My friends, today we had a ballgame! And once again you will forgive this indulgence of mine, because today I saw a great game of baseball!
I arrived late in the bottom of the 1st inning and Pleasanton had already scored one run against Nogales, AZ, representing the West. They went on to score one more run that inning, and leaving Nogales scorless through three, scored a run in the second and the third innings.
Pleasanton's base stealing again was on full display tonight, taking advantage of every opportunity. Double steals from 1st and 2nd happened in the bottom of the 3rd with one of those making it to home plate on a single hit.
Nogales decided to play in the top of the 4th. But not before Pleasanton's second baseman robbed Nogales of a solid double on a spectacular diving catch between second and first base. But Nogales showed that they could steal bases as well, showing a double steal of 2nd and 3rd bases simultaneously.
About that time a man named Roger walked up and we began bantering about baseball, about the A's loss today (durn it!) and together we stood behind center field and saw the rest of the game together.
Arizona scored two runs in the top of the fourth.
In the bottom of the 4th we saw a lead off double by Pleasanton, and a single brought that runner home. Then, with runners on first and second, an intent walk loaded the bases, with two out. The next batter K'd and Pleasanton left three.
Top of the 5th, Nogales went down one, two three, and Pleasanton scored a run with one out on a stand up double in the bottom of the 5th. Score was 6-2 Pleasanton at this point.
In the top of the 6th, Pleasanton pitched a base hit, a stand up double and a scored run, getting Nogales back in the game only down by three. With one of Arizona's best hitters coming up, there was a confab at the mound (I suppose they might have been sacrificing a chicken... do they have any players from Santo Domingo in Pleasanton?) They walked the hitter, loading the bases making for some tense moments for Pleasanton fans. But the next batter up K'd, which brought up the Nogales Catcher. He flies out, but one run came in and Pleasanton flubbed a pickle situation between second and third base. The next batter K'd and the inning was over.
The bottom of the 6th inning ended with bases loaded, two out. This time it was Nogales having a convention at the pitcher's mound... but the next Pleasanton batter grounded out, and we went to the top of the 7th.
With two out, Arizona got a solid base hit, and either an error or a balk (not sure, couldn't see it) resulted in the runner at first being awarded second base. The last Nogales batter flew out, and the game was over just as the clock hit 8pm, having run six innings and a solid two hour game.
Okay... again, it has not a damn thing to do with being homeless... but a shout out to Officer Williams who stopped me on El Caminito after the game. He saw my bike, loaded down as it is... for the first time? Really? Nice enough guy. First time we've met, I think.
Anyway, the boys in blue from Pleasanton once again showed they really can play baseball!
By the way, the website for this series is here: http://intermediateworldseries.org/
Pleasanton will play again in game 12 on Friday at 3PM. Be there! Support our local boys!
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