ITPV » Erik Kratz kept hoping for a moment like this.

That’s why he stuck around http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-carlos-rodon-jersey , through a dozen big league organizations, a couple of cruel demotions in the minors, a bunch of near-misses in the World Series.And the time he accidentally shot himself in the hand with a nail gun.“I really feel like I’ve played my last game for the last 12 years because the game doesn’t owe anybody anything,” the Milwaukee catcher said. “When you understand that, you appreciate these times more than anything else.”Luke Voit certainly never expected to hear crowds at Yankee Stadium chanting his name in October, especially when he was stuck at Triple-A for St. Louis in late July. Yet there he was, batting third as New York hosted Boston on Monday night.Ryan Brasier’s path to these playoffs was unusual, too. The Red Sox reliever is a rookie — even though he made his major league debut in 2013.This postseason is full of stars, including Christian Yelich, Jose Altuve and Mookie Betts. Ronald Acuna Jr., Miguel Andujar and Walker Buehler are among the many talented newcomers.To see them here, now, that’s probably not a huge surprise.But Kratz? Starring on this stage?Still scrapping at 38, he’s a .211 career hitter in the bigs, the very definition of a veteran backup catcher. He’s been in the system of all four AL teams that reached the Division Series this year, plus the Brewers.Kratz was with Kansas City in the 2014 World Series Nellie Fox Jersey , but never got off the bench. He came close in Game 7, lined up to enter if All-Star catcher Salvador Perez had been pulled for a pinch-runner.The next year, he went 0 for 4 in the regular season for the Royals and was nowhere near the playoff roster. Even so, they rewarded him with a championship ring.In 2016, Kratz batted .069 in 14 games for Houston.“I love Kratzy,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said Monday. “I’ve texted back and forth with him like I do a lot of our players or ex-players. I still remember him running out for intros and falling down to win a bet. I’ll always remember that, and got to get the video of that.”“I remember Erik Kratz, when I told him he was off our team, he was a proud Astro, so I’m happy when guys succeed when they go elsewhere,” he said.Kratz was in the minors this June when the Yankees traded him to Milwaukee for a player to be named. He impressed the Brewers with his work regimen and knowledge, and produced enough to earn a spot in the playoffs.Against Colorado last week, he became the oldest position player to start in his postseason debut since Lave Cross for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series.“Lave Cross from Milwaukee, yeah, he was a really good third baseman. We played together in rookie ball,” Kratz kidded.“It’s something that is part of history http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-harold-baines-jersey , so maybe in 113 years, some dude is going to be like, Erik Kratz — is it Kratz? What is that?” he said.No joke: Kratz went 5 for 8 in the NL Division Series sweep of the Rockies, and his Milwaukee teammates started chanting “MVP! MVP!” at him in the bubbly-soaked clubhouse.“It’s gone from an unsung season to kind of a front-and-center role right now,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.During the series, Kratz reflected on his future in baseball. He realizes time is running out.“I haven’t had a good enough career to retire. I’m just going to quit. I’ll just be out. That’s what’s going to happen,” he said.Brasier’s trip to this postseason also took several turns. He seemed to be off to a good start as rookie with the Angels in 2013, putting together a 2.00 ERA in seven relief appearances.That was before Tommy John surgery, more time in the minors and a detour to Japan. He signed with the Red Sox in spring training, returned to the majors shortly before the All-Star break and kept a spot in the Boston bullpen.He’s already made his presence known.In Game 2 of the ALDS, the 31-year-old Brasier got into a verbal spat with Gary Sanchez, annoyed that the Yankees slugger kept stepping out of the batter’s box. That came as he struck out Andrew McCutchen, Giancarlo Stanton and Sanchez in the same inning.At 27, Voit’s trek wasn’t so winding. Rather, he was backed up in the minors for St. Louis behind star first baseman Matt Carpenter. The beefy Voit didn’t exactly fit the physical profile of the athletic-minded Cardinals, either.Dealt to the Yankees shortly before the July 31 trade deadline for Giovanny Gallegos and Chasen Shreve Luke Appling Jersey , Voit got off to a slow start and seemed to be a backup for Greg Bird, at best.But then, his huge swing started clicking. He connected for 14 home runs down the stretch, hit a two-run triple in the AL wild-card win over Oakland and has two hits and two RBIs in two playoff games against Boston.In a city known for fashion, Voit also has made his own style statement. He prefers to keep the top button on his jersey unfastened, with no T-shirt underneath.“Let the chest hair hang, baby,” he said. NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom has had precious little margin for error even while having the best ERA in the majors. Finally, on Wednesday, he got the run support he needed.DeGrom struck out 10 over six innings, received rare significant run support and earned his first win in nearly two months as the New York Mets blanked the Cincinnati Reds 8-0.“Almost every game he’s pitched in, one pitch can cost him the game,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “So I feel like all of those are stressful innings.“Jacob is so relaxed, he might not feel the stress of those, but I would have to think every time a runner gets in scoring position or every time a home run hitter gets up that he steps on the gas a tad more to make sure he doesn’t even give up one run.”Brandon Nimmo tied a team record with three doubles and drove in three runs as the Mets won for the 22nd time in their last 66 games.DeGrom (6-7) ended a seven-start winless streak, allowing four hits in a 100-pitch outing and lowering his ERA from 1.85 to 1.77. He won for the first time since June 18 at Colorado http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-bo-jackson-jersey , where the Mets scored 12 runs.It was his sixth double-digit strikeout game of the season and 27th of his career. His first nine strikeouts were on change-ups and fastballs, and deGrom used his curveball to fan Scooter Gennett to end the sixth.“When I go out there, I don’t want anybody to score,” deGrom said. “I don’t like giving up runs whether it’s 8-0 or 0-0, and that’s how I approach this year, go out there and keep guys from getting around the bases.”DeGrom allowed one earned or fewer for the 13th time this season, tying him with Justin Verlander, Blake Snell and Chris Sale for the major league lead. He held an opponent under three runs for the 20th straight time.“He’s definitely one of the best in the game,” Gennett said. “His numbers show it.”He was 0-5 with a 2.47 ERA during the winless skid, with the Mets giving deGrom a combined eight runs in those games.They scored plenty on Wednesday for deGrom, who helped himself with an RBI walk in the fourth. It was the second straight outing he drove in a run.Austin Jackson drove in two runs with a double in the second and a single in the fifth as the Mets built a 5-0 lead. Nimmo hit an RBI double in the fifth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Amed Rosario in the fourth.Nimmo also added a two-run double in the eighth and Jackson capped the scoring with a single.Rosario’s sacrifice fly came after deGrom drove in his third run of the season and 15th of his career. With runners at second and third, the Reds intentionally walked Devin Mesoraco, but starter Robert Stephenson (0-1) threw four straight pitches out of the strike zone.“I wanted to throw just whatever I could throw for a strike, and that at-bat, I wasn’t able to throw any for a strike,” Stephenson said.Stephenson made his season debut for the Reds after going 6-0 in his last seven starts for Triple-A Louisville. The former first-round pick allowed three runs on three hits in four innings.The Reds wound up moving left fielder Phillip Ervin to the mound to finish the eighth.Seth Lugo http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-luis-aparicio-jersey , Jerry Blevins, and Robert Gsellman each pitched a scoreless inning for the Mets.METS MILESTONESNimmo’s three doubles marked the 29th time in team history it happened and the first since Yoenis Cespedes on Aug. 3, 2015, at Miami. … 3B Jose Bautista scored his 1,000th run in the fourth inning, becoming the 10th active player to reach the milestone.GOOD HITTING PITCHERWhen the Reds wanted to bat for Stephenson, they didn’t turn to their bench. Instead, they went to their pitching staff, sending out Michael Lorenzen. Lorenzen hit a 324-foot fly ball to left right field, lowering his average from .267 to .250. It was the fourth time he pinch hit and stayed in the game.TRAINER’S ROOMReds: 1B Joey Votto (right knee) missed his second straight game and sat out for the third time in four games. Votto was hit by a pitch by Washington RHP Ryan Madson and missed his 10th game since the start of the 2015 season. Manager Jim Riggleman said Votto is feeling better and that the slugger will play Friday. . OF Preston Tucker (toe) did not play for the second straight game. He was hit on the right foot by RHP Noah Syndergaard’s slider on Monday. Riggleman said Tucker’s foot is still sore and he will consult with trainers and undergo tests during Thursday’s off day.Mets: C Devin Mesoraco was hit in the groin while attempting to catch a deGrom pitch in the first inning but stayed in the game.UP NEXTReds: After a day off, RHP Anthony DeScalfani (6-5, 4.98 ERA) will start the opener of a three-game series against Arizona on Friday.Mets: RHP Zack Wheeler (6-6, 3.89 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series at Miami on Friday. Wheeler is 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA in his last seven starts.