcher. The next batter, my All-Star third baseman, singles on a 1-0 count and a low rumble spreads throughout the stadium. With no outs and runners at first and second, Antonio Lopez, a legitimate power threat steps to the dish. Not known for his plate discipline, Lopez jumps at the first pitch and grounds it weekly to short. Thankfully he had the presence of mind to hustle down the line, for the combination of hustle and the poorly struck ball result in only a fielder's choice rather than a momentum destroying twin killing. One out now, runners on the corners, and up steps my back-up shortstop, Octavio Jimenez, who entered as pinch hitter in the 13th. A .271 hitter on the year, used mostly in a platoon role against lefties. With a 1-1 count, he strokes a single into the left-center gap. Runner on third scores and Mr. Lopez decides to test the arm of the left-fielder and the nerves of his skipper by motoring to third. In a bang-bang play Lopez is ruled safe and the trail runner Jimenez trots into second. Fans are on their feet now and the stadium is awash in noise. You can feel the electricity as hope creeps back into the park. One out, down by a run, with runners at second and third, Terry O'Neal the batter. O'Neal is a 21 year-old rookie on the fast track, called to the big club after the All-Star break. While he didn't overwhelm, he hit .263 and played stellar defense. Gonna be a good one and he's 2 for 9 on the day. Count evens at 2-2 and he digs in for the next pitch, bat wagging up and down over his right shoulder. The by now "exhausted" hurler comes set and fires to the plate. It's a hanging slider and O'Neal RIPS it over third base and into the left field corner. Lopez SCORES!!! Jimenez SCORES!!! Pandemonium erupts as the Colonials snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the longest game in playoff history! My oh my! Can't make this sh*t up.

05-11-2013, 02:14 PM	#3
Déjà Bru Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island Posts: 11,742	I'm glad OOTPB can make this, uh, stuff up, though! Good writing, by the way. __________________ - Bru

05-11-2013, 02:31 PM	#4
elfsutton All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Cadiz, Ohio Posts: 946	Great story. That was awesome way to end the series. __________________ Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians fan Rewriting Cubs History, a Dynasty Report Baseball History, What Might Have Been Rewriting Cubs History Poll

05-11-2013, 02:07 PM	#2
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Troy, Mo Posts: 6,252	That's awesome!