The Search For More Innings: D-Bax 3, Phillies 2

This game was a doozy. But before things went off the rails, it was pretty good. First, we learned that D-Backs’ starter, Zack Godley—because you know, Zacks and snakes, that whole connection there—is an avid outdoorsman. Now, I don’t know how one can be an outdoorsman in Phoenix, but apparently he is. He loves fishing, and, as Scott Franzke related, has only sunk two boats.

I must not be a great fisherman because I’ve never sunk any boats.

Jake Arrieta pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing the Phils to take a 2-0 lead into the ninth.

Asdrubal Cabrera reached base with a one-out single. And Odubel Herrera drove Cabrera home with a triple.

And Jorge Alfaro drove Herrera home with a sac fly.

And just like that the Phillies had a 2-0 lead in the seventh.

Unfortunately, it only lasted until the ninth. Arrieta came out in favor of Seranthony Dominguez, who has not been the same lights out Sandman he was last month. Dominguez earned his second blown save in as many outings, by recording one out (he grounded out Paul Goldschmidt) and allowing two runs, including a dinger to David Peralta. Tie game.

A collection of Phillies relievers pitched scoreless ball for some time. The Fourteenth Inning Stretch happened, and it turns out, when you play “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” backwards, it is an unholy chant that summons demons. Or possibly I just looked at the weather in Phoenix.

Ok yeah, definitely demons at work there. 101 degrees at 11:15PM? What kind of hellzone is this?

Meanwhile, baseball continued, despite scientists warning “the surface of the sun is not a safe place for humans.” Psh, what do scientists know.

Continued until the bottom of the 14th, that is. Austin Davis struck out Paul Goldschmidt, and with one out, allowed a home run to David Peralta. History never repeats, but if often rhymes.

Well. 3-2 D-Backs, game over.

Taking a stroll down to Florida yesterday, the Clearwater Threshers were no-hit today by the Tampa Bay Tarpons... and won, 1-0. In the eighth inning of what was at that point an extra innings perfect game from the originally scheduled seven (a scheduled doubleheader), Luke Williams was stationed on second base to start the inning. Kevin Markham reached on a fielder’s choice and error, moving Williams to third. Daniel Brito then hit into another botched fielder’s choice and Williams scored. 1-0. No hits, no walks, no HBP, no reached-on-a-dropped-third-strikes. Just a freebie runner and some screwed up fielder’s choices. Please, MLB, don’t bring that crap to MLB.

Incidentally, this is the second time in Florida State League history that a team has won while being no-hit. The last time was in 1992. It was the Clearwater Phillies.

So, there’s also that.

Good morning, folks.