Game 3 – Mudcats vs. Red Rockets

Game 3 of the season brought the Mudcats into our stadium, and let me tell you—it was a full house. The bouncers had to start turning fans away at the gate. (Okay, maybe not bouncers, but it felt like that.) Legendary Rockets pitcher Ray “Middle’s Closed” Short was on the hill, which meant one thing: runs were going to be harder to find than cheap beer at Dodger Stadium.

The game started off tight. Both teams were making solid contact, but the defense was sharper than a Ginsu knife infomercial. Alan Paulette wasted no time, robbing a liner that was ticketed for the outfield. That highlight-reel snag lit a fire under Red.

Next inning, Dave “Don’t Run on Me” Lehrberger decided to test the laws of physics. From deep right-center, he uncorked a missile to third base and gunned down a Mudcat who thought he was fast. Spoiler: he wasn’t. Dave wasn’t done either—he sprinted half the outfield to snag another dying quail, making it look easy.

Jorge turned into a brick wall at third, playing goalie with multiple stabs on rockets down the line. As for me? Well, I got in on the action too—by air-mailing a throw straight into the dugout and then getting tagged out at second. Someone’s gotta keep the blooper reel alive.

Ray kept the Mudcats in check, even helping spin a slick double play with Paulette. The Rockets’ defense was dialed in, and it had to be—because the Mudcats brought gloves of their own, keeping the score tight.

By the 7th, we were up 15–8, but the Mudcats weren’t done. They scratched and clawed for 3 runs before we finally slammed the door, sealing a 15–11 win. Red Rockets: 3–0 on the season.

Hot bats: Alan was unconscious, going 4-for-4 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs. Tony Ambre, Tom Karins, Jorge, Dave, Jesse, Clint, and Ray all chipped in with 2 hits apiece.

Next week, we enter the danger zone: Willy and his gang of Sliders. Word is, they don’t play nice. Bring helmets.

Basic Instincts came into this game having lost a close, tough game against the Stoned Willys last week and ended up with the same result this week against the real Willys. Both teams came to the game ready to play as we barely outscored them 10-8 in the first 2 innings. Then the Slider bats cooled of but stayed just hot enough to stay within reach after the Basic guys took a 4 run lead into the bottom of the 6th. After Lowell and I made 2 quick outs, the top of the order picked us up by putting 3 runs on the board before Instincts could get the 3rd out putting us within 1 going into the open inning.

The 7th saw the Basics put up their 1st zero of the night leaving us within striking distance. Our 1st two batters answered the question when Craig singled and Anthony doubled him in tying the score with no outs and the winning run at 2nd. Robert Berkstreeser followed up with a timely BB bringing up Lowell. He hit into a double play leaving the potential winning run at 3rd. I got lucky and hit a weak grounder between the pitcher and Tony Poulin [yes he's back] and it managed to sqeeze through for a hit and the game winning run. Final Score : 17-18... same as last week.

Notable Slider Bats: Perfect Hitting - Dale Olson [4-4] Byron Hoch and Dave Lazott [3-3 w/ a BB and 7 RBIs between them] as well as Craig Rowe [2-2 w/ 2 BB] Almost Perfect - Diamond Dave Jackson and Willy [2-3 w/ a BB] and making the most of the 2 hits they each got, Anthony 3 RBIs and Rob Lazott 4 RBIs. I doubt Ray will be issuing us 7 free passes next week but it was nice to see my team not swinging at so many bad pitches.

Here's hoping Basic Instincts manger, John Failla recovers from the back problems he's been experiencing from an auto accident during the off season. Have you tried CBD?