That’s right, the AL Season is officially underway friends. Torto and I took advantage of the beautiful day, mild buzzes, and some post-draft adrenaline and played the first series of the AL season Sunday afternoon. Here’s the report:Game 1: Guthrie @ Verlander
This game played out like we forgot the AL had started. Pedroia struck first for Keith in the bottom of the 1st with a solo homerun. The run was answered in the top of the 3rd by the hard-hitting Adrian Beltre. Beyond that, we had ourselves a fast-moving, well-pitched game, finally decided by a 2-run Elvis Andrus bases-clearing double off Verlander in the top of the 9th.
Torto Wins 3-1
Game 2: Pinero @ Lester
This was more what we were looking for – a good old-fashioned AL runfest. Torto managed five runs, highlighted by Beltre’s second HR of the year, a two-run job by Paully Konerko and a flurry of thieving baserunners (Pierre 2, Andrus, Granderson). It was not enough to offset the game by #1 overall pick Josh “The Hammer” Hamilton, however, who finished with four RBI’s and fell a double short of the cycle.
Keith Wins 8-5
Game 3: Vargas @ Carmona
Another tight game started well for Torto with Hudson knocking in Barton following his two out triple in the top of the 2nd. Back-and-forth this one went, with Keith scoring a run in the bottom of the 4th, Torto answering back in the top of the 5th for a one-run lead, and Keith coming back with two more in the bottom of the 5th. It would stay that way until the top of the 9th, when Torto brought in pinch-hitter Manny Ramirez to face closer Andrew Bailey with two on. It was not to be, though, as Bailey escaped with his second save in the series.
Keith Wins 3-2
Really a terrific series, and I'm not saying that in a cliched way. Games 1 and 3 were absolute nailbiters. Watch out for Hamilton, that guy will make you pay if you are a righty.
ReplyDeleteInteresting note to tack on to the end of Game 3 - my pinch hitting roll with Manny (2 on, 2 out in my last ups) resulted in the adventurous 'Outfield Range' - and a sinking liner to LF only to be caught snow-cone-style by one Josh Hamilton. I rolled a 75. A 76 was a base-clearing double. Talk about when inches feel like miles... sheesh.
And with all these bad catchers rolling out there base-stealing will be up. I swiped 8 bases in 2 games, 4 for Pierre.
BomBautista watch - 0 for 6 with 7 BB (yes, 7). He may not break the HR record, but his OBP will be just fine.