part 3

Oswalt is pitching now, in the 3rd (and Clemens is warming up). Oswalt gave up an infield hit to Johnny Damon, and now a walk. Still nobody out. Then Ortiz singles to get Damon in. Sigh. Astros not showing themselves off too well here.

Derrek Lee doubles to lead off the 4th, off Santana. The AL is starting to substitute guys in the outfield - Ichiro and Garrett Anderson are in, Damon and Manny are out. Lee gets to third on a DP, but then Piazza grounds to 1st and that's that. (Piazza does that kind of thing way too much, which is why I've never been his biggest fan.)

Ha. Mastercard commercial with kids playing baseball in streets and back yards.

First base: 68 dollars
Second base (a lawn chair): 630 pesos
Third base (a car): 300,000 yen.

(And then a crash, naturally. Kids scatter.)

Home plate: priceless.

You could see it coming a mile away, but still cute.

(Do kids still play ball in the street, though? I can't remember the last time I saw them doing that.)


Livan Hernandez up next. He doesn't fare any better than Oswalt, because suddenly it's 2nd and 3rd, one out. Brian Roberts doubled down the 1st base line with Varitek already on. And... Ichiro singles them both in. 5-0. (If it stays like this, I'm giving up on the semi-play-by-play. Too depressing.)