verdugo288

You think we hit that fat-bitch hard last time? This was the HARDEST we hit any one pitcher in all of 1992. And every single hitter in our lineup bitch-slapped him. HARD.

Fielder sent him packing in the top-of-the-fourth inning (yes we were the visiting team even though this game was played at Glendale High) with an absolute bullet. And yet again, we had the pleasure of watching him make “the walk of shame” when Les came out and pulled him.

And for every step he took when he walked off that mound there were about seven rags from the Verdugo dugout absolutely RAINING DOWN on that bitch!!!!

Four of the HARDEST HIT SHOTS came from the bottom three slots in the lineup. Yves got him TWICE for two doubles.

Calf …and absolute fricking SEED in the second inning.

GABE….a line shot bullet in the third.

Dan Bir clubbed him in the first….driving in Hack Workman ….who had already blistered a base-hit to lead off the game.

I’m talking this dude was getting abused!!!!

Haggs ripped one that about went through his legs.

Canale drove one damn near into the street for a solo-SHOT off him in the third.

Turner TRIPLED DEEP.

All in all we POUNDED 11 hits off his sorry ass by the time Riley pulled him!!!!

After four innings we led 4-3…but the momentum was majorly in our favor with how HARD we were hitting the ball.

I’m not kidding ….it was awe-inspiring.

Les Riley was up to his usual tactics with his runners on the base-paths. We were back-picking when they made overly aggressive turns that resulted in textbook rundowns executed by the pantherlike defense we were playing.

Thunder blew down THREE of ’em who tried running on us. Those dudes just never learn.

And a composed and determined Vo was quietly picking their hitters apart. They did some damage, sure…they’re a good team. But Jim Parque was absolutely magnificent for us tonight.

We added two more runs in the fifth

Yves singled again….his third hit of the night. Kasey drew a walk….and Hack ripped another base hit.

Up steps Robb Turner. Base hit. CLUTCH. Driving in two. Huge. This gave us some breathing room because you know Sun Valley will never stop battling.

We loaded the bases in the sixth but couldn’t get anyone across to score.

It’s still 6-3 Verdugo

Both dugouts LOUD. Both sides of the big crowd were getting into it. It’s still a game. Sun Valley still is within grand-slam reach.

Jim shut them down in the sixth. He had thrown 89 pitches and he was done as far as I was concerned. Gabe had been up and down a few times over in the pen area throughout the game so I had him ready….but Gabe wasn’t expecting the ball. There was only ONE WAY I was gonna pull Parque from this game after what he had just done. I told Gabe he was throwing the last inning but to keep it between him and me. He did.

We added another run in the 7th. Hack triples deep! His THIRD HIT of the game.

Robb Turner…..

Robb Turner …..

Robb Turner…..what a warrior!!!!

He steps in and RIPS his FOURTH HIT of the night to drive in Hack!!!!

7-3 Verdugo

That’s all we got that inning but it was a huge run.

In all …..we POUNDED OUT 17 hits in this one. CLUTCH!!!!

I sent Jim out to pitch the 7th. Why? I thought you were pulling him Gee. I was. But I had something to say to him and I wanted three things. I wanted to tell him what I wanted to say to him on that mound. Because that was now HIS TERRITORY. To let him know how fucking PUMPED I was with what he just did and I wanted him to get the ovation from the crowd when I pulled him as he walked to the dugout.

David has just slayed Goliath in every manner. With confidence, poise, control.

This kid had just pitched us into the playoffs. A rookie….in the biggest game we had played thus far.

Even though we still needed three outs…..I KNEW this game was over.

Yeah…..Verdugo indeed had proven that we had another miracle in us.

I got out to the mound and it must have looked like I was going off on him. I was out there “fuck yeah!!! Fuck yeah!! You stuck their bats right up their asses!!! Among other things….I was just very very proud of our team and what he had done. I wanted some of you guys to hear it too, and to see how pumped I was and how much I wanted you guys to finish it.

He just kinda stood there and looked at me….as only Jim can do….and made the walk to the dugout to a HUGE ovation. An ovation he deserved.

Gabe came on. And ya gotta remember…this was Gabe’s first inning for us all season long.

But a precedent had been set. You take the ball for Verdugo it’s a known fact you have a job to do. I think that’s why Wiley pitched such a great game in Lancaster when we needed it.

Gabe knew what he had to do….and he did it.

It took Gabe just eight pitches to get three outs.

Ground ball to Haggs….he fires to Turner for the final out….and Verdugo Hills had just clinched!!!!

I remember with this one I didn’t join you guys in the celebration on the field. I just watched. Watching how happy you guys were and what you all had accomplished.

Our entire history kinda flashed before me as I watched you guys celebrate.

I remembered the tough losses and heartbreaks we had the first couple of seasons. I was happy for Bull and for Turner especially. And Henry and The Weapon. The General and I hugged. It was an emotional moment for me that’s for sure.

But we still got a lotta work to do…..Tomorrow MORNING!!!!

But I was going to savor this moment until game time tomorrow and for the rest of tonight ….it was time to Party!!!!

We gotta party …..you know why????because VERDUGO JUST CLINCHED!!!!