Rivercats and Fun

In the last two nights the Rivercats have played 22 innings. In both nights they won the game in the bottom of the last inning. Tonight Richie Robnet hit a line drive shot which scored Justin Knoedler (who had been substituted for Powell). In the bottom of the eighth the Cats almost had the game stolen from then when Cliff Pennington was called out for stealing third. Unfortunately, from where we were sitting he should have been safe. Tod Steverson beefed the call, as he should have, and that got him thrown out of the game. Saarloos threw 107 pitches and 77 strikes. But he left the game with us behind. We've had only 10 hits in the last two games - but that has been enough. We've won the last three games which brings us from 2-8 on Thursday to 5-5 tonight.

Last night, in the 13th (in what was a four hour game) Casey Rogowski hit a ground rule double which scored Knoedler. On Friday night we had a six run fiesta in the fourth inning. That was after a pretty dismal prior 10 days.

Knoedler has not had an ideal season. He's played in a bit more than half the games that Landon Powell has played in and his batting average has been a slim .178. In 157 at bats he has had 17 extra base hits including six homers. Powell has had about 120 more at bats but 35 more hits. But for the last two nights, he has been the guy to run in the winning run. And that should count for more than a little.

This is the time in the season when games begin to count. We are currently 4 1/2 games ahead of Las Vegas in the division. But among the division leaders we have the weakest record. That doesn't mean much when you get into the playoffs. In AAA ball it is all about peaking with enthusiasm. If the last three games are a temperature of the team - it looks pretty good.