The Thunder Bay Storm won an 18 inning game today against division rival
Motor City Madmen. The game took over 6 hours to play and ended with
third baseman Wade Boggs knocking in his 2nd RBI of the game in the
bottom of the 18th inning! It literally was two games in one! The final
score was 3-2 and, as you would suspect, there were some interesting
statistics in this one.
It was a pitchers duel for most of the game, especially the last 12
innings or so. Motor City starter Bigbee went only 6 innings but allowed
only 2 runs, in the 2nd and 6th innings. Thunder Bay's starter Ariel
Prieto, who is getting better every game, went 8 strong innings only
letting up 2 runs as well. Then the relievers took over with a vengence.
Thunder Bay's relievers infuriated the Madmen as they held them
scoreless for 15 straight innings! After Prieto let up the 2 runs he
shutout Motor City for 4 more innings and then Tom Dodge, Billy Cary,
Cliff Magrane, who is temporarily out of the rotation, and winning
pitcher John Paschall combined for another 11 innings of shutout
baseball. Motor City had 66 AB and 15 LOB, but Thunder Bay beat them in
that department too! They had 70 AB and an amazing 20 LOB!
Just as many people thought the game would never end, including the fans
who hadn't already given up, there was a man in scoring position with
only 1 out. Galaragga started off the 18th by striking out for the
second time in the game and finishing with a horrible 0-for-7 on the
night. Then the struggling Carlos Baerga, who after the game is hitting
.171, belted a double. The Storm was able to see the end of the tunnel.
Jeff Reed, who was 4-for-9 on the night along with Carlos Garcia and
Tony Gwynn, stepped up to the plate. He hung in until he ran eventual
loser Mark Gubicza to a full count and then popped it up to shallow
center. But the Storm decided that 20 men left on base was enough. Wade
Boggs drove home Baerga on the first pitch and ended the game.
The Thunder Bay clubhouse was off limits to the media after the game,
citing that they were all tired and wanted to take a nap. Newly hired
manager, Pete Mackanin, backed them up: "The players played a helluva
game. They weren't expecting a double header! I think they deserve the
rest." Mackanin was hired after GM Gouldson claimed that managing the
team on the field and off was too much to handle. It is rumoured that he
is still seeking relief pitching and is trying to unload Carlos Baerga,
Tyler Houston, Fernando Valenzuela and Doug Drabek.
