So Lance was caught trying to steal third in the 6th inning. As I wasn't able to see the game, I naturally assumed that Lee was supposed to be the one doing the hitting in a hit-and-run, and of course Lee missed the ball by a mile, likely by swinging at the pitch outside the zone.
But that isn't what happened at all! No, Lance was trying to steal third. Two games after coming back from a knee injury. Down a run. With the cleanup "hitter" at bat.
What happened, Lance:
"I was thinking nobody in the stadium expects me to try to steal third right here. It was the sixth inning, and I thought the worst-case scenario would be that we would end up with Carlos [Lee] on second base and two outs in the sixth against a tough pitcher where a hit still ties the game. If I made it then we had a chance to score an easy run off a guy that was giving us some fits. The thinking was sound, the mind was willing but the body was weak. If I had to do it all over again clearly I would not have attempted it. Clearly I did not notice my leg was as weak as it is. I'm glad we won the game because you guys would have made a bigger deal out of it."
It actually wasn't a terrible idea - which we can say after a W - it would be questionable if Lance would be able to score from second on that shaky knee, unless the ball was smoked.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
