All Things Bubba

September 3, 2006: Toledo Mudhens 4, Columbus Clippers 3

The Clippers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but De Paula was unable to hold it. He gave up four runs, all earned, and that was enough to give Toledo the victory. Well, at least it's an improvement on the 10 runs he gave up on the way to a 20-2 Mudhens victory two weeks ago.

The Clippers had their chances to score more, but didn't come through. In the end, 18 were LOB.

Bubba's line for the night: 0 for 4, 1 run scored, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts. It wasn't quite as bad as the numbers suggest. Only one of his strikeouts was really ugly - the one in the 7th, when he fell behind early, and went down swinging on an inside breaking ball. He worked the count full on his other at bats, but twice got burned on the umpire's extremely wide strike zone. The ninth inning was especially aggravating. Bubba was brushed back by a ball that was way inside...that was called a strike. Even the Toledo announcers couldn't believe it. Bubba was not happy, and I can't blame him. It would be pretty hard to hit a ball that far inside.

Bubba did work a walk in the 3rd inning, and eventually came in to score:

	Bubba takes his base.
	Taking a lead off first base.
	Bubba gets to 2B on a T-Long single.
	The afternoon shadows were nasty. Bubba shades his eyes, trying to see the ball coming off the bat.
	Bubba jaunts to 3B on a wild pitch.
	Bubba gets home on an error, then looks back to see what's going at 3B. I think he'd have made it, anyway. Russ Johnson hit a grounder to third baseman Mike Hessman. Hessman, rushing in hopes of throwing Bubba out at home, bobbled the ball. Everyone was safe. It was ruled a fielder's choice and an error.

Alas, that was all that would score. With bases loaded and one out, the Mudhens brought in a new pitcher, and he got out of the jam.

Bubba also had a nice play on defense in the 8th inning. Here's a video clip of it:

Grand Theft Bubba! (2.1 Mb, WMV format)

The Clippers play the Mudhens again today, their last game of the season. Once again, Bubba is playing CF and batting leadoff. This game is being broadcast on MiLB.TV (subscription required). You can also follow the game online here, or listen to a free radio broadcast here.