First of all, my "player of the game" is Pedro Feliz. He didn't just catch every pitch, he blocked a tough pitch in the dirt with the go-ahead run at third base. Talk about rising to the occasion under difficult circumstances. Props, props, and mad props on this bizarre night.
Second of all, for all those who wanted Johnson pinch run for and Kendall pinch hit for in the 8th inning and every move under the sun made now and sooner, timing--led by its good friend irony--swooped down to provide the answer. Bruce Bochy emptied his bench (partly by necessity and partly by choice) and was left with his third baseman catching, his CFer playing third base, a starting pitcher playing the outfield, and that starting pitcher forced to bat with the Giants down to their last out.
Third of all, how `bout that Shannon Stewart? Could he be any more lovable over a 24-hour period?
Fourth of all, none of the truly bizarre elements of this game would have been possible had Kiko Calero not come back from the depths of crisis--down 3-0 in the count with the bases loaded--to retire Ray Durham and then strike out Kevin Frandsen on three Kikolicious sliders. He was rewarded with his first win of the season.
I don't know how great a team the 2007 Oakland A's are, but they are truly one of the very most resilient teams I've ever seen. Wow, what a night.
