RTTS (MLB - Season 1): MLB Debut 7/24/12 - Hapshoops32's Dynasty

Hapshoops32's Dynasty Blog

RTTS (MLB - Season 1): MLB Debut 7/24/12

Posted on April 1, 2011 at 02:24 AM.

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Happel Walks Off With Win After 1st MLB At-Bat

Cleveland, OH (AP) - Talk about a dream debut. It really doesn't get any better than this when it comes to a first at-bat in anyone's major league career. Memorable moment? Check. Intense drama? As much as there can be in a regular season game, check. Potentially heroic situation? Check. Game-winning home run? Well...

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Happel's heroics - a walk-off bomb to right-center field in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs

Yup, had that, too. It was the bottom of the ninth, nobody on, with two outs, when Tribe manager Manny Acta decided to put Brian Happel, who had just been called up last week during the All-Star break, in as a pinch hitter. Talk about making your manager look good. Happel smashed the second pitch he saw in his big league career over the fence in right-center field, sending the crowd at Progressive Field into a frenzy. Hollywood couldn't have come up with a much better script. "This really is like a movie," Happel said after celebrating with his teammates on the field. "I know I've got a lot to learn, but wow, what a way to start my career! It's really a dream come true. Now, I've given the fans, and my coach, a lot to expect. I just hope I can live up to the expectations."

A behind-the-batter look just after Happel connected on his walk-off home run

Late-game heroics aside, this really was a great game. It was a pitcher's duel from the start. The Angels were the first to get on the board when Maicer Izturis singled home Vernon Wells in the fifth inning. Cleveland answered back in the sixth with a Myles Grimsley home run. Other than those 2 mistakes, both starting pitchers were masterful. Jered Weaver struck out 9 in 8 innings for Los Angeles. Justin Masterson matched Weaver pitch for pitch, going 8 strong innings as well, striking out 10 and giving up just 5 hits. "I'm really glad we were able to pull that one out," commented manager Manny Acta afterwards, "Justin really pitched his butt off and gave us the chance to win it in the end." The Tribe close out the brief two-game series with the Angels later today, with rookie right hander Brandon Leary getting the start for Cleveland.

LAA at CLE - Progressive Field
Jul 24, 2012	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles Angels (49-48)	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	5	1
Cleveland Indians (40-57)	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	2	8	0
W: Rafael Perez (6-7) L: Alfredo Aceves (4-6)

Scoring Summary
SCORING DETAILS			LAA	CLE
	5	Izturis SINGLE to center field, Wells scores	1	0
	6	Grimsley HOME RUN to right field, Grimsley scores	1	1
	9	HAPPEL HOME RUN to right field, HAPPEL scores	1	2

Los Angeles Angels
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Aybar, SS	4	0	1	0	0	2	0	.212
Taveras, PR-SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.261
Callaspo, 3B	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.285
Morales, 1B	3	0	1	0	1	1	0	.265
Joyce, RF	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.246
Murphy, LF	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.292
Hunter, CF	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.222
Wells, DH	3	1	1	0	0	2	0	.268
Izturis, 2B	3	0	1	1	0	0	0	.286
Mathis, C	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.156
Romine, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.222
Wilson, C	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
TEAM TOTALS	30	1	5	1	2	10	0
BATTING: 2B: V. Wells (26) RBI: M. Izturis (30) GIDP: D. Murphy 2
FIELDING: E: E. Aybar (14)

Cleveland Indians
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Cabrera, SS	4	0	1	0	0	2	0	.293
Young, 3B	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.291
Santana, C	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.278
Hafner, 1B	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.281
Brown, LF	4	0	1	0	0	2	0	.251
LaPorta, DH	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	.232
Grimsley, RF	4	1	1	1	0	2	1	.243
Theriot, 2B	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.251
Francis, CF	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.242
HAPPEL, PH	1	1	1	1	0	0	1	1.000
TEAM TOTALS	35	2	8	2	1	10	2
BATTING: 2B: A. Cabrera (24) HR: M. Grimsley (4), B. HAPPEL (1) RBI: M. Grimsley (26), B. HAPPEL (1)
BASERUNNING: SB: E. Francis (18), R. Theriot (15)