May 9, 2036
Long Beach, CA
Pedro Holguin
"I didn't even have my spikes on," remarked Pedro Holguin, "I had to run up the tunnel to the clubhouse to throw them on while they check on AP's hand." AP, of course, is Alain Pichon who was hit in the hand in the bottom of the 5th inning in today's game against the Vancouver Mounties. He exited the game after the HBP, and will sit out for a few days at least, as the team reviews the X-rays, hoping for no break.
"Lighty [manager Anthony Light] told me I had the night off. I definitely didn't expect to go up to the plate five times," said Holguin. His night was a weird one for sure, featuring 12 innings in center field to boot.
On the mound, a rough start by Pierre Legrand set the stage for the team to use 9 pitchers in the eventual victory. Lefty specialist Mark Little was the hero on the mound, pitching 4.1 very efficient frames allowing just two hits and a walk. "It got to the point where I was in the pen, I think in the 12th or so, and Duggy and I just looked at each other, and we laughed. We were both thinking the same thing, either one of us is going to have a long night, or we're going to get to see Specter up on the bump."
Mark Little
"And then, Duggy goes out to pitch, and I think for the first time in my memory, I'm in the 'pen and outnumbered by our two bullpen catchers. It was surreal. And my night hadn't even begun." Little end up throwing 64 pitches to keep the Surfers in the game and earn the victory.
Sloan Daniel
The Surfers hit 8 doubles on the night, with three provided by rookie sensation and early Gillstrom Award candidate Sloan Daniel. For the game, Daniel batted 8 times, with the walk off single in addition to the three doubles. "I just wanted to go home, man. We were tired. Someone had to get the hit to win it, and today it just happened to be me," he said. "It's been an up and down season so far for us. I think this game could be a turning point."
