Put Me In Season 1 Episode 4: First Away Game (A TV Ratings Guide Original)


PREVIOUSLY ON PUT ME IN
CARTER watches the rest of the game from the dugout. The Charleston Capitols lose by one run. 

CARTER 
This loss is all my fault. 

RAY
Not all your fault. You did contribute to it though.

CARTER
I know I can do better.

RAY
Prove it. Coach doesn’t like it when someone finishes a start poorly, then goes out and does the same thing the next time. Next game is big for you.

CARTER
I’ll do better next time.
__________________________

LEWIS
Game time. Carter, you good to start?

CARTER
Yeah, never knew I had a choice.

LEWIS
You didn’t. Just seeing if you’re gonna do what you’re supposed to this time around. Six innings, we’re winning the whole time. Understand?

CARTER
Yes.

LEWIS
Bring it in.

CARTER
Huh?

LEWIS (holding his hand out)
You know, your hand. Bring it in.

CARTER (holding his hand out toward Lewis’s)

LEWIS
1-2-3-CHEESE!

LEWIS [after a pause]
Why didn’t you say Cheese?

CARTER
I am so confused right now.

LEWIS
Whatever, get out there and give the crowd what they want. 

CARTER
This is an away game. 

LEWIS
Just go pitch.

CARTER walks up to the pitchers’ mound to complete silence. It is his first game played away. He strikes out the first three batters to end the first inning, and goes back to the dugout.

RAY
Keep it up kid. One down, five to go.

BEN
Yeah, and try to make sure the ball comes my way if you want it to be stopped.

LEWIS
We’ve been over this Ben, the rest of the infielders are just as capable as you are.

JAMES
Same goes for me and the outfield, right?

LEWIS
OK. 

BEN
Oh wait I’m about to be up to bat! 

BEN quickly leaves the dugout, as he is the next person to bat. Shortly after, he walks up to the batters’ box and gets hit by a pitch in the knee. He limps to first base, where LEWIS meets him.

BEN
I don’t know if I’ll be able to run the bases.

LEWIS
Yeah, let’s take you out of the game. Rest up for the next one.

CARTER watches, scared that BEN will no longer be supporting him in the infield. Instead, it will be the mediocre backup, JIM. 

After the sixth inning, the game is tied at 3 runs apiece. 

LEWIS
Nice job Carter.

CARTER
Sorry I couldn’t keep the lead. Are you mad at me?

LEWIS
We’ll find out next inning.

CARTER
You mean...the first inning of my next start?

LEWIS
No, I mean the 7th inning of this game.

CARTER
Oh I don’t know, I’ve never pitched that far into a game before.

LEWIS
I know you haven’t, but you will today.

JIM
Hey Carter, don’t worry about it, I’m sure it’ll be fine.

CARTER
I don’t know, I fear my role on this team will be lessened if we don’t get the lead here.

CARTER goes out for the 7th inning. At the end of the inning, the game is still tied at 3.

LEWIS
Carter, you know what to do.

CARTER
I’m so sorry! Please don’t send me down to the minors! I understand if you have to, but please!

LEWIS
Enough worrying about the minors, worry about pitching in the 8th inning instead.

RAY
Just remember, it’s like we’ve been practicing. Keep up the good work and you’ll be fine.

LEWIS
Oh that reminds me Ray, we’re pinch hitting for you this inning.

RAY
I don’t think you should do that, I’d have to come out of the game then.

LEWIS
I know the rules.

RAY
But Carter’s never pitched to any other catcher before. This is risky!

LEWIS
Carter needs to be able to prove himself on his own. Hey Allen!

ALLEN
What?

LEWIS
You’re catching next inning.

ALLEN
I am?

LEWIS
Yeah. 

ALLEN
Which reliever is pitching?

LEWIS
Carter’s staying in the game. 

ALLEN
Coach with any due respect to you and Carter, that’s a terrible idea.

LEWIS
Doesn’t matter, it’s happening.

CARTER goes in to pitch in the 8th inning, the team having just scored its fourth run. He immediately loads up the bases. ALLEN walks up to the mound.

ALLEN
This is do or don’t for you. 

CARTER
You don’t even know how nervous I am right now.

ALLEN
I can tell. Your pitches have been all over the place, you’re making it very hard for me to catch. But I have an idea. Throw it slow and straight and hope you hit it to somebody.

CARTER
That’ll probably just lead to four runs scored. I would’ve blown the lead. 

ALLEN
It might. But you and me both know whatever you’re doing now isn’t working. Give it a try. 


CARTER 
If you say so.

ALLEN watches back to behind the plate. CARTER gets ready to throw the pitch. When he does, the batter hits the ball to the outfield, with JAMES diving and catching it. He gets up and throws it to BEN, standing on second base to get the second out. He throws the ball to the plate, and ALLEN catches it and tags out the runner. Miraculously, a triple play has been pulled off. CARTER jumps up in the air and immediately starts jogging back to the dugout, the inning being over with the Charleston Capitols having the lead.

LEWIS
You are one lucky kid, Carter. 

The Charleston Capitols hold onto the lead to win the game. When CARTER leaves, he is greeted by a group of people in the parking lot.

PERSON #1
Carter! Great pitching!

PERSON #2
Can you sign my shirt?

PERSON #3
You’re my hero!

CARTER
Thanks, yes, and thanks! Wow, I never knew I was known.

PERSON #4
Known? You’re famous!

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