Beckham Delivers (Finally)

I guess when I decided to start this blog, I put myself in a position of hyperbole, but I don't have words to describe how happy I was when Beckham got the walk-off hit. All I do know is that if we had lost that game, I would of had a very tough time sleeping. But because I am so happy right now, I am going to try to take a positive spin on all that went wrong in that game.

Things could have been worse for Ramirez in the field. He could have committed a third error to go along with allowing Freel to score on a ball where he looked him back at third but decided even though he was half way down the line, to make the throw to first and give Freel the chance to score. And Buehrle could have thrown the ball to first even though Paulie wasn't covering on a pickoff attempt instead of just faking the throw and taking the balk.

But enough about the bad stuff. I can't say enough about what a job Podsednik did today, going 4-5 with three RBI and a very entertaining conversation with the second base umpire after over-sliding second. He continues to churn out quality at bats, time after time. Pierzynski avenged his double play from yesterday with a clutch two out single to score two. Buehrle certainly pitched good enough for us to win, despite not getting the corner all game. Dotel came on and did a real nice job in shutting down a threatening Cubs rally.

And now that brings me back to Beckham. He had an error early in the game, airmailing Paulie at first. But then he came back and made a nice, and very important play on a ball in which he had to charge and gun to first to just get the runner. But the big moment came in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, in what was the biggest at bat of his early pro career. He got his first pitch fastball and drove it over Bradley's head in right. It was a very big hit in the game but I think it will be an even bigger hit in the scope of the season. The hit will take a ton of weight of his shoulders and now he will step up to the plate knowing that he fully deserves to be where he is. (whether we believe he should or not)

Observations:
1) With Buehrle pitching, that game took way to long for my liking.
2) Chris Getz has cooled off again at the plate, going hitless in his last three games. (0 for 12)
3) Aaron Poreda got his first real test in a pressure situation and handled it ok. He gave up one hit and only recorded one out but he looked poised and unnerved.