I'm speechless! And it's not over yet. Astros 12, Dodgers 9, going into the 9th inning. 3 more outs for an Astros' victory. (at 11:30pm).
We'll continue after the final out in Houston where it is now almost midnight.
Update
The wild game finally ended in the bottom of the 10th inning: the home team pulled it out, winning on a base hit that scored a runner from 2nd base. After 5 +hours, the losers trickled into the dugout while the home team reveled with unrestrained euphoria. They beat the vaunted Clayton Kershaw, who actually pitched well for awhile. Then the parade of relief pitchers began, and it turned into a merry-go-round as both managers, Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and A.J. Hinch of Houston kept up pressure on opposing batters with new arms from the bullpen. It became a contest of who would be the last man standing as both teams slugged it out, pumping homer after homer over the wall(s). Outfielders began to look heavenward at the crack of the bat, jogging toward the fence, fully expecting the white sphere to clear the wall.
Pundits speculate that there's something going on with the ball: flat stitching, more tightly wrapped leather; more or less center cushion, and other ideas. Some write that the fact is more batters are swinging for the fences-everybody and anybody can hit a home run. Strikeouts have risen as the number of homers has reached stellar levels. The batting order is no more the accurate predictor of where a team's power punch is located. The lead off man can do it, and so can the No. 9 hitter. What's a pitcher to do: when can he relax as he rolls through the lineup? That feeling of the "sure" out has evaporated, gone. Every pitch must be thought about, discussed, and then thrown. Late reliever Morrow, already tired after 4 previous efforts, came in and gave up 2 home runs and 2 more runs. The Dodgers had nothing left to give, even after tying the game in the 9th with their own 3-run effort.
Tonight, Game 6 in Los Angeles. Watch it, Tahoma fans.
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