Wed. 9/18 - It's a Winner Takes All Game 3 for Wisconsin; Sounds Play Double-Header

[Joseph Zarr]

That's an efficient three up and three down second frame for Rudy. Fly out to LF to end the frame as well. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Well hit sac fly to deep RF. 1-1 in Norfolk. 91 mph heater on the outer corner. Well hit fly out. Nice swing. Good result for the Tides. Run never crosses if Arroyo handles the routine grounder cleanly. 

[Joseph Zarr]

If swings and misses were a gradable trait, I'd give Eduardo Garcia a 70 grade. Really nice looking artful swings and misses. 🤭 He takes the HBP off his upper arm after a gorgeous swing and miss on a center cut breaking ball. 

[wiguy94]

Luis Lara has had a playoffs to forget. He has a .053 average and a .125 OPS.

[Joseph Zarr]

Second consecutive inning with a runner in scoring position. Can the T-Rats break through? Lara is out by a half step on a high chopper over the mound slowly getting to second. Bang bang. Garcia advances. It's up to Pratt to try and find that timely poke.

[Joseph Zarr]

Pratt with a high chopper to SS. Garcia advances to third base. He's thrown out quite easily. The chopper brigade continues. Adams to the dish. 

[Joseph Zarr]

This ump at Lake County has a really tight zone. Both pitchers just not getting the benefit of the doubt. Regardless, Adams goes down looking. That's his kryptonite at present: Just doesn't swing enough. That bat stays on his shoulders far too much. 

[wiguy94]

Horrible AB from Luke Adams who doesn't take the bat off his shoulders. Probably should have struck out 2 times. 4 pitches all strikes. One was called a ball.

[Joseph Zarr]

Roller led off the 7th frame with a single to CF. He was just thrown out at 2B on a bang-bang play. Fantastic throw from the backstop. Two down. Capra is going to have to try to make something happen. Sure enough oppo line drive single. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Man, Rudy is pitching lights out at present. Goodness I hope he can keep this up. The way the T-Rats are swinging the bats (or not swinging at all) they're going to need him to steady the ship. He gets another K on a filthy inside breaking ball for the first out of his third frame.

[Joseph Zarr]

So, now we've reached the third frame and the home plate ump has decided to call some close strikes? Ok. I guess we'll take it. 🤭

[Joseph Zarr]

Goodness me oh my I love love love me some Areinamo at 2B. A true savant. He just makes it look so easy. On to the 4th frame. 0-0 game. 

[wiguy94]

3 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Man, Rudy is pitching lights out at present. Goodness I hope he can keep this up. The way the T-Rats are swinging the bats (or not swinging at all) they're going to need him to steady the ship. He gets another K on a filthy inside breaking ball for the first out of his third frame.

This is the best he's looked all year. Would really love if we were getting velo numbers. Feel like his FB has a bit more zip tonight than normal.

[wiguy94]

Someone on the Timber Rattlers please help Jadher Areinamo

[Joseph Zarr]

AND, Sounds lose on a walk-off. Single to LF off Herget. Beautiful sac bunt. Truly a gem. Single to CF. Weak throw home from Roller. Really weak. 2-1 loss Game 1. On to the second match.

[Joseph Zarr]

2 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

This is the best he's looked all year. Would really love if we were getting velo numbers. Feel like his FB has a bit more zip tonight than normal.

He's really come on in the second half. He's hinted at this for over a month. But, yes, this is another level. He is dialed. AND, what a time to showcase the improvements. Third time through will be the real test as we know. But, man, it feels fantastic to see him put together such a meaningful start in such an important game.

[wiguy94]

Yophery chases ball 4 above the zone on a 3-1 count for an infield pop up. Brutal day at the plate for him today.

[Joseph Zarr]

Man, Yophery is just swinging at some stupid pitches tonight. Last night, he adjusted. Tonight, it's carrying over to both AB's. He pops out to 3B foul territory at another high heater that was clearly a ball. Sigh. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, wiguy94 said:

Yophery chases ball 4 above the zone on a 3-1 count for an infield pop up. Brutal day at the plate for him today.

A classic case of a young player trying to do too much. No no need to swing at that pitch. Make this starter work. Stay within what the game gives you. 

Wood pokes one through to RF. Men on the corners! One down. Scoring position for the third consecutive inning! COME ON MEN!

[wiguy94]

Matthew Wood hits a 110 EV chopper between the 1st and 2nd baseman. Runners on the corner with 1 out, but Hall gets behind 0-2. 

[Joseph Zarr]

Hall misses another very hittable center cut off-speed pitch. Man. That was a very hittable pitch. 0-1 count. Fouls one back to the netting on a heater. Down 0-2. Takes a change-up low and outside for a ball. 1-2 count. Hits into the DP down the 1B line. Goodness gracious. The T-Rats can't help themselves tonight. No opportunistic bats. 

[duewizard]

GIDP :(

[wiguy94]

And Tayden Hall grounds into a double play. Brutal. Feels like a game that Wisconsin is going to regret blowing multiple chances to open the scoring.

[Joseph Zarr]

Just now, wiguy94 said:

And Tayden Hall grounds into a double play. Brutal. Feels like a game that Wisconsin is going to regret blowing multiple chances to open the scoring.

Indeed. Feels ominous. ON the road. They've squandered scoring opportunities in three consecutive frames. Multiple men on in two-of-three. We simply have to hope Rudy keeps dominancing. Tense game when the bats can't come through!

[wiguy94]

Just now, Joseph Zarr said:

Indeed. Feels ominous. ON the road. They've squandered scoring opportunities in three consecutive frames. Multiple men on in two-of-three. We simply have to hope Rudy keeps dominancing. Tense game when the bats can't come through!

And as good as Rudy has looked he has given up some hard contact. Would not be surprised if he gives up a HR at some point.