Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Throwing a Marshmellow into a Pillow
For the first time since probably early- or mid-April I’m thinking about punching the buttons on our thermostat. I have a light sweater on, jeans and slippers. And I’m still a bit chilly.
A cold front blew in today, knocking out the remnants of the latest in the unending run of violent storms that has torn their way through the American Southeast. The air is crisp and cool. Autumn.
I’m flipping between the Cards/Astros & Angels/Rangers. I didn’t think the last week of the baseball season would be this good. Not after I proclaimed in late July, “Wake Me in October.”
Yet here we are with two amazing races. A division race in the American League that could go a long way towards shaping the eventual World Series victor. And a three-team free-for-all in the National League for the final playoff spot.
I had the MLB.com Gameday screen going for the Reds/Cubs game today at work. The Reds’ improbable rally in the 9th to tie the game (they would go on to win in the 12th) was a true pre-cursor to some of the wild action that will start next week.
Clemens is throwing a gutty game tonight in a huge spot. He’s given up two runs through five (one unearned) and has seven strikeouts. Through 4 1/2, the Astros are up 3-2. Houston could actually occupy the Wild Card by their lonesome if they win. Of course, if the Giants win tonight in San Diego, they'll be relegated to 2nd going into tomorrow.
The two Texas teams have really had inexplicable years, for different reasons. The Astros because of their dramatic turnaround. The Rangers for the fact that they stuck around until the final weeks of September.
Bagwell just doubled in Biggio. 4-2 Astros in the 5th.
The most interesting aspect of this Wild Card race is that any of these three teams could make a push to the World Series. I guess the Giants would be the most unlikely of the trio to make it through the NL playoffs, but with Bonds you never know.
Sometimes I wonder who I'm more amazed by: Bonds or Clemens. Most days it's Bonds, because of the sheer numbers, and for the fact that I've never seen one player change the entire aspect, make-up and feel of a baseball game the way he does. Then there are nights like this one, that I watch Clemens. And he's throwing 94, 93, 91... getting outs. Getting strikeouts. Pushing his team to a win and a possible playoff berth. And I think I've been watching this forever.
The first crystal-clear memory of hearing about Roger Clemens was after his 20 strikeout game in April of 1986. My first vivid memory of watching Roger Clemens was the 1986 All-Star Game in Houston. The same city he's cruising in tonight.
Another strikeout: #8.
Since I've watched the game about a dozen times, Vin Scully and Joe Garigiola's broadcast of Game 6 of the '86 Series is always fresh in my mind. Specific calls and phrases are as familiar to me as bits of lyrics in certain songs. I remember Garigiola talking about how Rich Gedman's glove sounded when Clemens fastball hit the mitt. A distinctive popping sound. But the thing that really stands out to me, even now, is a particular phrase: "It's like he's throwing a marshmellow into a pillow." The implication being that everything was just smooth and easy, the wind-up, the delivery, the catch was just perfect and smooth.
Rolen just drilled a Clemens offering off the tracks in left. Tie game. 4-4 in the 6th. It looked like a split that just floated into Rolen. Not much downward action. And certainly not much on it.
UPDATE
I'm going to stick with the Cards/Astros game for a bit, although I want to take a quick glance at the Angels/Rangers score... 5-5 Top 6.
Suppan's still pitching for St. Louis.
Jeff Suppan. One-word description? I guess I would say: "journeyman."
It helps to be pitching for the Cards this year, but he's certainly deserves a better description after pitching well this year:
16-8, 4.03, 181 IP, 183 H, 63 BB, 106 K
Generally speaking, his numbers this year look pretty similar to what he's been doing since 1999, his first full season as a starter.
However, his OPS against is the best it's been over a full season (his best work he's done in the Bigs is the 21-start stint that he gave Pittsburgh last year), and the Cards defense has to be helping him as well.
Clemens is out.
LaRussa, with the go-ahead run on base, let Suppan hit with two outs in the 7th. Grounded out.
Bottom 7 now. Still 4-4.
UPDATE
Lead-off man for Astros in 7th. Biggio Sac Bunt. Runner to 2nd.
Just took a quick glance on Texas-Anaheim. Still 5-5.
Suppan still throwing hard. 90, 91...
Another at-bat for Bagwell with a runner on third. One out. Duncan's out to the mound to talk to Suppan. Pick your poison: walk Bagwell to face Berkman? Berkman hasn't done much in the series... Tough call. Maybe it's the mystique that Bagwell still has in my mind, but I'd walk him. They're pitching to Bags.
Actually they're giving him nothing. Three pitchers way out of the zone. 3-0. I give him the greenie...
Line shot to left. Base hit. 5-4 Astros.
It was a bad mistake by Suppan. Matheny was set-up way outside, almost begging for Suppan to throw a ball. Why in hell didn't they just do the IBB at that point?
Berkman double drives in Bagwell. 6-4 Astros.
UPDATE
Angels/Rangers going to bottom of the 7th. Still tied.
Seattle/Oakland and San Fran/San Diego are both underway. Don't worry; I'll be switching over to those games once these in the 8:10 slot are done.
Micelli made easy work of the Cards in the 8th: struck out the side. The Astros are three outs away from taking the lead in the NL Wild Card. Wild stuff, indeed.
I'll go back to Houston for the top of the 9th, but for now it's out to the other end of Texas. Frankie Rodriguez is in for Anaheim. One out, 7th inning. He's already struck out Blalock, and -has Michael Young at 2-2. Line out to Figgins at 2nd.
Is it me or do the Texas Rangers hitters look similar? I mean from the swings, to their size... Teixeira, Blalock, Nix...maybe even Young to an extent. They all seem to have similar approaches at the plate, similiar looking swings... Odd. Or, maybe it's not that odd, considering they're about the same age and came up through the same system, with presumably the same coaches.
Teixeira went down swinging. Going to the 8th.
The Angels announcers (Rex Hudler and ??? -- is Steve Phisiock {sp.} their play-by-play guy?) are talking about the NL Wild Card race. They both like Houston, considering the Astros finish with the Rockies at home; the Cubs finish with the Braves; and the Giants finish in L.A. Baseball seems like a bad sport to predict outcomes based on team match-ups. Are the Braves going to be that tough this weekend? What if the Dodgers have the West wrapped up; will that take a little edge off them? Who knows... I do know that it's not something I'd want to put anything substantial on; I have no idea who's going to win this thing.
Pretty good inning for Mahay. No runs, onto the bottom of the 8th.
I'm heading back to Houston for the end of the Astros/Cards game.
Ultimately, I'm not sure who I'm pulling for in this Wild Card race. I guess it would be the Giants, but it's not a huge pull by any stretch.
I really really like watching games that are being played in that park by the Bay. And it was amazing watching Bonds working at his craft in the post-season two years ago.
The Cubs are always good to have at the table because of the national attention they bring to the post-season, but I won't miss them if they're not in, either.
The Astros? Eh... I feel like it's been there/done that. A bazillion post-seasons of Biggio and Bagwell always ending in futility. It would be good to see Clemens pitching in big games in October again, but I'm not going to race to the TV to watch him pitch.
Lidge is on for the Astros.
2-0 Giants in San Diego, according the Cardinals broadcasters.
Leadoff man (Rolen) on in 9th.
Edmonds struck out.
Lidge's slider looks nasty right now.
Renteria down 1-2. K. Two down.
Mabry fly ball to right. Ball game.
Onto the rest of the night...
UPDATE
The Rangers have a major threat going on in the 8th: corners, one out. The aforementioned Laynce Nix is up against Rodriguez.
M's-A's scoreless in the 3rd.
3-1 to Nix.
Great, classic Rodriguez breaking ball to run the count full.
Sac Fly to center; Texas takes the lead.
Rodriguez went back to the breaking ball. Wasn't as sharp as the previous one, but wasn't terrible either. Good at-bat for Nix.
I've put the A's-M's game on the Gameday screen, although I definitely want to check in on SF-SD as well...
Break in the action in Arlington for a pitching change.
Eric Chazez just knocked in Byrnes with two outs. 1-0 Oakland.
Time for cup of coffee #2...
UPDATE
9th inning. 6-5 Rangers. Cordero is in for Texas. Erstad leading off for Anaheim.
1-2. 97 mph. Fouled off.
Strike out on a breaking pitch. Changed speeds, and it had a break.
Glaus.
1-2. Popped him up to right. Two down.
Vlad base hit to right (hit #200 this year for Guerrero) keeps Angels alive.
No Garrett Anderson b/c of his knee. So who's up.... Curtis Pride.
Curtis Pride: 0 HR
Cordero: 0 HR allowed
UNBELIEVABLE.
Curtis Pride. Double scores Vlad from first.
Tie game. 5th blown save of year for Cordero.
I'll tell ya... I'm not sure what was more mind-boggling today: watching the Reds tie the game in Wrigley with a triple and a double, or seeing Curtis Pride almost hit a HR to give the Angels the lead, but settle for a game-tying, two out hit in the 9th.
Yeah, I'd say this has been an interesting baseball day.
UPDATE
Shields on for Anaheim in the 9th.
Seattle has tied Oakland. 1-1 in the 4th.
Blalock K's. Two outs. He really looked over-matched in that AB.
Infield single for Young, gives Teixiera an at-bat. Hit #211 for Michael Young, an all-time record for Texas.
Flyball to left. Onto extras...
UPDATE
As much as I look forward to and enjoy the post-season, it is nights like this one that I really miss during the long winter. With the post-season, games are spaced out pretty well, you can focus on one game at a time, etc.
I've always liked these random weeknights that feature meaningful baseball from all over the country. All the good stuff that the Internet has brought just makes it that much better.
Two outs in the 10th for Anaheim. 1-2-3 inning for Cordero.
Ichiro just singled in Oakland. I think that puts him three hits away from Sisler. I'm really not into this chase at all. But since I'm following the game, it at least deserves a mention...
I think the only baseball in-season record that I would get really excited about at this point in my life is the consecutive games hitting streak. The home run thing wouldn't do it for me anymore, although to see someone chase down 80 (one home run every two games) would be kind of freaky. Maybe I'd take an interest in watching someone chase down .400, but I don't know to what degree.
Mench is up in the 10th against Shields. The Angels still have Percival in the Pen.
Lead-off walk.
Andy Fox is looking to bunt, fouled the first one back.
Geez... He popped another one up right in front of the plate (probably went about two feet up in the air) and Molina gloved it for the out.
Manny Alexander, who I couldn't tell you one thing about, is up now.
Buck's been using him as a defensive replacement over the last few weeks. (Thanks, Fox for the graphic).
If the .176 average is any indication, he ain't much of a hitter. Down 0-2.
Strike out looking.
If I just heard that correctly, Alexander is the answer to a trivia question: Who was the SS who took over for Cal Ripken, prompting his move to third base late in his career?
Nix is up.
If I was the Red Sox/Yankees/Twins, this Anaheim bullpen would make me very very very nervous... Their stuff always looks ridiculously good...
K.
Onto the 11th.
UPDATE
Bobby Madritsch and Rich Harden are still going strong in Oakland. 1-1 going to the 6th.
Top of the 5th, Giants have 3-1 lead in San Diego.
Cordero is on for Inning #3.
Fastball's still there: 97.
Erstad single with one out.
Long at-bat for Glaus. Cordero's throwing a lot more junk to Glaus than any other hitter.
Pitch #9: Fouled back. 2-2
Pitch #10: F'n Drilled.
8-6 Anaheim.
Just a great at-bat by Glaus. Fought a lot of tough pitches off, and then got a hanging breaking ball and drilled onto the lawn behind the centerfield fence.
That 9th pitch was 98 mph. And that 10th pitch wasn't anything close to that. He really didn't trust his fastball during that entire at-bat, and it came back to bite him.
First home run given up by Cordero this year.
UPDATE
A's have runners on the corners. 2 outs in the 6th.
Durazo had a chance to drive in the run with one out, but flew out to shallow left.
Bottom of the 11th in Texas. Percival in.
Although they're done as it is, this is essentially the last stand for the Rangers in the 2004 season...
Eric Young just tripled off DaVannon's glove in center with one out.
Blalock drove in the run with a Sac Fly. 2 outs.
A's just took the lead on an error.
Angels win.
Great game.
Two two-out 9th inning comebacks made for a good baseball day.
I'm going to close out the night by tuning into the rest of Oakland/Seattle, and I'm going to close out this blog entry. Hope everyone enjoyed the games.
For the first time since probably early- or mid-April I’m thinking about punching the buttons on our thermostat. I have a light sweater on, jeans and slippers. And I’m still a bit chilly.
A cold front blew in today, knocking out the remnants of the latest in the unending run of violent storms that has torn their way through the American Southeast. The air is crisp and cool. Autumn.
I’m flipping between the Cards/Astros & Angels/Rangers. I didn’t think the last week of the baseball season would be this good. Not after I proclaimed in late July, “Wake Me in October.”
Yet here we are with two amazing races. A division race in the American League that could go a long way towards shaping the eventual World Series victor. And a three-team free-for-all in the National League for the final playoff spot.
I had the MLB.com Gameday screen going for the Reds/Cubs game today at work. The Reds’ improbable rally in the 9th to tie the game (they would go on to win in the 12th) was a true pre-cursor to some of the wild action that will start next week.
Clemens is throwing a gutty game tonight in a huge spot. He’s given up two runs through five (one unearned) and has seven strikeouts. Through 4 1/2, the Astros are up 3-2. Houston could actually occupy the Wild Card by their lonesome if they win. Of course, if the Giants win tonight in San Diego, they'll be relegated to 2nd going into tomorrow.
The two Texas teams have really had inexplicable years, for different reasons. The Astros because of their dramatic turnaround. The Rangers for the fact that they stuck around until the final weeks of September.
Bagwell just doubled in Biggio. 4-2 Astros in the 5th.
The most interesting aspect of this Wild Card race is that any of these three teams could make a push to the World Series. I guess the Giants would be the most unlikely of the trio to make it through the NL playoffs, but with Bonds you never know.
Sometimes I wonder who I'm more amazed by: Bonds or Clemens. Most days it's Bonds, because of the sheer numbers, and for the fact that I've never seen one player change the entire aspect, make-up and feel of a baseball game the way he does. Then there are nights like this one, that I watch Clemens. And he's throwing 94, 93, 91... getting outs. Getting strikeouts. Pushing his team to a win and a possible playoff berth. And I think I've been watching this forever.
The first crystal-clear memory of hearing about Roger Clemens was after his 20 strikeout game in April of 1986. My first vivid memory of watching Roger Clemens was the 1986 All-Star Game in Houston. The same city he's cruising in tonight.
Another strikeout: #8.
Since I've watched the game about a dozen times, Vin Scully and Joe Garigiola's broadcast of Game 6 of the '86 Series is always fresh in my mind. Specific calls and phrases are as familiar to me as bits of lyrics in certain songs. I remember Garigiola talking about how Rich Gedman's glove sounded when Clemens fastball hit the mitt. A distinctive popping sound. But the thing that really stands out to me, even now, is a particular phrase: "It's like he's throwing a marshmellow into a pillow." The implication being that everything was just smooth and easy, the wind-up, the delivery, the catch was just perfect and smooth.
Rolen just drilled a Clemens offering off the tracks in left. Tie game. 4-4 in the 6th. It looked like a split that just floated into Rolen. Not much downward action. And certainly not much on it.
UPDATE
I'm going to stick with the Cards/Astros game for a bit, although I want to take a quick glance at the Angels/Rangers score... 5-5 Top 6.
Suppan's still pitching for St. Louis.
Jeff Suppan. One-word description? I guess I would say: "journeyman."
It helps to be pitching for the Cards this year, but he's certainly deserves a better description after pitching well this year:
16-8, 4.03, 181 IP, 183 H, 63 BB, 106 K
Generally speaking, his numbers this year look pretty similar to what he's been doing since 1999, his first full season as a starter.
However, his OPS against is the best it's been over a full season (his best work he's done in the Bigs is the 21-start stint that he gave Pittsburgh last year), and the Cards defense has to be helping him as well.
Clemens is out.
LaRussa, with the go-ahead run on base, let Suppan hit with two outs in the 7th. Grounded out.
Bottom 7 now. Still 4-4.
UPDATE
Lead-off man for Astros in 7th. Biggio Sac Bunt. Runner to 2nd.
Just took a quick glance on Texas-Anaheim. Still 5-5.
Suppan still throwing hard. 90, 91...
Another at-bat for Bagwell with a runner on third. One out. Duncan's out to the mound to talk to Suppan. Pick your poison: walk Bagwell to face Berkman? Berkman hasn't done much in the series... Tough call. Maybe it's the mystique that Bagwell still has in my mind, but I'd walk him. They're pitching to Bags.
Actually they're giving him nothing. Three pitchers way out of the zone. 3-0. I give him the greenie...
Line shot to left. Base hit. 5-4 Astros.
It was a bad mistake by Suppan. Matheny was set-up way outside, almost begging for Suppan to throw a ball. Why in hell didn't they just do the IBB at that point?
Berkman double drives in Bagwell. 6-4 Astros.
UPDATE
Angels/Rangers going to bottom of the 7th. Still tied.
Seattle/Oakland and San Fran/San Diego are both underway. Don't worry; I'll be switching over to those games once these in the 8:10 slot are done.
Micelli made easy work of the Cards in the 8th: struck out the side. The Astros are three outs away from taking the lead in the NL Wild Card. Wild stuff, indeed.
I'll go back to Houston for the top of the 9th, but for now it's out to the other end of Texas. Frankie Rodriguez is in for Anaheim. One out, 7th inning. He's already struck out Blalock, and -has Michael Young at 2-2. Line out to Figgins at 2nd.
Is it me or do the Texas Rangers hitters look similar? I mean from the swings, to their size... Teixeira, Blalock, Nix...maybe even Young to an extent. They all seem to have similar approaches at the plate, similiar looking swings... Odd. Or, maybe it's not that odd, considering they're about the same age and came up through the same system, with presumably the same coaches.
Teixeira went down swinging. Going to the 8th.
The Angels announcers (Rex Hudler and ??? -- is Steve Phisiock {sp.} their play-by-play guy?) are talking about the NL Wild Card race. They both like Houston, considering the Astros finish with the Rockies at home; the Cubs finish with the Braves; and the Giants finish in L.A. Baseball seems like a bad sport to predict outcomes based on team match-ups. Are the Braves going to be that tough this weekend? What if the Dodgers have the West wrapped up; will that take a little edge off them? Who knows... I do know that it's not something I'd want to put anything substantial on; I have no idea who's going to win this thing.
Pretty good inning for Mahay. No runs, onto the bottom of the 8th.
I'm heading back to Houston for the end of the Astros/Cards game.
Ultimately, I'm not sure who I'm pulling for in this Wild Card race. I guess it would be the Giants, but it's not a huge pull by any stretch.
I really really like watching games that are being played in that park by the Bay. And it was amazing watching Bonds working at his craft in the post-season two years ago.
The Cubs are always good to have at the table because of the national attention they bring to the post-season, but I won't miss them if they're not in, either.
The Astros? Eh... I feel like it's been there/done that. A bazillion post-seasons of Biggio and Bagwell always ending in futility. It would be good to see Clemens pitching in big games in October again, but I'm not going to race to the TV to watch him pitch.
Lidge is on for the Astros.
2-0 Giants in San Diego, according the Cardinals broadcasters.
Leadoff man (Rolen) on in 9th.
Edmonds struck out.
Lidge's slider looks nasty right now.
Renteria down 1-2. K. Two down.
Mabry fly ball to right. Ball game.
Onto the rest of the night...
UPDATE
The Rangers have a major threat going on in the 8th: corners, one out. The aforementioned Laynce Nix is up against Rodriguez.
M's-A's scoreless in the 3rd.
3-1 to Nix.
Great, classic Rodriguez breaking ball to run the count full.
Sac Fly to center; Texas takes the lead.
Rodriguez went back to the breaking ball. Wasn't as sharp as the previous one, but wasn't terrible either. Good at-bat for Nix.
I've put the A's-M's game on the Gameday screen, although I definitely want to check in on SF-SD as well...
Break in the action in Arlington for a pitching change.
Eric Chazez just knocked in Byrnes with two outs. 1-0 Oakland.
Time for cup of coffee #2...
UPDATE
9th inning. 6-5 Rangers. Cordero is in for Texas. Erstad leading off for Anaheim.
1-2. 97 mph. Fouled off.
Strike out on a breaking pitch. Changed speeds, and it had a break.
Glaus.
1-2. Popped him up to right. Two down.
Vlad base hit to right (hit #200 this year for Guerrero) keeps Angels alive.
No Garrett Anderson b/c of his knee. So who's up.... Curtis Pride.
Curtis Pride: 0 HR
Cordero: 0 HR allowed
UNBELIEVABLE.
Curtis Pride. Double scores Vlad from first.
Tie game. 5th blown save of year for Cordero.
I'll tell ya... I'm not sure what was more mind-boggling today: watching the Reds tie the game in Wrigley with a triple and a double, or seeing Curtis Pride almost hit a HR to give the Angels the lead, but settle for a game-tying, two out hit in the 9th.
Yeah, I'd say this has been an interesting baseball day.
UPDATE
Shields on for Anaheim in the 9th.
Seattle has tied Oakland. 1-1 in the 4th.
Blalock K's. Two outs. He really looked over-matched in that AB.
Infield single for Young, gives Teixiera an at-bat. Hit #211 for Michael Young, an all-time record for Texas.
Flyball to left. Onto extras...
UPDATE
As much as I look forward to and enjoy the post-season, it is nights like this one that I really miss during the long winter. With the post-season, games are spaced out pretty well, you can focus on one game at a time, etc.
I've always liked these random weeknights that feature meaningful baseball from all over the country. All the good stuff that the Internet has brought just makes it that much better.
Two outs in the 10th for Anaheim. 1-2-3 inning for Cordero.
Ichiro just singled in Oakland. I think that puts him three hits away from Sisler. I'm really not into this chase at all. But since I'm following the game, it at least deserves a mention...
I think the only baseball in-season record that I would get really excited about at this point in my life is the consecutive games hitting streak. The home run thing wouldn't do it for me anymore, although to see someone chase down 80 (one home run every two games) would be kind of freaky. Maybe I'd take an interest in watching someone chase down .400, but I don't know to what degree.
Mench is up in the 10th against Shields. The Angels still have Percival in the Pen.
Lead-off walk.
Andy Fox is looking to bunt, fouled the first one back.
Geez... He popped another one up right in front of the plate (probably went about two feet up in the air) and Molina gloved it for the out.
Manny Alexander, who I couldn't tell you one thing about, is up now.
Buck's been using him as a defensive replacement over the last few weeks. (Thanks, Fox for the graphic).
If the .176 average is any indication, he ain't much of a hitter. Down 0-2.
Strike out looking.
If I just heard that correctly, Alexander is the answer to a trivia question: Who was the SS who took over for Cal Ripken, prompting his move to third base late in his career?
Nix is up.
If I was the Red Sox/Yankees/Twins, this Anaheim bullpen would make me very very very nervous... Their stuff always looks ridiculously good...
K.
Onto the 11th.
UPDATE
Bobby Madritsch and Rich Harden are still going strong in Oakland. 1-1 going to the 6th.
Top of the 5th, Giants have 3-1 lead in San Diego.
Cordero is on for Inning #3.
Fastball's still there: 97.
Erstad single with one out.
Long at-bat for Glaus. Cordero's throwing a lot more junk to Glaus than any other hitter.
Pitch #9: Fouled back. 2-2
Pitch #10: F'n Drilled.
8-6 Anaheim.
Just a great at-bat by Glaus. Fought a lot of tough pitches off, and then got a hanging breaking ball and drilled onto the lawn behind the centerfield fence.
That 9th pitch was 98 mph. And that 10th pitch wasn't anything close to that. He really didn't trust his fastball during that entire at-bat, and it came back to bite him.
First home run given up by Cordero this year.
UPDATE
A's have runners on the corners. 2 outs in the 6th.
Durazo had a chance to drive in the run with one out, but flew out to shallow left.
Bottom of the 11th in Texas. Percival in.
Although they're done as it is, this is essentially the last stand for the Rangers in the 2004 season...
Eric Young just tripled off DaVannon's glove in center with one out.
Blalock drove in the run with a Sac Fly. 2 outs.
A's just took the lead on an error.
Angels win.
Great game.
Two two-out 9th inning comebacks made for a good baseball day.
I'm going to close out the night by tuning into the rest of Oakland/Seattle, and I'm going to close out this blog entry. Hope everyone enjoyed the games.
