Replies

Baseball is such a great game.

The veteran pitcher is dominating the game, but his offense hasn’t scored any runs to support him. If the game goes to extra innings, what does the manager do?

Verlander would be starting the 10th with 120 pitches. Does Hinch take a chance on getting Verlander hurt, ruining the Astros’ chances to advance in the postseason? Maybe, maybe not. Verlander likely guesses that if he can’t close this out in nine, there is a good chance he won’t be allowed to finish it.

Up steps Toro to the plate in the top of the 9th with two outs. In his eighth game in the majors, he may be facing the most important opportunity in his career. He is batting against former Astros pitcher Ken Giles. Toro hits a two-run homer. The only runs to be scored in the game.

And then with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Toro fields a ground ball and fires it to first for the final out of the game. Whether Toro’s career is long or short, he will never forget this game. And neither will the fans.

Yesterday, the Astros lost to the Blue Jays 6-4. And then they deliver this beauty. Each game is unique, but not many are masterpieces. If you love the game, you treasure these moments.

For what it’s worth ... There have been more no-hitters thrown in September than in any other month.

I’ve speculated that this is because teams play with expanded rosters after August 31st, so teams that are out of the playoff race will start young players who aren’t quite big-league hitters yet.