Harry Doyle:
"Well, folks, if you’re still awake, congratulations! You’ve officially outlasted half the crowd and both teams’ bullpens. We’re in the bottom of the 13th, still tied at two, and it looks like the Highlanders are running out of patience—and so am I! Let’s see if someone can finally send us home."
[D.Sadler steps in]
Harry Doyle:
"Leading it off is Sadler—he’s oh-for-five tonight, but hey, at this point, who’s even counting? Here’s the pitch… and he lifts a lazy fly ball to left… Balester camps under it… one down."
[Crowd groans]
Harry Doyle:
"Well, that won’t get it done. Next up, cleanup hitter Don Benincasa—who, let’s be honest, is probably just hoping to make contact."
[D.Benincasa digs in]
Harry Doyle:
"Flores looks in… winds… and the pitch—SWUNG ON AND MISSED! Strike three! Yikes! Benincasa chased that one like it owed him money! And just like that, two quick outs for the Highlanders."
[More groans from the crowd]
Harry Doyle:
"And wouldn’t you know it, folks? Look who’s coming up—Rafael Bonilla. The man, the myth, the—well, let’s just say, earlier tonight, he was looking more like a legend in the wrong way. But now? He’s got a chance to make everyone forget that ninth-inning whiff and prove why he’s the odds-on favorite for MVP and the new face of Hardball Stitches!"
[Crowd buzzing as Bonilla steps in]
Harry Doyle:
"Orlando Flores toes the rubber… he sets… first pitch to Bonilla—CRACK! HIGH DRIVE TO LEFT! THAT BALL IS GONNA BE… OUTTA HERE! GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY! RAFAEL BONILLA WALKS IT OFF!"
[Crowd erupts, Bonilla rounds the bases, teammates storm the field]
Harry Doyle:
"Bonilla takes the slow jog around the bases, fists pumping! He’s getting mobbed at home plate—helmets flying, Gatorade showers—hell, I think someone just threw a shoe! The Highlanders win it in thirteen!"
[Doyle sighs, chuckles]
Harry Doyle:
"Well, folks, there’s your MVP moment. Bonilla goes from goat to god in four innings, and the Highlanders escape with a 3-2 win! For Monty in the booth, the exhausted stadium staff, and the folks who just woke up from their seventh-inning nap, I’m Harry Doyle saying… about damn time! See you next time—whenever that is!"