Workin' overtime

There's something about the 10^th 11^th 12^th 13^th inning in October.

There's an even bigger something that applies, in general, to one-game playoffs.

And the biggest something clearly goes to the announcer saying “he's moved to the right side of the pitching rubber, to give him more control with his slider,” as the new relief pitcher nearly clears the catcher with his first pitch-- and again with his second pitch. Then gives up the go-ahead two-run homer with his seventh pitch of the inning.

It's easy to watch one of these games, pick a team, and just ride the roller coaster.

I picked Colorado Monday morning, when informal polling at work indicated to me there's a lot of people out there that don't even know of the Rockies' existence.

So, stuck at work, I got three chances to check the score. First, 3-0 Colorado, then 5-3 San Diego, 6-5 Colorado when I left, and squared at 6 in the top of the 10^th when I got home. I knew it would be a good night.

In the extras, Doug Brocail and Joe Thatcher were lights-out for the Padres. They came to play, and they brought October-sized stones to the mound. They baffled the Colorado hitters, and with Hoffman coming on to pitch the bottom of 13, holding an 8-6 lead, the outcome seemed set.

But Kaz Matsui had other plans with a double to the right-field gap. Then rookie, and my new favourite player, Troy Tulowitzki (also my second-favourite Polish athlete after Mike Komisarek) doubled to the left-field gap: 8-7.

So often, when this beautiful game taketh away, it's willing to give.

Matt Holliday, who had something of a coming out party at the Home Run Derby, had scapegoat written all over him for making a poor defensive play to allow the game-tying run in the eighth.

You just had to know he was going to drive a triple off the wall in right to tie the game, then score the winning run.

That was an absolutely thrilling baseball game. And it was a great way to get ready for the playoffs. In fact, we should have one of these games every year. I'm still trying to catch my breath.