Dwyer makes AAA debut in weird, hideous game

With apologies to starter Chris Dwyer, MITCH Maier pitching in the 9th was the key part of this game. Twitter told me so.

Where to even begin? Let’s just dive into some bullets.

• This was Chris Dwyer’s triple-A debut. I’m guessing that as much as he and everyone in this stadium might want to, he won’t forget this night. The first inning was fairly decent despite starting with a walk. Dwyer erased that runner on a double play, then struck out the next batter. From there…oof.
• Oklahoma City scored three in the 2nd, then worked the bases loaded in the 3rd. Dwyer got out of that, but his pitch count was climbing fast. OKC loaded the bases again in the 4th, and again Dwyer escaped without further damage. Dwyer allowed a double in the 5th, but that was it for that inning.
• The 6th inning is gonna need a few subsets of bullet points. Are you ready?! Here is the ugly inning that, unlike the similarly unpretty duckling, did not ever turn into a beautiful swan:
• • J. B. Shuck singles on a ground ball to left fielder Derrick Robinson.
  • With Brandon Barnes batting, J. Shuck steals (9) 2nd base, . Shuck advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Adam Moore.
  • Brandon Barnes singles on a ground ball to shortstop Tony Abreu.
  • Jimmy Paredes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Maier. J. B. Shuck scores. Brandon Barnes to 3rd.
  • Pitcher Change: Roman Colon replaces Chris Dwyer.
  • Fernando Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Mitch Maier. Brandon Barnes scores.
  • Mike Hessman lines out to shortstop Tony Abreu.
  • Brett Wallace singles on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Maier. Jimmy Paredes to 2nd.
  • With Matt Dominguez batting, wild pitch by Roman Colon, Jimmy Paredes to 3rd. Brett Wallace to 2nd.
  • With Matt Dominguez batting, wild pitch by Roman Colon, Jimmy Paredes scores. Brett Wallace to 3rd.
  • Matt Dominguez reaches on fielding error by third baseman Irving Falu. Brett Wallace scores.
  • Brad Snyder doubles (15) on a fly ball to center fielder Wil Myers. Matt Dominguez scores.
  • Landon Powell singles on a ground ball to center fielder Wil Myers. Brad Snyder scores.
  • With J. B. Shuck batting, wild pitch by Roman Colon, Landon Powell to 2nd.
  • J. B. Shuck singles on a ground ball to shortstop Tony Abreu. Landon Powell to 3rd.
  • Brandon Barnes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Mitch Maier. Landon Powell scores. J. Shuck to 3rd.
  • Jimmy Paredes homers (8) on a fly ball to center field. J. B. Shuck scores. Brandon Barnes scores.
  • Fernando Martinez strikes out swinging.

• So that happened! Roman Colon’s line is ridiculous. The first three runs were Dwyer’s responsibility, and were earned. All runs scored thereafter in that inning were unearned.  So Colon earned himself a line of 1 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
• Yes, he gave up a home run but was charged with no earned runs. This inning was truly bananas.
• For reasons that escaped my understanding, MITCH Maier was brought in to pitch the 9th. The Omaha ‘pen is full of well-rested arms, and those arms belong to men whose job is pitching. Maier was actually not as dominant as his big league appearances, but his defense didn’t help him. Here’s that inning, for posterity:
• • Pitcher Change: Mitch Maier replaces Brandon Sisk, batting 8th.
  • Mike Hessman grounds out, shortstop Tony Abreu to first baseman Clint Robinson.
  • Jordan Kreke reaches on throwing error by third baseman Irving Falu.
  • Matt Dominguez walks. Jordan Kreke to 2nd.
  • Brad Snyder grounds out to first baseman Clint Robinson. Jordan Kreke to 3rd. Matt Dominguez to 2nd.
  • Landon Powell singles on a fly ball to center fielder Wil Myers. Jordan Kreke scores. Matt Dominguez scores.
  • J. B. Shuck singles on a ground ball to left fielder Derrick Robinson. Landon Powell to 2nd.
  • Brandon Barnes called out on strikes. [emphasis mine]

• Maier induced four ground balls, which is impressive, I suppose. The few fans who were left at that point cheered massively when Maier was announced leading off the bottom of the 9th: “Now batting…your PITCHER…number 18, MITCH MAIER!” PA announcer Craig Evans played it up perfectly. It was one of the few bright spots in this game, frankly.
• Photos from tonight are HERE.

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