Game 4 Live Diary

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#1 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:47 pm

by Phil Zimmons, New Jersey Sports Weekly

October 28th, 2008

New Frontier Park, New Orleans

Even though the Hitmen didn't pull out their series with the Trendsetters, my bosses gave me the week off and I couldn't think of a better way to spend it then to head to New Orleans for game 4 of the Rodriguez Cup. Assuming my connection stays up, I'll be writing this live diary from the game, posting as time permits, allowing you to follow the action.

And don't worry, if the going gets dull, I'll take the time to answer some fan questions from my NJSW e-mailbag.

But for now I am heading into the park, so I'll be back with you near gametime.

#2 Post by **John** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:51 pm

Man, I am majorly looking forward to this. *rubs hands together* Glad to have you at the game, Phil!

#3 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:02 pm

Looks like I made it in tonight, just getting settled in my seat and trying to keep from immediately sampling all of the cajun and creole foodstuffs sold here.

What's the difference between Creole and Cajun, you ask?

I may not be the brightest bulb, but I know enough to not get into that question.

First pitch coming soon!

#4 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:17 pm

Well, I lied. I gave in and I'm starting with a nice bowl of red beans and rice. The garlic is pungent, yet intoxicating. And extra Tabasco. And the pregame festivities are delaying the start anyways, FOX just doesn't care about the kids on the East coast.

#5 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:28 pm

I have to say, these aren't bad seats at all. Scalped out front, I figured I'd take those rather than try to walk up, although word is this game hasn't sold out yet. And these aren't Uecker seats, which is nice.

Crystal Lake will start the 14-3 Nelson "Nails" Pacheco, while the Trendsetters go with the 16-7 Chris "Not Jack" Nicholson. Nicholson was roughed up in his earlier playoff appearances, but 30-9 over the last two years ain't bad. Nails is simply a K machine, and has pitched well this postseason.

While we wait for the windbag McCarver to shut up so Fox can get this game moving, I'll start on my e-mailbag.

Q: Oscar Holloway spent the league championship giving up 15 runs in 9 innings to New Orleans. Is he the A-Rod of pitching? You know, the guy who has great talent, great regular season stats, but can’t do a thing when a game (or postseason series) is actually on the line?

A: Who cares? He’s married to Cristina Milian. The man’s already won.

Q: How did you do in your fantasy baseball league?

A: Don’t ask. My main mistake was believing in Gonzo when the Hitmen brass extended him before he had even played a game for them. His July alone killed me. Last time I take a home team player just because.

#6 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:38 pm

And we're underway, and "not Jack" goes 3 up, 3 down. Great start in front of the home crowd of just over 35,000.

#7 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:43 pm

Bottom 1st:

Nails Ks Todd Hansen, gets Lewis to fly out to center, but then gives up a 2 out single to Cline, not something you want to do with Conard coming up. But Conard grounds softly to 3rd, and the inning is over.

#8 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:47 pm

Top 2:

A strikeout, a walk, and then a couple of flies out to center, and Crystal Lake is retired.

Another e-mailbag

Q: I hear Peter Farrell, the Bakersfield bench coach, has been picked for the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.” What do you think of his chances?

A: At 51 and two bills, not great. But don’t let his name fool you – he’s originally from Puerto Rico, and if he has that Latin rhythm, I wouldn’t count him as an easy out just yet.

#9 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:50 pm

In between innings

THought I would try sneaking up to the press box, since I always carry my NJSW credentials. It worked, for about 2 minutes. I quickly felt the hand of a PEBA security guard on my shoulder, asking me about my credentials. Apparently, the commish has decreed that anyone not officially on the press list can't be in the press box regardless of normal credentials. Luckily, the guard didn't kick me out of the stadium entirely since I did have a valid ticket.

Oh well.

#10 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:55 pm

Bottom 2:

Nails gives up back to back singles to Gagne and Valdez. On the 1-1 pitch, Martin hits a swinging bunt towards short, but Marquez cuts it off and fires a grounder to 1st, scooped by Lopez just in time for the out. Ruiz then strikes out looking and Gates approaches the plate with 2 in scoring position and 2 outs.

Gates takes a 1-2 chageup and rips it down the rightfield line, a sure 2-run double. But Frazier sprints over and makes an outstanding catch to end the threat.

That was a great play, I almost missed it when the guy behind me brought down some gumbo. My head snapped around so fast I have whiplash.

#11 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:01 pm

Top 3:

After striking out Marquez, Nicholson finds too much of the plate and Kichida rips a double down the right field line.

Clark steps in and on the first pitch, Kichida takes off for third, barely getting back to second when Clark pops up to short. Good thing, too, they almost ran themselves out of the inning, when Pace takes Nicholson deep to right for Crystal Lake's first home run of the series.

Thomas follows with a line drive single up the middle, but is stranded on Frazier's inning ending grounder to second.

I’m not sure exactly what trend Chris Nicholson is trying to set exactly, unless it’s throwing every pitch down the middle and driving your manager crazy.

#12 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:07 pm

Bottom 3:

After a weak pop out by Hansen, Lewis and CLine go back to back with singles, only to have the rally slowed with a slow grounder to third by Conard.

Gagne looked like he had a great chance with a 3-1 pitch at his feet, but he unexplicably swung and grounded out to first to end the inning.

Not understanding that swing there. A chance to load it up, and increase that pitch count, and he swings like he's golfing.

#13 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:09 pm

Top 4:

Castillo strikes out quickly, and that brings up Manny Lopez. Manny López leads the Sandgnats in several offensive categories, including home runs, RBI, and body odor. His breath smells so bad, reporters doing phone interviews have to hang up. He quietly pops out to third.

Groves tries to get a two-out rally going with a single up the middle, but Marquez pops out to second and its over.

#14 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:11 pm

Bottom 4:

Valdez grounds weakly to short, but Martin follows with an infield single to short. Ruiz nearly grounds into a double play, but Martin slides in hard to Castillo at second base, cleanly but aggressively. Gates smacks one to left on a hit and run but Kichida rushes in to make the play, another great defensive play to preserve the lead.

#15 Post by **Hitmen** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:20 pm

Top 5:

How many times does a guy make a great play and then leadoff the next inning? Probably 1 out of 9. But Kichida is robbed himself as he grounds one in the hole that Valdez gets in time to fire to Nicholson at first. Clark continues his 0'fer day with a grounder to first.

Pace, who homered in his last at bat, takes the first pitch, an 81 mph slider, to deep right AGAIN. Against a 9 mph wind. And like that, the Sandgnats are up 3-0.

That pitch was right down the middle, again. Then he walks Thomas on 4 straight, gives up a first pitch single to Frazier, and a first pitch homer to deep left to Hector the Protector Castillo. And like that, the 2-out rally is born.

Here's the difference so far in the game. Sandgnats are blood-sucking insects. Chris Nicholson is simply sucking.

And he's removed for David Olivas, who promptly hits Lopez. Then a 1-2 fastball to Groves is left up and he smashes one to left. Lewis sprints back to the wall, places one foot on the wall and leaps as high as he can to snowcone the ball. It may be too little, too late, but it's the defensive play of the night so far.

CL up 6-0