"What a disaster! Jake foley gives up a 3-run home run facing his first batter in the top of the 7th. After holding a 4 run lead for almost 5 innings, the score is now 4-3! If you're a Miami fan, don't touch that remote, we've got a game on our hands!"
"Man, I'd hate to be Ken in this situation. The moment he steps off the mound, Miami pull it right back within reach."
The stark changes on the field caused the commentating team to go crazy in the booth. But their sentiment was not shared by the majority of fans in the arena who had been shocked into silence by the hit.
In fact, the entire ballpark was silent save for a few Miami fans while JJ traversed the bases.
Despite just getting up to the mound, Jake looked utterly disappointed. Both his hands were atop his head after the play and if the camera was on him, they would have seen him cursing emphatically.
"Damn it…" Mark looked visibly shaken, his eyes moving to Ken in the dugout. Had he made the right decision to take Ken out of the game earlier? Or should he have waited until the following inning?
"It sucks, but you made the right decision." His assistant coach placed a hand upon Mark's shoulder, consoling him.
"Yeah… We'll see." Mark replied noncommittally.
When the game ends, he would truly find out if he made the right call.
Of course he seemed to have forgotten that it was Ken who had made his own decision and was walking off the field of his own accord.
Unfortunately for the Ligers, they had now lost all the momentum late in the game. What seemed like an easy win for them had now turned into anyone's game.
In the dugout, Ken let out a sigh of frustration. With 2 outs and 2 runners on base, the worst case scenario had occurred.
'If only I could have lasted one more at-bat…' Ken thought, clenching his fist tightly.
However, even as he thought this, Ken realized that he probably wouldn't have fared much better. Against Major League hitters, he couldn't afford to be lax. With how fatigued he was, there was a good chance it would have turned out worse if he stayed on the mound.
"That sucks…" Rohan said, his expression looking like he just swallowed a lemon.
"Mmm. Still, a single run difference is all we need to win." Ken said, trying to stay positive. There was no point in being depressed, such a thing would not help them win at the end of the day.
"Sorry, it looks like I jinxed it with my words." Rohan said, bowing his head in shame.
At this, Ken could only laugh. He was not overly superstitious, so the notion that it could have been Rohan's fault had never crossed his mind.
"Don't be ridiculous, such words will never have an impact on a game." Ken said, waving it off. In his eyes, such things were not even worth addressing.
"Batting 6th, 3rd baseman, Charlie Leblanc." The announcers voice spoke over the speakers impassively.
His eyes moved to the field where the next batter had now come up to the plate. A quick glance at Jake was enough to see that he had recovered from the last pitch, likely thanks to his experience in the big league.
One thing about Major League pitchers was that they were resilient. In lower competitions, many pitchers would no longer be able to perform properly after giving up 3 runs like that.
But Major League pitchers were different, especially those who had been in the league for a while like Jake Foley.
WHOOOOOOSH
WHACK
The first pitch he threw was a 95mph fastball on the inside, jamming the batter and forcing the ball directly into the air. Daichi flicked off his face mask and quickly got underneath the ball.
PAH
The ball cleanly entered his glove before he turned to the umpire and showed him.
"Out. 3 outs, changeover."
Ken let out a sigh of relief. The bleeding had been stopped, but they were not yet out of the woods. If they were shutout in the next inning, Miami would likely continue their momentum the next time they were up to bat.
'Is Ryan going to continue pitching?' Ken questioned in his heart.
Although he had been overly fatigued thanks to the use of the Showdown and Limit Break skills, that didn't mean Ryan was also fatigued. In fact, the guy had pitched a full 8 innings against them in the first game.
Ken's eyes moved to the opposing dugout, carefully scanning to try and find Ryan.
Sure enough, Ryan ascended the stairs of the dugout and walked onto the field with his cap and glove secured. Ken smiled wryly in response, things were going to be difficult from here on out.
Thankfully, they were starting the inning with the 7th batter, Jaime Schoop. Ken was still suffering from the aftereffects of Limit Break, but it should be cleared up within the next few minutes.
If he had to go bat now, it would have been a waste of an opportunity.
"Batting 7th, our second baseman… Jaime Schoop!" The announcers bright voice called out, introducing the next batter.
Though the reaction from the crowd wasn't as pronounced as when they were 4 runs ahead, there was still a cheer from them. Perhaps if they were behind, the Ligers players might not have even gotten that much.
However, it didn't last long.
WHOOOOOSH
WHACK
Michael Rojas pounced on the grounder between 2nd and 3rd base, scooping up the ball and sending an easy throw to first base. The throw was swift and accurate, easily hitting the outstretched glove of the 1st baseman, Gary Cooper.
"Out!"
The first base umpire struck the air with his fist, calling the runner out before he even arrived at the bag.
The other two batters did not fare much better, swiftly ending the bottom of the 7th.