Hay McCoy: Did the real Homer Bailey finally stand up?

—Bailey had two on with one out in the eighth and Ramirez at the plate, 108 pitches already expended. Baker came to the mound, but Bailey talked his way into staying and he retired Ramirez on a line drive and coaxed a pop up from Blake on his 115th and final pitch.

“I told Dusty I started it and I want to finish it,” said Bailey.

Baker said he didn’t care what Bailey said, he was out there to look in his eyes, “And I wasn’t sure what I was going to do until I looked into his eyes. I wanted to see the look on his face and the look in his eyes and I saw what I wanted to see.

“If I didn’t see what I liked, I would have gone to the bullpen,” said Baker. “He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Hey, man, I’ve been throwing the ball good against Manny all night and I’d like to get him.’ Hey, he was still throwing 97 miles an hour.”

Bailey was gratified and said, “I can’t say enough about him letting me stay in. It’s a growing process young pitchers have to go through.”

Hat tip to Diamond Lueng.

Last three games for Bailey:

114, 115, 116