Richard Castle - contributing reporter
We, at the Cobbfather Gazette, have to admit; we thought we would be many more games into the season before having to write this post. Congratulations to Designated Hitter and part time Rightfielder, Jorge Johnson on his 3,000th hit! Rumor has it, the Colorado Springs owner has put a $2M bid on the game ball, but let's take you back to the call with Cliff Murdoch, Colorado Springs hometown announcer.
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"Welcome back From My Loins fans, after a quick half inning that saw Loins starter Davey Perez go 1-2-3 against the top of the order for Jacksonville. Colorado Springs is still down 1-0 as we start the 6th inning with their own leadoff hitter and centerfielder Asbdrubal Unamuno approaching the plate. Jacksonville Lizard Kings starter, Dellin DeLeon winds up for the 3-2 pitch, a slider that doesn't fool Unamuno; who takes it deep to left centerfield. Well out of play, Lizard Kings centerfielder Ron McDowell doesn't even move from his ready position."
Frustrated with the home run, DeLeon slams the ball back into his glove as he takes the mound again. Up steps Second baseman Von Wright as his season stats appear on the big screen. .210 average, 5 home runs, 13 RBIs.
"Things just aren't going right for Wright in his first major league experience. 2B Von Wright grounds out to SS. Not only is his batting average his RBI total above his weight he's struggling in the field as well with 5 errors on this young season. It's becoming well known around the league Wright is having trouble with the curve. This one sees him grounding out to shortstop Brandon Grim 'Reaper'"
The Lizard Kings throw the ball around the horn as right fielder Engel Ayala steps the plate. If you have to look closely at his season station, but he's hitting .210 just like Wright. It's a shallow hit ball third baseman Jimmie Bryant backpedaling to have leftfielder Pepper Hill calling him off to take the flyout.
"Two down folks, with first baseman Eugene Daniels coming to the plate. takes ball four and steals second. Just like every other Loin hitter Daniels hasn't done much this season, though he smoked a line drive single to centerfield at his first at bat then stole second. He flied out to deep left in his second at bat. Not known to be a patient hitter, with just 3 walks to 16 strikeouts this season as he stares down a full count.
BALL FOUR! Daniels takes first base and realizes nobody is paying attention, he continues around and steals second.
"That's a heads up play for Daniels! He must have learned that from Matty Moss back in his days with the Expos. Now with a runner on second, this brings Jorge Johnson to the plate in search of his 3,000th hit. Not only that but its a chance to give his Loins the lead.
With Daniels dancing around second base, Lizard Kings catcher Cliff Calderon misplays the fastball, as it rolls to the backstop, Daniels easily advances to third base.
"Here we go folks, DeLeon winds up and delivers, a 4-seam fastball high and outside. That's ball one. Johnson digs in at batter's box, showing good discipline laying off the high heat. Here comes the next pitch, swing and miss! The cut fastball caught him, strike one. Wasting no time, DeLeon comes again with another 4-seam that is fouled off behind the plate. Strike two. A third 4-seam fastball is hit hard down the left field line but goes just foul, still strike two. The 1-2 pitch is a slider for ball 2. DeLeon is known for the 4-season though doesn't have the best velocity if you ask me. Next pitch is a changeup that almost fooled Johnson as he barely fouls it off. 2-2 count and yet another 4-season fastball that gets fouled off. Mixing things up DeLeon goes back to the slider for ball 3. This is a kids dream, at the plate with a chance to take the lead, runner on third, and a full count. Let's go get Jorgey! There it is, this ones deep, he crushed it down the left field line again; it's got the distance and height, could it be? No, no folks, just misses the foul pole by the slimmest of margins. What a near miss! This one will cause a mound visit for the Lizard Kings. Two outs, you have to think they are discussing walking him. You have to imagine DeLeon is coming to come at him with another 4-seamer, and he does. This one hard hit down the third base line, it's fair, it's fair! Daniels scores, Johnson in with a single and hit number 3,000 for his storied career."
A mix of cheers and boos can be heard throughout the stadium.
"WOW, what a big career for Johnson. He just kept drilling and drilling and drilling at those pitches; knowing he'd get something good to smash. Hit 3,000 now in the books you have to wonder if he'll become more of a mentor to the young bucks and start seeing less playing time. That seems to be it for DeLeon tonight, as Carlos Santana, the Lizard Kings pitching coach makes a mound visit, signaling for Reymond Osoria to be brought in."
As Osoria takes a few pitches, Jorge Johnson seems to signal something from first base to the young leftfielder Anthony Cunningham.
"Speaking of mentoring, Johnson must know something about Osoria as he seemed to give Cunningham some advance as he steps the plate. Johnson is off the bag in a hit and run on the first pitch curveball, Cunningham grounds it hard back up the middle to centerfield. Osoria nearly had his feet taken out from under him! The old man Johnson showing he still has some legs, he takes third base.
Third baseman Chase Watson approaches the plate.
"From my Loins are still alive, and the Lizard Kings need to get this one if they are going to stay in this game. Quick delivery and another base hit, this one a hard hit groundball single just past DeLeon and out of Second baseman Domonic Malone's dive. Johnson will not only drive in a run on his 3,000th hit but will also score in the same inning and for the first time this season. The Loins have struggled to score runs, but Johnson crosses the plate for the 1,474th time in his career."
"Osoria is trying to get his team out of the jam. And he does just that, defensive gem Marshall Banks grounds out to third base. Osoria gets out of the inning but the damage is done, From my Loins take the 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth and our next commercial break.
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The 19th straight single this season, officially puts him at 3,001 hits after this game becoming only the 5th player to reach the plateau, just behind Hall of Famers Johnny Sherman, Yoenis Portillo, Eugene Brantley, and future first ballot Hall of Famer Alex Tarraga. Brantley is 113 hits head of JJ, and given his current ratings and .235 batting average I wouldn't expect to see him climb the list much more. But let's see how got there: 385 home runs, 37 triples, 435 doubles, and 2,143 singles. He trails Portillo for most singles all-time by 58. That also means his XBH would put him as the lowest Hall of Famer, should (when) he gets in. But surely the voters can give some respect to the 3k hits, after all only a handful of men have accomplished that in Cobbfather.
Good luck to Jorge in his eventual retirement!