Good morning Bengals Nation. The weekend is almost here which means sleeping in, drinking three 12-packs of beer, and watching the Bengals take on Seattle.
Alright, so I know this is a Bengals blog, but I think it's time to talk about a different sport, just this once.
Did anyone catch game six of the World Series? Talk about an intense back-and-forth battle between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. Unfortunately, it didn't end the way I was hoping it would. St. Louis won. And I CAN'T STAND the Cardinals.
I wasn't able to tune into the game until the eight inning after I got home from work. And when I finally turned on my television the score was 7-5 Texas was up. Mike Adams was on the mound and tip-toed his way out of a jam without surrendering the lead.
Exactly one inning later, Neftali Feliz was on the mound closing it out for the Rangers. The game seemed like a sure lock considering Feliz was perfect in save opportunities throughout the playoffs. But fate was not on Texas'side tonight.
Feliz struck out Ryan Theriot then allowed the following two batters to reach base via a double and a walk. Feliz then caught Allen Craig looking for the second out of the inning.
With two runners on, two outs, and two strikes, the Rangers were on the cusp of winning their first title in franchise history. David Freese and the Cardinals had other plans.
With the game on the line Freese smacked a deep fly ball into right field. Nelson Cruz had a beat on it, well truth be told he didn't because he didn't even get a glove on the ball, and the ball landed and bounced against the outfield wall. Both Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman scored to tie the game at seven.
The next inning Josh Hamilton connected for a two-run tater that put Texas up 9-7. Again, it seemed like Texas had things sealed, but Berkman tied the game with a single that scored Jon Jay.
In the bottom of the 11th inning Freese once again was in the spotlight when he connected for a walk-off homerun that tied the World Series at three apiece.
I couldn't believe what had just occurred. This was by far, one of the greatest World Series games in recent memory. I'll give some credit to St. Louis for never backing down when their backs were up against the wall. Hey, that's how it's been for the Bengals all season, so who knows, maybe this will be one magical season for Cincinnati.
As for all you baseball fanatics, don't fret because there is one game left to determine the champions of baseball.
Alright here is a look at what you may have missed or overlooked from Thursday.
- Listen in on our weekly podcast.
- Before the 2011 season even started no one around the NFL believed Cincinnati would win more than three or four games. And the playoffs seemed like a figment of our imagination. But in reality, the Bengals do have a realistic chance to make the playoffs.
- With the Bengals performing at their current level, would you buy tickets yet?
- Second-year linebacker Vincent Rey will be leading the charge to contain Seattle's special teams play.
- On Sunday four Bengals will be reunited with their former college head coach.
- With Rey Maualuga out for Sunday, the bye week and experienced backups should help Bengals linebackers prepare to square-off against Seattle.
- Here is the injury and practice report for the Bengals and Seahawks as of Thursday. Also, Thomas Howard returned to practice.
- An inside look as to how the Bengals have performed on the West Coast.
- According to Marvin Lewis, he doesn't want to be a stat. To find out what he's referring to, simply click it and read it. (I was stating the obvious there).