Now, we were playing the last game of a 3-meeting series against the Indians and had Verlander scheduled to pitch. Instant win, right? Well, apparently not. After the FIRST inning, it was already 5-0, Cleveland. Considering we've came from behind in all but 1 win to start this early season, you knew it wasn't over...but that's a pretty hefty deficit to find your team in after 1 INNING. That's why we play the game. As it went on it seemed our offense wasn't clicking, and when we finally got a run back in the 5th, the Indians answered with 2 more in the 6th. 7-1 going into the bottom of the 6th now. This is when the bats finally started coming to life. We got some hits, scored a couple more runs, but left a ton of men on. This continued in the 7 and 8, where we got a few more runs back, but continued leaving the bases loaded. Going into the 9th inning, it was 8-6. Raburn grounded out to start. The next better, Ordonez (who's been red hot, so far), got a hit and Cabrera was walked. So, two men on as Carlos Guillen stepped to the plate. He hit a ball deep to score Ordonez, get Cabby to 3rd, and grab himself 2nd. Inge grouded out and so Santiago was up next. Mind you, men on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. With the luck we've been having today, I figured we'd leave these guys on and call it a game. Nope. Walk. So, now, bases loaded with Damon coming up to bat (pinch hitting for Laird, who has no offensive game). 8-7, Indians. The pitches go like this: ball, ball, ball, ball. The Indians' "closer" just walked in the tying run. So, 8-8, bases still loaded, and rookie Scott Sizemore is up to bat. I'm now thinking that this is good enough, and even if we leave the bases loaded, we came from behind and may be able to win it in extra innings. Hell, down 6 runs in the 6th to tie it in the 9th is HUGE in baseball. Sizemore is still learning, so I had no idea what may happen. So you could imagine my shock when the first throw of a bases loaded, tie game, 2 out situation from the Indians' "closer" (Perez) was a wild pitch that got away from the catcher and scored the Guillen for the game winning run. 9-8, Tigers, on an error. Wow. Talk about a game we had no business winning, but I'm sure as hell glad we did. Now, I'll admit, it's mighty impressive coming back from such a huge deficit, even if we got help from Cleveland's terrible defense, relief pitching, and unbelievable errors. BUT, throughout the game, we left 18 - yes, 18 - runners on base! That's almost like having the bases loaded for 6 straight innings and not scoring at all in that period. And we still won. Go figure.
After staying inside on a beautiful afternoon to watch that game, I wanted to get out. So I drove over to hang out with Mitch for a little bit. I checked out his house and learned that within the next few weeks he'll probably be moving with the wifey to a new place a couple blocks down. Still, it was good to see him. Then it was off to Brad's where we were going to have a mini-cookout. I went up to Meijer to pick up some ice cream and different topping for dessert. I ended up running into Brad, Richie, and Robb there, who were getting food and drinks as well. We got back to the house where Bradley's brother, Kyle, was sitting on the porch, waiting for us to arrive. We headed inside, the cooking started, and we hung out until everything was ready. A few appetizers, burgers, brownie sundaes, and drinks later we were laid out and ready for The Pacific, which I hadn't watched yet. It was on part 5 but, just like Band Of Brothers, I figure on catching up later. It's shows like this that make me want to get HBO. I can't wait until it comes out on Blu-Ray. Instant buy. Afterward we hung out a little more and I headed on home. A few rounds of CoD and I was done for the day. Looking back, a pretty good day. Pretty good day, indeed.
OH, also, the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks in Chicago to clinch the 5th spot in the Western Conference playoffs. This mean we have the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday to kick off the Wings' post season. We've been playing great since the last half of the season. Hopefully this translates to wins.
Sorry, Pistons,
B
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