It was really nice to see the big sticks come out last night. It was not nice to see Darren Oliver not be able to hold anything. Darren is turning out to be a big disappointment – which is a shocker, considering he pitched fairly decently in St. Louis this past season. I’m no expert here – I just have the gut fan reaction, but I don’t know what his problem is. He really seems like the pitcher we sent away in 1998. I’m sure he’ll last this season – I doubt anyone would want him now – he doesn’t have a lot of trade value – but next year? Who knows.
I was a bit disappointed when the Angels got off to a one run lead in the first, but we took it back in the bottom, with the first of our two jacks last night – one from Catalnotto, and another from Raffy (a second level shot). We had another home run in the third from Rusty Greer, and we were up 5-1. However, that’s where Oliver couldn’t hold the lead. He was pulled before the lead got totally away, but before he could get a win. Gabe Kapler followed up with his second home run in as many days (looks like he’s finally gotten it together) in the fourth – but that was it for our scoring (and our baserunners actually) until the bottom of the 8th.
At that point, we were tied at 6, and Bert Green got on as a pinch runner for David Segui. Bill Haselman hit a single to left on a hit and run, and Green made it all the way to third, arriving at the same time as the ball, more or less forcing the throw to be off, and the ball to get away, allowing Green to run home and score. Personally, I felt Green should have been out for being so wildly out of the basepaths, but I’ll take it. :) Gabe Kapler finished off the scoring with a two run triple to put us up three.
Wetteland came in, got three outs, and another save. Was a nice win – the first without Pudge.