one bad pitcher gonna spoil the whole bunch

Seriously, I don't understand why the Savannah Bananas are still utilizing a pitcher with an ERA of 17.65, I just don't get it.
All of the other pitchers have Earned Run Averages that are less than 4.0, but not this guy.
The best of the bunch, Jordan Merritt and Dustin Saenz, have ERAs that are well below 2.
I guess he must do pretty good for the away games, but he is horrible at home.
On the 11th of this month, as well as last week on the 19th, I watched in horror as he gave up five runs, in each game, causing the Bananas to lose both times.
Tonight, he was back on the mound again, for less than one inning, granting the opposing team his customary five-run gift.
Seriously.
At least the Blowfish had brought their bad pitcher, with ERA of 17.47, tonight, to balance out the match.
Let's run the tape, shall we?

It's the second inning and the bases are filled with - pause for effect - WALKED Bananas.
Yes, that was the beginning of the end for Brady Smith.
He had only allowed one run in the first inning, but, thanks to him pitching to the home team, the Bananas amassed a stunning SIX RUNS in the second.
Not even the mid-inning change of pitchers could affect that outcome.

Not that the Blowfish needed to fret about their five scoreless innings.
For the sixth inning, Jack Conlon came to pitch and the Blowfish batters finally had someone pitching to them!
Now the bases were filled with Blowfish!
And how many runs did they rack up, thanks to #23?
FIVE RUNS, of course, plus one more from the mid-inning relief by Kyle Luigs.

Fortunately, the Bananas had a little safety margin.
In the 4th inning, Tanner Thomas drove in Mike Williams and Austin Schultz, amping up the score to a total of nine runs.
They felt sure of a win until that disastrous sixth inning, when they suddenly found they were only edging out the Lexington County team by three runs!
The Bananas managed to maintain that lead, with each team scoring only once more.

At least Mister Willie had a wonderful time tonight!
He had spotted his long-time baseball-talking pal, Jack, and sent me to fetch him.
(smile)
I don't know when the last time was that I saw Willie talking so much during a game!
They were so busy catching up that they actually missed part of the action on the field.
Amazing! That never happens.

I thoroughly enjoyed that Willie was having an excellent evening with his friend.
Later, when Willie's blood pressure spiked and I had to get a medic for him, I was glad that I had been there to be his legs.
Then, after the game was done and Jacob had come to help Willie down the stairs, I was taken with this difference in their attire.
What an amusing end to the day!
(smile)