All Things Bubba

June 9, 2006: Tampa Yankees 2, Dunedin Blue Jays 1

This was the first rehab game Bubba played, when he was working his way back from that hamstring injury. I decided it deserves a recap, because the losing pitcher was one Daryl Harang. He's the younger, smaller, left-handed brother of Aaron Harang, the Reds' ace.

At least, I'm pretty sure they're brothers. They were both born in San Diego and attended San Diego State. And this page says Daryl and Aaron are brothers. Though curiously, it gives Daryl's middle name as Andrew, instead of Merritt. But there can't be two left-handed pitchers named Daryl Harang from San Diego. Or could there? ("This is my brother Daryl, and this is my other brother Daryl...")

Anyway, this was the first game Bubba had played in three weeks. He was in left field, batting third. Though he was fine in the outfield, he was a little rusty at the plate. Things didn't start out well. Bubba came up in the first inning, one out, man on first. And grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Bubba came up again in the 4th, man on 1B, no outs. He singled to right, moving the runner to 3B. He was out at 2B on the next play, another GIDP, but the runner on 3B scored, tying the game at 1-1. A fly out ended the inning, but Tampa was on the board.

He led off at the top of the 7th, but struck out. The game was still tied, 1-1, in bottom of the 9th, when Daryl Harang took the mound. Groundout, double, groundout. Bubba comes to bat with two outs, a man on third. Talk about your clutch situations. Does he bring the winning run home? Or strike out again? Neither. He's hit by a pitch. Harang then throws a wild pitch to the next batter, and the runner on 3B scores. The Yan-kees win!

So there you have it...how Bubba got plunked by Aaron Harang's kid brother and helped win the game. What a clutch HBP.