Batting 3rd, the center fielder...

Ken Grif-fey Juniorrrrr!

Well, I went to the game tonight, and boy was that a good decision.

I was late. I got off of work, stopped and got some Skyline, ran home, scarfed down the 5 Way, and was on my way to Great American. I got there just in time for the top of the second.

I knew before I got to the game that Junior would be in the lineup tonight, and that made me want to go even more. It ended up being Arroyo dominating everything and everyone for the first eight innings of the game. Eight scoreless, eight Ks, an ERA now just above 2. Win number six on the horizon? Sure looked that way... until Weathers took the mound in the top of the ninth and blew the save for the second consecutive night. (I ask, if this finally the end of the "Closer by Committee" that has actually become "Closer by Committee, of which Stormy Weathers is the apparent Chairman and first choice no matter what matchup"?) Yup, so, for the second game in a row the starter gets the shaft from the bullpen.

Skip to the 11th. Score tied 1-1, in comes Rick White. Skip ahead again. Shack comes in to get the final out of the inning... after White has given up 3!! runs. Score: Nats 4 - Reds 1. (Fans are walking out in droves at this point, and although I stayed, I don't blame them. It was ugly.)

Bottom of the 11th. RayRay is on first after a single, and Freel is at the plate. Ryan gets the hit down the left field line, Ray advances to third, and Freel is thrown out at second trying to turn his single into a double. It was the first out of the inning, and down three runs, that is a huge out. A couple of batters later, it's runners on first and second, Reds down 4-2, and #3 is coming to the plate. Frank Robinson makes his second snail-paced trek (I'm not exaggerating, guys... I swear the seasons changed while he was walking.) to the mound of the inning to bring in Joey "Red for a Day" Eischen.

On an 0-1 count, Junior absolutely lasers one into the Moon Deck, and the stadium comes ALIVE! Reds win 5-4, and I'm hugging people I've never seen in my life!!

"THIS ONE BELONGS TO THE REDS!!"

Welcome back, Junior. We've missed you.