Wednesday, Aug. 8—Richie Shaffer’s fourth-inning solo home run provided all the firepower the Renegades needed as they shut out the Vermont Lake Monsters 2-0. Shaffer also singled home the Gades’ other tally, in the sixth. The shutout was Taylor Guerrieri’s first Hudson Valley victory and moved the Gades three games ahead of second-place Brooklyn in the McNamara Division. Please click here to read the game story on the Gades’ Web site.
Shaffer’s home run to left, his first as a professional, traveled 364 feet.
Tonight was Adult Hat Night, with adults receiving nice-looking red caps with white stitching. I also exchanged my chit for one of the bobbleheads of Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, which had finally arrived at The Dutch.
As I took my seat I scanned the net for the praying mantis but the insect, which was the center of so much attention last night, was nowhere to be found. Hope it made it to a safe location.
Edwin and his family were back in the Interstate Battery seats and we had nice conversation throughout the evening. He has coached the boys in Little League ball and they are really enthusiastic about the game.
I responded enthusiastically to a brief version of the Chicken Dance in the bottom of the sixth, to which Big Steve shouted, “That’s beautiful!”
I signed the Fleischmans’ tickets for the scavenger hunt, which boosted my signature total to five.
In the parking lot first baseman Luke Maile joined the gathering by the corral fence and shook hands all around before heading off with Paige, who was down from Amsterdam.
Jim, the Angry Met Fan, accompanied by young Randy, was marking his 47th birthday today, and we were pleased to help him celebrate. Adding to the celebration were the remaining party mix, the Canning pretzels and leftover pans of watermelon slices, bunless hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken. It was not exactly standard birthday party fare but we sure had a nice time.
While walking to my car to get munchies I paused at the spot where the fox was killed yesterday. The remains had been properly removed but other signs of the incident were still noticeable. I paused briefly and offered a prayer. Later, we saw another fox scampering about the parking lot on its nightly rounds. I hurled a hamburger in its direction and, while we could not be sure, several of us thought we saw something resembling a burger in shape in the animal’s mouth as it ran off.
As part of an effort to get home earlier, get to bed earlier and get up earlier I left around 11:45 and arrived home about 12:20 a.m. After a few chores I settled in to watch the BBC World News at 1 and promptly dozed off for more than an hour, after which I headed for the shower. I finally went to bed after 3, as usual, but my intentions were good and I was 1-for-3.
Next home game: Thursday, Aug. 9 vs. Vermont Lake Monsters, first pitch 7:05 p.m.
