Running the Bases with Alexandra Shloss: Game #9, Cubs v. Dodgers, 5/6/2012

And we went back the next day to see the Dodgers, because, let's face it, it's the Dodgers. We did not know we were there for a marathon. You'll get that joke later. We arrived around 8 a.m. for the 1:05 start. Here's Angela on the phone, as usual.

We got some autos.

Don Mattingly

Inside, we watched batting practice.

I met this guy, Josh Lindblom, outside, too. The secret to meeting players is not to go for the big names. Meet the upandcomers and then they remember you when they're big time.

Every time I meet a bench player, he gets in the game.

It was starting to drizzle, but Angela and I are not afraid of a little rain. We made a sign calling for Ted Lilly to come over, and it definitely worked. He was flexing for the crowd.

Here I am surreptitiously slipping his glove on.

But the rain delay happened and here we are, forced to wait in the tunnels. They don't always make you go, but there was a threat of severe weather.

Angela, of course, looked ADORABLE.

Oh, man. I miss these days when we could call Steve to come over and he would just come running. He probably used to think it was awesome to have his own personal fan club. At this point in the season, he had strained his oblique and was out for six weeks. It was awful. That's why Wellington Castillo came up. I missed The Clev. But this little doll was always up for photo ops. Also, he explained what it meant to be "designated for assignment." Blake DeWitt had been designated for assignment earlier to make room for the new pitcher. Steve explained it well--eventually.

Finally the rain delay was lifted.

I was excited to see our new, just-called-up-from-AAA pitcher Travis Wood. He was only up for the day because someone was injured.

We were ready with our support.

Warm ups commenced.

An anthem was sung.

Have I mentioned how much I love Joe Mather?

And Tony Campana

Travis Wood was pretty swell pitching. He allowed three runs, but he had some good stuff.

This kid was just kind of cute. But the Tigers cap confused me.

Me and Angela were just excited to be there.

Matt Kemp was a late scratch from the game, giving Cubs an automatic advantage..

Andre Ethier was playing, however.

Here's the thing about Starlin Castro, and forgive me if you think he is the savior of the world. He can make big, flashy plays, but it's the everyday plays he messes up.

Tony was proud of him, though.

Let's chat about Travis Wood. Not only does he have good stuff on the mound, but he generally wields his bat quite nicely. He was 2-2 for the day and started off a run-scoring

He started with a double.

Not a bad average.

Birds came out in droves to attack Tony Campana.

Here is Darwin Barney and his gum. He is ALWAYS chewing gum like a cow out to pasture with his cud.

A proposal in our section. It was absolutely sweet!

After Travis Wood reached on a single, Tony Campana beat out a bunt to load the bases (DeJesus was also on base).

Bryan LaHair started off another great inning with a single and moving around the bases.

Here's Randy Wells and Kerry Wood. We need to see them sometimes.

Shawn Camp came in to pitch. He always looks like some kid they threw out there, but he's fantastic.

Angela and I were so very excited for the Cubs winning.

Matt Kemp came in to pinch hit. He was no match for Shawn Camp.

Tony Campana always jumps sideways over the foul line when he comes to the dugout.

Reed Johnson started off the seventh with a walk.

Tony Campana tried to keep things going, but to no avail. However, it's a great face here.

James Russell came in the top of the eighth, with the Dodgers up 3-2.

Tony Campana always plays hard.

Bryan LaHair's LaHairdo.

Ian Stewart giving it a go pinch-hitting in the bottom of the ninth, still down 3-2.

He singled.

David DeJesus walked, sending Ian to second.

Then Tony Campy doubled, sending Ian Stewart home to tie the game. DeJesus was out trying to score, but Campana made it to third because he's really fast. Castro struck out, sending the game to extra innings.

Raffle Ticket came in and pitched a scoreless 10th.