Good morning or good evening, wherever you may be, across the nation and across the world. It is just past 4:00 a.m. in "The City."

I went to bed last night to listen to the Cubs' game, and shortly thereafter I fell asleep, secure in the knowledge that the Cubs had the game in hand. Later, I turned off the radio feed, because according to the descriptions and accounts of Pat Hughes, all was well. That didn't last. As all too often happens, the Cubs tried to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

When I awoke later. I learned that the Cubs  who were tied and then ahead,had lost the lead in the top of the 9th, only to load the bases in the bottom of the inning. Two batters were hit by pitches in the bottom of the 9th to first tie the score and then the Cubs won the game in a walk-off when the second batter was hit.

Early in the game, SS Javier Baez hit a long home run and in a later inning, he was hit by a pitch. He stole second on a strikeout to Jason Heyward and then when the Indians catcher threw the ball into center field, Baez was waved home and eluded the tag at the plate. That's why I get excited by baseball. 

The 22 - 20 Cubs, once again welcome the 26 - 22 Indians to the "Friendly Confines" tonight to face LHP Jon Lester, 2 - 2 @ 8:15 p.m. EDT.

My beloved 18 - 31 Red Sox visit the Marlins in Miami again tonight  @ 6:40 p.m. EDT. The beloved send LHP Mike Kickham, 1 - 0, to the mound following the Sox' 2 - 0 win over the 24 - 22 Miami Marlins. Rookie RHP Tanner Houck, the Sox 10th rated "prospect" gave a surreal performance in his Major-League debut, winning the game, and going 1 - 0.

The 21 - 26 Tigers and hard-luck LHP Matthew Boyd, 2 - 6. defeated the 20- 22 Royals last night, 6 - 0. The Tigers and the Royals play again tonight @ 7:10 p.m. EDT, when rookie LHP Tarik Skubal 1 - 2, takes the mound.

There is still a Beach Hazard Statement in effect for Mason, Oceana, Muskegon and Ottawa counties from until 5:00 p.m. EDT today. High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions can be expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by waves.

There is also have a Small Craft Advisory in effect for that same time period from Holland to Manistee. Southwest winds gusting to 25 knots with waves from 3 to 5 feet are likely. We took a ride to the Grand Haven City Beach and the Grand Haven State Park so that I could take some pix. The surf was definitely up and in fact, there was a Gale Warning in effect when we were there 

Yesterday, following their doctor's visits, we left the fur-children at home and traveled to the Grand Haven City Beach and the Grand Haven State Park for a photo-op. I took a lot of pix, but I only have so much room, so here are some of my favorites. Perhaps that walk in the cemetery with the fur-children will happen today.

Still a very busy place in the off-season.

LIke "Mother Ocean", the "Big Lake" can be tempestuous.

The surf was definitely up!

With a Gale Warning in effect, the surfers came in droves.

With help, each sail-boarder tried their hand.

I like this shot with the outer lighthouse in the background.

Better?

Today, we have to do some indoor chores, collectively work the weekend crossword puzzle, do more recreational reading, and perhaps take that aforementioned walk with the fur-children

 The sun will rise today @ 7:26 a.m. and set later @ 7:52 p.m. Ciao.

P.S. I still don't like not having either grammar-check nor spell check in this blog.