OTF Premium Baseball Game Thread: No. 4 Texas vs. Tennessee (Sunday 11 a.m.)

[Jeff Howe]

The third game of the series is live on ESPN2 as the Longhorns look to avoid getting swept in Knoxville. Ruger Riojas, who missed his start yesterday with a combination of working on some things in the bullpen and soreness, is on the mound on Mother's Day.

Also, Ethan Mendoza is in the lineup today as the designated hitter. Jayden Duplantier is at second base for the second game in a row as Mendoza recovers from a shoulder injury he suffered in Friday's loss.

[Jeff Howe]

A Georgia win over LSU today eliminates Texas from contention for the SEC title. The Bulldogs have already clinched at least a share of the regular-season championship. The Longhorns begin the day tied with Auburn for third place in the conference standings, a half a game behind Texas A&M for second place.

[Jeff Howe]

 

[Jeff Howe]

 

[Here for the Wins]

Big game.  For drivers seat to finish 2nd in conference.

I don’t know what they have pitching-wise, but we have plenty available.

[Jeff Howe]

 

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Here for the Wins said:

Big game.  For drivers seat to finish 2nd in conference.

I don’t know what they have pitching-wise, but we have plenty available.

Yep. Burns, Cozart and Leffew haven't appeared this weekend.

[harveycmd]

Hope it's not embarrassing. 

[Here for the Wins]

4 minutes ago, harveycmd said:

Hope it's not embarrassing. 

I always find this concept curious since pretty much every player, every team has been in a losing spot at one point.

[Jeff Howe]

 

[Jeff Howe]

I hope Texas approaches this game like a loser’s bracket regional game. Lose today, and you’ve got to sweep Mizzou to likely avoid doing work in the SEC Tournament to get a national seed.

[Jeff Howe]

 

[Jeff Howe]

FWIW, Kendall Rogers has Texas safety in Top 8 territory entering the day:

 

[Jeff Howe]

Pack draws a two-out walk.

[Jeff Howe]

Becerra's two-out walk puts two on with two outs for A-Rod.

[Jeff Howe]

A-Rod's hand looks pretty gnarly, BTW. Last week was the first time I've seen it since he got the staple removed.

[Jeff Howe]

BOOM! AN A-BOMB! FOR A-ROD!

[Jeff Howe]

Rodriguez's three-run shot to right puts the Longhorns up early, 3-0.

Hopefully, a 3-0 lead in the top of the first goes better than it did yesterday for Texas.

[Jeff Howe]

BOOM! A BOR-BOMB!

[Jeff Howe]

Casey Borba's solo jack to left field makes it a 4-0 lead for the Longhorns.

Tremendous two-out rally in the first inning by Texas.

[Taylorgang3]

Super super happy for the squad. Love seeing ARod and Borba getting such a good start today.
 

This is such a lollipop park lol. Right field is a joke. 

[LonghornFan4Ever]

What’s up, Dr. Jekyll

[Taylorgang3]

@Jeff Howe I need you to rank SEC ballparks at some point. Want to make a list of which ones I need to attend. 

[Jeff Howe]

Doza works a walk. Competitive at-bats to open the game by the Longhorns.

[Jeff Howe]

That's it for Taylor Tracey. Texas chased the Tennessee starter after 0.2 innings.