Game #153: A's 5, Angels 4 in 12 innings

September 22, 2006 | A's vs. Los Angeles Angels

This game turned out nothing like I anticipated. Except for the win. And it wasn't an easy one.

I'm about to nod off, so I'll write this up after some sleep.

[Updated 9/23/2006 11:46 AM - I successfully downloaded the photos we took with Celeste's cell phone. Because of course this game of all games, I forgot my camera.]

This is the view from our seats in the Loge box. We liked it. Unobstructed view, no people walking around us. Though no vendors either.

This was bizarre. We had three seats, but one of the seats was missing. In its place was a folding chair with the upholstery torn and the padding oozing out. Can you believe this seat still cost $30? I'm complaining to the A's. Celeste, however, cheerfully takes things in stride...

Further updated 9/24/2006 9:31 PM:

• I really wanted Zito to pitch a gem then we'd all chant ZI-TO! ZI-TO! ZI-TO! and we'd all feel good and we'd all have this really wonderful memory even when Zito plays for the Padres next year. But no. Bad Barry showed up on the mound. Tsk, tsk.

From where we were seated, we had a nice overhead view of the Left Field Bleacher fans. They did some ZI-TO chanting by themselves. I could not join in. It was just . . . wrong.

• Top of the 3rd, Kendrick's on first and Chone Figgins is in the batter's box with one out. No. 19 says, "What are the odds that Zito would get a double play?" It's a rhetorical question; we both know Zito's a flyball pitcher. But she calls it — Figgins grounds into a DP! This turns out to be only the first of prophetic utterances.

• Celeste made a few of her own fulfilled predictions. She called Swisher's HR in the bottom of the 5th (that put the A's score at 2-0) and also Chavy's in the 7th that tied us with the Angels. Of course it could be more wishful thinking than actual prognostication.

Celeste did, however, correctly guess that the ice cream was hidden under the third hat in Cap Caper. And she really guessed it because none of us were following the animated hats at all.

• Speaking of Chavy's solo homer in the 7th, it sailed over the out-of-town scoreboard and into the right field plaza. Close to a sign that read, "ZITO IS NEAT-O."

• Still speaking of Chavy's solo homer in the 7th, No. 19 missed the entire inning. She went to get a Philly cheesesteak and also, "change our luck."

• Worst of all: one of the three boisterous guys behind us shouted, "A's in 12!" during the 6th inning. I wanted to turn around and berate him. No. 19 glared at him. I don't want A's in 12, I thought. You know me, I want A's in the top of the 9th and we all go home early.

Imagine our increasing horror when Huston Street blew the save and we had to go to extra innings. At the end of the 9th, I turned to the row behind us and said, "Who the hell called A's in 12?!" The guy sitting behind No. 19 owned up to it. And that became their cheer/mantra for the rest of the game.

• In the 11th, Milton Bradley is ejected for arguing balls and strikes. I jump out of my seat when the umpire makes the "you're outta here!" motion while Bradley's walking away from him. No. 19 says Milton could've still been talking back to the ump — good point. But when Bradley turns to rush the umpire and has to be stopped by Macha and Ron Washington, I side with him. I feel very protective of Milton Bradley at moments like this.

(In the bottom of the 8th, Bradley had his own solo home run. When he took up his position in right field at the top of the 9th, the fans above him gave him a standing ovation and wanted him to acknowledge by tipping his hat or something. But Bradley played it cool. I pointed this out to Celeste and she only said, "Chip on his shoulder." Poor Milton. He can't afford to do that kind of thing.)

• In extra innings the concession stands are closed. I ran out of bottled water when Zito was still pitching. I'm thirsty. I'm annoyed with the A's-in-12 guys for bringing this on. But it's the 12th inning already and something's got to give.

Then Mike "Chipmunk" Scioscia does something interesting. He goes to the mound and all the infielders gather. At the same time, Chone Figgins runs to the dugout from center field. I've never seen this happen before. I think Figgins is going for a bathroom break or something. Fortunately I'm listening to my radio in one ear and Ken Korach explains it all to me as I watch the action on the field.

Figgins switches gloves (I guess I didn't know till that moment that outfielders use a different glove than infielders) and joins the conference at the mound. When the meeting is over, Figgins becomes a fifth infielder.

I'm fascinated. Not only had I never witnessed this before, I'd never heard of it. The infield looks crowded and the no-man's land in the outfield looms large.

Kielty had already doubled and Swish was intentionally walked to first. Scutaro was up. And I'm thinking, "What is going on in Scioscia's head? This is Scutaro! Scutaro can get the ball out of the infield."

I lean forward in my seat and rest my chin on my arms folded on the railing. It's my turn to speak my wishes out loud, to call what will happen next in the game. But all I can do is mutter, "Come on, Scutaro. You can do it, Scutaro." And I'm confident that he will. This is the guy who's had seven previous game-ending, game-winning plays in the last two years.

Scutaro hits the ball and it bloops to left center over the five infielders' heads.

In the pandemonium that follows, I only remember a few things:

The A's running out of the dugout to mob Scutaro at first seemingly before the ball even hit the grass.

High-fiving No. 19 and Celeste and the guys in the row behind us, even the one guy who says over and over, "What did I say? A's in 12!"

Wanting to cry, but being too dehydrated to produce tears.

• I didn't even bother to stay for the fireworks show.



(Game experience: Loge 66 Row 1 Seat 2 with No. 19 to my left and Celeste on the folding chair !!! to my right)

A's record: 90-63 | streak: W-4 | magic number: 2 | well-A-meter: 5.00