MLB: Two Separate Games Became Marathons
By Eric He
I don’t know what kind of human you are if you were able to sit through an 18-inning baseball game, let alone a game that went 20-innings.
Both of those happened on Saturday, as the Miami Marlins defeated the New York Mets 2-1 in 20 innings, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Texas Rangers in 18 frames.
The Mets-Marlins game took six hours and 25 minutes to complete, while the Jays-Rangers game went just under five and a half hours.
It was the first time that two games on the same day lasted that long since 2006.
“You play 20 innings, you want to win,” said Marlins manager Mike Redmond.
And win he did, as Adeiny Hechavarria drove in Placido Polanco with a single in the 20th inning, in front of what remained of the 20,338 who paid to get into Citi Field.
“In a situation like that,” said Marlins catcher Rob Brantly, who played all 20 innings, “the team that can keep their enthusiasm up the most usually ends up being the victor.”
Meanwhile, in Toronto, Blue Jays manager Jay Gibbons joked to the media, “You guys enjoy the doubleheader?
“A lot of relief,” said Rajai Davis when asked how he felt after his walk-off hit in the 18th inning. “Oohh, I thanked God. Wow.”
After two games like that, you can bet that a lot of players, coaches, and fans are thanking God.