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Friday - May 30, 2008

Game 58: St. John's at Texas (Houston Regional)

I wanted to take the afternoon off and watch the CSTV stream of the game but things are too busy at work. So, I listened to Craig Way and Keith Moreland on the radio.

The Texas line-up: (1) Michael Torres, dh, (2) Jordan Danks, cf, (3) Kyle Russell, rf, (4) Preston Clark, c, (5) Brandon Belt, 1b, (6) Russell Moldenhauer, lf, (7) David Hernandez, ss, (8) Cameron Rupp, c, and (9) Travis Tucker, 2b.

Kenn Kasparek got the start today. Texas played "home" team and scored first with a solo run in the bottom of the 2nd: Brandon Belt reached on a 1-out ground-rule double; he moved to 3b on a ground out to the pitcher, and scored on a single by David Hernandez.

St. John's answered in the top of the 3rd. Morris and Kemp reached on back-to-back 4-pitch walks. Ouch. They advanced on a sac bunt down the 3b line (nice play by Preston Clark to scoop the ball bare-handed and throw down to 1b). Morris scored on a ground out to 2b. The next batter grounded out to the pitcher for the 3rd out.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Michael Torres reached on a 1-out single, advanced to 2b on a wild pitch after Jordan Danks flew out to lf, and was then caught stealing 3b.

St. John's threatened in the top of the 4th (1-out double followed by 1-out single to put runners at the corners). After a quick visit to the mound by Skip Johnson, Kenn got the next batter to hit into a 6-4-3 double play! Whew. Game still tied at 1.

In the bottom of the 4th, Kyle Russell started things off with a single to rf. After Preston Clark flew out to rf, Brandon Belt reached on an error by cf. On the play, the center fielder initially misplayed the ball, and then when he recovered, still managed to miss the ball. Runners at 2b and 3b on the error. Russell Moldenhauer, sadly, followed with a pop out to 2b. David Hernandez fought off a couple of pitches but was called out on strikes. Game still tied.

The Red Storm (yes, really) got a runner aboard (2-out walk) in the top of the 5th but he was stranded at 1b.

In the bottom of the 5th, Cameron Rupp worked the count full and then singled to cf. Travis Tucker flew out to lf. Michael Torres tried to surprise St. John's with a bunt but he hit the ball a bit too hard. The pitcher fielded and got the lead runner out at 2b. Jordan Danks went on to strike out.

In the top of the 6th, St. John's put on another 2-out threat. The runner reached on a walk and stole 2b but was stranded there when the next batter grounded out to ss. Alas, the Horns went down in order in the bottom of the inning. Game still tied at 1.

Cole Green went to the mound for the Horns to start the 7th. After his recent struggles, I have to say: I hope he's back in "mow 'em down" mode today! Sigh. He walked the lead-off batter (full count, 7 pitches). The next batter hit a sac bunt down the 1b line to move the runner to 2b. He struck the third batter out! 7 pitches again. The 4th batter swung at (and missed) three successive pitches! Yippee!

In the bottom of the 7th, sadly, the Horns went down in order. In the top of the 8th, the Red Storm, once again, got a 2-out batter aboard (on a single this time) but he was stranded at 1b.

In the bottom of the 8th, Travis Tucker singled to rf on the first pitch. Michael Torres then bunted (1-unassisted, sac) down the 1b line to move Travis to 2b. The pitcher fielded the ball and his only play was to tag Michael out. Jordan Danks walked to put runners at 1b and 2b. Keith thought Jordan got a break on the play, thinking Jordan's check swing went around. Kyle Russell hit a ball to 2b and just beat out the relay throw from the ss to avoid a double play. Runners at the corners, 2 out. Which promted the first pitching change of the day for St. John's. The Red Storm closer Colin Lynch went to the mound, replacing Scott Barnes. Preston Clark, sadly, popped out to ss. Game still tied at 1 going into the 9th. Wow.

The first batter of the 9th for St. John's reached on an error by 1b. I was not in my office so did not hear the details. Ack. The next batter flew out to cf. The third batter singled into lf, moving the runner from 1b to 3b. Runners at the corners with 1 out. The next batter hit a high chopper to ss. David fielded, threw to 2b for the first out and the relay was just late. So, the go-ahead (unearned) run scored. The final batter popped out to 1b (foul). Texas trailing 1-2 going into the bottom of the 9th. Ugh.

Now the Horns need their 2nd come-behind-in-the-9th-inning win of the year. They did it last weekend. Here's hoping they can do it again this year!

Brandon Belt grounded out to 2b to lead things off. Russell Moldenhauer worked the count full and grounded out to 3b. The third baseman made a great play to knock the ball down and throw Russell out at 1b. David Hernandez lined out to 3b. Another great play by the St. John's third baseman. Damn.

Texas loses 1-2.

The line (from GameTracker):

Comments from the post-game press conference:

• Coach Garrido said he thought the St. John's pitcher did a really good and that was the difference in the game. He kept the ball in the right places. The pitcher did not get behind in the count. He pitched a really good game and actually got better with runners in scoring position.
• Preston Clark said the pitcher kept the ball down and kept the batters off-balance.
• Kyle Russell said it's not the end of the world. He's sorry they lost but tomorrow's another day. Maybe they're in a good spot, having their back against the wall.
• Preston also said he's got every confidence in the world that they can come back and win the tournament.
• Coach Garrido said there are 4 or 5 teams that will come through the loser's bracket to win Regionals this year and the Horns can be one of them. Anything can happen. He feels that the team played good baseball. If it was the team from the middle of the season, he'd be worried. But, it's not the same team so he feels they have a chance to win.

To the loser's bracket we go...

Posted by Joanna at 5:24 PM