Free Double Play at Short by Matt Christopher Page B

increased to two runs.
    “An RBI for Ike,” said Frankie. “Dynamite!”
    Up at bat next, Mike tapped a ground ball that hit the mound and bounced off toward third. Joey stopped it and threw it to
     second, but he was too late to catch Larry. Larry held where he was as Mike stood up on first.
    Then Bus Thomas socked a line drive straight into Tammy’s mitt to end the inning. The score was Bullets 4–Jaguars 2.
    In the fifth inning, the Jaguars put two players on base before their first out. Then Ike walked Tammy before striking out
     the next two batters. It looked as though the Jaguars were starting to run out of steam.
    The Bullets, however, were just getting started. Frankie walked, Ken struck out for the second time in the game, but Danny
     got a clean stand-up double by hitting the ball deep into right field. It was enough to send Frankie home. The Bullets’ score
     went to 5 runs against the Jaguars’ 2.
    Then Joanne popped one up to short for the second out. Tammy spun to toss the ball to the second baseman for the double play,
     but Danny wasn’t taking chances and had stayed right where he was. Their eyes met briefly, then Tammy turned and threw the
     ball back to the pitcher.
    Joel came up and got his first hit of the game. He arrived safely on first, and Danny held up at third. With two men on base,
     the Bullets stood a chance of scoring another run. But it didn’t happen. Larry struck out to end the fifth inning with the
     Bullets three runs up on the Jaguars.
    As Danny ran off to his field position, he felt good. He’d hit a single, a double, and a triple all in thesame game. That didn’t happen often. Even if he didn’t get up to bat again, his series average was looking good.
    But the Bullets still had their work cut out for them. They could end the game if they contained the Jaguars in the top of
     the sixth inning.
    Drew Ferris led off. He put one by Mike to arrive safe on first. Next up was Eric, but the Jaguars put in a pinch hitter for
     him. Barney Gold, their substitute outfielder, came up and faced Ike. The Bullets’ outfield played him deep.
    The first two pitches were low and inside, and Barney let them go by. The next two were down the middle for called strikes.
     He swung at the fifth pitch and connected. It was a high fly ball into center field, and Joel was ready for it. He put it
     away for the first out and pegged the ball to third. Drew held up at second.
    The shouting from the Bullets’ fans began in the stands: “We want a win! We want a win!”
    The ump signaled for them to quiet down.
    Next up was Joey Sands. Ike walked him. There were runners on first and second.
    Wally Mills stepped into the batter’s box and tooka few practice swings. He settled down to try for a hit, but Ike walked him, too. The bases were now loaded with only one
     out.
    Danny could feel the tension all around him. His own heart was pounding madly. Got to remain cool, he thought. He took a deep
     breath and settled down for the next pitch.
    Marsha let the first two go by for a 1 and 1 count. The next one started to break in the direction she liked, and she went
     for it. She connected with a ground ball to short.
    In one easy movement, Danny scooped it up and pegged the ball home. A perfect throw! Larry tagged Drew out and sped the ball
     back to third, but he was too late. With two away, the bases were still loaded.
    No mistakes, said Danny to himself. No mistakes. He hunkered down, eyes glued to home plate.
    The tension of the moment proved to be too much for Roy Feenie, the next batter. He struck out.
    The game was over: Bullets 5–Jaguars 2.
    Danny was jubilant as he jogged off the field. They were still in the running! The series was tied 2–2 — and Danny knew his
     playing today had helped bring about the much needed victory.
    Tammy had been left on deck when the game ended. She’d been talking to one of her teammates and was still on the diamond near
     home as Danny passed by. Before he