Hearing every time the webcast received an IM or email was amusing, as well.
Guzman showed up AGAIN, knocking a second stand-up double; Bowker repeated the favor and we led 1-0. It was 2-0 after Uribe ripped one past the SS. These runs were two-out runs. Uribe ended the inning, but I applaud his effort for trying to steal: it was the first time he'd been caught all spring.
Kinsler was caught stealing by Holm to Velez immediately following. I appreciated the immediate "fair play". That triple did lead to a run from Texas, but no more than that, and Martinez escaped with only that damage on his record.
The disappointing factor for today was Jeremy Affeldt. He's supposed to be a good off-season acquisition, and instead he destabilizes a lead. Velez barely made a play, for having to do the splits to make it, and kept a runner at third in a tie-game. However, that couldn't keep the runner from scoring on the next AB, despite a good attempt at a DP turn with Frandsen. The main thing to grasp here is this: batters know exactly what to get out of Affeldt, whether they can get what they want or have to settle for less-productive ball placement off the bat. Either way, they produce and we lose.
In other news, Posey worked a full count and one-hopped a RBI double, scoring Rohlinger and cutting the lead to 4-3, Texas. Posey will be at Connecticut this year as well as Martinez, where Steve Decker (a former catcher in the 80s) will be coaching him. Exciting times! Posey scored on a fielding error, and tied the score himself as well, 4-4.
Jesus Guzman made a glorious attempt at a triple, but was thrown out. What I will say is that the kid is at least trying to make an impression, and so far he's done it. The problem is that he could have had a double with no one out and a chance to be the go-ahead run, and instead Torres was given empty bases. The nicest thing is that they still turned it into a lead: Bowker, Rohlinger and Downs went on base in a row, and we walked away with a 5-4 lead (Rohlinger being tagged out trying to force a run himself). The lead is nice, but it could have been more without forcing extra bases. I suppose we still have to learn when to push and when not to push, based on team streaking.
Velez knew. He stretched a double, and then stole third. Velez scored easily off a SAC to CF, and with a DP turned by he, Frandsen and Bowker it was a final.
FINAL
TEX - 4
The Boys Who Showed Up: Velez, Bowker, Downs, Posey, Uribe, Martinez
P.S.-> Note: this was only the second game of the spring where we did NOT hit a HR.
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