Who knew Fernando Tatis was still trying to play baseball? Last we heard from him, he was having a career year (steroids, anyone?) in 1999 highlighted by his two grand slams in the same inning on April 23 off of none other than Chan Ho Park. He's the only player ever to accomplish such a ridiculous feat.
Tatis returned to baseball Wednesday night after a long absence, and it came in the most unlikely scenario.
Suffice it say, the New York Mets
badly needed to win the series against the Marlins. Florida led by one run in the bottom of the 9th until Endy Chavez delivered a game-tying home run.
Three innings later Alfredo Armezaga crushed the Mets with a solo shot of his own. New York had yet to come from behind to win a game they trailed after eight innings all season. That's where Tatis comes into play.
With David Wright and Carlos Beltran on base, Fernando Tatis stepped to the plate for his first major league at-bat in two years. It wasn't exactly as clutch as multiple grand slams, but the Mets were more than happy with his two-run walk-off double.
Mets 7, Marlins 6
Speaking of Chan Ho Park ... it's only fitting he would blow a game on the same night Tatis returned to heroism. After Takashi Saito walked have the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th to allow a sacrifice fly to tie the game, Park came in for relief in the 10th. How happy Alfonso Soriano must have been. A bloop single drove in Mike Fontenot for a Cubs sweep of the Dodgers.
Cubs 2, Dodgers 1
Sharing the Best Record in Baseball Despite the SI Cover last week, the Rays are still holding onto a share of best record with the Cubs. Yes, the Rays and Cubs have the best record in the majors. Hello, Apocalypse. Matt Garza moved to 4-1 with another strong eight innings.
Rays 5, Rangers 3
Bedard is Back A lot has gone wrong for the Mariners this season, first of which has been untimely injuries. Seattle's big offseason acquisition has struggled with a bad hip, but hopefully last night's outing versus Boston is a sign he's back to form. Seven innings, just two hits and no runs. Unfortunately it only counted for one win.
Mariners 1, Sox 0