NEWSLETTER
Yesterday’s Double A game in Chattanooga is a good candidate for best game in the farm season this year. It had all the elements of a great minor league game. It also had all the elements of a pretty good baseball movie, should any of you fine folk be looking for ideas for a script.
First, there was the timing. Just days before the 2015 draft begins, the heroes of this game were a couple of guys taken in the 2014 draft. In fact, they were the only 2014 Cubs’ draftees to make it as high as Double A so far (even if one of them only reached that level yesterday).
Also, those same two players, during the game no less, were named the Cubs Player and Pitcher of the Month.
The story began not long before game time when the Smokies announced that Ryan Williams, last seen ruining batting averages in the Midwest League for South Bend, was vaulting over High A Myrtle Beach and joining Tennessee. That day. And he was starting.
On the road.
Against one of the best lineups in Double A featuring the best prospect in baseball.
With first place on the line.
Williams seemed immune to the pressure, though, as he sat down Chattanooga in order in the first. The second inning did not go smoothly, and before Williams escaped he had allowed three runs to score.
But… you remember that I said this would be a good movie script? You’ve seen baseball movies. When the new pitcher gives up a few runs, who immediately picks him in the next inning? Either the star of the team, or the catcher, right? In this case, it was both.
A couple singles and a walk loaded the bases for the designated hitter and Player of the Month Kyle Schwarber, and his two run single brought the game within a run. Then Williams’ catcher, who we are going to have to start taking seriously if he keeps this up, Willson Contreras, drilled a three run bomb to right field to spot Williams to a two run lead.
Williams went on to sit down Chattanooga in order in the third. And in the fourth. And, except for a lead off single to Buxton, in the fifth. He got the first out of the sixth before being lifted for Gerardo Concepcion.
In the seventh the Smokies pulled another surprise when they sent Corey Black, previously a starter, to the mound for his first relief appearance. He retired six straight, half of them on strikeouts.
Shortly thereafter the game was over and the Smokies were tied with Chattanooga for first place in the division.
Seriously, someone should be making a movie out of this stuff.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa fell into an early hole and could not recover. They lost 9-7.
Tennessee – The final in the Smokies’ novel-worthy win was 6-3.
Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach had the day off.
South Bend – The Cubs were looking good until a rough eighth inning derailed things. Ultimately they lost 9-5.
Performances of Note
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