Tweeners 8, Sidewinders 6

Be it ever so humble . . .

Extra innings were common, and the home field advantage was pronounced as the Tweeners and Sidewinders knocked out their season series this weekend. Snakes made the road trip to Logan County, and dice chattered for 14 games played on the "dry" side of the line that bisects the Tenn-Tucky Tavern. Distractions were minimal, as the pole dancing injunction remains in litigation. A synopsis from the Tweeners' perspective:

4 game series at the Church Lot: Game #1 Tweeners took an early lead, but Snakes scored 5 in the 6th inning off Nova & Santos, Kimbrel saved the 7-5 win. Game #2, Will Venable's 2-out homer capped a 3 run Tweeners 9th inning, forcing extra innings, but Lonnie Chisenhall hit a walk-off homer off Javier Lopez, Snakes won 5-4 in 13. Tweeners broke serve with a 7-4 win in game #3, Felix Hernandez picked up his 12th victory. Game #4, Tweeners pissed away a 3 run lead, Snakes won 4-3 in 16 innings. A first for the Tweeners was an at-bat where we used 3 different pinch-hitters (without success). Alex Presley led off the 11th inning with a base hit, and Victorino followed with a double to CF, but Presley was thrown out at the plate as Victorino advanced to 3rd on the throw. Corey Hart was announced as a pinch-hitter, but when the Snakes changed pitchers he was called back in favor of Madison Bumgarner. The suicide squeeze was on, and MadBum missed the pitch, with Victorino out on the attempted steal of home. Hannahan then became the 3rd pinch-hitter of the at-bat, and lined out to end the inning. Shitfuck.

On to the Hooverdome for a 3 game set. Snakes continued their winning ways, taking the opener by a score of 2-1, Tweeners stranded 11 baserunners including 2 in the 9th. Game #6, Tweeners scored 4 in the 1st, MadBum threw 8 strong innings for the 5-2 win. Game #7 got ugly as Tweeners led 7-0 when Snakes pitchers started headhunting. 4 different Tweeners were hit by pitches, including Morse twice, while Hudson and Worley failed to retaliate. "Our pitchers can't just let that shit go on with impunity", said manager George Brett. "I have never been so humiliated while winning a game 11-1."

Back to Stanley for 3 games. Game #8 featured 7 solo homeruns, 4 by the Tweeners, and Felix allowed nothing else in earning his 13th win by a score of 7-3. The homestanding Snakes took the next 2. Game #9 was more extra innings, and we again had a pitcher (Hudson) fail to execute a squeeze bunt in the 12th inning. Some asshole hit a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 9th off Hanrahan, some other asshole hit a 2 run walk-off in the 13th off Worley, Snakes prevailed 7-5. Game #10 went to the Snakes 3-2, Craig Kimbrel pitched his 23rd inning against the Tweeners to pick up both the win and the save.

Down 6 games to 4, the Tweeners swept the 4 game September homestand to take the season series from the Stubborn Sidewinders. Game #11 featured a pair of 2-run triples by Alex Presley, final score 6-4. Felix pitched well in game #12 but did not factor in the decision, Tweeners won 4-3 when Mark Reynolds scored on a 9th inning sac fly by Nick Hundley. In game #13 a Hundley homer capped a 4 run 7th inning, final score 5-2. In the finale the Tweeners used 10 hits and 9 walks (8 issued by Lester) to cruise to a 7-1 win. When the dust had settled, Tweeners won 6 of 7 at home, Snakes won 5 of 7 at home. And thanks to the 15 extra innings, most of our better players are about to run out of at-bats.