Well, a little excitement is all we ask for in any Series. This year, because of the pandemic and lack of fans in any venue, folks at home are trying to stay interested. We have the LA Dodgers, a powerhouse if there ever was one; and the Tampa Bay Rays, the upstart with the payroll that looks like a 1099 Form from the gig economy. Game 1 to the Dodgers, Game 2 to the Rays, Game 3 to the Dodgers; now Series have Dodgers up 2 games to 1. Game 4 seesawed back and forth. In the top of the 9th inning, the Dodgers are up by 1 run, and the Rays are struggling. They get a man on first base, then another man to first, 2 men on; now two outs, Rays are down to their last strike as a pinch hitter steps up and works the count to 2-2. And then the fun begins.
The young man lashes a hard hit ball to shallow right centerfield, the runners are off at the crack of the bat: the center fielder gets excited and mishandles the ball as the runner on first rounds 3rd base after the lead runner scores. (Game tied). The runner rounding 3rd base falls down halfway to the plate(Azorarena) as the throw comes in from the outfield. Runner stands up, sees the ball coming and stops, the catcher looks for the runner who he believes is sliding home. Catcher takes the eye off the ball, ball caroms off his outstretched glove hand as he sweeps the plate to tag the runner, who is not there. The ball has been deflected to the right of home plate, the runner sees this,, jumps up and dives to homeplate which he slaps with his hand, followed by a big smile. Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, tries to absorb what just happened and he cannot believe what he has witnessed: at least 3 errors which caused his team to lose the game.
Series tied: 2-2. The action is now tied, momentum Rays. Therapy needed for the Dodgers who might not recover from this sad loss. But, that's baseball.
Watch it!
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