Pitch

Ross warns the Padres that Ginny is dangerously close to her pitching limit, but management is reluctant to end her season. Meanwhile, Amelia confronts Will about money that has gone missing from the restaurant fund.

bad weird? Ooh, is he like

- Go. - (sighs) There was a hug.

She just happens to be Mike's ex-wife.

So he definitely took the money.

Well, they say a lot of things.

Mike, I want to hear your opinion as her catcher.

I'd shut her down. Then again, maybe some of us

Ross, I can't tell you how much

This actually gives us more time to focus on the things we want in the off-season.

where do you see your place in history?

I'd ask you what it felt like to be grilled

I should go start my edit.

I manage to do the wrong thing or...

Besides, the Cubs'll never win it.

- ♪ On my way to you ♪ - Oh, my God.

was going to be what... you know, got me to the bigs.

I'm not letting them run things because I don't want to make waves;

but just... me.

I just forgot one little...

♪ From the dry side of the window ♪

♪ 40 days ♪

Okay. I have a plane and I have a boat.

There's a part of me that's relieved.

I still want to open this restaurant.

Hey, um... listen.

I put some money aside for promotions.

That's so crazy, all you had to do was ask.

Well, when I do,

Hey.

Everything all right?

- He was going to pull you down. - So he would

- and I'm not gonna take it much more. - Then don't.

(crowd cheering)

♪ This hit, that ice-cold ♪

♪ Ow! ♪

- Man, I said I got this! - I'm sorry?

from that altercation in the Padres dugout between

So, what do you think?

her make history.

- It doesn't really matter because... - Hey. I... Shut up.

And let me finish my no-hitter.

Mike becomes the biggest news story in the MLB when rumors start about him waiving his no-trade clause. Meanwhile, Evelyn and Will go in on a business venture together, but Amelia is concerned that it relies too heavily on Ginny's fame.

Infidel? A little harsh, don't you think?

Aw, I think we're more high-tech than Super Mario.

Using Ginny's likeness in a game goes through the Players Association.

My life's... basically all baseball.

What?

do you even have any food industry experience?

- So hard, though. Stop. - Cheers.

To continue to the next level, text

- Are you really leaving? - Well...

Hey, Mike.

- so it has to be perfect. - If I had Jeter's rings

I wrote him a check.

So my cleats just...

Killed how badly?

Okay, you didn't exactly stick that landing there, pal.

after you spend 15 years in the bigs,

and the situation doesn't call for it.

Anyway, she's never really been into baseball,

Can't we just go through one game without any drama?

the brainiac manager,

Warning track power.

When did you become such a hard ass?

has yet to set foot on the field.

base-running has the Padres down

Mike?!

Let me win the damn game, Skip. I promise I won't get hurt.

Because of the trade speculation, fans, we thought

Let's go, Lawson, let's go!

I trained him, I bribed him, I fenced him in,

but when we're together, he tells me that you're the reason

But I'm sure you already knew that.

What about the other $32,000?

Okay, you win. Best first date story.

So what's the word?

- Yeah. - And your eye-rolling and...

A rain delay at Petco Park leads the team to hold kangaroo court in the clubhouse to pass the time. Meanwhile, Mike considers trading to a new team; and an unexpected visit from Ginny's brother causes friction with Amelia.

I have a million of them. It's a gift; I don't own it.

I need to go see the boss and make big baseball decisions

which, for the record, I still think

My strategy is to hope that it's right.

and I like him in our clubhouse.

No, I'm serious, the men and the women.

No problem; you don't have one.

- Man, I wish you were here. - Me, too.

I remember how these things work.

I might need to spread a little calcined clay.

Okay, uh, I think we're all on the same page.

Evelyn Sanders.

Just go home, get even.

the rest of us are not ready to throw the towel in yet.

Charlie's worried about fan retention after the delay.

- Who's supposed to talk first? - I will. Are you happy here?

And we both want to get to the promised land someday.

if you're happy being a Padre,

I'll leave it. It's too easy.

- What kind of court is this? - Kangaroo Court.

Oh, boy. Get ready to double the torture.

You know what? You're gonna need a sharing plate on the menu. Right?

and remove all wax-related articles from the common area.

What does recuse mean?

I've been on this team longer than all of you!

Oh, you know what it's like? You have no idea what it's like.

- It's his job to lead. - Ginny, it's not always that easy.

Mm!

- Yeah. - Sorry about that.

- until it stops raining completely. - Okay.

Yeah, I was actually... I was worried about that too. Good idea.

It's like we're playing with a super model, guys.

I've had a thing for her since I played with the Cardinals.

it's the worst rendition of "Firework" you've ever heard.

Amelia.

I learned that if you study the data long enough,

Beats sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, like an umpire's room.

due to a well-hung jury.

Because I have to see patients

Tensions rise when Livian Duarte is set to catch against San Francisco, moving Mike to first base. Elsewhere, Amelia and Oscar team up to combat the latest scandal involving Ginny.

Hey, it's too bad about you and Mike.

How could you be a ballplayer

Now in fairness to Lawson, this sounds a lot like what you say to a guy

What about the rest of our stuff?

I might be a little late to pick you up. I'll do my best, okay?

You're our fifth starter. That allows us to start

- a hit and an error. - Mm-hmm.

There's nothing we can do. We can't even find the hacker.

Thank you for mansplaining that to me.

I've heard you could be one of the greats.

What about the catcher you replaced?

Focus on pitching a great game...

That day, Jackie doubled and scored.

- From Cuba. - No.

Does Livan know we're down six-two?

into that swimming pool. You're going out with me tonight.

- No entiendo. - No, L-Livan...

when his English is better than half the Americans on the team.

He didn't get here by following rules.

I think I need to run off that gnocchi.

it slips through your hands.

Hell, a whole baseball career is just

Didn't we meet in a hotel once upon a time?

But once you're in, Lawson, there is no turning back.

You want to compare attendance records?

But what he has found is the value of humility.

I hate to break it to you, but I'm still captain, so it is my business.

Home run, and the Giants take a 7-6 lead.

So after 11 innings, it's the Giants and the Padres

The throw is way late. Safe!

I'm gonna bring the infield in.

But why?

Likes to be hero. Just don't throw it on the backstop.

- and the Padres win. - Oh, ho, my.

Everything is gonna be fine.

seeing her body; it's empowering.

...five-game road trip and they made

Oh, another night flipping through Yorkie pictures, no thanks.

- Only if you're ready to win full time. - Oh, I am,

Upon signing a huge deal with Nike, Ginny feels an overwhelming sense of pressure, which leads to a night of rebellion and a mandatory session with a therapist (Rita Wilson)

(panting)

I don't know.

I am a number five starter.

We're playing for tomorrow, kid.

Maybe she shouldn't have so many distractions.

- Putting it away. - Thank you.

I would never say anything to anyone

(treadmill beeps)

- Photographer: Mike! - Photographer 2: Mike Lawson!

Look, don't give it another thought. Tonight is about you.

and enjoy the party that I've spent every waking minute

♪ When they know it's me... ♪

Woman: Ginny, can I get a picture with you?

- (sighs) Thank you. - I'm Cara, by the way.

walked out on her job like there were no consequences

so I need to be at the stadium at 8:00

- In person? - Oh, no.

That's what I hear.

- an emergency-emergency. - I-I get it.

- ♪ And I try to control it ♪ - (all shouting, exclaiming)

- I mean, hi. I'm Cara. - Oh, my God.

(laughs)

that you and Mike are able to still be friends like this.

Yeah, yeah, I'm pretty sure this is the place.

but I made sacrifices, too.

Technically, the only rules

- Yeah. - (laughter)

Yeah, he has surgery in the morning.

Mike... you like chasing.

- filled with Nike gear. - I would have done that anyway.

four years' worth of partying into one night.

(exhales)

maybe even ten years from now.

The Padres are on pins and needles as rumors swirl around the team potentially trading Blip. Meanwhile, Oscar tries to navigate working with Charlie Graham (Kevin Connolly), the interim Padres President of Operations and Mike tries to smooth things over with Amelia.

So, I'm thinking,

So are we just on a lucky roll, or is this team for real?

Okay.

And you're gonna need to cut

There is no limit to what you can do.

Is this about the FiveThirtyEight story?

I'm honored.

I hate this groupie on groupie crime.

That was an absolute debacle. And part of the reason

I guess if the Padres could get a cheap young guy

Great. Thanks.

so she needs to go to bed soon.

Fishman: Oscar, what can I do for you?

Let me know if your guy hears anything else about

Okay, the groupie was probably more of like an A-level groupie.

I'm now the oldest one on the team.

What were you thinking?

Jordan: Hey. To NC State's new pitching phenom.

Ginny, this is my wife Tessa... Hi.

Oscar: All right, it's Dom Cristiello or bust.

You might start palling around with LeBron.

Amelia and I are both single...

Of course. You know you're one of the family.

a chance the Padres could trade you, but it doesn't mean they will, right?

Not if you tell them you don't want them to.

Well, for what it's worth, my best move is

Ginny... I-I cannot discuss roster with you.

And then they can decide to uproot their families

- (clicks) Rhonda. - Yes?

- Is your dad really coming? - He really is.

I'm here at the game,

_

(mouthing)

a Cuban catcher in Triple-A tearing it up.

Mike sustains an injury that threatens his spot in the MLB All-Star Game. Ginny attempts to balance her career and personal life. The Padres are blindsided when Oscar signs a star catcher from Cuba.

is that we finally get to take this family vacation.

Try hard, 'cause if you get me going, we ain't gonna never

We're the home team, somebody's got to play.

Apparently, I've been named to the All-Star team.

Blip...

- That means... - That means none of the GMs

42 years, four kids, 12 grandkids later.

- Amelia, oh, good to see you. - Welcome.

- So what's the plan for tomorrow? - Um...

- Good night. - Good night.

I'm a Padre.

Lester's a beast.

Right. Okay, yeah. I, you know, I was just trying to put a little flair

It's not a meeting, actually.

but is, in fact, 26, making any team eligible

And there goes another.

What the hell? Get 'em all!

Yay.

I recap every game, every moment of your life

- Oh, thanks, Mom. - You look beautiful.

that you were inviting him or, I don't know, that you have a boyfriend?

Oh, no, no. We're not a couple.

we were hoping we could get Kevin a ticket to the All-Star Game.

Oh, no. You're gonna have to miss it.

But you gotta give it everything you got.

or if it ever just gets to be too much for you one day

you're gonna have me fly 6,000 miles

I didn't invite you.

from the American League.

Go, babe! Whoo-hoo!

Fair enough.

that I didn't know at your age,

The Yankees can give you a little more money,

Right, over... he's okay over there.

and a great hitter got ahold of it.

but, Mike, Duarte is a catcher,

I'll be playing baseball.

- For the All-Star Game? - There's always another start,

You're young.

Maybe we could get breakfast tomorrow before you leave.

The Padres play against the Cardinals, whose pitcher broke Tommy's finger during a fight. Ginny realizes that her ex-boyfriend is on the opposing team. Al asks an old friend to help save his job.

First of all, I'm not going out with Drake.

on the hands with that thing you call a fastball.

♪ ♪

BUCK: Look, Al, you're my friend.

I'll find his translator and let him know.

Pak is out with the flu, Al didn't want him

Look, Craw. protect my hitters today, huh?

- (crowd booing) - MIKE: Skip just got tossed.

I plan on paying for my own food.

on a full academic scholarship.

Let's go, Gin.

Okay, listen, I've gotta do my thing.

♪ And hope that it just passes by ♪

ENBERG: Ball four.

And if she thought she had a target on her before,

If she hit the other pitcher, she's daring him.

And he can do so without your approval

No.

That she came in and ruined everything just because

it can afford to buy this team...

Quit treating me like a little girl.

as the team's closer,

Careful, though, someone might be watching us.

Mountain in his windup.

Are you afraid of hurting me?

(laughing): Can you believe it?

Oh, my, here we go!

♪ Oh, a boxing match with a silverback ♪

And I, for one, am glad

Well, the fans sure got their money's worth today,

Okay.

Oh, my God.

I don't care. You can't come down to the field and yell at me.

I just wanted to, uh, say sorry.

You told me you deleted those. Yeah, I did.

Ginny tries to fit in with the team despite the resurfacing of a sexist comment made by Al. Meanwhile, Mike copes with the end of his marriage and mortality of his career; and Blip faces the fallout of Evelyn defending him to the media.

You know your knees aren't getting any younger, Mike.

- Good. That's good, kid. - Yeah.

Every time I'm in a locker room

Does it get their panties in a bunch that a girl's

by a member of the men's track and field team,

Well, I'm driving up later. I'll see you then.

I will die if you don't find that shirt.

I mean, it's a... it's a curse, Baker. Really is.

and I know that he gave you your start.

This just surfacing, video from two years ago

- Yeah. - Sorry.

than everyone else. What's your excuse?

♪ Earn your privilege and sprint with it ♪

I got to get to work.

("Girls Just Want to Have Fun" playing)

or whatever, but, uh...

Anyway, um...

My team's fine.

you're having a bad day.

...about moving your runner along.

(laughing) No, he can't do that...

through his son's attorney saying, I quote,

You're bigger than the game right now, rookie.

when a woman who looks like you

You clearly want what's best for her.

I'm... I'm tired of not having anyone to talk to at night.

Uh, yeah.

It smells just right.

Let me look at you.

♪ I've been waiting all my life ♪

and I don't know how she did it.

You're the boss, don't you ever forget that.

We good?

I mean, two weeks ago, I was in the minors,

I'm gonna be a 30-something retiree soon.

you're making excuses, because the jokes are not funny

when it's us who plays Hacky Sack with the baseball.

How about you start winning for your captain, too?

works a hell of a lot harder than you lazy losers.

So maybe...

(cheering)

A young pitcher adjusts to life in the spotlight after making history as the first woman to play Major League Baseball.

The most important person you've ever driven

a slightly bigger scale.

Stay with me.

I'm just here because of all that.

this is a spot starter called up from Triple A

Forty-three?

She's not Nolan Ryan, she's a number five starter

- Thank you. - Dinner?

I should tell you, I have your rookie card.

- They're huge! - They're special is what they are.

You don't think she actually sticks, do you?

in the San Diego Padres' bullpen

Okay, man, go ahead.

Nectarines.

around the ball.

Please just leave me be.

It was, yes. She crushed my bullpen. Those guys

But Baker starts again in five days.

People want to know.

I'll just be over here.

Think you need it for the legacy,

Well, in the words of that great American poet,

in the crowd with their Ginny Baker signs.

Here's a 2-0 pitch.

There's nowhere to put him, you know he's thinking fastball.

And as long as you're gonna be sticking around,