NL WC IGT - Rockies @ Arizona

[Frayed Knot]

Jon (not Sonny) Gray vs Zack Greinke

The Snakes finished 6 games ahead of the Rox during the season but, unlike last night's contest where the home team was 6 games better, if the lower seeded team wins this one you won't hear cries
that the format needs to be changed (retroactively if possible) to a best 2-of-3

Gotta figure that the Dodgers are loving that Greinke gets spent and probably reduced to just one game in the NLDS if Arizona advances - which of course is part of the purpose of going to this set-up
with the two WC teams.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Even considering watching this game is boring the hell out of me so
I've stopped considering it.

[ashie62]

I will watch Shark Tank reruns before this.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Not a Shark Tank guy, but we have like two dozen Flea Market Flip on
dvr if it comes to that.

[ashie62]

Storage Wars?

[Guest d'Kong76]

We watch that sometimes lol...

[MFS62]

JD Martinez hit 29 homers in 62 games after joining Arizona mid year!!!
According to ESPN radio, he hit 16 home runs in September, which tied the all time National League record held by ...........
wait for it......

Ralph Kiner.

Later

[Ceetar]

was looking lite a rout but don't look now the Rockies are making a push.

[Fman99]

I'm watching. It's baseball. Plus Ronnie is doing the commentary. I don't have a horse in this race though.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Just checking in on this. Like how TBS has teeny'd down the up-top
graphics thing. Not sure about the strike zone thing, but better than
a stupid box for 6'4'' being the same for 5' 9'' guys.

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: JD Martinez hit 29 homers in 62 games after joining Arizona mid year!!! According to ESPN radio, he hit 16 home runs in September, which tied the all time National League record held by ........... wait for it...... Ralph Kiner.

But as Ralph would (and Did!) say, he set his mark in the days of the 154 game season.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: was looking lite a rout but don't look now the Rockies are making a push.

Greinke protecting a 6-run lead seemed like the safest bet in the world ... and then he can't get through the 4th inning!!

So far the designated 'stud' pitchers for these one game showdowns have been less than impressive.
Severino (NYY) 1/3 of an inning, 3 Runs allowed
Santana (MIN) 2 innings, 4 runs
Gray (COL) 1-1/3 IP, 4 runs on 7 hits
Greinke (ARZ) 3-2/3 IP, 4 runs on 6 hits

And now Arizona has gone to presumably their #2 starter, Robbie Ray, to get through the game or at least get them late into it still with the lead.

[Frayed Knot]

So with their former 6 run edge down to a single run, DBacks reliever Archie Bradley is allowed to bat for himself with two out and two on in the 7th ... and he triples in both runners off Pat Neshak.

TBS announcer Ernie Johnson: "This could only happen in a Wild Card game!".
No, Ernie, this could only happen in a National League Wild Card game.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

And then... back to back shots by the Rockies (Arenado and Story) in the very next half-inning. Pinch-hitter Pat Valaika almost ties it with another, but yanks it ten feet foul. He then doubles to right. Lucretia up with a chance to tie.

Those of you bored by the idea of this one have cheated yourselves out of one frisky lil' ballgame.

[Frayed Knot]

Colorado almost heard their Valaika ringing out.
That would have kept their comrades warm.

Game now in the hands of the two closers: Holland in for the Rox trying to get through bottom 8, the crooked hat warming in the pen for the Snakes.

[Guest Mets Willets Point]

I hope there will be some pitchers' duels this postseason.

[Frayed Knot]

Mets Willets Point wrote: I hope there will be some pitchers' duels this postseason.

If Sale vs Verlander disappoints tomorrow afternoon then there may be no hope left.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Holland bends and breaks a little, giving up three two-out runs to boost Fernando Rodney's confidence a little.

11-7, going into the Rocks' last turn.

[Frayed Knot]

Final tally: 19 runs on 30 hits with only 5 walks.
14 pitchers were used, nine of which gave up at least one run and four of the five who didn't only pitched a portion of an inning.
The DBacks hit four triples including two of the 2-RBI/2-out variety, one of those, as mentioned above, by reliever Archie Bradley who was 6-for-61 (all singles) as a hitter in his career.

What a glorious mess.