Galaxy Gas 2059.14 - Hello 300

[DugoutDesperado]

On a partly cloudy day on an April afternoon, slightly over 31,000 fans braved the 58-degree temperature at Dunn field to watch the Hawaii Tropics visit the hometown Valencia Stars.

After a 5-run outburst in the bottom of the 5th inning, the game seemed to be well in hand as the Stars held an 8-3 lead going into the 6th. Things stayed that was going into the 9th as many of the fans started packing their bags to beat the rush in the parking lot after the game or hitting their favorite post-game night spots heading into the early evening.

As the final inning began, lefty Dana Pualani went to the mound for his third inning of work. The lead-off hitter hit a routine fly ball to left-center field for the first out of the inning as the crowd cheered. After a called strike, the next batter was beaned on his thigh. With a runner on first, the crowd witnessed a line drive to left field for a single, a strikeout and then a free pass on five pitches to load the bases. Now the crowd is thinking that it may be in for a ball game before the afternoon is through.

Manager Markus O’Byrne then makes the slow walk to the mound. It is pretty easy to surmise that Dana’s tank is below E on his fuel gauge, so Markus lifts up his right arm. At that point, closer Martin Roman makes his walk from the bullpen to the mound for the 925th time in his major league career. The loudspeaker begins to play George Thorogood’s ‘Bad to the Bone’ as is customary that Martin walks to the mound at Dunn field. As Martin takes his warm-up pitches, the fans notice his season and career stats on the Jumbotron. Along with his 1.50 ERA and 7 saves this season a bigger number is looming – 299 career saves.

The crowd starts murmuring amongst its individuals and there is a new wave of anticipation. Although there are a fair number of pitchers with more than 300 saves, that milestone is definitely a testament to some level of competency and longevity.

As Martin looks for the sign on the first pitch, it is promptly fouled off down the right field line. The next pitch is then low and away for a 1-1 count. The next pitch is hit deep down the left-field line and the crowd watches as the ball hooks foul and out of play. With the count at 1-2, the pitch is delivered the ball is hit to left field. As everyone watches the glove close around the ball, they realize that they have just watched save number 300 for Martin Roman.

At the press conference, Martin with his usual uncanny wit stated “I want to thank all the pitchers who couldn’t go 9 innings for helping me reach this milestone and my manager who would not let them even if they could.”

[Dington]

See, Roman has waayyyy more saves than Aaron Haney. Would’ve been a steal. SMH.

[mragland]

See, Roman has waayyyy more saves than Aaron Haney. Would’ve been a steal. SMH.

I feel like the actual trade for Roman was fair.

[Dington]

See, Roman has waayyyy more saves than Aaron Haney. Would’ve been a steal. SMH.

I feel like the actual trade for Roman was fair.

Yes I was happy with it. I wasn’t quite there yet when I had Roman, but Garcia was nice for me and Badger was flipped for a nice piece in 2050 to help my Monty push.