=== Could We Not Chop-Block THIS Glove Man, Please ===

F-Goot, the night after Endy's horrific injury, played "500 Popup" with Frenchy again.  Both men were literally fighting for the ball until Betancourt came away with it and looked back, at which point Gutierrez pulled off of it.

I was amused to see him swing his left leg back and forth in the air after the play, as though subconsciously making sure that a Great White hadn't taken it off.

Matty didn't appreciate the play.  Silentpadna, like Spock, then throws a temper tantrum comprised of raising his eyebrow.

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=== Wind In Yer Sails, Dept. ===

Nothing unusual for a young player, whose role is in flux, to go on a tear when an opportunity opens up for him.  Why wouldn't it?  The engine of the human heart runs on a fuel called "hope.  BOOM, Wlad is now a big-league player with a job for the rest of the year.*  The dreams, positive visuals, and all that good stuff are now locked in for him.  Where's that High School Musical dance team when you need them?   School's out, summer's heeeeere... it's our va-caaaa-tion...

Wlad celebrated with a tiebreaking home run, another base knock, and an aggressive, assured leap into the stands to catch the game-clinching fly ball.

Eyes slideways.

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=== Well, At Least They Can't PREDICT Dumb Moves, Dept. ===

Bases loaded, nobody out, 7th? and Cedeno pinch-hits for Beltre.  (Haven't yet read what the injury was.) 

I go to my son, "Weird place to bunt here."   Alarmed that pops might be right, he at first scoffs, and then his eyes get wide... no way!  no way!  no way!  They can't be that stupid!

Camera pans out:  the Arizona infielders are drawn in past the pitcher for the bunt.  Apparently the D-Backs have heard that Cedeno can't hit big-league pitching.

Cedeno bunts.  Arizona, moving in leisurely spring-training-practice fashion, gleefully accepts the force at home.  Fortunately, Cedeno's bunt was perfect, which was precisely what was needed to stay out of the 1-2-3 double play.

I'm a Wok fan.  I'm sure he can explain the inexplicable, and I'm looking forward to hearing it.   (My own guess:  Cedeno must pinch-whiff because he's the only one who can stay in the game for Beltre, and since Cedeno is now a lost blinkin' cause, the bunt cuts the losses.)

.................

Then, in the 8th (?) in two absolutely forced bunt situations -- Johnson up, 0 out, man on 1st, slight lead .... and Frenchy up, 0 out, 2 men on -- Wok has them swing away.

Blowers, on TV, was as flabbergasted as I was.  "Usually you might try something else when the runners are slow or the guy at the plate can't bunt, but that's not the case here."

Wok pushes the swing-away button and the M's have one of their most exciting innings ever.  Rather be lucky than good, but am still looking forward to hearing the rationale.

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=== A Picture's Worth 1,000 Words Dept. ===

9th inning.

Cedeno 2B and Woodward 3B are competing for the right to stay in Seattle.

Man on first, hot shot to 3b, Woodward turns a super-slick grab into a wonderful throw to Cedeno that hits him shoulder-high and on his way to first.  Cedeno whiffs on the catch like he lost the ball in my forehead over the 3B dugout.

Stuff like this used to happen to me when I was trying out for teams.  :- )