The Year Mom Won the Pennant by Matt Christopher

Author:Matt Christopher [CHRISTOPHER, MATTHEW F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780316096133
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-12-09T05:00:00+00:00

10

Cyclone batted for Pat in the bottom of the fourth and slammed a two-one pitch to deep center. It looked good until the center fielder reached up his gloved hand and pulled it out of the air.

Johnny Linn grounded out on the first pitch and Bill Dakes flied out to right. It was a fast half-inning.

The Tornadoes connected with two clean hits through the infield. Then Nick made a nice stop at short and threw the ball to Bill to start a double play. Too wide! One run scored! Scotty Page, who had taken Mike’s place in right field, retrieved the ball and pegged it in.

Nick tightened his lips with disgust. He had been too hasty and not careful. There were still two men on — one on first, the other on third. “C’mon, Johnny! C’mon, kid! They won’t do it again, Johnny!”

A long fly to deep center. Jerry Wong caught it, pegged it in. Bill caught the peg and relayed it home, but not in time. The runner had tagged up at third and scored. Johnny fanned the next two batters to retire the side. But the Tornadoes had chalked up two runs to boost their total to 8.

Jerry, leading off in the bottom of the fifth, received a nice ovation as he strode to the plate. That was a good catch he had made in center field. He took a called strike, a ball, then belted a hard grounder through the pitcher’s box for a single. Nick, up next, socked a hard grounder to second. The second baseman fumbled it and Nick was safe at first, Jerry safe at second.

Gale, batting for Tom Warren, blasted a double between left and center, scoring Jerry. But the fielder retrieved the ball quickly and the coach held Nick up at third.

No outs so far. Nick wished that somebody would hit him in. But Russ struck out, Wayne popped to short, and Scotty flied to left. Dismally Nick shook his head, picked up his glove, and ran out to his position.

In the top of the sixth, the Tornadoes picked up another run to help make their lead more secure — 9 to 6. It was the Thunderballs’ last chance at bat. Their last chance to overtake the Tornadoes.

The Thunderballs’ bench was silent as Cyclone put on his helmet, picked up his bat, and went to the plate.

“What is this?” said Mom. “A funeral wake? Let’s hear some chatter. Come on. Look alive!”

Across the way, on the Tornadoes’ bench, Nick saw a smug look on Coach Stevens’s face, as if the coach was having the time of his life. If only the Thunderballs could do something to wipe that smile off, thought Nick. If only he could do something. But he was fifth to bat and might not get his chance.

The first pitch to Cyclone. He swung. A single over short! Then Johnny belted a low pitch that glanced off the pitcher’s left foot and sailed through the space between first and second. Bill Dakes hit a grounder to the shortstop’s right side.

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