A Nearly No-Hitter and Grand Slam Loss Turmoil

There’s a rule about No Hitters. You don’t bring it up. You don’t mention it, you don’t act like it’s going to happen. Of course, my TV gave me a flash news from Apple saying Parker Messick was going into the 9th with a no hitter, so I have no idea how the jinx works anymore…

Series Results

In the pre-game show, they brought out Bob Feller’s glove that he wore in the first (and so far only!) home opener no-hitter. That led to our pitchers getting in some great performances.

MVP of the series has to be Schneemann, who played a different position every game, and made such insanely good plays each game! He’s the best athlete on the team, says Vogt, and I agree.

Game Results

Game 1 (20) – WON

• José decided to start the day with a home run, and the man keeps setting records!
• Parker Messick kept his composure and seemed to be hard to get a read on his delivery. He got so damn close to a no hitter. I maybe shouted “Shit!” when he got hit in the ninth.
• Cade Smith got a little roughed up closing, and I really wish he’d had one more year as setup man before taking over the closer role.
• Brito made a great play for the last out.

Game 2 (21) – LOST

• Bibee is still kinda all over the place, including his ERA. He did make it through six, though, without letting up a run.
• Gaddis was brilliant in the 7th. Armstrong, on the other hand, loaded the bases.
• Speaking of loaded bases, Schneemann had his second career grand slam!
• Annnnd then the bullpen imploded giving up six runs. It’s a weird reversal from last year where are starters were always getting roughed up and the pen had to save them.
• I commented the bullpen needs a come to (Carl) Willis meeting.

Game 3 (22) – WON

• José had a rare error, turning what should have been a game ending double play into … well it didn’t matter because Big Rig (Gavin Williams) was in fine fettle.
• Rocchio (who has the unfortunate nickname of ‘Rocchi-oh-no’ in my house) hit a three run homer on a night where the ball died in the outfield.
• Both the Guards and the Birds wasted an ABS challenge on early, kind of meaningless calls. There needs to be a talk with the team about that.

Game 4 (21) – WON

• I forgot it was a four game series until Hammy mentioned it.
• David Fry with a superman catch in right
• Angel Martínez with two amazing catches in left
• Brito with two (almost three) terrible plays but good batting
• José with two solo shots!
• Guards have still won all games when Hedgey catches