Childhood friends face off in a forgettable MLB pitching battle
Saturday night probably felt like a special night for Chase Anderson and Mike Bolsinger.
The childhood best friends, who went on to become major-league teammates in Arizona, and later served as groomsmen in each other’s weddings, squared off against each other for the first time as major-league pitchers. Anderson represented the Milwaukee Brewers, while Bolsinger represented the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It doesn’t get any better than that, right? They were pitching under the bright lights at Dodger Stadium. They had Vin Scully calling the action on Dodgers’ television. He even told the story of how Anderson was the best man at Bolsinger’s wedding, only to learn that day he’d been traded to the Brewers. Most importantly, they each had a chance for bragging rights.
It was a pretty fun story, right up until the point where they actually started pitching. Then things went off the rails for both men, leading to perhaps the longest and wildest first three innings in any game this season.
That’s what happens when two teams combine for 13 runs on 18 hits and five walks in the first 18 outs.
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For some perspective on that pace, check this out.
Baseball will blow your mind sometimes. If that fact didn’t do the trick, then maybe this one will.
The final pitching lines did look slightly different. Anderson went 2 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned runs on six hits and three walks. Bolsinger went 2 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and two walks. Any way you slice it though, that’s way too much offense.
By the way, if we were to give a nod in one direction or the other, it might have to go to Anderson for two reasons. First, he actually chipped in offensively, delivering a single against Bolsinger. Second, he’s the only one still in the majors as of Sunday.
Then again, Anderson did take the loss, as the Dodgers went on to win 10-6. Bolsinger, meanwhile, was saddled with a no-decision.
Truth be told, this game is one both men will probably want to avoid discussing next time they’re out to dinner. But here’s hoping they have an opportunity to rewrite this story someday with a truly epic rematch.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
