Papa Leadoff Walk

Only Jose Valverde could turn what should have been a sweet day into nail-biting drama.

Delmon Young, the league's first half LVP, homered in his third straight game. The Pretenders built up a nice 8-4 lead entering the ninth. Enter the closer; and, ooops, he did it again, walked the leadoff batter on four pitches.

A double and a five pitch walk followed. Billy Butler singled in two, and an 8-4 game became an 8-6 cliffhanger. In the pen, two pitchers began loosening. Closers for the closer. 

A Mike Moustakis sac fly plated the seventh Royals run. Pinch runner Jason Working Class (real last name Bourgeois) stole second. They tying run was in scoring position, with another Frenchman, Jeff Francoeur, up. 

Francoeur ended the game via un retrait au baton. Another trademarked Valverde-ism, making a mess of things and then striking out the last batter. Hugs and high fives were exchanged. One would think they'd just won the World Series instead of hanging on by their fingernails to a game in July.