RAIN, MAN

We went to the Blue Rocks game with the sky still looking threatening and a few drops of drizzle coming down. We figured we'd either see a game, or at least pick up our rain checks at the Will Call window. Surprisingly, the parking lot was jammed, and we picked up our tickets and sat down in our box seats along the third base line. It started pouring worse than ever right about at game time. A grade school marching band played the anthem while I ran out to the car to grab the free Blue Rocks umbrellas we got last year. The grounds crew was putting the tarp down as I got back, and we sat desultorily for about a half hour under the umbrellas. Finally, the rain abated, they pulled off the tarp, and it was time to play ball.

That lasted about one half-inning. After the Winston-Salem pitcher completed his warmups in the bottom of the first, the rain started up in earnest again, and the umps called everyone in after Rocks shortstop Iggy Suarez hit a groundout. We sat for a few more minutes listening to rain-themed pop songs blaring from the loudspeaker, and then went home.

The Phillies fared a little better, or worse, I suppose. They started on time, and got a few innings in before their first rain delay. The bottom of the Marlins order conspired for two runs in the second on a LoDuca walk, a Lowell double, and a Gonzalez 2-run single. We got one back in the fourth when Gonzalez blew a double-play ball by Thome, allowing Burrell to take third. Lieby then bounced into a fielder's choice to score Pat. Then some more rain.

They played the fifth, and were delayed again, and by then it was 10 PM, so I went to bed. Apparently they also played the sixth before finally deciding to call it at 2-1. Another loss. So, like the little league team we are, we lose in six innings. I hope they got some ice cream.

Today's matchup as we try to avoid the sweep is their ace, Josh Beckett vs. our number four, Cory Lidle. Lidle's been OK this year, and Beckett, though often overpowering, doesn't win as often as you would think. I'll be out hitting golf balls getting ready for the golf season, which starts tomorrow in our work league. I'll catch as much as I can on the car radio. We need this one bad. Six games out on May 1st is a lot worse than four games out on May 1st. Ok, both are terrible, but you have to have some hope.