baseball has a way…
five golden-armed young pitchers--
can this magic last?

spate of injuries--
hoped to skip only one start--
gone for the season

a sacrifice fly--
put him in the clean-up spot
veteran presence

first major league start--
sometimes faith is rewarded
pitched well yet again

eighth-inning rally
the ever calm elder sage
a pinch-hit grand slam

fastballs and sinkers
keeping the team in the game
seven shut-out innings

turn to the bullpen
(give up runs and you lose games)
his command was poor

bottom of the ninth
flyout to right, left, center
then it was over

baseball has a way…
the lingering question is
the silence in Queens