After Uncle Timo calms Mr. Gibbs, Michael knows that “he [isn’t] going to play any more baseball this season […] [but] it [is] all right” (149). What matters, he recognizes, is that he and Carlos can stay together: “The biggest win […] [is] Uncle Timo […] [and] [e]verything after this was going to be the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae” (149). Michael realizes that the days of treating each day as if it will “be the best day of his whole life” (150) are gone.

That day, as the Clippers prepare for their game, they decide to play “for Mike” (151), their star. Mr. Minaya asks Michael to coach third base through the game, since he can’t yet play. Michael is aware that Corey Allen, the Robins’ ace, is pitching, and he begs Mr. Minaya: “please don’t make me” (152). Mr. Minaya believes that putting Michael close to the game will help the Clippers earn a victory.

In the fifth inning, Michael makes a misstep, sending Kel to home plate, where the umpire calls him out. Michael criticizes himself when the Clippers end the inning without scoring, but then he checks himself: “Stop it, you jerk” (153).