The Astros’ PCL affiliate Round Rock Express celebrated “Christmas In July” Monday night against Oklahoma City, entertaining fans (and I use both terms loosely) with fake snow, ushers dressed like elves and Reid Ryan barking instructions into a walkie-talking (some portions of this promotion were more exciting than others, granted). The presents were handed out by former Mets reliever Jorge Sosa (above, left), who followed ten innings of 3-hit ball from Jack Cassel and Chad Reineke with his unique flair for fucking things up (1 IP, 4 earned runs, 4 hits, one walk to former Tiger Chris Shelton). Thanks to Sosa’s generosity, the division leading Red Hawk won the series finale, 5-1 in 11 innings, despite being two outs away from a shutout loss before Casey Benjamin took Reineke deep in the top of the 9th.
It’s been a hell of a weekend for veteran relievers in Williamson County. On Sunday night, Ray King allowed a HR to Oklahoma’s John Mayberry Jr. that might’ve knocked down a spaceship enroute to bouncing off the roof of the Dell Diamond’s centerfield garage. Josh Hamilton’s 71-year old batting practice pitcher will get a bit of favorable ink for his efforts in the Bronx last night, but if he were unavailable for an encore performance at next year’s Derby, Hamilton would do well to give King a ring.