If you weren't here this morning, please read Part 1 and Part 2. So, let's set the scene again. Hudson on first, 1 out, Snakes up 7-6 in the top of the eighth. Flores on the mound and the pitching spot up for the Snakes. You wait for the Snakes to announce a pinch-hitter, Damion Easley, and then bring in Braden Looper. You've got Toguchi and backup catcher Bennett on the bench and decide to eschew the double switch even though your pitching spot is up second in the bottom of the eighth. Looper gets out of the top of the eighth without any damage being done.
In the bottom of the eighth, Brandon Lyon comes in for Arizona. Edmonds walks and makes your decision on the pitcher's spot seemingly easy. You leave Looper in to sacrifice, but he fouls off two and then strikes out. Bigbie then hits into a twin killing and we go to the ninth down 1. Looper retires the 2-3-4 spots in the D'Back lineup with ease, and Jose Valverde comes on for the save in the bottom of the ninth. Yadier Molina singles to lead off the inning. Rodriguez is up with Eckstein and Miles to follow. You've got Toguchi and Bennett on the bench.
Do you pinch-run for Yadier?
Whatever you did, it works out fine as Miles atones for his earlier error by singling in the tying run. The game goes 13 innings with Green's 3 run homer the deciding blow, and Pujols' 2 run shot in the bottom of the inning not quite enough. If the final score of tonight's game is 10-9 Arizona in 13 innings and life does indeed imitate "art", a lottery ticket purchase will be in order.
Next up, we'll return to the American League, but you'll be managing outside the AL East.