[antidan444]

August 22, 2013 (Midland at Corpus Christi)

Two hours before game-time, the manager called Houston's higher-ups irate that we still only had four healthy relievers for tonight's game. It didn't do any good. After two straight outings, including a 29-pitch effort last night, I had a pretty dead arm, but I also knew it was all hands on deck if necessary.

It was necessary. We played to a 3-3 tie through nine innings, and after a leadoff double in the top of the 10th, my number was called. At least the 7-8-9 guys were due up ...

Jefry Marte (3-for-4) -- I threw a good first-pitch slider and got a slow roller for a 5-3 groundout.

Anthony Aliotti (lefty sub) -- I fell behind 2-0 and had to challenge him with a sinker. He hammered it down the left-field line for an RBI double and a 4-3 lead.

Beau Taylor (2-for-4, lefty) -- I got ahead 0-2, then left a sinker a little too high and he grounded it hard through the hole to right for an RBI single and a 5-3 lead. An error in RF allowed Taylor to take second.

Michael Taylor (0-for-4, leadoff) -- The intentional walk was called.

Ryan Ortiz (3-for-5) -- I threw a good 1-1 sinker and got another slow groundout to third for the second out. The runners took second and third.

Michael Choice (2-for-5) -- I threw a 1-1 sinker up and in, and he somehow slapped it the other way through the hole in right for a two-run single and a 7-3 lead.

That was it for me. Two-thirds of an inning, three hits, three earned runs charged, one right arm hanging limply from my shoulder.

Not five minutes after the game ended, the manager was back on the phone screaming at the front office. It really was inexcusable. Apparently reinforcements are due to arrive tomorrow. If I make a journal entry tomorrow, somebody's getting an earful from me.