"Scylla and Chybrdris" or "It aint over till it's over"

The LI Athletics Nation began the day with a sense of hope and destiny much like that of early explorers of the New World. Facing the winless Pacifc Coast Giants in the first game of the day, the game was deemed a must win for the A's to continue in playoff contention. Jerry was nominated to start in a game played in Maryvale,Arizona the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. A's Nation was hoping Jerry could repeat his 5 inning starting performance last Monday against the Fresno Grizzlies. The A's started out with 4 runs in the first inning buoying the eternal hope beating within the breast of A's fans everywhere. But this elation was short lived and the P.C. Giants seemed determined to break their winless streak by taking the lead 7-4 in the second inning with the help of some timely hitting. The top of the third offered renewal for the A's as they rallied to catch up and take an 8-7 lead. But the Giants were not daunted and scored the tying run and had the go ahead run on third with no outs when your faitful correspondent was summoned to pitch in relief. Striking out the first hitter was a good first step and that was followed by 2 more strikpouts ending the threat and the Giants inning. The A's had the Mojo now! The A's did not score but in the fourth inning your correspondent started with 2 more strikeouts for 5 in row but the Giants ended the strikeout streak with a weak pop up and we went to the 5th. The good news from this point on is the A's scratched and clawed to grab a 3 run lead in the 6th and in the bottom of the eighth broke the game wide open with 10 runs. This win put the A's in good spirits as the "mojo" was expected to carry over to the next game against the Palladins.
The A's jumped out to a 4-2 lead and led after 4 innings. But the baseball gods frowned on our relief pitcher Riche walking the leadoff hitter ( we know the BG's are just manical about inflicting pain on that deed) and the lead was soon gone. A's nation witnessed a few chances but we did not get the big breakthrough hit. The game went to the Pallidins 6-4 leaving your LI A's at 2-2-1 and having to win tomorrow to make the playoffs. There are several combinations of actions that can help the A's make the playoffs but if we win tomorrow we are in by virtue of 3 wins and less than 3 losses. If the SD Cubs lose to the Pallidins ( who already beat the Cubs 23-2 earlier this week) we are also in the playoffs. This league has a very ursine quality to it as we read and see the Grizzlies and Bears and Cubs Oh My!

The team brainturst sees this current circumstance as being between Scylla and Chybrdis in trying not to use up pitchers but still make the playoffs. In the Pallidins game we did not use our top pitchers and it cost us. If we use them tomorrow to win and get in.. then we are light once we get in the playoffs. But normal rules of pitchers rest don't apply here in this tourney. For example, I expect to pitch tomorrow after throwing 7 innings today . My arm feels great and after a swim in the pool recovery comes quickly. so rest can come later. It seems though we might best be served by having Jimmy Scott start and I will follow him tomorrow. Jimmy has thrown well and never acts to annoy the BG's with lead off walks. Your A's are eagerly looking forward to tomorrow's game and will put forth their best effort. We have played all the teams except tomorrow's opponent the Chicago Bears and on any given day any of the teams can beat one another. It would have been nice to have an easy game tomorrow and prepare for the playoffs but as Oscar Wilde offered: "What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise”.
Some good will come of this game tomorrow and your faithful correspondent maintains the eagerness and dreams as did the explorers and believes this time tomorrow the writing will be about the upcoming playoffs.