...And We Left Early

Tonight is on us.

This is not the kind of text message conversation that is fun to have in any way, shape, or form. The Spokane Indians were riding a smooth 6 game winning streak into tonight's game at home against Eugene (AT HOME). A six game winning streak that had started last Sunday in Everett. A 10-9 win off a ninth inning home run from Ryan "Stretch" Cordell. A winning streak in which the Indians had come from behind in 4 of the 6 games. A winning streak that included an extra innings walk off double by Brandon "Vegas" Garcia on Yoke's Dollar Feast night. A winning streak that had the Indians on 3 games back of first place in the division and 2 games over .500. Why in the world would you ever let a text message conversation like this take place during a magical winning streak like the one Indians fans were enjoying? The terribly disappointing answer in just a minute.

First of all, I have to say that it's great to have the Indians back home. They were only gone 6 days after the 8 game home stand  but it felt like 3 weeks. It didn't hurt to have them come back with a bang... OF FIREWORKS (it's late, let this one slide. Thanks).

If you've never been to an Indians game on the 4th of July then go get your tickets for the next one right now, unless they're already sold out. A packed house, fireworks, smiling faces because people had the day off work, and special 4th of July jerseys make for a "must go" trip to Avista Stadium.

Plus the Indians came back from a 3 run deficit to score 10 runs over the 6th, 7th and 8th to get a win that made the fireworks much more enjoyable. Then the very next night (a packed Dollar Feast Night) the Indians rallied again to win in extra innings. Two nights back at home and the Indians had given each person in attendance their moneys worth. Saturday night was sure to be more of the same right???

Let's get back to that opening picture of the text messages between Andy and me. It's the bottom of the 5th inning, the score is 8-4 Eugene, we're hungry, we're tired (because we had such a loooong day that included eating lunch at The Elk...), and the Emeralds are spanking our bottoms. This is when the conversation starts.

"Well, what do you think? Time to call it a night?"

"Oh man, Jack in the Box is sounding good."

"You can't come back every night. Maybe we should head towards the parking lot."

"It's 9pm, I'm old and grumpy and tired. This one's over. Plus we can always just listen in the car."

Yeah, we left. Just like the Miami Heat fans before us we left early. Not because we had anything good to do. Because we are old and are poor losers. And just like that the Indians tried to punish us. Next thing we know it's 9-4 and the bottom of the ninth rolls around. By this time we'd both enjoyed our free tacos from Jack in the Box, we've both driven to our respective homes, the Indians have gone 3 up 3 down in the 6th, 7th and 8th, and Mike Boyle is just ready to get done with the post game show.

Did I mention that the Indians were riding a 6 game winning streak and that the word "comeback" is part of their everyday diet?

-Chris Garia singles and Gabe Roa hits him in with a double. 9-5.

All good, I've got my seat reclined pretty far back and am ready to get out of the car, head inside and find a movie on Netflix to put me to sleep.

-Ryan Cordell singles and Barrett Serrato walks (bases loaded) with no outs.

Not worried, tonight just isn't the Indians night. Man I'm glad I'm not their to see them blow this oppurtunity.

-Triunfel grounds out into a double pla.... Oh wait. Another Emeralds throwing error?? Roa scores, Cordell scores, Triunfel is safe at first... 9-7 Eugene. Only one out.

What am I doing in my car right now? Why am I in the car and not in my seat at Avista? Sean, you're an idiot. It's ok though, the magic has to be gone now. 9-7 final...

-Kevin Torres doubles. Runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Marcus Greene doubles! The game is tie... NO IT'S not. All game long Tim Hullet has been making weird baserunning decisions. He's tried to steal bases at the worst times with the weirdest guys and all of these have failed (I believe they had 3 guys caught stealing when the Indians were threatening). So instead of sending pinch runner Saquan "Say what" Johnson home on this double he holds him at third base. 9-8 Eugene with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out but when you mess with the magic Tim Hullet you get burned. Janluis strikeout, 2 down. Chris Garia flyout, game over. And instead of running home for the game tying run, Saquan Johnson just walks across it to get his stuff and head to the locker room.

I knew we should've left early. Phew.

PS. This is the last time we leave a game early this season.


FANTASY TEAM UPDATE:

Team Andy:

Alex Gonzalez- He's the 2 million dollar man still, rocks sweet watches and woo's the ladies with his smile when he's walking around Avista stadium. But so far I haven't been overly impressed with Chi-Chi. He did finally get to pitch a whole 3 innings on Friday and did ok only allowing 4 hits and 1 earned run (dropping his ERA in his five games to 5.91)

Joe Jackson- Still injured.

Cam Schiller- We posted our interview with Cam a couple of weeks ago and he talked about being a notorious slow starter. He's going to need to become a notoriously fast mid-season guy though. Despite getting looks at first base, second base and third base and playing them all well he is struggling at the plate. He's batting .179 for the season and only .139 over the last 10 games. That's slower than a slow start. His hair is still phenomenal though.

Alex De La Cruz- First of all you need to get down with the Instagramming fiend Alex De La Cruz. Second, he's doing pretty well for himself. 7 appearances in relief, 1 win, 11 strikeouts and THIS

.

Brandon Garcia- He's hitting .312 in July and his nickname is "Vegas. That doesn't suck. Wouldn't mind seeing the RBI number sail up though. Only 1 so far this season.

Team Sean:

Yohander Mendez- "Man's Game" Mendez is doing alright for himself boasting the 2nd best ERA in the Northwest League (1.02 over the first 4 games he's started this season). He's also only given up 14 hits which matches his 14 strikeouts. Yohander is dialed in right now.

Gabe Roa- Ouch. Gabe Roa made me look good by picking my opening pitch out of the dirt but hasn't quite done the same for himself. Outside of playing a really solid second base he isn't really hitting the ball... at all. Roa is hitting .160 on the season and .143 over the past 10 games. 

Jamie Jarmon- Who?

Alberto Truinfel- Love him. Had a monster HR on Friday night to force extra innings, is hitting .277 in July, and has been pretty solid over at shortstop.

Richard Alvarez- He's only made 5 appearances this season and the first four weren't good. In fact they were bad. His last outing was the exact opposite throwing 3 scoreless innings in Tri-cities. It's going to be harder and harder for me to get all the way on the Alvarez band wagon though until he gets an Instagram that rivals De La Cruz's.

Sunday is a day game for the Indians. 3:30 first pitch from YOHANDER. We won't be there so please cheer loudly and obnoxiously for us.