Like a Gobstopper
I felt like Tiger Woods at the 2008 U.S. Open, when he outlasted Rocco Mediate for the title. I felt like John Isner after he finally defeated Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon a few weeks ago. No, the feeling wasn’t an incredible accomplishment.
I just wanted the night to end. But it wouldn’t. It truly was the gobstopper of baseball games.
As you know, or as you can probably tell by my broadcasts, blogs, tweets, stories, etc., I really like baseball. But even last night was for the most passionate of diehards. The game itself was pretty competitive for almost the entire game, but the lackluster atmosphere and the interminable delays took away from it, which is really too bad because it was a great crowd at 7 p.m.
I promise there is an end to this edition of the Bullets, so enjoy without thinking that it will take up your entire night.
Get Burlington Royals’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
BURLINGTON BULLETS:
- Again, the whole story as I gathered it over the course of last night. Kingsport’s bus broke down early in the trip to Burlington. Once it was repaired, the bus was backed up because of an accident on the highway. From there, things were slow through the Winston-Salem and Greensboro area. Finally, at 7:45 p.m., the Mets pulled into the parking lot at Burlington Athletic Stadium. Normally, the rule is that the team has 30 minutes between the time it arrives until the time the game starts. But, because the tarp was being removed right around the time that the Mets arrive, they had about 50 minutes to get suited up and ready for action.
- One light fixture down the right field line went out for the second time yesterday (during our second delay, which began around 9 p.m. because of rain). Apparently, it needs repair but it can be turned back on if it goes out. In other words, it is like a problem with an internet connection — shut it off for a few minutes and then turn it back on.
- While yesterday was a bizarre game, it was also a loss that fit a few patterns for the Royals this season. Burlington is now 12–18 at home this season, assuring itself a losing record at home in 2010. It also lowered the Royals’ mark against Western Division foes to 8–17. Burlington has only taken one series from the West (July 4–6 vs. Elizabethton).
- The patterns may have favored a Burlington loss last night, but manager Nelson Liriano was not pleased with the team’s effort. He held a meeting after the game last night, and the club did some early work today prior to batting practice. “We need to have a little bit more concentration,” Liriano said. “We have to be tough because it’s how you finish the season. We did not play good defense last night, and that’s a good moment to let everyone know that mistakes are going to happen, but we need to have more concentration for next time.”
- One of the bright spots during an overcast day in the sky and on the field was Robert Penny’s dynamite long relief appearance. Penny worked five shutout innings and allowed two base runners all game: a walk and an error by Yunior Figueroa. The atmosphere was different than what it usually is at this level, but Penny was ready for his effort. “You know what they send you out there to do,” Penny said. “I knew I was going in, so I was mentally prepared to go in and just had to transfer that from the bullpen to the mound.”
- In Penny’s last 13 relief appearances, only one run has scored, and it was unearned. Opponents are hitting .214 off the righty this season. And in the months of July and August, Penny boasts an earned run average of 0.48. “I don’t really think about it,” Penny said. “I just go out there and do what I know I’m capable of doing.”
- After suffering through an 0-for-12 funk late last week, Anthony Howard is starting to find his stroke again. The right fielder is 5-for-14 (.357) in his last four contests with a pair of long homers to right and three runs scored. The one alarming stat for Howard is his strikeouts. He has whiffed 11 times in his last eight games and more than one strikeout per game (37 Ks, 35 games).
- Still no update on shortstop Adrian Martinez, but Liriano said the team will know more about his condition tomorrow. Martinez has missed the last week of action because of some knee soreness.
Our pre-game coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with the Pre-Game Show brought to you by Best Western. As always, we are e-mail accessible at burlingtonroyalsradio@gmail.com. Enjoy the broadcast!
- Brian
