Play Ball Take 2
By Rich Herles
LEXINGTON, KY.-The storms cleared in the morning, but by thunder storm warnings were out and the skies opened up again. Then at the gods of baseball shined down on Applebee’s Park, and the sun came out. The field crew hurriedly removed the tarps from the infield and preparations for opening night began in full swing.
About the sky released something besides rain, as a sky diver maneuvered his way onto the ball field. That was followed with the ceremonial first pitches and the introductions of the players. A color guard of Lexington Police force unfurled a 60’ by 30’ flag, as the Henry Clay Clarinet Ensemble played our National Anthem.
At seven minutes past the scheduled starting time, it was Levi Romero, who threw the first pitch. A STRIKE. And the 2006 season was underway. In the bottom of the first inning with the bases loaded and one out, Mitch Einertson stepped to the plate. He smacked a line drive into left field, which scored shortstop, Tommy Manzella, from third. Eli Iorg tried to score from second, but the BlueClaws left fielder, Julian Williams, threw him out at the plate.
The Legends held a 1-0 lead until the top of the fifth inning when Lakewood’s third baseman, Wilkinson Baez, hit a laser over the left field fence. At the end of five, the score was knotted up at one-all.
The Legends held the BlueClaws scoreless in the top of the sixth. With two outs in the bottom half of the inning, DH Ryan Reed singled and then advanced to second on a pass ball. With Reed in scoring position, J. R. Towles hit the gap between center and right fields. The catchers double easily scored Reed, giving Lexington a two to one lead.
After the sixth inning was complete, the umpires called both teams off the field for a Lightning Delay. A line of intense storms were close to Applebee’s Park and the Lightning Delay turned into a Rain Delay about five minutes later. The storms intensified and one hour and twenty minutes later the game was called and officially the Legends won their FIRST season opener in the history of the franchise, 2-to-1.
The Legends new skipper, Jack Lind, was pleased to get the game in. “It had been 5 days since they had played a game” and he was glad to get the win. Lind had high praise for the winning pitcher, Levi Romero, who threw 40 strikes out of 56 pitches. “He had an excellent five innings of work. Levi used his fastball well and except for one flat pitch had a very good outing.” Catcher J.R. Towles concurred, “He looked good and he was hitting his spots.” Levi was also pleased on how his pitches were working. “I felt good. My first pitch was my fastball and my second was a spilt-finger. I just kicked back and threw.”
Finally, the Legends won a home opener and have started out a season on the right foot. Tomorrow is a twin bill that starts at .