Sweet Victory!

A Surreal Moment: A Speech Taken To Heart

By Annie Rivera

It was the speech that did it.

Practice Wednesday was not a normal practice. It was a time to reflect on accomplishments. It was a time to take the bull by the horns and step up. It was the speech that told each and every last player on the team to somehow, someway MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

It was the speech.

The speech taken to heart.I saw it in their eyes. I saw it in their demeanor. I saw it in their comraderie. I saw it in their body language. It meant something.

This team, who while written off early in the season, bounced back and played like a team. Each player making a contribution - somehow, some way.

The surreal life.

Number 8 stepped up to the plate and took a 1-2 count. Protecting the plate; taking a pitch down the middle and a swing that matched hit a deep fly ball to center field - GONE! Colton Burrows trodded the bases like a true champion. Hitting his first career homerun, Burrows was met by his team mates at the plate with high-fives and cheers. All while Mom sat in the scorebooth dizzy with delight at the feat her son had just accomplished. Beaming at the 3rd-base coaching box was Dad - Coach Mike with a grin from here to Mexico.

The momentum was on the side of the A's.

Isaiah Terrazas was focused and determined. A total 30 pitches in 2 innings, 7 K and 1 hit, Terrazas closed the game out with style and poise.

Another key play was a high chopper hit to short stop Christopher Rivera who fielded with smoothness in one continuous motion for a put out at first.

Previously: A tie score 1-1 ending in regulation 6 innings, the A's and Red Sox went into extra innings. Still tied, the umpire called the game due to darkness. Scoreless in the 7th and 8th inning, A's won 2-1 off of Burrow's solo-homerun.

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT, WONDERFUL AND ENTERTAINING FIRST HALF A'S!