Yesterday the Tacoma Rainiers (21-27) split a doubleheader against the Nashville Sounds. The Rainiers took the first game by a score of 4-1 and lost the second game 3-2.
Both contests were good, competitive games that either team could have won. So, accordingly, they split the wins. Not much you can say about that other than splitting a doubleheader is better than losing both games and worse than winning both games. Of course, that's so freaking obvious, it's hardly worth writing. Hardly.
What isn't obvious is the magnificence of a baseball doubleheader. For the players, a doubleheader must be akin to clocking in for forced overtime. But for the fan, a doubleheader brings home all the greatness of baseball. Double the number of hotdogs. Double the number of beers. Double the number of heckles shouted at the opposing team. Double the header... double the baseball... double the fun!
Except, when I tuned into yesterday's games on MiLB.TV they didn't exactly look like fun. To be honest, it looked cold, damp and miserable. Doubleheader on a cool, Tacoma evening? No thank you. I'd much rather take my couch.
-In Minor League doubleheaders, one doesn't exactly get double the amount of baseball. Minor League doubleheader games only last seven innings each. Seven innings? That reminds me of the last time I played baseball in the seventh grade. I'm pretty sure in Prep 13 the games only went six innings. But I can't be positive. I spent so much time on the bench it felt like the games lasted a lifetime.
-In both of yesterday's games the Rainiers lacked any serious production from the bottom third of the lineup. Outfielder Johan Limonta went 0-for-6 over both games. Ryan Langerhans went 0-for-5 over both games. The catchers Josh Bard and Jose Yepez both went 0-for-3 in their respective games. If the team wants to continue its winning ways, production by the bottom third, or even half, of the order will certainly need to improve.
-The second game of the doubleheader debuted Rainiers knuckleball pitcher Charlie Haeger. Haeger quickly became my must-see pitcher this season. Why? Because I love knuckleballers. So wild, so unpredictable. Case in point: Haeger only allowed one hit last night but walked six batters. Six batters in four innings. That's entertainment.
The Rainiers leave the safety and rain of Cheney and head to Las Vegas for a four game series against the 51s starting tonight.
Since Monday at the ballpark in Las Vegas features a special $1 menu, we got to thinking... Who on the Rainiers could scarf the most hotdogs? Carp? Tuiasosopo? Or Mr. Manager, Daren Brown? Now that's a competition we'd like to see seven innings of.