Take me out to the Ballgame
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(micro)
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The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates! A magnetic micro hidden within sight of Petco Park, where the posted coordinates would take you. Not accessible in the wee hours of the morning. Work out the real location from the following transcript...
Matt Vasgersian: If you're just tuning us in, the Dodgers have slumped to a 3-0 deficit against the Pads, and if San Diego can hang on for the 9th, they'll clinch the NL West for 2005.
Mark Grant: Yes, it's looking good for the Friars so far. They've got their half of the 8th to try to get some Aflac runs.
MV: Stepping in we have the first baseman Robert Fick, facing Yhency Brazoban. Fick is 1 for 3 tonight with a double. And he swings at the first pitch, but grounds to Olmaedo Saenz at first, who does it himself.
MG: Yeah, Robbie was just a little too eager there.
MV: Next up, third baseman Sean Burroughs. And *he* swings at the first pitch too, and pops it up. Looks like it'll stay in play for the catcher Dionner Navarro, who makes the catch. 2 away.
MG: We need a bit more patience from the hitters, Matty.
MV: Sure do Mudcat. Trevor is up and warm in the bullpen, and they've got Rudy Seanez up too, he'll come in if the Padres can stretch this lead out of a save situation. Khalil Greene steps in. Brazoban has pitched well so far this inning.
MG: Let's see if Khalil can work the count a little, get some pressure on Brazoban.
MV: The first pitch is in the dirt, ball 1.
MV: And another ball, a little outside. Brazoban's fastball is hot tonight, that one was 95mph.
MG: Yeah, he can bring the heat.
MV: And another fastball, this one catches the outside corner for strike one.
MV: He comes inside and Khalil fights it off, foul down the left field line.
MV: Brazoban comes inside again, this time a little too far, fills the count at 3 and 2.
MG: This is good, Khalil is making him work for this 3rd out, Matty.
MV: A fastball up and in, Greene fouls it back.
MV: And another high piece of cheese Khalil lays off and takes the base on balls.
MG: That was an excellent at bat from the shortstop. The crowd are getting into it now!
MV: Let's see what Bochy does now. Looks like Mark Sweeney will pinch hit in the pitcher's spot.
MG: Sweeney is one of the Padres best weapons off the bench.
MV: Brazoban pitches it hard on the outside corner, and Sweeney lines it to left, but that's a routine fly ball for the left fielder Ricky Ledee. So nothing comes of the 2 out walk, and we have Trevor Time coming up.
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MG: This is the perfect end to an exciting season Matty, Trevor Time at Petco Park! The crowd is on its feet, waiting for those bells to toll.
MV: Let's see how Trevor approaches the heart of the Dodgers order, Jeff Kent up first. Trevor works a changeup to Kent, but it's in the dirt.
MG: Trevor has a lot more success if he can get a first pitch strike, but he has that 3 run cushion. He's faced bigger pressure before.
MV: Kent is LA's best hitter and biggest threat, so I expect Trevor will be working carefully to him. And indeed he stays away again, ball outside.
MG: Ramon Hernandez goes out there for a chat, making sure they're getting the signs straight.
MV: Trevor goes with the changeup, but Kent lays off and gets ahead 3 and 0.
MG: I expect Kent will be taking here.
MV: But no, Kent swings away, but is way in front of Trevor's slider.
MG: He'll be swinging again next pitch too.
MV: Yes - and he lines it right back at him, a *great* reflex catch by Trevor!
****BONG*****
MG: We're two outs from the first pennant since 1998, and the crowd are going wild!
MV: Next up, Ricky Ledee tries to get something going for LA. Trevor's fastball is a little low.
MV: He goes back with the fastball, and catches Ledee looking for strike one.
MG: Trevor got away with one there, Matty. That was over the heart of the plate.
MV: It's one and one, and Trevor comes with the changeup in the dirt, Ledee can't hold off. Trevor's changeup is working well tonight.
MV: Next, a fastball from Hoffman, fouled back by Ledee.
MG: Is he going to throw the icky now Matt? Ledee has been fishing.....
MV: Trevor goes with the high heat, but it stays high and Ricky lays off. The count is even at 2 and 2.
MV: Now a changeup from Hoffman, but it's way outside to fill the count.
MG: Ledee has done well so far here.
MV: And he continues to stay alive, fouls the 3-2 pitch into the seats in left.
MG: Let's go Trevor!
MV: Another 3-2 pitch, but this time Ledee gets enough of it and beats it into short right for a single.
MG: The Dodgers are still alive. Man, this is exciting!
MV: The sellout crowd will have to wait out at least one more batter before the celebrations can begin.
MV: Bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle, Jose Cruz Jr. steps up to the plate. He's 2 for 2 tonight, a couple of singles.
MV: Trevor starts him with a fastball, outside for a ball.
MV: Another fastball, this ones in there for strike one.
MG: Cruz has had trouble hitting Hoffy in the past, let's see if he can turn it around. I wouldn't be surprised to see a bunt play at some point in this at-bat.
MV: Next pitch, a slider low and outside. Trevor's working carefully to Cruz.
MV: Trevor's getting up there, he throws an 88mph fastball, fouled back, 2 and 2 now.
MV: Trevor's out of the stretch, and Cruz just catches a piece of the fastball, fouled back again.
MV: On the 2-2 pitch, Cruz tries to bunt - but pops it up! Trevor's there to make the catch!
****BONG******BONG******
MG: The Padres are one out away from the pennant! The "BEAT L A" chant is going round Petco Park at full volume.
MV: And representing the last chance for LA, the catcher Navarro. He takes the first pitch, just catching the inside corner for a strike.
MG: There's that first pitch strike for Trevor!
MV: And another strike, Trevor's changeup is working so well tonight, Navarro was way out in front of that one.
MG: LA down to their last strike, and 40,000 of the faithful are still on their feet!
MV: I can't blame them Mark, this is the culmination of a thrilling season.
MG: Ledee has good speed at first, will Jim Tracy put the hit and run on?
MV: He might do that, yes Mark. Here comes the pitch....inside for ball one.
MG: Navarro has some power, but he doesn't have quick hands, so missing inside is the best place for Trevor to miss.
MV: He goes back in there, and misses again. Trevor showing the home plate umpire that he meant to put it there. 2 and 2 now.
MV: Next up, a high strike, and Navarro fouls it back, still 2 and 2.
MG: Navarro had to protect there, or it was game over. Let's see if Trevor pulls the string with 2 strikes. Ramon wants it down.
MV: Navarro grounds to short, this could end it - but NO! Khalil boots it off the glove and can't come up with it! Cruz is safe at 2nd and Navarro gets an infield single.
MG: Generous decision from the official scorer, Khalil's been making those plays all year. Maybe the big occasion is finally getting to the kid.
MV: He's usually so cool under pressure, but this is a big moment. That brings the tying run to the plate.
MV: Trevor now faces Jason Repko, trying to hold the 3-0 lead that Jake Peavy left him after a strong seven innings, and Aki kept for him in the 8th.
MV: First pitch is a fastball, low and outside.
MV: Next Trevor goes with a curveball! Haven't seen that in a while Mark. It drops just low, ball two.
MG: The crowd don't like that decision Matty!
MV: So, two on, two out, and now Hoffman falls behind 2 and 0.
MG: He's going to have to make an adjustment here, Repko isn't being fooled.
MG: Trevor is one out away from his 415th career save, and 43rd of the year. Let's not forget how much he has been to the Padres this season.
MV: He'll want to forget that pitch, way outside and Repko isn't biting.
MV: The tying run is at the plate, let's see if he gets the green light at 3 and 0.
MG: He's taking.
MV: Yep, taking all the way, fastball in there for strike one.
MG: Trevor doesn't want to walk him, the Dodgers are showing Milton Bradley to pinch hit next, just off the DL.
MV: Bradley's had success against Trevor, but first he has to deal with Repko. Another strike, right down the middle.
MG: Now the pressure's back on Repko. It's 3 and 2, game on the line.
MV: Next pitch, a changeup, and Repko makes contact! Ground ball for Khalil, he goes the short way to Burroughs at third, and the GAME IS OVER! THE PADRES WIN!!!
****BONG******[fireworks]******BONG********
Additional Hints
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