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Fun game last night
By Deran | May 30, 2008
Dollar beer night always makes for an entertaining night at the ballpark. Jonah Nickerson pitched another solid game, going 5.2 innings while surrendering just 1 earned run on 5 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Poor defense forced him to leave with his team down 4-1 though.
After 2.1 scoreless innings by Simmons and Witt, the Flying Tigers came to bat in the bottom of the 8th, still down 4-1. Scott Sizemore reached on an error and James Skelton singled with 1 out, and Cale Iorge stepped to the plate. He proceeded to hit what I can only describe as an absolute bomb to straight-away left field. It was more of a line-shot that landed on the pavilion on top of the berm and bounced onto a picnic table, the hardest ball I’ve seen hit there since Brent Clevlen hit one over the berm in ‘05. The score was tied at 4!
Ben Blumenthal led off the 9th for the Tampa Yankees with a double, then stole 3rd on a questionable call, a call in which FT’s manager Andy Barkett disputed and was then ejected. After 2 outs, a ground ball to Iorge resulted in an infield single, and Tampa took a 5-4 lead for good.
Aside from game dramatics, the crowd was pretty entertaining. The college kids were hootin’ and hollerin’ the whole game. Then there was the exchange intern Brittney had with a fan between innings. Over the PA, the following exchange occured:
Brittney: I’m here behind the Tigers dugout with (insert name), and today is a very special day. It’s his birthday! Now, I know you’re embarrassed about your agae but go ahead and tell everyone how old you are!
Fan: (in slow motion) Foooooourrrrtttyyyy… fuuuuuuddddgggging… fiiiivvveee.
Except he didn’t say “fudge”. This was followed by a gasp and then laughter from the crowd, and an absolute look of horror from the intern.
Anyhow, it was a great time. For those that don’t come to the games, you really need to!
Topics: Gameday |
May 30th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Thanks so much for including the birthday boy on the blog! It might not have been classy but it kept things interesting!
May 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Joker Marchant is a real nice stadium. I always enjoy my visits there. I’m trying to get Iris to split cost with me on a July trip but, but she’s been having problems getting away. It’s a real bother that we don’t see the Tigs again in Fort Myers until August.
May 30th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Brittney - Abso-effing-lutely!
May 30th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
BTW: congrats to the All-Star Tigers: Pitchers Rick Porcello and Matt O’Brien, catcher James Skelton, shortstop Cale Iorg and 2nd baseman Scott Sizemore.
Luis Marte was also selected, but will not be able to participate as he’s already been sent to Erie of the AA.