Playoff Fever: Full Moon Over Frisco

One of the myths about the Full Moon is that it causes erratic behavior in anyone who stays outside under it, just ask the Arkansas Travelers.

The Rough Riders and Travelers were playing in tight, well-pitched scoreless game until the bottom of the seventh inning - when the Full Moon myth was proven by Arkansas fielding.

Frisco OF Steve Murphy bunted to the pitcher who threw wildly to first - landing Murphy at second base, he scored on a single by Elvis Andrus. There were two out and that's when things really got weird. With Andrus at second and C Tim Gradoville at third, DH Chad Tracy hit what should have been a routine ground ball to Travelers third baseman Corey Smith - who threw the ball right right past the outstretched glove of first baseman Mark Trumbo - while he scrambled for the ball - Gradoville and the speedy Andrus scored. Making it a 3-0 Frisco lead - the Riders held on to win 3-1 -forcing the final, decisive, fifth game of the series.

The Riders LHP Derek Holland pitched another gem: 6 IP, 2 Hits, 1 BB, 6 K - I'm not sure it was the Full Moon or just "Instant Karma" (John Lennon reference) coming back around after Holland was tagged with three unearned runs in last Tuesday's loss.

Celebrity Sightings: Rangers owner Tom Hicks and his son were sitting in the first row behind home plate, and Rangers Front Office good guy Josh Boyd was also in attendance, as well as Jamey Newberg and his family.

Playoff baseball is always great - even if it is just AA. Of course it would be better if were being played in Arlington - and who knows maybe some of the guys on the field tonight will be playing some meaningful games one day in September and October at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Monday Night - it's for all the marbles, Neftali Feliz on the mound. I'm guessing I will probably be the only fan in stands (Thank God I loathe football).

Go Riders! -- Marla Hooch

.