T he Reds won again but they waited as long as they could to do it. To be fair to both teams, most of the home plate calls were pretty questionable.

I'm really in favor of minimizing the influence any umpire can have on a game. One idea I've advocated for a long time is a pair of lights inside the home plate umpire's mask that verify his calls-- say red for ball and green for strike. I think most of these guys would be really surprised to see how often they're wrong.

Anyway, a good pitcher's duel ended with a two-out ninth-inning single by newcomer Chris Denorfia. Ironically, he grounded to short every at bat during the game. It just happened in this instance that the Rockies' backup shortstop bobbled the ball, allowing two runs to score and ending the game.

I had taken the camera to this game and got some very nice shots if I say so myself. The day was quite hot and muggyish, even to a long-time Florida resident who's used humidity in the 85%-plus range, so I was glad for the club seats I'd chosen for the day games. Sure, it costs a few bucks more, but the ability to retreat briefly to the air conditioning and not miss any of the game is definitely worth every penny. 		  A fterward, I took a quick shower and headed next door to see if I could sneak into the Shadowbox Cabaret without a reservation on a Saturday night. Ha! Unlikely. I had only one possibility in mind as I approached the front of the line.

"You don't need to see my reservation," I told the maitre d'/percussionist, drawing an arc in the air with my index finger. "I'm not the droid you're looking for."

A heartbeat-- had my plan worked?

"Hoh hoh hoh. Your mind powers will not work on me, boy. It's a completely full house. No seats!"

By some insane stroke of luck, the cluster of folks ahead of me had purchased extra seats (probably to get a group rate) and were happy to sell me one. It's just that sort of crowd. But I was nevertheless aware that it was an incredible coincidence, almost a deus ex machina, that got me in that door.

Right now, though, it's already quite late, so let's leave me there enjoying the show with the thought scurrying around my head, "I was meant to be here."

Somehow, I thought, this too ties into The Lesson.

I slept in a bit on Sunday as well, anticipating that this last steamy day in Cincinnati would be a long and arduous one. I was in for more than I could have expected. 		 
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