Stranger things have happened but not very often. This evening the Sarasota Reds beat the St. Lucie Mets by 5-4 giving them a 2-game winning streak. Their record now with me in the stands is 8 wins and 33 losses. I still have complete confidence that they can get 40 losses with me in the stands - but if they keep on this strange concept of winning it might be close with the season over on September 6.
The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd and added another run in the top of the third. The Reds somehow got a run in the bottom of the 3rd to keep the game somewhat close. The Mets added another run in the 4th and a fourth run in the 7th. It was starting to look like the latest in an endless streak of Reds losses.
However in the bottom of the 9th, and without Mighty Casey at the bat, the Reds came alive. Dennis Phipps who sucks at best reached first on a throwing error (about the only way he gets on base it seems). He then stole second base and is now in scoring position. Kyle Day walked and the pitcher then threw a wild pitch to Shane Carlson allowing Phipps to take third and Day to go to second. Carlson then grounds out short to first allowing Phipps to score. Its now Mets 4 and Sarasota 2.
With Kyle Day now on third, Jake Long (who needs some serious coaching on how not to be afraid of being hurt as a catcher) walked and then after a pitching change Justin Reed the lead off hitter walked. The freaking bases are now full!!! There is only one out but that doesn't mean the Reds can't screw things up royally.
Alex Bucholz comes to bat now with the bases full and hits a ball down the third base line that just makes it fair. The ball scoots down the line and into the far corner of the field. While its rolling along the Reds on base are scoring like crazy. With the ball flying in from deep left field Justin Reed hits the deck and slides into home giving the Reds an impressive come from behind victory 5-4. I almost hyperventilated!
Tonight marked the return of Yonder Alonso from the Double AA Carolina League. He's a big heavy hitting kid from Havana Cuba whom many in the Minor Leagues view as an up and coming player. One of the top 50 who might make the show. Coming from AA to A isn't normally the route to the show but who knows.
He was a real joy to watch at first base and a damned smart batter. With only a few days left in the season and the fact that he's from my most favorite Caribbean island, I'm not only looking forward to watching this kid for the rest of the season but also hoping he can make it to the show...maybe next year. Who knows.
Regardless the Reds have won two games in a row and I'm ecstatic! They finish this series with the St. Lucie Mets at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. The weather forecast is for 88 degrees and high humidity tomorrow at game time with the possibility of thunderstorms. Hey, its freaking Florida in summer what else can you expect in the afternoon? What would be really nice would be a third in a row Reds victory and thunderstorms be damned.
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