Four strikeouts in one inning isn't as common as you might think. Since 1900, it's happened only 59 times. Less than half the number of cycles, and no-hitters. But I've seen it twice in person, and heard it twice this season. Justin Masterson for the Indians, and, this afternoon, the D-Rays' Jeremy Hellickson against the Tigers.
Austin Jackson whiffed leading off the third, but reached on a wild pitch. Ramon Santiago, Delmon Young, and Victor Martinez then struck out the conventional way.
No harm done; Jackson had given the Tigers a 1-0 lead with his leadoff homer, and later plated Ryan Raburn with a sac fly. All the runs Doug Fister, Benoit, and Valverde needed to put away the opposition.
Fister allowed five hits in seven innings, and -- this is important -- zero walks. His second successive excellent game.
Catching the third strike has its origins in the first playing rules compiled by Alexander Cartwright in 1845. The reasoning, even when Base Ball was played in cow pastures, was that the defensive team needs to catch the ball before an out can be recorded. Even if it means stepping in something.
Three grand slams by one team in a game is something no one had ever seen until this afternoon. The Yankees -- naturally -- did it, with Robinson Cano ("Robby Cano! Don'tcha know!"), Russell Martin ("Russell shows muscle! Monsieur Martin est la!") and Curtis Granderson (The Grandy Man can!") clearing the bases in New York's 22-9 win over Oakland.
John Sterling probably means "Monsieur Martin, he's there!"
I got in on the fun when the A's were up 7-6. Then, their pitchers forgot where the strike zone was. They walked seven Yanks in the six-run seventh. (It's hard to walk that many in an entire game.) Suzyn Waldman opined that the inning would never end. My sentiments exactly, as I waited for the commercial break so I could finish cutting the yard. Great minds really do think alike.
There is also good news from Cleveland. No, the Indians didn't lose -- they were off -- but did work out a deal with the Twins for Jim Thome, who had been waived two days ago.
The fan interest in having the most popular Indian in recent memory rejoin the team reminds me of when they brought Rocky Colavito back, for the 1965 season, from the KC Athletics in a three way trade that also involved the White Sox.
The Indians and Tigers have six games left. We will root for Thome, and wish for strikeouts and double plays when his teammates are up. By then, wishfully, our lead over the Tribe will be large enough to have the division virtually clinched.
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