With Johnny Oates away from the team attending his son’s college graduation, we had the second in two straight games in a row with a way cool ending.
I thought we were far enough out in front with the 7 spot we got in the fifth inning, but the Diamondbucks had a 5 spot of their own in the top of the 7th, and they creeped back and tied the game in the ninth when Wetteland gave up a run to blow another save opportunity. We ended up having a rather interesting bottom of the ninth. I’ll just copy the text from the game log here:
TEXAS 9TH: Greer singled to right. J Gonzalez singled to center, Greer to second. Dan Plesac relieved Bobby Chouinard. Greer to third, J Gonzalez to second on Stinnett passed ball. R Palmeiro intentionally walked. Zeile walked, Greer scored. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) ARIZONA 8, TEXAS 9.
Walking in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th is about the worst possible way I can think of for a team to lose the game. It wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ll definitely take this win. I’m writing this on Monday the 19th, so I don’t remember a whole lot about this game other than the bottom of the ninth finale, which makes two of these in a row. :) I’ll take it. This was the fifth time this season the Rangers have won in their final at bat at home this season, Palmeiro walked four times tonight (1 intentionally) – this tied a club record for walks by one player in a game. Aaron Sele retired 10 straight batters to start the game, a record for this season.