NEWSLETTER
The Tennessee Smokies piled on the runs in the third inning of Friday night’s game, but it almost did not happen. To be honest, it should not have happened.
With two outs in the third and Matthew Szczur on first, Logan Watkins lined one into the outfield. Szczur turned for home, and as the throw came into the plate it was clear Szczur was going to be safe by a mile. The catcher fielded the ball a few feet in front of the plate and, as Szczur was crossing home, turned his attention to holding Watkins at second.
Meanwhile, Szczur did not touch home. As he ran across the plate he stepped right over the bag, and the umpire noticed. Szczur immediately circled back around, touched the plate, received an acknowledgement from the umpire, and trotted into the dugout (where he was no doubt harassed for missing the plate). More to the point, the catcher still had the ball when Szczur missed the plate. Had the BayBear’s catcher (or pitcher, who should have been backing up the play) been paying attention, Szczur would almost certainly have been tagged out, the run would not have counted, and the inning would have been over in embarrassing fashion for the home team.
As things turned out, though, Szczur was the first of seven Smokies who would cross the plate that inning. Even worse for Mobile, Tennessee’s margin of win was six runs. If that catcher had been paying attention and tagged Szczur out, Mobile might have won the game.
Whoops.
And now on to the rest of the games. We’ll be doing this one Lightening Round style. My vacation is drawing to an end and I have many miles to go before I sleep.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – The Cubs pulled away in the latter innings for a 5-3 win.
Tennessee – The Smokies used a huge third inning to cruise to an 11-5 win.
Daytona – Daytona played two on Friday. They won the first one 4-3, but fell in the nightcap 11-5.
Peoria – The Chiefs fell behind early and could not recover in this 8-2 loss.
Boise – Boise scored six times in the second inning, but they lost anyway 7-6.
Arizona – The AZL Cubs had Friday off.
Performances of the Day
Other Minor League Notes
