How sweet it is. An evening when almost everything went right and the hated Cardinals were humiliated and dispatched in front of a sell out, stunned crowd. Max Fried in just his second ML start was the hero throwing a full 100 pitches in 6.2 innings with 11 strike outs, no runs, 3 walks. What a second time around! Poor Matt Wisler in a no-win situation bumbled through in relief till it got to the bottom of the ninth where he was clobbered and gave up 4 runs which, ironically, only served to highlight the difference with he who had preceded him- night and day. Send him away, then I’ll cry.

Fried’s curve ball which he throws at two different speeds was nicely set up by a 93 mph 4 seam fastball and he was able throughout the evening to maintain good control which offered no rest to the hitters. Surely he has established himself in the rotation with this performance and suddenly things look brighter. He should not be corrupted by bullpen use.

Of course, then there was the offense. We produced 15 hits in all, many of the XBH variety in the 6 run fifth which settled the game. Cakes had his fourth career grand slam and a double. Acuna had homered earlier and added a double in an excellent evenings work at the plate. He must learn to throw to the right base though, his throwing motion under pressure no thing of beauty. Ozzie was back in form with his 27th double of the season plus 2 singles. Freddie poked a cue shot single against the shift. In every other respect he exercised no influence at all on the outcome of the game something that is becoming common lately but, at least, no strike outs tonight.

So an important evening that secured us the series rubber may also have uncovered a bright, young star of the future. Let’s move ahead from here.

 

Max Fried

it would be very strange indeed

if we were not wildly enthusiastic

Snit now insisting on a cloistered lifestyle, monastic.