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| Yikes and Away: Zack Wheeler's throw to first base sails wide of the mark in the third inning. |
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| Posted by Crash Morgan on November 2nd, 2022 | |
Three home runs carried the offense for the Nanooks, whom with a 5-3 victory took a two games to one lead in the California League Championship series.
The result was a bit of a surprise, as Vancouver are not traditionally known for carrying boppers in their lineup. All the more shocking, they did it against Pennsylvania ace, Zack Wheeler.
To be honest, though, the Nanooks let Wheeler beat himself.
At least in the third inning, where Wheeler was everything for the frame -- including his own best friend, and worst enemy.
Vancouver scored twice in the inning, despite Wheeler striking out the side. Really is was two balls that undid the pitcher.
With one out, Wheeler fielded a comebacker off the bat of Santiago Espinal -- who seems to be apart of every big play, himself. As the pitcher spun to fire to first, the throw sailed down the right field line. Espinal was standing on second.
Two batters later, another throw -- this one a pitch -- cost Wheeler, dearly. That pitch was a first-pitch fastball. Xander Bogaerts pounced, and sent the ball over the wall in left.
Jesse Winker would capitalize on another first-pitch fastball an inning later. And later, still, Salvador Perez would take Hunter Stickland deep.
At 5-1, the Nanooks surely felt secure in the lead. But Craig Kimbrel had to put down a ninth-inning rally -- aided by his own gaffes -- to end the game.
Game Four goes tomorrow.
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