I’ve been playing Strat long enough to know that almost anything is possible. Yet, I’m still surprised at my luck from time to time.
A few weeks ago, Paul and I were struggling through a series via netplay when in the middle of game 4 I suggest that we finish the game by phone and play the rest tomorrow. I told Paul to keep the game on his computer and I’d manage via the phone. It had already been a very lucky series for me and I had won the first 3, which were close games.
We saved the current game and restarted it manually in the top of the 6th. I’m down 3-2. I go out 1-2-3 and he doesn’t score in the 6th. In the top of the 7th, I load the bases after two out and do not score. He doesn’t score in the 7th. I again threaten after two out, and get two on in the 8th, but Yandy Diaz can’t drive in the run. After 1 out in the bottom of the 8th, I have Ragans in relief, he gives up a walk, a single, an rbi single, another walk and a HBP to drive in the second run. I’m down 5-2 heading into the top of the 9th.
Kelly comes in for Paul and gets Realmuto and Clement out. So, 2 out, top of the 9th, down 5-2. Triolo singles, Chapman walks and in the clutch now, Blanco pinch hits for Haggerty with Mlodzinski on the mound. I have already decided that if Blanco hits a triple, I’m stealing home to try to tie the game. He doesn’t, he walks. Bases loaded now, 2 out. Willie Castro comes up and I decide to pinch hit with James McCann who is plus in the clutch vs rhping. McCann comes through with a two run single. 1st and 3rd, two out, Betts batting. How many of you would steal home at this point, trailing 5-4? Blanco steals home! Tie game! McCann goes to 2nd, and Betts gets the IBB bringing up Juan Soto, who grounds out!
Tanner Scott shuts Paul down in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extra innings. 5-5, top of the 10th.
Juan Soto starts off the inning on 2nd base. Yandy Diaz promptly drives him in and goes to second on the throw home. After a strikeout, Clement drives in Diaz with a single. Mateo pinch runs, Triolo walks, Chapman bunts them over to 2nd and 3rd to bring up Blanco in the clutch again. This time he flies out. I’m up 7-5 heading into the bottom of the 10th.
Bogearts starts the inning on 2nd base. Scott whiffs both Jankowski and Westburg before walking Casas. Pressly comes in and induces Kepler to ground out to second base to end the game.