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Should have known better than to expect to win two in a row from a first place team. :) I felt good starting the game. I had just grilled up a steak on the BBQ, was sitting down to eat dinner in front of the Ranger game, and then the Reds’ 22 year old players Dunn & Kearns decided it was time to open up a can of whoop ass on us. Unfortunately, that whoop ass can has been opened on us too many times – I’m getting tired of seeing it.
Their kids did look good – I can see why the Reds are excited about them, they look like great young kids to have. Radio guys made a point that one is making the major league minimum, and one just barely over it. Also, their entire starting rotation is making about two million combined! Yeesh! Park’s getting $400,000 per game to start for us. I’d rather have the Reds guys about now. I have to admit, after we went down 6-0, I pretty much tuned out, and started doing some other things around the house. I did tune in again in the bottom of the ninth, and saw an attempt at coming back, but all it really did was make the score look closer than it should have been.
Jay Powell finally pitched for us, and looked good. Hope that holds up. Also, Ryan Ludwick is making a case to stick around when Carl (I’m now in the way of some really good kids) Everett comes back. Makes me wish we’d eat Everett’s contract and release him. Can’t trade him, unfortunately – he’s untradable given the way he’s played.

Well, this game went right for us in just about every way. We scored runs – got great pitching from Ismael Valdes (who I really hope is still here next year – he’s been awesome), and we didn’t screw up late, even after having brought in John Rocker (whose sprint in from the dugout got him to the pitching mound before Valdes was in the dugout, I’ve never seen that happen before). We had home runs from Mike Young, Herbert Perry, & Kevin Mench (just called up again). Cincinatti had some problems with pitching. Their first guy was normally a reliever, and had to come out after just .2 of the first inning with what turned out to be a broken finger. They ended up going through five pitchers (they were on Pitcher #3 in the third inning already!). Hopefully it strains their pen for the rest of the series.
There were some great comical moments, too. Mike Young’s HR that he didn’t know was a home run and slid into third base, then heard the Natural music was one. Arod’s trip and tumble to score in the first inning was great (provided he doesn’t get hurt from it), and the third was Johnny Bench on the TV coverage asking a cameraman for an autograph. That was totally awesome. Was kind of hoping we’d get Griffey & Arod, but Griffey’s hurt again. Also, the stat about 33 gold gloves (all from catchers) being in the house last night was great too. Bench with 10, Pudge with 10, Jim Sundberg with 7, and Bob Boone with 6. Was nice to see my old friend Bob Boone (who won a series ring with the Phillies in 1980 – my home town team

Dave Burba didn’t give up a first inning run at all – quite a departure from the norm. However, just two days later, I can’t say I remember anything else from this game, except two images from the TV coverage. Some fans in the stands with brooms, and some fans doing that stupid Braves “chop” things. That irritates me more than the wave!

Hideki Irabu. Extra Innings. Home Runs. Lost Game. That’s about all that will be remembered about this – despite some good pitching by Rob Bell.

OK, what’s wrong with Chan Ho Park? I can’t BELIEVE he’s this terrible. I figured he’d have some dropoff this year going to the AL for the first time, but I never imagined he’d be this bad. I was outside digging holes in the ground in my back yard, as I’m building a fence, and was listening to the game. More than one use of the hole digging tool was followed by “Stupid ass Rangers!” as the tool got thrust into the ground. It was nice to see Pudge break out big time in his first game back, though.
After I was done digging, I decided I wasn’t going to listen/watch this game anymore – I decided the Texas Rangers team I have on my Xbox was more entertaining than the real one. :)