With the bases clear, and only one out, the Redwood High School coach came out of his dugout, and signaled for a pitcher change. He went to the mound and was given the baseball from the exiting pitcher, only to give it to the new pitcher from their bullpen. It was a righty this time.
The new pitcher threw a few pitches off the mound and was ready to go. He quickly shut down our offense, getting Jason to strikeout, and Mahki to pop out to third base. Granted, they didn't do well in the second inning, so there wasn't much of a difference.
The bottom of the third also brought up the top of Redwood's lineup. The first three would be the same three that Kyle had loaded the bases with in the first inning. He came out stronger than he did in the beginning.
He spent six pitches on the first batter, before jamming him with an inside fastball. It was another grounder to Kyle, who was able to make the throw to Julian with ease for the first out. The second batter required eight pitches, but Kyle was able to get him to strikeout swinging.
His pitch count was climbing by the batter. I tried to think about the first two innings and how many pitches each batter needed, but I couldn't be sure. I'd have to check with Dave, who was keeping count in the dugout.
The third batter was also putting in work. He fouled four straight pitches down the third baseline. They were all line drives. Garret attempted to catch one, but only ended up with a dirty jersey. Kyle's pitching became a little erractic, throwing balls nowhere near the zone.
A loud 'ding' rang throughout the field, as the batter connected with one of Kyle's pitches.
"Crap!" I heard Kyle yell. His hands were on his knees and his head hung low. He wasn't even turning to look where the ball went.
I was concerned that he got hurt like Dave, but after watching the ball soar just over Garret's outstretched glove at the outfield fence, it became clear that he knew he messed up. 5-2.
The umpire threw him a new ball once he recollected himself. Kyle did his best to aim for the strike zone against the cleanup hitter. It's like he was pitching mad. Besides one foul ball, they were all swing-and-misses. Strikeout to end the inning.
We jogged back to the dugout, some of us happy, others not. I thought it was pretty good that we only gave up one run, but from the look of Kyle's face, I didn't dare say so.
"Two homeruns! Ugh!" He groaned and threw his glove against the bench. "What is wrong with me?!"
"Take a breather." Coach told him.
"Three innings and two homers?? What am I doing wrong?" He continued to complain about his own actions.
"I'm here Coach!" Bryce showed up in the dugout with his bag. He came from the bullpen so maybe Coach called him back to go in the next half inning? Or maybe to bat?
"Good. Grab your helmet and bat. You're going in for Kyle. He's supposed to be on deck." Coach told him.
"What?!?" Kyle swung his body around to look at Coach. "You're replacing me?? It's only been three innings!"
Coach folded his arms across his chest. "Do I need you to tell me how to do my job?"
Kyle's anger deflated a little bit. "No, sir. I'm just saying that I'm still good to go."
"No." Coach declared flatly. "You're too hotheaded right now. You're not there mentally and that can cause injuries if you aren't careful. Take a seat."
"Crap!" Kyle cursed again and sat down with clenched fists. No one dared to say anything to him at the moment.
Alex hurried out of the dugout after taking off all his catching gear. He was first up. Bryce was already on deck, excited to bat or scared of pissing off Kyle. Too soon to tell. Noah was putting on his helmet and grabbing his bat as well.
"I didn't think Kyle would get pulled so soon.." I mumbled for him to hear.
"It's expected." Noah replied, surprising me with that answer. "You heard Coach, he's losing his cool out there. That last batter...he went at him with pure anger. That's not the way to pitch. He could have strained a muscle or worse, tear something. You have to be consistent in your pitching or something bad can happen."
"Oh."
Noah shrugged helplessly, and left to go stand by the entrance of the dugout.
I started to put my helmet on too. Someone would have to get on for me to get up, but it's only proper that I be ready. Alex grounded out to the second baseman for the first out.
I grabbed my bat and headed for the entrance now that Noah moved to the on deck circle and Bryce moved to the batter's box. This new pitcher for Redwood was faster than the lefty, but his control was still lacking. He walked Bryce, giving me a chance to come up this inning.
Sadly, Noah destroyed that chance by hitting into a double play. Short to second to first. I sighed with the rest of the team. Even up by three, our team still wanted more runs. Kyle was down and out and that seemed to affect the mood of the team.
Well, all but a few of us. Zeke was never bothered. Noah already knew what it was like when Kyle gets mad. I felt fine after being reassured by Noah. And for Bryce, he just wanted to pitch. Seeing Kyle mad didn't ruin his mood. It just couldn't. He was smiling on the mound as he toed the rubber and kicked some dirt around.
In my mind, it was creepy. Pitchers are of a different mind, I believe.
Bryce did his part well though. He went three up, three down to shut out the fourth inning. All three outs were anxiety ridden in my eye though. It was a fly out to right field, then to center, and then Noah had to chase one back to no-man's land. Balls being put into play just weren't good for my weak heart.