Returning to familiar confines can be fun…if you return at the right time.

Timing is always key and even the smallest thing can throw everything off.

So I’m in Washington wondering how to get out of a jam. Not unlike cranberry jam, one of someone else’s natural creation.

Our No. 4 is a young buck that management has big plans for. He’s a good kid and we are all willing and able to assist however necessary.

This time, he let a quick slap hitting pinch hitter get on to start the 7th inning.

It felt like the phone Rand before the ball dropped into front of the left fielder.

As a couple of us warmed up, the kid stretched his legs and bared down, getting the next two easy and looked well in his way to finishing…

Then he walked up to the plate.

Standing about 6-3 with long legs that seemed to create opportunities, the kid went with early off speed stuff but couldn’t get ahead.

He fouled off the good pitches and completely ignored anything that wasn’t a strike. Add to it the initial runner taking leads and it was almost too much.

A conversation on the mound only led to two more pitches fouled off, but these were clearly just missing from becoming souvenirs.

The kid stepped off and showcased one of the reasons management is so big on him.

He walked him, then focused on the next batter.