Week Seven: Summary of Series

Sass Win! Sass Win!!
Champagne, Ghetto Cub Balloons! Pancake Cake!
By Beth Sass / hereforthesass.blogspot.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- In a miraculous moment, the Here for the Sass teampulled off a 6-4 win over the Mmmm…Guinness team.

“WE WON! WE WON!” was the telephone call to Nice, prompting both Beth and Dawn to fly back to Minneapolis to join the team in celebrating with the fans, as the team finished the series on the road. Over 32,000 fans showed up to celebrate with the Sass at Sass Stadium.

“I was completely shocked to walk into Sass Stadium and see that many people there to cheer for us. I know we have loyal, devoted crowds, and we sell-out every night, but this wasn’t even the World Series, but judging by the fans reactions, it might as well have been,” said Sass first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. He admitted that tears came to his eyes to see such support.

“It’s Sunday night. They have to get to work or school in the morning, and yet they came out to Sass Stadium, just to celebrate with us. I never knew we meant that much to these people,” said shortstop Carlos Guillen.

The Sass managed to pull out the win with hard work by both the pitching and the offense. The offense won four, while the pitching won two, and tied two.

“If only I had watched for Lyle,” lamented newest Sass pitcher Chan Ho Park, “I might’ve been able to strike out one more, and we could’ve won that.”

Sass first baseman/outfielder Adam Dunn and third baseman Edwin Encarnacion were seen staring at the “win” category realizing that just a couple extra hits by them could’ve given Sass pitcher Aaron Harang another win, rather than a 0-1 loss.

“So close, just…so close,” Adam muttered. e.e. gave Harang a box of Legos in apology.

The hitting could be summed up with: the Michael Cuddyer and Jermaine Dye show, although all Sassian position players worked hard for the 4-2 victory in hitting stats. The breakdown was: runs (24-28), home runs (7-5), RBI (28-24), stolen bases (5-3), walks (24-20), and average (.318-.308).

“There was no one person we could’ve done without. Losing Jermaine or Michael would’ve hurt us the most, but everyone’s stats were important. The races were too close for any one person to not contribute,” Beth said.

The team leaders were: runs, Michael (5); home runs, Jermaine (2); RBI, Michael and Jermaine (7); stolen bases, Michael, Carlos Guillen, and Little Nicky Punto (1); walks, Michael (6); and average, Placido Polanoc (.450).

The pitching scores were even closer: wins (2-2), saves (0-2), strike-outs (37-37), holds (3-4), ERA (4.30-4.81), and (1.38-1.49).

“We were tied in strike-outs? Not one pitcher could get just one more strike-out? That’s amazing,” Dawn said. “They owe me a new pair of shoes for that!”

The individual team leaders for starters were: wins, Kristin Benson and Aaron Cook (1); saves, N/A; strike-outs, Aaron H. (17; two starts); and ERA and WHIP, Kristin (1.00 and 0.78). For the relievers, the leaders were: wins, N/A; saves: N/A; strike-outs, Ambiorix Burgos (4); holds, Brandon Medders (2); ERA, Carlos Silva and Matt Guerrier (0.00); and WHIP, Matt (0.69).

“This was a good showing, even with our usual weekend collapse. C’mon lads! We can do it again!” was the rallying cry from Beth and Dawn, as they got on the plane to return to Nice. Both are expected to return to the Sass later this week, possibly Tuesday.