Josh's departure left a hole in the TargetRx outfield almost as big as the hole it left in his teammates hearts. Luckily, hibernation season ended, and Young Johnson aka "Bear" was able to make a game, and even was in charge of the promotions- a ProAir HFA hat with a meaningless P on the front, awarded to the first 10 players to show up. However, to prove that while he is gone, he is not forgotten, the team continued to josh around with the new leftfielder's name, leading him to say "did this dude just call me Josh," about 20 times. Yes, John, this dude did just call you Josh.
In addition to Remington's position in left, a brand new outfield alignment was put in place for this game. Easy Ed took over duties in left center, with hopes (by both himself and his teammates) that he wouldn't have to run very far. Each time he did have to run, either in the outfield or on the bases, the crowd would say "Eaaasy, Ed," praying he wouldn't injure himself. On the right side of the outfield, Mike locked down right center while James practiced his sorcery in right. Known best for his curse placed on the TRx softball team for refusing to officially proclaim English as their primary language (sources place him in Arizona when Josh was deported), or name Olde English as their beverage of choice, James was looking to strike again.
As the game began, Terry was still missing in action. Apparently, he was looking to let the 98 Degrees of heat dissipate before he planned on getting 'N Sync with his Backstreet Boys as the New Kid On The Block. But without Old Demps to mangle the lineup, the whole team almost fell apart before GLG finally used his bulbous dome to come up with the plan to switch Mento and Terry's position in the lineup, as a catastrophe worse than the looming debt crisis was narrowly averted.
After hits by Brian and GLG, KB went up to the plate looking to ensure Terry would make it before TRx had to play defense. His initial plan was to do one of two things- hit balls deep into the woods (where WTU could find them), or not swing the bat at all. Laziness won out as in an a first, he didn't swing at all and took a walk on four pitches, surprising even himself. As the ump called Ball Four and KB walked to first base, he promised to celebrate his tremendous feat of self-discipline (laziness) by doing the opposite, and reenacting all of the shenanigans that occurring in Jim Bouton's classic, Ball Four, putting his status for next game in doubt even though it isn't for 2 weeks (as long as that idiotic 6:30 Friday night game is cancelled next week).
A flurry of hits followed by JR, Ed, and Mike, as TRx jumped out to a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, with Terry back from visiting a land Down Under to be a Man at Work, the toll that Greg's coming up with the switch of Bob and Terry quickly impacted the game. After a few routine base hits, Liquient had runners on second and third. TRx almost got out of the inning with no damage, as the runner on third refused to run home, despite a ground ball deep to short, and a fly ball to the outfield. However, just when TRx thought they would escape, a slow ground ball (slower than the TRx defense usually takes the field) headed/bulbous domed toward GLG. The pretzel in his head still tying his brain in knots, GLG let the ball roll through his legs (which is the first time anything has been between them in 9 months plus however old Zoe is now), as Liquient scored 2 runs to get on the board. No further damage was done, as TRx got out of the inning leading 5-2.
TRx continued to inflict damage on offense, as they quickly discovered Liquients weaknesses- fly balls to left, pop ups to the pitcher, or pretty much anything hit anywhere (not to mention the always dangerous walk). Somehow, the random nonsense that the Liquient scorekeeper kept yelling (like such gems as "look where his feet are pointing") did not help their defense, although in fairness, their defense did not help their defense either...
Other offensive highlights include GLG partially redeeming himself for his earlier miscue with his first non-Oppo-Boppo of the season, Mike striking out but at least giving the team a nice breeze with his powerful hack, and Christin and Gabriela both reaching base multiple times, including starting a rally after Mike's K. JR picked up multiple hits as well (which he specifically requested be mentioned), including a powerfully hit double that the second baseman dropped. Somehow John managed to get GLG forced out at third multiple times, each time yelling from first "Not my fault... Greg's fault." GLG almost picked up a K himself, as he went for an Oppo Boppo despite two strikes on him, popping it up towards the pitcher. All the pitcher had to do was let is drop and bounce foul, but alas, he couldn't handle the ball in his glove, as I suppose he is used to doing it barehanded...
JR was also the third base coach (for apparently the first time ever) on some of the more memorable plays. Each time Christin or Gabriela would be running towards third, John stood silently by until being asked "what should I do" by the baserunner as they approached. Apparently he is of the speak-when-spoken-to base coaching mentality, and then goes into therapist mode, asking "what would you like to do?." It was the complete opposite of Josh, who would sent anyone, and more likely, somehow substituted himself in for them to run home and truck someone.
On defense, after GLG's miscue, TRx began flashing more leather than an S&M club. Gabriela was involved in one of the top plays of the year, as she fielded a hard ground ball towards second and expertly flipped the ball to GLG for the out, kicking off the most amazing mid-game celebration of all time, which including lots of jumping up and down, screaming, hugging, high fives, and fireworks. Terry and Greg both made difficult plays and fired the ball to Brian at third to get the lead runner, despite being less than 5 feet from him. Luckily, Brian's quick glove saved him from balls to the face... Later, Brian got to inadvertently (supposedly) return the favor to GLG. After fielding a hard grounder to third, he wound up to throw to Gabriela at second, before quickly turning, and firing the ball at Greg's bulbous dome. Somehow, GLG had the presence of mind to catch, pivot, and continue to fire the ball to Gabriela, who made another excellent play for the out. GLG also had an amazing flip-off-the-cap, over-the-shoulder back-to-the-plate catch in the outfield. Even KB got into the mix, as he instituted the shift to perfection, playing midway between first and second, on the grass, and making a falling down stop on a grounder to get the runner at second (because that was clearly not a legit dive or slide).
In the end, TRx finished off Liquient 15-5 in 5 innings, as the curse of James was lifted. Apparently after the death of Nate Dogg, the Regulaaaaators! couldn't mount up. The victory moves TRx to 7-2. Despite being in Ireland, Old Demps managed to send words of encouragement via carrier pigeon proclaiming "I hope you won. If not, whatever." Rumor has it next Friday's 6:30 game is still in the process of being postponed. Supposedly there is an All-Star game and Home Run Derby this weekend. As Josh has probably mentioned multiple times, he was selected. As was GLG. The current over/under on how many people show up for it is 15. Place your bets...
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