Chapter 6

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As they came off the field at the close of the sixth inning, Mike said under his breath, “Garrison’s damn good, not quite as good as you, but better’n me. He bats and runs decent, too.”

Bear nodded, thinking of the quick reflexes, strong arm, and good eye. “He’s a helluva lot better than damn good. I’m glad Refugio invited him.”

Cheers rose from the rooting section when the Hornets took the game in the bottom half of the ninth. Dane had hit a double with a man on third, and when the powerful arms of Bear slugged two men in with a home run to clinch the win, the crowd jumped up screaming. The men left the field touching knuckles and bumping chests together.

“We usually go for a beer and pizza at Pernicano’s after a win. Want to join us, gringo?” Refugio teased Dane by using the Spanish word for foreigner, implying being from Seattle was the same thing.

“I have the feeling you’ve just dubbed me with a nickname. Sure, I’d like to go. Where is it?” Dane asked.