06/25/2012
Cardinals 8 Marlins 7
Dear Redbirds,
Even though we were down 6-2 heading to the ninth inning, I knew that we were going to tie the game up. It just did not feel like a loss, the same way that Game 6 of the World Series never felt like a loss.
I went ballistic when Yadi's game tying two-run homer cleared the left-field fence. I did full party dance and jungle-girl yell.
A few words about Irony: the Double-Switch Mishap
What was supposed to happen:
Freese (batting 7th, playing fifth position, i.e. third base) leaves the game, and pitcher Victor Marte takes his spot in the batting order. Meanwhile, Daniel Descalso moves from second base (4th position) to third base.
What actually did happen:
Communication Issues
Everything occurred as it should, except for the small fact that the home plate umpire, Bob Davidson, penciled Victor Marte into fifth spot on the batting order, not the seventh as Mike intended. This meant that the player batting fifth, Allen Craig should be out the game and not playing first. Ozzie Guillen alerted umpire. When the dust settled-- and Bob Davidson had admitted that the mishap was his fault to Guillen-- Craig still had to leave the game and Tony Cruz entered the game to play first (and bat seventh). Of course, Mike Matheny stated in his post game conference that it was his fault because he guessed somehow the number five came up in the conversation. All I have to say, is that the man must be super clear next time and stick to numbers when talking about the line up and position names when talking about fielding positions.
Fox Sports Midwest was on the audio, last night. They have a clear recording of umpire Balkin' Bob Davidson telling Ozzie, "He told me seven, I [expletive] it up." Great thing they caught that, because Cardinal nation would be going crazy on Mike Matheny right now, even with the win.
Ozzie Guillen was beyond happy to get Allen Craig's bat out of the line up last night. I don't blame him: the game was possibly headed to extras, Allen Craig has pop in his bat, and the Cardinals were out of position players.
How ironic that the fifth spot Allen Craig vacated would bat in the next inning with the bases loaded. How funny that rookie pitcher Joe Kelly managed to get his first MLB hit and RBI on an infield hit to the shortstop. Joe Kelly is fast. That was a sweet hit, I'll love to have a moment like that as my first hit in The Show.
But the funniest thing about the whole deal is the fact that Joe Kelly's hit was the game winner.
Til Later!
No comments:
Post a Comment