April 13, 2045
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
With two outs in the 9th inning, Lorenzo de’ Medici was just another strikeout away from closing out Thursday night’s game against San Fernando. De’ Medici started off shaky when he entered the game in the 7th inning an allowed a two run HR, but recovered quickly, striking out six of the next seven Bears. But the wheels fell off with one out remaining. Back to back walks followed by a game-tying single by newly acquired outfielder, Angel Gionzalez chased de’ Medici off the mound. Back to back run scoring doubles off Martin Román pushed the score to 7-4 in favor of San Fernando to give them the win.
Nashville traveled to Hawaii on Saturday for their first away game of the season, which ended dramatically. With a tired bullpen, the Bluebirds had to rely on veteran mop up guys, Javier García and Gustavo Muñóz. García opened the inning allowing a leadoff single and was quickly pulled when everyone remembered he only knew how to throw a fastball. Unfortunately, Muñóz didn’t fare much better and he allowed a walk and single to load the bases. Tropics star Ernest McBride, almost on cue, delivered the winning grand slam Maui Owie into left center to send the fans home.
Now rested, Román was given a chance at redemption on Sunday as he entered the 9th with an 8-5 lead. Clearly still upset of rumors he was about to be traded, he allowed three consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs. After striking out the next two batters and looking like he would get out of the game unscathed, Gary Allen delivered a two-run single. A follow-up RBI single tied the game and put the winning run in scoring position, but Allen was not able to score when the next batter, McLovin, came up clutch again with, you guessed it, a single. Román was allowed to sink or swim and finished the inning leaving the bases loaded. Luckily a pinch hit RBI double by Nacho Méndez gave the Bluebirds the lead and Muñóz redeemed himself with the save.
De’ Medici would allow another three runs in Wednesday’s loss to the Louisville Sluggers, while Muñóz allowed just one. Nashville’s 5.23 bullpen ERA is second to Portland Lumberjacks on the race for worst bullpen ERA.
