Today, I felt like something different. It always seems like I’m featuring the same groups/artists. So, why not something else?
Sometimes, we need a break from the same old same old. Maybe that’s my way of saying something myself about how I feel. So, a little something unique sounding and long from a California band called Something Corporate which I know about because of one person. Someone I will always have a soft spot for.
Why do I like this song all this time later? Because it’s just different and we need that. There’s a lot of meaning behind the lyrics and how it’s played. I also really appreciate the way the piano blares out as Andrew McMahon sings it.
Something Corporate: “Konstantine”
I can’t imagine all the people that you know
and the places that you go
When the lights are turned down low
and I don’t understand all the things you’ve seen
but I’m slipping in between
You and your big dreams
It’s always you
In my big dreams
And you tell me that its over
wake up lying in a patch of four leaf clovers
and your restless
and im naked
you gotta get out
you cant stand to see me shakin
no
could u let me go?
i didnt think so
and youi dont wanna be here in the future
so you say the presants just a pleasant interuption to the past
and you dont wanna look much closer
cause ur afriad to find out all this hope
you had sent into the sky by now had
crashed
and it did
because of me
and then you bring me home
afraid to find out that your alone oh
and im sleeping in your living room
but we dont have much room to live
and i had these dreams in them i learned to play guitar
maybe cross the country
become a rock star
and there was hope in me that I could take you there
but damnit you’re so young
well i dont think i care
and if i hurt you
then im sorry
please dont think that this was easy
and then you bring me home
cause we both know what its like to be alone oh
and im dreaming in your living room
but we dont have much room to live
and konstantine is walking down the stairs
doesnt she look good
standing in her underware
and i was thinking
what i was thinkin
we’ve been drinkin and it doesnt get me anywhere
my konstantine came walking down the stairs
and all that i could do was touch her long blond hair
and ive been thinkin
but it hurts me thinking
that these nights when we were drinking
no they never got us anywhere
no
this is because i can spell confusion with a ‘K’
and i can like it
its to dying in anothers arms
and why i had to try it
its to jimmy eat world
and those nights in my car
when the first star you see
may not be a star
im not your star
isnt that what you said
what you thought this song meant
and if this is what it takes
just to lye with my mistakes
and live with what i did to you
all the hell i put you through
i always catch the clock
its 11:11
now you wanna talk
its not hard to dream
you’ll always be my konstantine
my konstantine
they’ll never hurt you like i do
no they’ll never hurt you like i do
no,no,no, no, no, no, no, no
this is to a girl
who got into my head
with all the pretty things she did
hey
ya know
you keep me up in bed
this is to a girl
who got into my head
with all these fucked up things i did
hey
maybe
baby you could keep me up in bed
my konstanine
you spin around me like a dream
we played out on this movie screen
and i said
did u know i missed you(x7)
i miss you
and then you bring me home
and we go to sleep
but this time not alone
and i know
and you’ll kiss me in your living room
i know
i know you miss me in your living room
cuz these nights i think
maybe that i miss you in my licing room
but we dont have much room
i said does anybody need that room
because we all need a little more room
to live
Record setting 15-time grand slam champion Roger Federer holds his sixth Wimbledon trophy after outlasting Andy Roddick 16-14 in an epic fifth set no one will ever forget.
There’s a new grand slam king and his name is Roger Federer. The magnificent 27 year-old Swiss Maestro gave a performance for the ages, serving up 50 aces and topping the century mark in winners (107)- outlasting American Andy Roddick, who played brilliantly but somehow fell just short in another five set Wimbledon final classic.
That’s what it took to become the all-time winningest men’s singles grand slam champion, capturing his record 15th major with previous record holder Pete Sampras looking on.
A year following arguably the greatest match ever in which the five-time champ lost to Rafael Nadal with the final score 9-7 in the final set, it was another one for the ages as Federer and Roddick went toe to toe for nearly four and a half hours before the gutsy 26 year-old No.6 seed cracked first, falling 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
Yes. The final set really was 16-14! It featured 30 total games and lasted longer (95 minutes) than Serena Williams’ straight set women’s championship win for her third crown over big sis Venus Williams a day before. Indeed, it was one of those matches where unfortunately, someone had to lose leaving fans heartbroken for Roddick, who really deserved better.
There’s no question that Andy’s overall game has improved leaps and bounds this season under new coach Larry Stefanki, who has finally gotten the talented American to buy into a new strategy. As he proved in a great semifinal win over London local favorite Andy Murray, Roddick continued to play the kind of all court game which made the heavy favorite Federer vulnerable. The game’s best server not only backed it up with vigor keeping one of the better returners off balance despite a 2-18 career head to head record but also mixed up his game slugging it out while also picking his spots, finishing points with rapid success at the net like never seen.
The new Andy also showed off his much improved backhand, steaming plenty down the line with winners even on the run reminding of Nadal. Before this year, you couldn’t even put the two in the same sentence. That’s the kind of true dedication this A-Rod’s put into his fitness, showing that just maybe the second part of his career can be more successful.
Perhaps that gave him added confidence along with some recent close matches where he pushed Roger this season with a couple going three sets. One down in Miami he should’ve won. Of course, you could easily argue the same today as Roddick put American men’s tennis back on the map with a virtuoso performance- the likes of which we have never seen before from the 2003 U.S. Open winner.
He’d always been a dangerous out due to his ridiculous serve and huge forehand. However, today Roddick put it all together demonstrating early on that it could be different this time, even if everyone had Federer running away with his record 15th grand slam and sixth trophy at the All England Club.
Indeed he didn’t flinch in a tightly contested opening set that looked headed to a tiebreak. But after showing plenty of guts escaping four breaking points with huge serving and hitting to hold for 6-5, a focused Roddick cashed in on a shaky game from Federer- converting his only break point by banging a deep backhand which drew a wide reply. A stunning conclusion that gave him the lead. Something he had in their first Wimbledon final in 2004 before blowing a set, break lead in which Roger was able to use a rain delay to recover for a four set repeat.
Much like that match, the two players played a game of chicken as each strongly held serve during an even closer second set which would require a breaker. Early on, it again was Federer who felt the pressure with all-time greats Sampras, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg all looking on from Centre Court. He misfired a forehand way long handing Roddick an early minibreak which the popular American was only too pleased to take eventually building a 6-2 lead, winning another point from the baseline with that improved backhand earning another miscue.
Suddenly, the crowd sensed what was happening. Would the champion fall behind two sets like last year? Instead, he provided the kind of resiliency one has come to expect, remarkably fighting off four set points before winning the next two, making it six unanswered to take the second.
How did such a houdini act occur? First, Federer pulled off a very tough baseline backhand half volley winner crosscourt to get one mini back for 3-6. Then, he banged two big serves suddenly pulling within 5-6. Perhaps Roddick thought about the moment because he was in great position at the net to claim the set but steered a high backhand volley way wide to level it. All he had to do was put it back in the open court. Instead, momentum swung with Federer then using a strong backhand pass to draw an error before getting a Roddick long backhand to draw even.
Would Andy be able to recover from such a bitter disappointment? He answered quickly by showing nerves of steel holding serve again to start the third. You could tell how badly he wanted that first Wimbledon. If he was going to lose, it would be on his terms. With one of the greatest servers looking on in Sampras, there was Roddick putting on a serving display that would make the seven-time Wimbledon and 14-time slam legend proud as he sat with shades on next to lovely wife Bridgette Wilson.
By now, it became apparent he wasn’t going away hardly allowing Federer a crack. In all their slam matches, Roddick had never been able to hold off his nemesis like this. It was truly something to behold. Despite not finding a way to break- something he grew accustomed to in the epic defeat to Nadal- Roger remained focused going serve for serve to force another breaker.
The quality of the points were terrific with each trying to gain an edge by finding new angles. There was Roddick making stab half volley winners and coming up with ridiculous winners like the curling crosscourt forehands he’d used so efectively against Murray. Predictably, there also was the precision of Federer, who banged his forehand from everywhere. If the Swiss Maestro was to make history, it was needed.
The third breaker this time saw Federer assume early control going up 5-1 but Roddick didn’t budge getting back in it with an inside out forehand winner crosscourt for one mini making it 3-6. After two big serves, suddenly it was just like the second set with it on Roger’s racket. Could he do what Roddick couldn’t? The answer was provided immediately with him kicking one out wide that Andy scrambled to get back but Feds disposed of a short reply with a forehand winner letting out his traditional, “Come on!”
Suddenly, the end seemed in sight. Roddick never cracked continuing to play the same aggressive game that had gotten him closer to beating Federer in a slam final than ever before. He continued to pound his serve making it tough. Finally, Andy found an opening breaking for 3-1 with another brilliant point that got an error, giving a huge emotional pump of the fist.
Federer didn’t go down easily in the next game getting to 15-30 but Roddick served his way out of trouble. Every time he needed one, he delivered. Towards the fourth set’s conclusion, he accidentally slipped on a worn baseline nearly turning something. It was clear that he was hobbled which Federer took advantage of for a quick hold. Looking to break back at 3-5, Federer got the first couple of points including a forehand up the line for Love-30. With the crowd urging Roddick on, he again responded with clutch serving eventually coming back to hold, forcing a fifth set against Federer for the first time in their 21st meeting.
And so, the crowd would get another treat as for the third consecutive year, here was another epic men’s final going the distance. A place where three-time Wimbledon champ Boris Becker had once uttered a memorable quote about it being a test of wills.
That would be put to a true test in what became the longest fifth set in championship history. In the second game, Roddick fought off a break point to hold for one all. That was it for a while as both players ratcheted up the level with remarkable serving, great shotmaking and few errors. It was truly the kind of sporting event any observer could appreciate.
The way Andy was serving, it looked like it would be a tall order for Federer- an above average server in his own right to pull this off. Somehow, he kept dialing up aces going out wide in the ad court time and time again while effectively mixing up the tee on the Deuce side. Never before had the great champion had so many aces, winding up with nearly half the 50 in the fifth. It was 21 or 22.
Roddick did well himself finishing with 27. While that seemed equally shocking because he’s the best server, it’s also due to Federer who gets a lot of balls back even if some didn’t come close. Here was the American hoping it was finally his day with the only two breaks of the match but wondering what he had to do to win. Federer had to be thinking similarly against an opponent he’d handled.
Up 5-4, 6-5, 7-6 and 8-7 in the deciding set, Federer couldn’t put away Roddick who kept coming up with the goods in sudden death. Would the moment finally get to him like last year? After Roddick held for eight apiece, here came his chance nailing a forehand winner for 15-40 setting up double break point. It may as well have been championship point with the kind of zone he was in. But before the blink of an eye, there was Roger delivering a service winner and then kicking one out and striking a daring trademark volley forehand winner inside the baseline. One foul up and it would’ve been enough to lose. Instead, he saved them and dug out of trouble to hold for 9-8.
The battle of wills continued into double digits with many observers wondering how long it would go. You had two players playing at a ridiculously high level with remarkable winner/error ratios (Roddick-74/33, Federer-107/38). It bordered on absurd.
You got the feeling when he struck ace 50 that Feds could still lose. In fact, never before in tennis history had a player won a match with that many aces. Roddick also had experience escaping a similar contest down under six years ago against Younes El Aynaoui, prevailing 21-19 in the fifth with both saving seven match points before the American won. It remains the longest fifth set in grand slam history.
This was unchartered territory for Federer. Would he show any more leaks? That became a resounding no as he dialed up his play nailing more aces and cracking more winners to continue holding, applying the pressure on Roddick.
Finally in the 30th game, Andy cracked. Playing two loose points by misfiring badly, he was two points from losing. Urged on by plenty of supporters despite the momentous occasion, he quickly replied with two consecutive points squaring at 30-all. Just when it looked like he might escape, an errant forehand suddenly setup championship point.
With the crowd moaning, it was finally over when Roddick missed a backhand long sending an extremely overjoyed Federer to jump up and down screaming while pumping his fists. He then ran to the net congratulating a heartbroken Roddick, who somehow didn’t tear up sitting in his chair head down.
It was a memorable scene. One which NBC commentator John McEnroe identified with after losing a similar classic to Borg. Of course, Federer related during a great trophy presentation noting last year’s gutwrenching loss to which Roddick sarcastically replied:
“But you won five already.“
“Roger is a true champion and he deserves all he gets,” he added while showing class during a trying time with stunning swimsuit model/wife Brooklyn Decker looking on still cheering her man.
“I hope to come back one day and get my name up on that winners’ board.“
So do we because you deserved better. Keep your head up Andy. After he’d left the court minus talking to McEnroe (could hardly blame him), there were four tennis legends together discussing Federer’s place with an excited Mac getting their thoughts. Federer even took a picture with Sampras, Laver and Borg with his newest trophy. One for the ages.
“In my book, Roger is the greatest of all time. He has his critics and people point to Rafael Nadal beating him, but for me he’s the greatest. He is a legend and an icon,” Sampras praised.
“He is a great champion and a good guy. He’s very humble, which I like.“
Strong words from a man who was dethroned by a much younger Federer in 2001. Too bad it was their only match on grass as it went five. Who’s better? I guess that debate shall rage on. As for becoming the new record holder, Federer was philosophical.
“I didn’t hold the trophy last year. But it feels great after such a crazy match which could have gone on for a few more hours. My head is still spinning.
“Getting 15 Grand Slam titles is not something you dream about when you are a little boy, but I’ve had a great career.
“It’s been quite a month winning the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back just like Bjorn Borg did.
“I don’t play to break records but it’s great to have them.“
About what we’ve come to expect from such a classy champion. So, will Roddick ever win another major? He seemed to think so praising his opponent during the ceremony also adding:
“Andy (Roddick) played an unbelievable tournament. He’s a great guy but there has to be a winner sometimes.”
What wasn’t uttered is that there has to be a loser. Though few could argue that on this special day, there was no loser.
Can Andy Roddick stand in the way of tennis history against Roger Federer? Find out Sunday in the Wimbledon final.
A familiar face will be standing in Roger Federer’s way if he plans to make tennis history in Sunday’s Wimbledon final- his seventh straight.
American Andy Roddick made his first final at the All England Club since losing for a second straight year back in 2005 to Federer. After the five-time Wimbledon champ disposed of German Tommy Haas in a close three sets, the 26 year-old Roddick showed great form in besting England’s new hope Andy Murray- winning a tight four setter 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5).
Tremendous match by Andy in a Davis Cup atmosphere with most of Centre Court pulling for the 22 year-old Scot to finally erase the demons. Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait another year for him to try to become the first Great Brit to win there since Fred Perry (1936).
That was due to Roddick, who played arguably the finest match of his career outslugging Murray from the baseline while also being the aggressor winning 64 percent from the net (48 of 75) including a gutsy volley winner that saved a set point in the third breaker. It turned out to be the difference along with his powerful, accurate serve with him making 75 percent of first serves and winning 77 percent. Murray didn’t serve poorly by any means but only made 52 percent first serves even though he won a higher percentage (83).
The difference was a more focused Roddick was better on the bigger points. What was most impressive is that he came up with the kind of hitting from both sides of the racket we haven’t seen with him remaining steady hitting through the backhand while producing some sizzling crosscourt forehands to take control of points.
All the more stunning was that Murray outaced Roddick 25-21 and even finished with 12 more winners (Murray-76, Roddick-64) in what was one of the cleanest matches you’ll see. There weren’t many mistakes as Roddick had 24 unforced errors while Murray committed 20. This was just pure tennis with both guys competing at a very high level.
That Roddick stayed with the plan attacking the net with vigor when he had the opportunity proved to be the difference. He really picked his spots well and stuck his volleys. Sure. Murray passed him a bunch with some mesmerizing shots that make you believe he’ll be winning slams soon enough. Maybe even at this year’s U.S. Open. But the constant pressure from Andy made it tough on the best returner in the game.
That along with the huge serving kept the his 22 year-old younger foe from taking firm control. Each man broke twice with both able to trade 6-4 scores the first two sets. In the third’s opening game, Roddick dugout of love-40 frustrating Murray, who was broken a few games later. But with Andy serving for the set, he tightened and Murray broke back getting it to a tiebreaker. But the 2009 leader didn’t break saving set point with a mishit volley winner and then claiming the set on a well played point to pull within one of his third Wimbledon final.
The fourth set was even more dramatic with neither big man cracking as each held serve with more pressure on Roddick staying in the set twice to force another breaker. Early in it, he got a minibreak when Murray misfired drawing groans from the crowd. But the feisty Scot fought back coming up with a huge backhand crosscourt winner to save one match point. But just when it seemed he’d get it back even, a hustling Roddick got a wicked first serve back eventually getting in the point.
When the opportunity arose, he took it hitting a big forehand cross approach which a scattering Murray hit short into the net, giving the emotional American a date with destiny.
“To be honest, the last couple of years, I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to play for another Grand Slam title,†Roddick said holding back tears while model wife Brooklyn Decker cheered on her man. “Now I get to. It’s just a dream.â€
“If he serves like that, he’s got a chance against anyone,” Murray acknowledged after seeing his head-to-head record versus Roddick slip to 6-3.
Now, he’ll be the last one standing in the way of history with Federer looking to eclipse former American great Pete Sampras by capturing a record 15th grand slam. A year after Rafael Nadal broke his heart, can he do it against a close rival who he’s lost just two matches to in 20 times?
“I’ve had plenty of time to study his game, to understand his game,†Federer said. “He’s always played me also quite differently every single time.â€
“Obviously you can’t really say enough to kind of signify what Roger’s career has been to this point,†Roddick said while appropriately adding:
“I’d love to delay it for another Grand Slam.â€
It will be Federer’s 20th career Grand Slam final. Will it be lucky this Fourth of July weekend?
“I’m very proud of all the records I’ve achieved, because I never thought I would be that successful as a kid. You know, I would have been happy winning a couple tournaments and maybe collecting Wimbledon,†the 27-year-old Federer said.
While many other things get attention here, I could care less because this weekend, Roger Federer is chasing history. That assumes he gets the better of veteran German Tommy Haas, who gave him all he wanted in Paris before the Fed Express rallied from two sets down en route to finally completing the career grand slam with his straight set win over Robin Soderling. The same guy he straighted in a tighter Round of 16 Wimbledon match.
Watching Federer all these years dominate tennis a la Pistol Pete Sampras, who he’s currently tied with in slams (14), it always amazes how artistic the 27 year-old Swede looks. He can strike breathtaking shots turning them into a Picasso painting. No wonder he’s nicknamed The Maestro. Whether it’s that running forehand much like Sampras, the backhand up the line, one of those sneaky droppers or textbook volleys, the man does everything so smoothly. Kinda like the Gilette shaving commercial he promotes with close buddy Tiger Woods. Even the serve which has always been the most overlooked aspect of his game because he doesn’t hit as many aces as Pete did, Feds just knows when to come up with the goods, using great placement and saves the aces for the dramatic.
It’s just so easy to appreciate what Federer has been over these six years with it all starting on the fresh lawns of the All England Club in 2003. So many detractors had him dead and buried when Rafael Nadal dethroned the King last year in arguably the greatest match ever. And even after Federer rebounded to win a ridiculous fifth consecutive U.S. Open for No.13, the same people still denounced him after that meltdown in the fifth against Rafa down under. It wasn’t so much that they had crowned Nadal but the way they treated such a great champion was maddening.
It was almost like they’d forgotten everything Roger did. How remarkable he’d been. Few dominate any sport the way he has. Not even Tiger holds a candle. Look how long it took him to win 14. And now, here’s an athlete aiming for 15 slam titles in six years. Unheard of in a sport where players frequently burnout at tender ages. Not the Federer Express.
Might it have been different had Rafa not lost to Soderling last month and was healthy enough to defend his title? Possibly. But no matter what happens the next three days, it won’t lessen what Roger has done. If he does it, no one can ever take it away from him.
And wouldn’t it be fitting if he had to face old American rival Andy Roddick on Sunday? That’s if A-Rod can muster enough energy today versus adopted Brit Andy Murray following a great five set win over another former No.1 Lleyton Hewitt.
Today, we get the kind of tennis that will be remembered forever. Even minus Nadal, you have three of the four guys you’d want for such possible history. Tremendous credit goes out to Haas for being in top form to beat Novak Djokovic. The Andy versus Andy semi could be one to cherish. It has all the makings of something special. Roddick trying to get back to a Wimbledon final. Murray with all the pressure on him to take one giant step closer to becoming the first Great Britain player to win the big trophy since Fred Perry back in 1936.
Everyone expects Federer to get through against Haas but figure the German to push him. He’s always been such a great competitor. So, we could see plenty of long rallies from the baseline.
Of course, I’m rooting for Roger. But as John McEnroe has said many times over on NBC:
“The sport of tennis has won.“
No matter what, that’s the sentiment.
-Kudos to Serena Williams on her well fought three set semifinal win over Russian Elena Dementieva- taking the final set 8-6 after saving a match point at 4-5 and digging out of a 0-30 hole the next service game. She maybe cocky but has tremendous heart which always seems to show on the big points like that backhand volley that saved her against a quality opponent, who played as well as possible. This looked like a great match. Based on the final few games we caught on the ESPN Insta Classic replay, the ball striking was tremendous with each combatant going toe to toe like two boxers. Dementieva certainly didn’t have anything to be disappointed about as she gave as good as she got putting Serena on the ropes. The 10-time slam winner earned it in what amounted to the longest women’s semi in Wimbledon history, lasting two hours and 45 minutes. Great stuff.
-No surprise that it will once again be a repeat of last year- an all Williams final with older sis and two-time defending champion Venus dismantling overrated No.1 Russian Dinara Safina, dropping only one game. Yikes. I feel sorry for Safina and hope she can learn from what’s happened to her at the first three slams. As for Venus, she’s going for a third consecutive crown and aiming for No.6 in London. How impressive would that be. You’d have to start mentioning her in the same breath as all-time great Martina Navratilova, who only took home a record nine crowns. Venus is just unbelievable on grass. I know Serena’s the toughest opponent she could face but I really feel she’ll make it No.6 tomorrow. It should be worth waking up early for.
-Good on Venus defending poor Safina. When a journalist tried to say the women’s game is in a bad state, the elegant Williams didn’t mince words:
“Are you trying to be down on women’s tennis. You’re trying to be down, basically. I don’t deal with down at all. I’m just making sure you’re not trying to be down because I respect Dinara Safina immensely and I think you should too.â€
Of course, she’s right. Sure. It’s extremely disappointing that Safina, who’s ranked No.1 didn’t offer any resistance. But that’s not Venus’ fault. Sometimes, it happens that way. Heck. Safina even admitted early in the tournament that this was her weakest surface. So, it was a little surprising she made the semis. She had to fight off former champ Amelie Mauresmo and surprising German teen Sabine Lisicki just to get there. In the same rounds, Venus dropped only five total games in wins over seeds Ana Ivanovic (ret.) and Agnieszka Radwanska. That might have had an affect.
-Is the women’s game lacking? Perhaps. But Maria Sharapova’s not ready yet to seriously challenge as was proven in her second round disappointment. There are some young talents like Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka, who could be heard from. And you have to like what we saw from Georgia teen Melanie Oudin. So, it’s not entirely accurate. Next month, Kim Clijsters returns for the U.S. Open. That should give it a boost. It might also help if 2008 runner-up Jelena Jankovic remembered the form that made her a serious threat. It was nice to see Dementieva have a nice run following her poor showing in Roland Garros. If only she knew how to win.
-Sometimes, things go in cycles. The men’s game used to just be Federer before Nadal challenged him. Then, Djokovic and Murray emerged and Roddick has gotten back in solid form. Soderling looks like he’s not going away. Aside from that, what makes the men’s game so compelling is that there are always upsets. Though I called Hewitt’s big second round win over rising Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, whose game is just not as polished on grass. Ditto young Croat Marin Cilic, who was edged by Haas 10-8 in the fifth earlier this tournament.
With grinders like Fernando Verdasco and Nikolay Davydenko plus big hitters Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Fernando Gonzalez, the rest of the season should be entertaining.
Staten Island Yankee right fielder Deangelo Mack takes his lead from second.
STATEN ISLAND, NY-When you’re hot, you’re hot. That’s the feeling the Rob Lyerly and the Baby Bombers had again following the third baseman’s clutch two out walkoff hit, sending Staten Island (5-6) to a 4-3 win over Aberdeen in 11 innings for its fourth consecutive victory last night before a fifth home sellout (7,171) in St. George.
“The pitchers did a great job getting the game,” the hero said in the winner’s dugout after being mobbed on the field by pumped up teammates. “We got 10 hits and everyone in the lineup hit and hit well. Great game. Great win.”
His big hit gave those who remained for all 11 innings following a 62-minute rain delay something to be happy about. And why not? After all, the loyal fans showed tremendous patience waiting for someone to break the 3-3 tie which lasted four and a half innings.
Till that point, right fielder Deangelo Mack’s sixth inning opposite field run scoring two-base hit seemed like forever by the time this well pitched game had reached the 11th. Would someone finally breakthrough? Aberdeen squandered chances in the ninth and 11th including leaving the bases loaded after Staten Island reliever Griffin Bailey momentarily lost the plate with two out. However, the righty recovered to fan Mike Mooney putting up another zero for the Baby Bombers’ pen.
Following a Kyle Higashioka one out walk, it didn’t look like much was doing when earlier RBI man Neil Medchill flied out for the second out. But like they’ve done during this streak, the gritty Bombers stayed with it thanks to a Mack clean single to center moving the winning run into scoring position. After pinch runner Emerson Landoni came in for Higashioka, first baseman Luke Murton put together a great at bat fouling off pitches before earning a walk to load the bases.
That set the stage for Lyerly, who wasted little time lining a sharp single to right off IronBirds reliever Jose Barajas, who took the loss.
“I was lucky to be up there. Just fortunate. Like I said, it’s not me. It’s God,” Lyerly observed.
“Kyle had a great at bat. D-Mac had a big hit. Murt had a great at bat. It was a great inning. When Mech hit the ball, I thought it was gone. But it was a great game. Great win. And I just feel blessed.“
The night started off well for the home club, who put up a quick two spot following a 1-2-3 first from 19 year-old starter Arodys Vizcaino, who in his third outing pitched well striking out seven in four frames- allowing a two-run homer to Mooney in the third. Otherwise, he was near perfect tossing 70 pitches.
Before Mooney went yard off the top of the right center wall, Staten Island jumped out in front thanks to Higashioka sacrifice fly and a Medchill RBI double just inside the first baseline, plating Zoilo Almonte after he’d swiped second.
With the game still tied, the IronBirds went ahead in the fifth off Bomber reliever Kelvin Perez courtesy of a Blake Davis sac fly. However, despite starting with a single and double with Perez even botching a pickoff that allowed Mooney to move to third, that’s all they could muster. Perez buckled down by getting Tom Baxter to ground out to short and then got Tyler Townsend swinging to escape further damage.
That was it for Aberdeen as Perez settled in tossing two scoreless before handing the ball over to Ryan Flannery (1 IP, 2 K’s), Ryan Marte (2 IP, 2 H, 3 K’s) and Bailey, who got the win despite loading the bases.
“We got a great group of guys. We’re getting along great. Having a lot of fun in the locker room,” Lyerly noted.
And even though we’ve been together for 12 games now or something, I feel like we’re really getting to know each other better and having a lot more fun.”
If they’re all like this, he could be onto something.
Notes: Staten Island pitchers combined to strikeout 15 IronBirds. On the flipside, Aberdeen pitchers only K’d five S.I. Yanks. … Ironbird starter Patrick Kantakevich pitched alright, holding the Bombers to just two runs though he walked four in four and two thirds. … Scott Mueller tossed two scoreless for the Birds before Barajas gave it up. … Four Bombers finished with multi-hit games including Higashioka, Medchill, Mack and speedy second baseman Jimmy Paredes, who swiped two more bases hiking his total to seven which is tied for the NY-Penn League lead.
… Due to the rain plus extras, the game took a combined four hours and 43 minutes (3:41). … Staten Island visits Lowell for three before the Spinners return the favor starting Saturday night on Independence Day with first pitch at 7 PM. Sunday’s game is a matinee and Monday concludes an odd half dozen against the Red Sox affiliate.
Just the beginning of one of the greatest rappers ever!
