Game 4 of 4
Folks, this is Jeff Locke. Beware, he has GREAT stuff, and he’s making his way up the Minor League ladder…today he makes his AAA debut in a huge way.
This was a “makeup game” for me, as one of my May dates was rained out. I decided to bring my pal Ranny along, as we swapped my ‘sweet seats’ for some great spots in the Left Field bleachers. It was a great day for baseball, and the matchup of Tom Cochran vs. Jeff Locke (a recent callup from AA Altoona, one who came to the Pirates organization from the Braves in the Nate McLouth trade in 2009) looked very promising.
First things first…since Ranny was my guest I shared the “Mystery Baseball Rookie Card Game” with him. How this works is:
• You stop by the Slugger Monkey table at the concourse as soon as you arrive
• Purchase 2 mystery baseball rookie packs; these are rookie cards in toploaders wrapped in paper so you can’t see through them…each card is worth at least $1 face value (which is what the price of the pack is), but in lottery fashion, you may end up with a card of greater value, in that case the face value of the card will be noted with a sticker that announces that face value
• The guest (usually one of my kids) gets to pick the mystery pack they want to open (blindly, of course)
• They don’t have to keep it, but they are more than welcome to…if they end up with a card I would rather have, it’s up to me to make a trade with the guest
• That’s the game!
Right out of the gate, first-timer Ranny opens his, what a doozy…
A Ken Griffey, JR RC, worth $10. I’m stuck with a no-name White Sox prospect who is probably no longer in the game. Luck of the draw, congratulations bro!!!
We are treated to a handy pitcher’s duel…Locke is amazing and gets a no-decision today as Daniel Moskos allows the entire Bats offense to occur in a 4-run 8th inning. Cochran only allows 1 run (earned), and the Bats bullpen “does its job” and keeps the Indians from scoring more than that run.
Stevo-sama and Ranny in our seats (131-M-1 and 2), great view, great beer!!
LHP Tom Cochran and C Corky Miller, warm-up tosses before the game
Pitching Coach Ted Power watching Cochran and Miller warm-up on bullpen mound
LF Alex Presley faces Cochran (my usual seats are in the upper left, you can see my pal Jimmy up there, almost by himself)
LHP Jeff Locke, great stuff, against CF Denis Phipps
Alex Presley in Left Field
3B Juan Francisco faces Locke
LF Danny Dorn on the warning track (SS Pedro Ciriaco fly-out)
RF John Bowker faces RHP Brad Boxberger in the 9th inning
BATS win!! Woo HOO!!
Had a great time, thanks for the beers, Ranny!! Hang on to that card, bro!!
Official Scorecard, signed by Chris Valaika, and Bat Chat
Official Program, #3 of 3 for the 2011 season, featuring CORKY MILLER on the cover!
If you missed it, please take a moment to enjoy this fantastic article with great photos by the Cincinnati Enquirer's John Erardi on Corky and his career and unestimable worth as a staff catcher!!
No comments:
Post a Comment