Shocks and Houston Play Eight

[1972Shocker]

What's the rule when a batter hits the ball almost straight down? Sometimes they let the play occur, other times it's a foul ball? What's the deciding factor?

Note that home plate is in fair territory. If a ball is hit straight down and ends up being touched by the defense or stops in fair territory it is a fair ball. If a ball hit straight down ends up in foul territory before it is touched or when it stops it is a foul ball. Note that if the batter makes contact with a fair ball the batter is out.

https://www.baseball-rules.com/fairfoul.htm

Also a ball can start of fair, roll foul and then back fair before it is touched in fair territory or stops on fair territory is a fair ball. Doesn't happen often but it has happened.

[WuDrWu]

Wallace grounds out accidentally, Kocis misses a 2-2 fastball up that he should have murdered into the Gulf of Mexico and Bartlett flies out deep.


Still tied, bottom of the 6th.

[WuDrWu]

Hernandez leads off with a 9 pitch walk. Fully expected Houston to bunt but they swing away their best hitter and flyout.

Rivas then bunts the runner over before the next hitter flies out.

On to the 7th still tied. Preston at 88 pitches.

[WuDrWu]

Weak top of the 7th, Gibby grounds out to first then Harris and Ingram K. Henry at 89 pitches. Bottom 7 still tied.

[WuDrWu]

Bottom 7 and Snavely works quickly getting a foul out, a 3 pitch K and then the 9th place hitter Lovelace fouls out. Through 7 Preston is at 100 pitches.

On to the 8th still tied. Shocks will have Stewart then the top of the order, the Cougs will start at the top.

Next run probably wins.

[WuDrWu]

Stewart can't bunt his way on then Sigrist gets a 2-0 count. Instead of being patient he swings and lines out. Stroh grounds out to end the inning.

Bottom 8 still tied. Edit: Stumpy in to work the 8th.

[WuDrWu]

Cadena replaces Harris as well. Stumpy gets Uhse to line out, Almendarez grounds out to 3rd and Hernandez grounds out to end the inning.

Good quick inning for Stumpy who has pitched well this season. On to the 9th tied at 2.

Shocks will have the heart of the order, Wallace, Kocis and Bartlett. Sure would be nice to get one here, anyway you can.

[shocks02]

Goodbye! Should have pulled Henry ya Coogs.

[WuDrWu]

And Wallace promptly loses the 1st pitch over the left field wall and it's 3-2 Shox!!!!!!!!

[shocks02]

Do you bring in Haase for the 9th now or leave in Steumpfig since he’s warm?

[WuDrWu]

Kocis grounds out, Bartlett doubles and that should be it for Henry.

[WuDrWu]

Gibby needs a quality at bat here and frankly needs to drive in Bartlett. He's been struggling and could use a confidence boost.

This is one of those times he needs to be sitting dead red and jump on any fastball.

[WuDrWu]

Is that belt high cheat sheet Houston pitchers uses really legal?

[WuDrWu]

I should have been paying attention, but with a lefty pitcher, Cornblum PHs. He flies out for out 2. Cadena flies out and they'll have to make the 3-2 lead hold.


Stay with Stumpy or bring in Haase?

[WuDrWu]

It's Hasse.

Let's get nasty Aaron.