The Greatest Games in IBC History

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The Greatest Games in IBC History

Post by Cardinals »

Aaron and I have been working for a few years on a comprehensive history of the IBC (mostly him), and it's finally coming to fruition to share with everybody. I've got the DMB Encyclopedia all set up with all of our boxscores and statistics throughout IBC history, so we can chart career stats and eventually launch our own Hall of Fame, located in Manchester, Connecticut!

To get everything rolling, we're going to post the greatest games in IBC history. We've got 21 games selected as the best, most important games in league history picked and ranked. Aaron went ahead and provided very amusing radio play-by-play and commentary for each game, so hats off to him for that.

Before we get into our top 21 games, we've got two no-hitters to share and launch everything. Then we'll start hitting the top 21 one game per day starting tomorrow.


No. 21: Vazquez Leaves Trail of Tears, Game 3, 2005 World Series
No. 20: Escape from New York, Game 5, 2011 World Series
No. 19: Tigers Roar Back, Advance to ALCS, Game 5, 2009 ALDS
No. 18: Coming of Ace: Wainwright pitches Cardinals into World Series, Game 6, 2008 NLCS
No. 17: The Empire Strikes First, Game 1, 2004 World Series
No. 16: Giant Comeback, Game 1, 2005 NLDS
No. 15: Casey at the Bat, Game 6, 2010 NLCS
No. 14: Freebyrd and the Uggla Duckling, Game 5s, 2011 NLDS
No. 13: Oh Mo, Game 6, 2009 ALCS
No. 12: Snakes Rattle & Roll to NL Crown, Games 5 and 6, 2003 NLCS
No. 11: A's Good as it Gets, Game 5, 2007 ALDS
No. 10: Too Much BS: Angels Beat Gagne (Again), Game 5, 2002 ALDS
No. 9: Fish and Hits: Chipper sends Marlins to NLCS, Game 4, 2006 NLDS
No. 8: Ranger Danger, Game 7, 2012 ALCS
No. 7: The Slam, Game 163, 2008
No. 6: St. Louis Blue, Game 7, 2008 World Series
***
“Buehrle No-No Brings Cubs to Cusp of Title,” Game 5, 2002 World Series



Game 5 of the 2002 World Series looked to be a strong pitching performance, as Mark Buehrle squared off with Matt Morris. The series was deadlocked at two games apiece. The Angels made a miracle run to get into the playoffs, then had three comeback wins against the White Sox to advance to the ALCS, then survived a hard hitting series with the Red Sox. The Cubs rolled through the NL playoffs, sweeping the NLCS and losing only one NLDS game. The Cubs were heavily favored but there was a little magic in the air with the Angels.

The Cubs jumped ahead early with a run in the bottom of the first, then added two more in the third. Bobby Higginson would add a two run blast in the 5th to make the score 5-0. Meanwhile, Mark Buehrle was tossing a gem. He had a no hitter through 8 innings, and had only walked two batters. *We do not have play by play for the 2002-2003 seasons so what follows may not have been what actually occurred, but hey, I’m doing the work here so shut up and deal with it.*

“Mark Buehrle takes the mound for the 9th, on the verge of history. Not since Don Larsen in 1956 have we been this close to a no hitter in the playoffs. Now the lefty will face Conine, Beltre and Bernie Williams here in the 9th.”

“Joe, I was with your dad in Minnesota in 1991 when Jack Morris threw 10 shutout innings in Game 7 of the World Series and I thought that was the best performance I had seen in a World Series game by a pitcher since I retired, but this has topped it.”

“Conine steps in, the hero of the ALCS and owner of a World Series ring from 1997. He swings at the first pitch and pops it up to first. Helton is there and he makes the play. That’ll bring Adrian Beltre to the plate, hitting under .200 for the series so far.”

“This Cub pitching staff has dominated the Angels all series Joe, without some timely performances by the Angels pitching staff this series could well be in the books tonight.”

“Beltre takes ball one outside. He’s batting leadoff tonight as Nick Perry has tried to shake things up and get the offense going. Ground ball to third, Rolen up and over to first, two down. Bernie Williams is the last hope for the Angels.”

“Well if you need one guy in this lineup to give you a good at bat and keep the game alive Joe, it would be Bernie Williams. He has four World Series rings from his time with the Yankees.”

“Bernie swings at the first pitch, in the air to Bobby Higgenson. Mark Buehrle has pitched the first playoff no hitter since Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956! The Angels backs are against the wall. What a performance by the young left hander.”

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10/23/2002, Ana02-ChN02, Wrigley Field
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2002 Anaheim           0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0     0  0  0     1  1
2002 Chicago (N)       1  0  2  0  2  0  0  0  x     5 11  0     6  1
 
Anaheim              AB  R  H BI   AVG    Chicago (N)          AB  R  H BI   AVG
Beltre            3b  4  0  0  0  .118    Eckstein          ss  3  2  2  0  .389       
Williams,B        cf  2  0  0  0  .056    Rolen             3b  4  1  2  0  .333       
Boone             2b  2  0  0  0  .222    Helton            1b  4  0  0  1  .063       
Gonzalez          lf  3  0  0  0  .000    Guerrero          rf  4  0  0  0  .125       
Olerud            1b  3  0  0  0  .214    Ortiz             2b  4  1  2  1  .214       
Lo Duca           c   3  0  0  0  .118    Higginson         lf  4  1  4  3  .545       
Salmon            rf  3  0  0  0  .267    Rowand            cf  4  0  0  0  .118       
Guzman            ss  3  0  0  0  .188     Cardona          c   0  0  0  0  .000       
Morris            p   2  0  0  0  .000    Ausmus            c   4  0  1  0  .200       
 Conine           ph  1  0  0  0  .250     Matos            cf  0  0  0  0  .000       
                     26  0  0  0          Buehrle           p   3  0  0  0  .000       
                                                               34  5 11  5             
 
Anaheim                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Morris           L 1-1           8.0 11  5  5  0  5 117  78  3.18
                                 8.0 11  5  5  0  5 117  78 
 
Chicago (N)                      INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Buehrle          W 1-1           9.0  0  0  0  2  2 104  64  2.12
                                 9.0  0  0  0  2  2 104  64 
 
Ana: Conine batted for Morris in the 9th
ChN: Cardona inserted at c in the 9th
     Matos inserted at cf in the 9th
 
2B-Rolen, Ortiz, Higginson. HR-Higginson(1). K-Gonzalez, Morris, Rolen, 
Guerrero, Ausmus, Buehrle 2. BB-Williams,B, Boone. HBP-Eckstein. HB-Morris. 
GWRBI: Helton
Temperature: 52, Sky: clear, Wind: in from right at 7 MPH.

***

“Lilly Comes Up Roses,” Game 4, 2005 ALCS

The Indians entered Game 4 of the ALCS at the Oakland Coliseum holding two games to one advantage in the series. With both AL East powers eliminated in the first round, the path was clear for one of the underdogs to make it to the World Series against the Giants, who had a three to one series lead after missing a sweep against the Astros earlier in the afternoon. The veteran heavy Indians, who won the NL Central the year before, seemed ready to take their first pennant, while the A’s, in their first trip to the playoffs in franchise history, looked to even the series, turning to Ted Lilly to even things up.

Lilly would retire the side in order the first three innings, but the A’s offense could get nothing going against Kenny Rogers. Soriano got aboard when Bill Mueller booted a routine grounder with one away in the fourth, would steal 2nd, but advanced no farther. Things remained scoreless through 5, as the Indians still had yet to get a hit, and the crowd was starting to buzz with thoughts of a no hitter. Lilly plunked Erstad in the leg with an errant curve in the 6th. The former Husker punter would advance to second on a groundout and steal 3rd, but was stranded when Soriano flew out to end the inning. The A’s offense woke up in the 6th, with Lew Ford scoring on a single by Hafner. Mueller would come home on a sac fly to center by Konerko. Nomar followed that with a home run deep to left to make it 4-0. The A’s would add 3 more the next inning when Konerko homered to left center to make it 7-0, and all that remained to be seen was if Lilly could finish off the no hitter. In the eighth, Lilly struck out the side to bring his total for the evening to 13 strikeouts. We’ll join Fox’s Joe Buck and Tim McCarver for the final inning.

“Ted Lilly finishing his warm-up pitches, 3 outs away from history. Brad Geiss is going to pinch hit for Erstad with Valderrama to lead off the 9th.”

“I guess he wants some speed Joe. I tell you this reminds me of Game 1 of the 1968 World Series. Bob Gibson struck out 17 Tigers! Willie Horton swung and missed at a slider for the last out of the game that started behind him. He grunted as he swung because he was sure the ball hit him!”

“ Fastball inside. What a spot to put Valderrama in, only played in 3 games in the regular season, makes the playoff roster and here he is trying to stop Ted Lilly from becoming an October immortal. Called strike one on the outside corner. Lilly started the inning at 110 pitches, so you know he’s tired. Fouled away, 2 strikes on Valderrama.”

“One of the finest performances I’ve ever seen Joe.”

“Curveball in the dirt for ball two. The crowd is on their feet, they want strikeout number fourteen. Fouled straight back. Two and two the count on Valderrama. Hit on the ground to Mueller, over to Konerko, one away. That’ll bring in Vizquel.”

“Vizquel was on the Indians in 1995 when Tom Glavine one hit them to clinch the World Series at Fulton County Stadium Joe, so he’s been in this spot before.”

“Called strike one right down the middle. Soriano waits on deck, one of only two Indians to get on base today. Lilly misses with a fastball low, the count is even at one. Lilly’s motioning for the ball, he wants to work fast. On the ground to Mueller, over to Konerko, two away!’

“Lilly has gone all fastballs since missing with the curve. He’s at 119 pitches Joe, Soriano has to be his last batter.”

“Ted Lilly, one out away from history. Lilly grew up in Oakhurst, California, lots of family in the stands. Ball one high. Lilly was 13 during the Bay World Series in 1989 and the way this crowd is, I think you could feel the stadium shaking on the Richter Scale. Ball two. He’s really tired. Call strike out the outside corner, two and one to Soriano. Fly ball to right field, Ford coming on, and Ted Lilly has thrown a no hitter! The first playoff no hitter since Mark Buehrle in 2002. Nine innings, no hits, 13 strikeouts, an absolutely dominating performance by the lefthander.”

Code: Select all

10/15/2005, Cle05-Oak05, McAfee Coliseum
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2005 Indians           0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0     0  0  1     2  1
2005 Athletics         0  0  0  0  0  4  3  0  x     7 15  1     9  0
 
Indians              AB  R  H BI   AVG    Athletics            AB  R  H BI   AVG
Vizquel           ss  4  0  0  0  .214    Ford              rf  5  2  3  0  .381       
Soriano           2b  4  0  0  0  .000    Mueller           2b  5  1  1  0  .222       
Lowell            3b  3  0  0  0  .250    Hafner            dh  4  2  2  1  .250       
Morneau           1b  3  0  0  0  .143    Konerko           1b  4  1  2  4  .188       
Lopez,J           c   3  0  0  0  .188    Garciaparra       ss  4  1  2  2  .267       
Edmonds           cf  3  0  0  0  .200    Martinez          c   3  0  0  0  .250       
Wilkerson         rf  3  0  0  0  .294    Rivera            cf  4  0  4  0  .353       
Alou              dh  3  0  0  0  .250    LeCroy            lf  4  0  1  0  .250       
Erstad            lf  1  0  0  0  .154    Youkilis          3b  4  0  0  0  .000       
 Valderrama       ph  1  0  0  0  .000                         37  7 15  7             
                     28  0  0  0                                                    
 
Indians                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Rogers           L 0-1           6.1 12  7  7  0  1  75  48  9.95
Mallette                         1.2  3  0  0  2  1  26  12  0.00
                                 8.0 15  7  7  2  2 101  60 
 
Athletics                        INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Lilly            W 1-0           9.0  0  0  0  0 13 123  78  0.00
                                 9.0  0  0  0  0 13 123  78 
 
Cle: Valderrama batted for Erstad in the 9th
 
E-Erstad, Mueller. 2B-Konerko, Rivera, LeCroy. HR-Konerko(1), Garciaparra(1). 
SB-Soriano(1), Erstad(2). K-Vizquel, Lowell, Morneau, Lopez,J 2, Edmonds 3, 
Wilkerson 2, Alou 3, Hafner, LeCroy. BB-Hafner, Martinez. SF-Konerko. 
HBP-Erstad. HB-Lilly. 
GWRBI: Hafner
Temperature: 69, Sky: clear, Wind: out to right at 12 MPH.
Last edited by Cardinals on Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:28 pm, edited 19 times in total.
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Post by Astros »

To give y'all an idea, everything that'll be unveiled in the next little while was originally began in late June 2009 (still have the stuff I wrote down on my Ripley's Believe It or Not calendar on my desk). Initially this was going to be something we posted at the All Star break in 2009, then we kept doing more and more and pushing it back and doing more and pushing it back. Now it is FINALLY going up
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Post by Guardians »

Kenny Rogers was a beast for me...
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Post by Phillies »

This is awesome, guys. I loved that 2002 team. Do you have my 25 man roster for that WS?
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Post by Rangers »

I vote that Pedro gets enshrined as a Tiger.
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Post by Cardinals »

Phillies wrote:This is awesome, guys. I loved that 2002 team. Do you have my 25 man roster for that WS?
yezzir

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                                    Team Roster -- 2002 Anaheim                                     
                                           Regular season                                           

                                      --vs LHP-- --vs RHP-- --Bunt-                           
S Name                   P  Bats  Age  AVG   PW   AVG   PW  Sac Hit Run Stl Jmp Injury Clutch 
  Tony Alvarez           of Rsp    23  .318  Av   .240  Av   Fr  Pr  Av  Av  Ex Normal Normal 
  Adrian Beltre          3b Rsp    23  .280  Vg   .295  Vg   Av  Pr  Fr  Vg  Av Normal Normal 
  Bret Boone             2b Rsp    33  .315  Ex   .272  Vg   Vg  Pr  Vg  Fr  Fr Normal Normal 
  Brent Butler           2b Rsp    24  .292  Av   .288  Fr   Av  Pr  Av  Pr  Fr Normal Normal 
  Jeff Conine            rf Rsp    36  .329  Vg   .274  Fr   Pr  Pr  Av  Fr  Fr Normal Normal 
  Luis Gonzalez          lf Lsp    34  .284  Ex   .319  Ex   Fr  Pr  Fr  Fr  Pr Normal Terror 
  Cristian Guzman        ss Ssp    24  .287  Av   .268  Av   Av  Av  Ex  Vg  Vg Normal Terror 
  Eric Karros            1b Rsp    34  .269  Vg   .243  Vg   Pr  Pr  Pr  Av  Fr Normal Normal 
  Gene Kingsale          lf Ssp    25  .190  Fr   .229  Fr   Av  Av  Fr  Av  Ex Normal Normal 
f Brandon Larson         3b Rsp    26  .227  Vg   .224  Vg   Pr  Pr  Av  Pr  Fr Normal Normal 
  Paul Lo Duca           c  Rsp    30  .333  Ex   .291  Vg   Av  Pr  Av  Pr  Fr Normal Normal 
  John Olerud            1b Lsp    33  .232  Av   .302  Vg   Av  Pr  Pr  Fr  Pr Normal Normal 
  Tim Salmon             rf Rp     33  .259  Vg   .270  Ex   Pr  Pr  Av  Fr  Pr Normal Normal 
  Yorvit Torrealba       c  Rsp    23  .238  Fr   .245  Fr   Av  Pr  Fr  Pr  Fr Normal Normal 
  Bernie Williams        cf Ssp    33  .282  Vg   .302  Vg   Fr  Pr  Av  Av  Av Normal Terror 
  Chris Woodward         2b Rsp    26  .275  Vg   .247  Vg   Av  Pr  Fr  Pr  Fr Normal Normal 
f Rocco X-Baldelli          Lsp     0  .000  Pr   .000  Pr                      Normal Normal 
f Phil X-Dumatrait          Lsp     0  .000  Pr   .000  Pr                      Normal Normal 
f Justin X-Huber            Lsp     0  .000  Pr   .000  Pr                      Normal Normal 
f Brad X-Nelson             Lsp     0  .000  Pr   .000  Pr                      Normal Normal 
f Andy X-Van Hekken         Lsp     0  .000  Pr   .000  Pr                      Normal Normal 
  Total                          21.9  .284       .280                                        



                                   vsLHB vsRHB --Bunt-              Dur                                
S Name                   P  T  Age   AVG   AVG Sac Hit Run Stl Jmp  S  R Hld  WP  BK GB% Jam    Injury 
  Kevin Appier           sp R   34  .290  .240  Fr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Av     Av  26  27  47 Normal Normal 
  Mike Bacsik            mr L   24  .222  .333  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr    Ex  Fr  10   5  42 Normal Normal 
f James Baldwin          sp R   30  .268  .262  Fr  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Vg     Av  22  58  48 Normal Normal 
  A.J. Burnett           sp R   25  .234  .234  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Vg     Fr  36 116  49 Normal Normal 
  Brandon Duckworth      sp R   26  .259  .244  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Av     Ex  21 137  59 Normal Normal 
f Pat Hentgen            sp R   33  .256  .297  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Vg     Av  16  36  48 Normal Normal 
  Billy Koch             cl R   27  .241  .250  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr    Av  Fr  15 140  57 Normal Normal 
  Matt Morris            sp R   27  .263  .265  Vg  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Vg     Av  10  58  56 Normal Normal 
  Paul Quantrill         mr R   33  .307  .246  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr    Av  Av   3   5  59 Normal Normal 
  Mike Remlinger         mr L   36  .240  .221  Vg  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr    Av  Ex  31   5  48 Tough  Normal 
  Scot Shields           mr R   26  .267  .256  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr    Vg  Av  27  43  36 Normal Normal 
  John Smoltz            cl R   35  .271  .223  Vg  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Fr Av  Vg   5   5  52 Normal Normal 
  John Stephens          sp R   22  .250  .212  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Av     Fr  20   5  50 Normal Normal 
f Michael Tejera         mr L   25  .296  .326  Av  Pr  Pr  Pr  Pr Pr Ex  Av  24  54  33 Normal Normal 
f Phil X-Dumatrait          L    0  .000  .000                                 0   0  50 Normal Normal 
f Justin X-Huber            L    0  .000  .000                                 0   0  50 Normal Normal 
f Brad X-Nelson             L    0  .000  .000                                 0   0  50 Normal Normal 
f Andy X-Van Hekken         L    0  .000  .000                                 0   0  50 Normal Normal 
  Total                       22.4  .263  .249                                                         
                                    Team Roster -- 2002 Anaheim   

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Post by Cardinals »

Rangers wrote:I vote that Pedro gets enshrined as a Tiger.
Thought I saw him down at Shea's with a Tigers hat on last week. He's ready.
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Post by Phillies »

My team was pimp. I was better at this back then than I am now...
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Post by Yankees »

Brandon Duckworth and Andy Van Hekken were keys to my rebuilding back in the day. That first rebuild did not go as well as the second one...shocking I know.
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Vazquez Leaves Trail of Tears

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No. 21: “Vazquez Leaves Trail of Tears,” Game 3, 2005 World Series

Game 3 of the 2005 World Series started with the series even at a game each, with the
Giants coming off the heels of a dominating three hit performance from Mark Prior. The Giants
survived a scare from St. Louis in the NLDS, and the Indians overcame Ted Lilly’s no hitter in
the ALCS to make it to the World Series. Nils pitching and defense strategy had gotten him to
the playoffs every year in IBC history, and Pat was making his second straight playoff
appearance, but both had yet to win a title. The AL led the NL 3-0 in World Series titles at this
point.

The Giants would go ahead in the 2nd by plating a run in true National League fashion.
Carlos Lee singled to lead off the inning, then stole second. He went to third on a single by
Estrada and scored on a sac fly by Quinlan. The Indians would get a man on base in the 3rd, as
Vizquel lined a single between first and second, but would be stranded. Graffanino would score
in the 5th from second on a single by Winn. The Indians would go down in order from the 4th
through the 8th inning, never getting a runner on base. The Indians held the Giants at 2 runs, and
we’ll pick it up with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver in the bottom of the 9th, with the Giants ahead
2-0.

“The Jacobs Field crowd has been quiet the entire night, now trying to will the Indians
offense to get something started against the brilliant Javier Vazquez. Lopez, Vizquel and
Wilkerson are due up for Cleveland here in the ninth.”

“This Giant pitching staff has just stopped the Indians Joe. Prior with a 3 hitter on
Saturday night and now Vazquez has a one hitter going into the 9th. If they keep pitching like
this, this will be a short series.”

“Javy Lopez steps in for Cleveland, struck out in the third and flew out in the sixth. First
pitch is a called strike out on the outside corner. Lopez doesn’t like the call and has something to
say to home plate umpire Tim McClelland. The next pitch misses away, I guess Lopez did some
good by complaining but now Snider wants to know where that one missed. Vazquez ready, the
pitch, fly ball out to center, Winn is there, one away.”

“Vazquez has been working away to right handers all night Joe, they haven’t been able to
touch him. When I caught Steve Carlton in St. Louis and Philadelphia, he would always start
working outside and then come back inside for the strikeout. Not that Vazquez is Steve Carlton
but he’s doing a fine impression of him tonight.”

“Vizquel has the only hit for the Indians tonight, a single in the 3rd. The first pitch misses
low. Vazquez ready to go, Vizquel hits it on the ground to short. Easy play for Cabrera and
there’s two away.”

“Brad Wilkerson is the last hope for the Indians. Hitless on the night like everyone else in
the lineup excluding Vizquel. Ball one from Vazquez. Ten strikeouts on the night for the right
hander. Ground ball to Beltre, and the Giants take a two games to one lead on a brilliant
performance by Javier Vazquez. A complete game, one hit shutout, allowing only the third
inning single to Vizquel and striking out ten.”

Code: Select all

10/24/2005, SF05-Cle05, Jacobs Field
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2005 Giants            0  1  0  0  1  0  0  0  0     2  8  0     7  0
2005 Indians           0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0     0  1  0     1  0
 
Giants               AB  R  H BI   AVG    Indians              AB  R  H BI   AVG
Ichiro            rf  4  0  1  0  .250    Wilkerson         rf  4  0  0  0  .077       
Winn              cf  4  0  1  1  .167    Casey             1b  3  0  0  0  .000       
Lee               1b  4  0  1  0  .100    Lowell            3b  3  0  0  0  .300       
Beltre            3b  4  0  0  0  .333    Edmonds           cf  3  0  0  0  .000       
Lee               lf  3  1  2  0  .200    Soriano           2b  3  0  0  0  .300       
Estrada           c   4  0  1  0  .200    Morneau           dh  3  0  0  0  .000       
 Snyder           c   0  0  0  0  .000    Alou              lf  2  0  0  0  .200       
Quinlan           dh  3  0  0  1  .250     Erstad           ph  1  0  0  0  .167       
Cabrera           ss  4  0  0  0  .273    Lopez,J           c   3  0  0  0  .200       
Graffanino        2b  4  1  2  0  .400    Vizquel           ss  3  0  1  0  .182       
                     34  2  8  2                               28  0  1  0             
 
Giants                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Vazquez          W 1-0           9.0  1  0  0  0 10 114  77  0.00
                                 9.0  1  0  0  0 10 114  77 
 
Indians                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Schmidt          L 0-1           8.0  8  2  2  1  7 122  78  2.25
Mota                             1.0  0  0  0  0  1   9   6  0.00
                                 9.0  8  2  2  1  8 131  84 
 
SF : Snyder inserted at c in the 9th
Cle: Erstad batted for Alou in the 8th
     Erstad moved to lf in the 9th
 
SB-Ichiro(3), Lee(1), Graffanino(2). K-Lee, Beltre 3, Estrada 2, Cabrera 2, 
Wilkerson 2, Lowell, Edmonds 2, Soriano, Morneau 2, Alou, Lopez,J. BB-Lee. 
SF-Quinlan. 
GWRBI: Quinlan
Temperature: 58, Sky: clear, Wind: in from right at 12 MPH.
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Post by Guardians »

That series was horseshit. The Nils-Or-Was-It-Actually-Bren Team had no business winning over my juggernaut. Not that I'm still mad or anything...
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Escape from New York, Game 5, 2011 World Series

Post by Cardinals »

No. 20: “Escape From New York,” Game 5, 2011 World Series

Heading into Game 5 of the 2011 World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates had one goal in
mind, get the series back to Pennsylvania. Down 3-0 in the series, they handily won Game 4 to
stay alive. One game at a time became the rallying cry from the Buccos, while JB looked to
finish off the challengers to clinch his third title in front of the home crowd in the Bronx.

The Pirates would score two runs in the top of the first on a bases loaded single by David
Murphy. The Yankees would come right back and tie it in the bottom of the inning on a solo
homer by Albert Pujols and an ARod single. The Pirates would get two more in the second
thanks to a Yadi Molina leadoff home run and a productive out from Matt Holliday to make it 4-
2. An RBI single by Longoria in the 7th would make it 5-2, and we’ll join Pirates radio team
Mike Shannon and John Rooney for the rest of the big moments.

“One on, two out here in the seventh for Alex Rodriguez. Jeter got aboard with a leadoff
walk and Haren set down the next two batters. The first pitch is a called strike at the knees. No
action in the Pittsburgh bullpen. Haren is ready and delivers, Rodriguez hits this one deep to left,
way back if it’s fair it’s gone, it is a fair ball. A towering two run home run by ARod and
suddenly we have a one run ballgame.”

The Pirates went down in order in the top of the eighth and in the bottom of the inning,
Haren and Papelbon tag teamed to get three outs.

“Longoria steps in with one away here in the ninth against Mike Adams. First pitch is
foul straight back toward us, look out John, heh heh heh. Longoria steps back in and is ready.
Adams delivers, swing and a home run to left field. GET UP BABY GET UP! OH YEAH! The
Pirates lead six to four on a home run by Evan Longoria!”

The Yankees would get out of the inning without allowing any more runs. Papelbon
would come out to try and get the final three outs for the save and retire Jeter in short order.
Pujols followed with a single up the middle. Josh Hamilton would strike out to bring up ARod
with the game on the line.

“Tying run at the plate, two out here in the ninth and Alex Rodriguez stands between the
Pirates and Game Six. He homered back in the seventh inning. First pitch is a call strike at the
belt…..here’s a sharp grounder down the third base line but it is foul…..two and two now the

count, Papelbon is ready and the pitch. Crushed to left, way back and this is way gone!
Rodriguez ties it up.”

An uneventful 10th inning followed. Mariano Rivera would come on to set the Pirates
down in the 11th. Josh Hamilton would come up with two on and one out in the bottom of the
11th to face Trever Miller.

“Josh Hamilton against Miller, this is the entire reason Miller is on the roster……two
balls and two strikes to Hamilton, STRIKE THREE CALLED! Miller threw up one of his
whirlybird sliders and Hamilton froze. Here comes JP to call in Joe Nathan to face Rodriguez.”

“Rodriguez already has two huge hits tonight to get the Yankees into extra innings, now
he has a chance to win it………full count to ARod, the runners go, back to the mound. Nathan
has it, jogs over to first and we’ll go to the twelfth inning.”

Nothing happened in the 12th, but in the 13th the Pirates would strand the winning run at
3rd with two outs. Frank Francisco would get the final two outs of the bottom of the 13th for
Pittsburgh.

“Matt Holliday leads things off here in the fourteenth inning against Scott Downs, who’s
already worked an inning. First pitch misses high for ball one. The Yankee pen is starting to get
empty. Here’s the pitch from Downs, Holliday hits this to right center, this ball is carrying, IT’S
A GONER! Matt Holliday gives the Pirates the lead! My oh my!”

The Pirates would manage to get one more run across in the inning on a pinch hit single
by Mark DeRosa before the Yankees came to bat. Frank Francisco would attempt to get the final
three outs and send the series back to PNC Park.

“Adron Chambers now playing right field. It will be Pujols, Hamilton and Rodriguez for
New York………..one and one to Albert, swing on and a high fly ball to left, back goes Holliday
to the track and he has it for the first out. Frankie got away with one there…….one ball and two
strikes on Hamilton, he hits this high and deep to right field, back goes Chambers but this one is
into the second deck and the Yankees are within one again……..one ball and no strikes to
Rodriguez, high fly ball to center, Byrd backs up but he’ll have it about ten feet in front of the
track, if ARod pulled that it would’ve been gone…….Two and two to Cano, line drive center
field, here comes Byrd and he’s got it! The Pirates escape from New York and head back to PNC
Park for Game Six!”

Code: Select all

10/22/2011, Pit11-NYA11, Yankee Stadium
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12
2011 Pirates           2  2  0  0  0  1  0  0  1  0  0  0
2011 Yankees           2  0  0  0  0  0  2  0  2  0  0  0
 
                      13 14     R  H  E   LOB DP
2011 Pirates           0  2     8 19  2    11  1
2011 Yankees           0  1     7 12  0    11  4
 
Pirates              AB  R  H BI   AVG    Yankees              AB  R  H BI   AVG
Johnson           1b  5  1  2  0  .111    Ichiro!           rf  6  0  0  0  .261
Holliday          lf  6  1  2  2  .200    Jeter             ss  6  1  1  0  .238
Longoria          3b  6  3  4  2  .318    Pujols            1b  7  2  3  1  .182
Huff              dh  7  0  1  0  .278    Hamilton          cf  7  2  3  1  .348
Zobrist           2b  6  0  1  0  .190    A-Rod             3b  7  2  3  5  .409
Murphy            rf  6  0  2  2  .375    Cano              2b  7  0  2  0  .261
 DeRosa           ph  1  0  1  1  .500    Montero           dh  6  0  0  0  .143
 Chambers         rf  0  0  0  0  .000    Ludwick           lf  2  0  0  0  .182
Byrd              cf  7  0  3  0  .227     Helton           ph  0  0  0  0  .500
Molina            c   6  2  2  1  .250     Borbon           lf  0  0  0  0  .500
Ryan              ss  3  1  1  0  .286     Posada           ph  0  0  0  0  .000
 Butler           ph  1  0  0  0  .273     Dirks            pr  2  0  0  0  .000
 Vizquel          ss  1  0  0  0  .000    Laird             c   5  0  0  0  .133
                     55  8 19  8                               55  7 12  7
 
Pirates                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Haren                            7.1  8  4  4  4 10 128  84  4.40
Papelbon         BS 1            1.2  2  2  2  0  3  25  17  9.82
Feldman                          1.1  1  0  0  0  1  24  19  0.00
Miller                           0.1  0  0  0  0  1   7   5  0.00
Nathan                           1.2  0  0  0  1  1  30  17  0.00
Francisco        W 1-0           1.2  1  1  1  0  0  19  14  6.75
                                14.0 12  7  7  5 16 233 156 
 
Yankees                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Hernandez                        6.0 11  5  5  3  5 111  67  4.15
Soriano                          2.0  1  0  0  0  1  22  14  0.00
Adams                            1.0  1  1  1  0  0  11   8  9.00
Feliz                            1.0  1  0  0  0  0  12   7  3.86
Rivera                           2.0  2  0  0  0  2  29  18  0.00
Downs            L 0-1           2.0  3  2  2  1  0  19  11  7.71
                                14.0 19  8  8  4  8 204 125 
 
Pit: Butler batted for Ryan in the 11th
     Vizquel inserted at ss in the 11th
     DeRosa batted for Murphy in the 14th
     Chambers inserted at rf in the 14th
NYA: Helton batted for Ludwick in the 6th
     Borbon inserted at lf in the 7th
     Posada batted for Borbon in the 8th
     Dirks ran for Posada in the 8th
     Dirks moved to lf in the 9th
 
E-Holliday, Longoria. 2B-Longoria(1), Byrd(1), Molina(1), Hamilton 2(2). 
HR-Holliday(1), Longoria(2), Molina(1), Pujols(1), Hamilton(3), A-Rod 2(4). 
RBI-Holliday 2(3), Longoria 2(6), Murphy 2(2), Molina(1), DeRosa(3), 
Pujols(1), Hamilton(5), A-Rod 5(7). SB-Holliday(1), Longoria(1), Murphy(1), 
Ryan(1). CS-Byrd. K-Johnson, Longoria, Huff, Zobrist, Murphy 2, Byrd 2, 
Ichiro! 3, Jeter, Hamilton 3, A-Rod, Cano 2, Montero 3, Ludwick 2, Laird. 
BB-Johnson, Holliday, Longoria, Zobrist, Ichiro!, Jeter, Laird, Helton, 
Posada. SH-Johnson, Ryan. 
GWRBI: Holliday
Temperature: 59, Sky: clear, Wind: left to right at 13 MPH.
12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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Post by Cardinals »

Too bad that series didn't end well for me, otherwise that game would have been vaulted a bit higher on the list probably. Oh well.
12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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Tigers Roar Back, Advance to ALCS

Post by Cardinals »

No. 19: “Tigers Roar Back, Advance to ALCS,” Game 5, 2009 ALDS

The 2009 ALDS matchup between the Tigers and Blue Jays was a matchup between a
perennial power and a rising one. Pat Bishop was the defending IBC champion and had been in
the playoffs every year but one since 2004 and looked to continue his success. Meanwhile, the

2009 playoffs signaled the end of BP’s rebuilding effort, though that’s the wrong word because
to rebuild you had to have had something built in the first place. The hoarding of prospects had
finally paid off and now he had a team ready to contend and be a player for the foreseeable
future. Toronto took a 2-0 series lead by winning the first two games at Comerica Park, then BP
won the next two at Skydome to force Game 5.

John Smoltz would start Game 5 in his final season in the big leagues for Toronto, while
Yovanni Gallardo would get the nod for the Tigers. The first inning would be a quick, scoreless
affair. The second would not, as we’ll join Detroit native Gus Johnson for the call.

“Russ Branyan leading off for the Jays, the big fella had thirty-eight homers in the
regular season and has one so far this series……count even at one, swung on AND CRUSHED
TO RIGHT. THERE IT GOES. OHHHHHHH! HOME RUN RUSSELL BRANYAN and
Toronto takes a one to nothing lead!”

“Ryan Ludwick steps into the box. He’s struggled mightily this series, with a batting
average under two hundred. When I talked to Bishop earlier today he said there was no doubt in
his mind about Luddy getting the start today………..two and one to Ludwick, he swings and hits
a rope to right center. This is down and going to the wall. Ludwick’s into second with a stand up
double and the Jays got a big inning on the stove cooking here in the second.”

Placido Polanco would follow with a sacrifice bunt to move Ludwick to third for the first
out of the inning, bringing up AJ Pierzynski.

“AJ Pierzynski, maybe the most hated man in the American League with a chance to do
some damage……two and nothing to AJ, ground ball to Furcal, Ludwick comes in to score and
Toronto has their second run of the game.”

The Tigers would try to rally in the third. Alex Gordon singled with one out and stole
second. After a Chris Young strikeout, Rafael Furcal came up with two outs.

“Two outs here in the third and the Tigers have their first runner in scoring position for
Rafael Furcal, a playoff hero last year with the Cardinals. The Tigers acquired him late in the
year hoping he’d provide a spark…….one and one to Furcal, Smoltz ready and fires. Line drive
to right field, they’re going to send Gordon. Bobby Abreu with the throw AND GORDON
IS….OUT! OHHHH! BOBBY ABREU WITH A LASER TO HOME PLATE AND THE JAYS
STILL HAVE THE LEAD!”

The Tigers threatened in the fourth but Fukudome would pop out with two on and two
out. Both pitchers were dealing and it remained a 2-0 game through the top of the 8th. Smoltz
would head back out in the 8th to face the bottom of the order.

“John Smoltz comes back out for the eighth inning with nobody warming up in the
Toronto pen. He said coming into the series that this could be his last trip to the playoffs and he

wanted to end it with another ring. The aging Blue Jays defending their title against these young
upstarts, it doesn’t get better than this folks. Gordon, Young and Furcal due up for the Tigers.”

“Alex Gordon was thrown out at home in the second by Abreu, gotta wonder if they’ll
test his arm again…..one and oh to Gordon, ground ball out to second, Polanco’s got it and
there’s one away in the eighth. Toronto inching ever closer to another trip to the ALCS.”

“Chris Young hitless on the afternoon for the Tigers steps in……one and one to Young,
swung on and drive deep to left. IT’S OVER LUDWICK’S HEAD AND OFF THE WALL.
Young into second and the Tigers are alive! HA HA!”

Furcal would follow by working a walk on seven pitches and LaTroy Hawkins started
warming up in the Jays pen. Chase Utley then flew out to the track in right to advance Young to
third, putting runners at the corners and two out for Miguel Cabrera.

“Smoltz one out away from getting out of the inning and there’s double barrel action in
the Jays pen with Hawkins and Matt Thornton getting ready. Miguel Cabrera ready to go…..two
balls and one strike to Cabrera. Line drive the other way! Young scores, Furcal goes to third.
Here comes Pat Bishop to the mound. Thornton’s ready and waiting for Prince Fielder. Smoltz
wants to stay in and HE’S GONNA LET HIM!”

“Prince Fielder trying to tie this game up; John Smoltz one out away from getting out of
this inning with a one run lead, HIGH DRAMA IN THE MOTOR CITY. THIS IS OCTOBER!
THIS IS TBS! Cabrera takes a big lead off first, Guillen not holding him on. Smoltz is ready,
ground ball to second. Polanco DIVES AND IT’S BY HIM! Tie game. Cabrera’s going to third,
ABREU BOOTS IT! IT KICKS AWAY, CABRERA’S HEADING FOR HOME AND HE’LL
SCORE WITHOUT A THROOOOOOOW! OHHHHHHHHHH THE TIGERS HAVE THE
LEAD! WHAT A GAME!”

Joe Nathan would come on with a one run lead in the ninth to try and slam the door for
the Tigers and advance them to their first ALCS in IBC history. Abreu would not redeem
himself and struck out to lead off the inning. Carlos Guillen followed with a groundout to second
to bring up Russ Branyan with two out.

“THE TIGERS ONE OUT AWAY FROM THE ALCS! RUSS BRANYAN TRYING
TO SAVE THE BLUE JAYS SEASON! Nathan is ready, swiiiiiiing and a miss and he looks
like he was in a Bugs Bunny cartoon with how bad he overswung there. Second pitch is inside
and almost hit him. I think he’s mad at himself that he didn’t lean into that. Nathan working fast
here in the ninth and ball two. Wieters yelling words of encouragement to his closer as he tosses
the ball back. Two and one to Branyan, POPPED UP, Fielder over to the railing, leans over but it
is out of his reach and off the dugout roof. Two and two to Branyan, ball three. Ludwick
swinging away on deck hoping for a chance. Full count to Russell Branyan, Joe Nathan ready
and delivers. SWUNG ON AND HIT DEEP TO RIGHT. FUKUDOME GOING BACK, AT

THE WALL AND HE MAKES THE CATCH IN FRONT OF THE FENCE! THE TIGERS
WIN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES! MADNESS IN THE MOTOR CITY,
HA HA!”

Code: Select all

10/13/2009, TOR09-DET09, Comerica Park
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2009 Blue Jays         0  2  0  0  0  0  0  0  0     2  2  1     3  2
2009 Tigers            0  0  0  0  0  0  0  3  x     3  8  0     5  2
 
Blue Jays            AB  R  H BI   AVG    Tigers               AB  R  H BI   AVG
Cust              dh  3  0  0  0  .111    Furcal            ss  3  1  1  0  .250
Granderson        cf  1  0  0  0  .278    Utley             2b  4  0  1  0  .286
Abreu             rf  4  0  0  0  .150    Cabrera           dh  4  1  1  1  .300
Guillen           1b  4  0  0  0  .235    Fielder           1b  3  0  1  1  .313
Branyan           3b  4  1  1  1  .263    Holliday          lf  4  0  1  0  .200
Ludwick           lf  3  1  1  0  .167    Fukudome          rf  3  0  1  0  .143
Polanco           2b  2  0  0  0  .235    Wieters           c   2  0  0  0  .167
Pierzynski        c   3  0  0  1  .316    Gordon            3b  3  0  1  0  .294
 Ruiz             c   0  0  0  0  .000    Young             cf  3  1  1  0  .278
Tejada            ss  2  0  0  0  .294                         29  3  8  2
                     26  2  2  2
 
Blue Jays                        INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Smoltz           L 1-1           7.2  8  3  2  3  5 112  70  1.72
Hawkins                          0.1  0  0  0  0  0   3   2  0.00
                                 8.0  8  3  2  3  5 115  72 
 
Tigers                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Gallardo                         7.1  2  2  2  5  6 115  62  3.00
Matos            W 1-0           0.2  0  0  0  0  0   1   1  6.23
Nathan           S 3             1.0  0  0  0  0  1  15   8  0.00
                                 9.0  2  2  2  5  7 131  71 
 
TOR: Ruiz inserted at c in the 8th
 
E-Abreu. 2B-Ludwick, Young. HR-Branyan(2). SB-Granderson(3), Gordon(2). 
K-Cust, Abreu 2, Branyan 2, Pierzynski, Tejada, Utley, Cabrera, Fielder, 
Holliday, Young. BB-Cust, Granderson 3, Tejada, Furcal, Fielder, Wieters. 
SH-Polanco. 
Temperature: 62, Sky: clear, Wind: in from left at 22 MPH.
12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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Post by DBacks »

This is great stuff guys. Awesome work.
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Post by Rockies »

Cubs wrote:This is great stuff guys. Awesome work.
Agreed.. Great stuff. I hope our 7th game NLCs epic that led to your ws title makes it in buddy. Best game of my tenure.
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Coming of Ace

Post by Cardinals »

No. 18 “Coming of Ace: Wainwright Pitches Cards to World Series,” Game 6, 2008 NLCS

Nate’s Reds and Aaron’s Cardinals had been friendly rivals since the IBC was founded in
2002. Nate’s powerhouses were always deemed the team to beat in the NL and every year he had
come up short. In 2008 it looked like it would finally be the year in the Queen City, as the Reds
won 114 games to win the division by 22 ½ games. Meanwhile the Cardinals were the defending
World Champs and it was a miracle they were this far. After a huge 9th inning rally in Game 163
against the Braves, they swept the Marlins to match up with the Reds, who won the season series
11-4, but lost the last two games of the year to allow the Cardinals to force Game 163. The Cards
then won the first two at GABP, the Reds won the next two at Busch and the Cards won Game 5,
putting Nate’s back against the wall.

Adam Wainwright and Matt Cain would match up in Game 6. Both pitchers had won
their starts earlier in the series. The Cardinals would get on the board in the first inning as Billy
Butler was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home the first run of the game, but St.
Louis couldn’t break through for another run. David Wright doubled to lead off the bottom of
the second, and in true NL style, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a groundout to
even the game at one. Sean McDonough will take it from here.

“Nick Markakis leading off here in the third for the Cardinals, last year’s co-MVP of
the World Series with Carlos Guillen hitting over four hundred here in the National League
Championship Series………now the oh one pitch, well hit to right field, back goes Guerrero.
Gone! A solo home run for Nick Markakis and the Cardinals have a two to one lead.”

Wainwright would settle in and shut down the Reds with no real threats through four. In
the fifth the Cards would threaten, putting two on and two out for Rafael Furcal.

“Matt Cain in trouble, Markakis at second, Butler at first and Rafael Furcal steps to the
plate with a chance to get some insurance runs. Swing and a miss for a strike one. Markakis
has great speed so you have to figure something out of the infield scores him. Cain ready and
delivers, line drive base hit! Here comes Markakis around third, Guerrero with the throw and
he is…….OUT! OUT AT THE PLATE! What a throw by Vlad Guerrero and the Reds remain
within a run as Olivo did a sweep tag to get him.”

Wainwright would set the Reds down in order in the fifth, sixth and seventh to keep the
Cards ahead by a run heading into the eighth inning.

“Pat Burrell leading off for St. Louis here in the eighth as Shields is going to throw his
second inning. Burrell struggling with the bat this series but he has walked eleven times. You
have to figure he’ll be removed for defense after this at bat………..Full count pitch to Burrell,

swung on and driven, LEFT CENTER FIELD, GOOOONE! Pat Burrell with his first home run
of the series and the Cardinals have a two run lead.”

The Reds would get a runner to second with two outs in the bottom of the 8th but pinch
hitter Paul Konerko grounded to short to end the inning. St. Louis would get two on in the ninth
but Burrell’s defensive replacement, Sean Baker, flew out to end the inning. Wainwright went
back out for the 9th to try for the complete game and pitch the Cards back to the Series.

“Adam Wainwright back on the mound to start the ninth. This is as much a ruling on the
bullpen as it is on Wainwright because this pen has been horrific all season long. Matt Capps is
warmed up if Wainwright gets in trouble against the top of the order. Wainwright already at one
hundred and four pitches to start the inning, the tank has to be close to empty.”

“Ichiro leading off for the Reds, only need two runs to tie the game. Ichiro’s almost
hitting five hundred for the series. First pitch is a fastball at the knees for strike one, you have to
figure if Ichiro gets on Wainwright’s done. Swing and a miss at a changeup for strike two. Ichiro
digs in, cuveball grounded to first. Butler has it and he’ll beat Ichiro to the bag easily for out
number one.”

“Brian Roberts now trying to start a rally for the Reds………….Full count to Roberts,
popped up to first base. Butler into foul territory for the catch and now the Cardinals are an
out away from a second straight trip to the World Series and it is up to Hanley Ramirez to stop
them.”

“Ramirez one of the few Reds to show up at the plate this series…….full count pitch,
swung up and hit to the gap in right. Markakis on his horse, slides, IT’S OFF HIS LEG! The ball
rolls into the center field! Salazar gets it and throws it in, Hanley slides into third with a triple
and the Reds are alive! Oh my goodness!”

“David Wright will be the batter after this conference on the mound. Tying run at the
plate and Burrell’s homer in the eighth is looking huge now. Wright has struggled mightily
this series. Wainwright is ready and so is Wright. Curveball hit deep to right, Markakis backs
up to the track AND HE’S LOST IT IN THE LIGHTS! DIVES AND CAUGHT! CAUGHT!
CAUGHT! THE CARDINALS ARE HEADING BACK TO THE WORLD SERIES!”

Code: Select all

10/19/2008, StL08-Cin08, Great American Ball Park
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2008 Cardinals         1  0  1  0  0  0  0  1  0     3  8  0    10  2
2008 Reds              0  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0     1  6  1     3  1
 
Cardinals            AB  R  H BI   AVG    Reds                 AB  R  H BI   AVG
Salazar,J         cf  4  1  1  0  .300    Ichiro            cf  4  0  0  0  .464
Headley           3b  4  0  0  0  .188    Roberts,B         2b  4  0  0  0  .130
Markakis          rf  3  1  2  1  .476    Ramirez,Ha        ss  4  0  2  0  .435
Burrell           lf  2  1  1  1  .214    Wright,D          3b  4  1  1  0  .130
 Barker           lf  1  0  0  0  .000    Hafner            1b  3  0  0  0  .130
Butler            1b  3  0  0  1  .304    Guerrero          rf  3  0  2  1  .478
Furcal            ss  4  0  1  0  .316    Swisher           lf  3  0  0  0  .217
Antonelli         2b  4  0  1  0  .231    Olivo             c   3  0  1  0  .391
 Miles            2b  0  0  0  0  .000    Cain,M            p   0  0  0  0  .000
Molina,Y          c   4  0  1  0  .375     Chulk            p   0  0  0  0  .000
Wainwright        p   4  0  1  0  .375     Slayden          ph  1  0  0  0  .000
                     33  3  8  3           Shields,S        p   0  0  0  0  .000
                                           Konerko          ph  1  0  0  0  .500
                                           Rodriguez,F      p   0  0  0  0  .000
                                                               30  1  6  1
 
Cardinals                        INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Wainwright       W 2-0           9.0  6  1  1  0  4 120  80  1.69
                                 9.0  6  1  1  0  4 120  80 
 
Reds                             INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Cain,M           L 1-1           4.0  4  2  2  5  3 104  56  2.70
Chulk                            2.0  1  0  0  0  1  17  11  0.00
Shields,S                        2.0  2  1  1  0  1  37  24  2.25
Rodriguez,F                      1.0  1  0  0  1  2  22  13  0.00
                                 9.0  8  3  3  6  7 180 104 
 
StL: Barker inserted at lf in the 8th
     Miles inserted at 2b in the 8th
Cin: Slayden batted for Chulk in the 6th
     Konerko batted for Shields,S in the 8th
 
E-Guerrero. 2B-Markakis, Antonelli, Wright,D. 3B-Ramirez,Ha. HR-Markakis(2), 
Burrell(1). K-Salazar,J, Headley 3, Markakis, Wainwright 2, Wright,D, 
Olivo 2, Slayden. BB-Salazar,J, Headley, Markakis 2, Burrell 2. SH-Cain,M. 
HBP-Butler. HB-Cain,M. WP-Rodriguez,F. 
GWRBI: Markakis
Temperature: 64, Sky: clear, Wind: out to right at 9 MPH.
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Post by Astros »

That is honest to God how the last 2 batters of that game happened. Ramirez tripled off Markakis' knee, then Wright flew out to the track but Markakis lost the ball in the lights and made a diving catch for the out. I think by the time the game was over I had sweated through my shirt
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Post by Rockies »

Sim league baseball, as in real life, is a game of inches. I've been damn close a few times but come up just short. Good stuff.
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The Empire Strikes First

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No. 17: "The Empire Strikes First," Game 1, 2004 World Series

The 2004 World Series would be a rare matchup of the two best teams in the IBC. Nils’
Giants rolled to an IBC record 116 wins, while JB’s Yankees won 114. Nils was making his
second trip to the World Series in 3 years but it was a tough road. It took the Giants 5 games to
beat a scrappy Cardinals squad that held a 2-1 series lead in the NLDS. Then the Mets, vacant
after JP quit during the season, held a 3-2 lead against the Giants but couldn’t hold on, so Nils
had already been pushed to the limit twice. The Yankees meanwhile, were dominating the
competition. They easily swept a 103 win Seattle team in the ALDS, then rolled through a 112
win Royals squad in 4 games.

Game 1 would prove to be a pitcher’s duel between Oswalt and Schilling. The Giants
would plate a run in the 2nd when Rivera singled home Scott Rolen to make it 1-0. The Yankees
would even up in the 5th, when Jason Giambi scored on a groundout after stealing third. Both
teams would go down quietly in the 6th and 7th as things moved along to the late innings, the
game would be handed over to the bullpens. The Giants would score one run in the top of the 8th,
after Kendall walked and went to second on a wild pitch, he would score on a Milton Bradley
single to center to make it 2-1. The side would be retired in order in the bottom of the 8th and the
top of the 9th.

“A couple of changes for the Giants here in the bottom of the ninth, as Brad Ausmus
comes in for defensive purposes and will catch, and taking the hill to try and close it out will be
Frankie Rodriguez. K-Rod was absolutely dominant during the regular season, saving twenty-
seven games with a 1.39 ERA. ARod, Helton and Sheffield due up for New York here in the
ninth.”

“It won’t be easy for Rodriguez, Joe. You rarely see such a young player handed the
closer role on a team that makes it to the World Series. Todd Worrell stands out with the St.
Louis Cardinals in 1985, but nobody else is really jumping out.”

“Rodriguez steps in, this will be the first time any of these guys has faced Rodriguez. K-
Rod delivers, fly ball down the left field line, it has a chance. Gone! A solo home run from Alex
Rodriguez and this game is tied!”

“A first pitch fastball right over the middle of the plate and ARod is not going to miss
that pitch Joe. Rodriguez blew a save in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Mets, and now he has
done it against the other New York team.”

“Todd Helton steps to the plate now for the Yankees as this crowd is going bonkers.
Helton is hitless on the night. First pitch is way inside and Helton doesn’t like that one bit. He
has a few words for Rodriguez and Ausmus is up and between them.”

“Nils may want to go to the mound for a visit here Joe, it looks like K-Rod is losing his
composure a little. That pitch was way inside and barely missed Helton.”

“Things have settled down some, the next pitch is in there on the outside corner for a
called strike one to even the count. Sheffield waiting on deck for the Yankees. Helton swings
and drives this ball to deep center field. Bradley going back, this ball is outta here! Todd Helton
wins it for the Yankees! Back to back home runs in the ninth off Frankie Rodriguez to tie and
win the game for New York!”

Code: Select all

10/22/2004, SF03-NYA03, Yankee Stadium
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2003 San Francisco     0  1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0     2  5  0     6  1
2003 New York (A)      0  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  2     3  5  0     4  0
 
San Francisco        AB  R  H BI   AVG    New York (A)         AB  R  H BI   AVG
Kendall           c   2  1  0  0  .000    Castillo          2b  4  0  0  0  .000       
 Ausmus           c   0  0  0  0  .000    Jeter             ss  4  0  0  0  .000       
Winn              lf  4  0  0  0  .000    Rodriguez         3b  4  1  1  1  .250       
Bradley           cf  4  0  1  1  .250    Helton            1b  4  1  1  1  .250       
Rolen             3b  4  1  2  0  .500    Sheffield         rf  2  0  0  0  .000       
Lee               1b  4  0  0  0  .000    Giambi            dh  2  1  1  0  .500       
Rivera            rf  3  0  1  1  .333    Sosa              lf  2  0  1  0  .500       
Cruz,J            dh  4  0  1  0  .250    Williams          cf  3  0  0  1  .000       
Cabrera           ss  2  0  0  0  .000    Phillips          c   2  0  0  0  .000       
 McCarty          ph  1  0  0  0  .000     Jones            ph  1  0  1  0 1.000       
 Reese            ss  1  0  0  0  .000     LaRue            c   0  0  0  0  .000       
Polanco           2b  3  0  0  0  .000                         28  3  5  3             
                     32  2  5  2                                                    
 
San Francisco                    INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Oswalt                           7.0  2  1  1  2  5 103  61  1.29
Ayala            H 1             1.0  1  0  0  0  0  10   7  0.00
Rodriguez        BS 1, L 0-1     0.0  2  2  2  0  0   4   3 99.00
                                 8.0  5  3  3  2  5 117  71 
 
New York (A)                     INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Schilling                        7.2  4  2  2  3  8 110  69  2.35
Hawkins          W 1-0           1.1  1  0  0  0  1  20  10  0.00
                                 9.0  5  2  2  3  9 130  79 
 
SF : McCarty batted for Cabrera in the 7th
     Reese inserted at ss in the 7th
     Ausmus inserted at c in the 9th
NYA: Jones batted for Phillips in the 8th
     LaRue inserted at c in the 9th
 
2B-Rolen. HR-Rodriguez(1), Helton(1). SB-Giambi(1), Sosa(1). K-Winn 2, 
Bradley, Rolen, Lee 3, Rivera, Cruz,J, Jeter, Sheffield, Giambi, Sosa, 
Phillips. BB-Kendall 2, Rivera, Giambi, Sosa. HBP-Sheffield. HB-Oswalt. 
WP-Schilling. 
GWRBI: Helton
Temperature: 47, Sky: clear, Wind: right to left at 2 MPH.
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Giant Comeback

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No. 16: Giant Comeback, Game 1, 2005 NLDS

In the 2004 NLDS, the underdog Cardinals took the 116 win Giants to Game 5 before
bowing out. The 2005 Giants won 99 games and would face off with 97 win Cardinals in a
rematch of last year’s series. The Giants easily won a horrible NL West by 27 games. The
Cardinals meanwhile, made the playoffs because of a ruling that the Brewers weren’t eligible for
the playoffs due to them being a powerhouse that a newbie inherited after the Morgan
Conspiracy. So the Cardinals tied with the Brewers for the Wild Card but got in without a one
game playoff.

The Giants would be decided favorites in Game 1 as Javier Vazquez faced off with Jeff
Suppan. The Cardinals exploded for 6 runs in the 2nd inning to send Vazquez to the showers.
Suppan meanwhile would be his usual solid self, going 7 innings and allowing 3 runs. The
Cardinals would add another run in the top of the 7th, making it 7-3 heading into the bottom of
the 8th against Matt Wise. Wise would allow four straight singles before being removed for Mike
Koplove.

“The Cardinals in deep trouble as Koplove comes in Tim. Matt Wise unable to get a
single out and the bases are loaded with nobody out.”

“The Cardinals are lucky Joe, every one of those balls were hit hard, they happened to be
hit right at the outfielders. Now it is up to Koplove to hold on to this lead.”

“Gonzalez steps in. First pitch is a called strike. Koplove did it all for the Cardinals this
year out of the pen, he is their workhorse. Slow roller to the mound. Throws home and pulls Inge
off the plate. Estrada slides and he is safe! An error by Koplove and it is seven to five.”

“I guess he forgot who was running Joe. He had a chance at a double play there but bare
handed the ball and didn’t set his feet.”

“Now Ichiro comes to the plate and the bases are still loaded. First pitch is a ball. The go
ahead run stands at first. The one oh pitch to Ichiro goes to the screen. Here comes Cabrera, and
it is seven to six Cardinals. The Giants are on the verge of tying this game.”

Ichiro would ground to third and Tony Graffanino would be throw out at home to
maintain the one run lead, bringing up Randy Winn.

“Winn had a big postseason last year for the Giants. Ball one low. A double play can get
the Cardinals out of the inning but it will be hard to double up Winn. Ground ball, Vizcaino has
it, offbalance throw is not going to be in time. Tie game!”

“This Cardinals bullpen has completely imploded Joe. First Wise fails to record an out,
now Koplove shooting himself in the foot and the game is tied and there’s only one out.”

“Derrek Lee will try to give the Giants the lead. Call strike one. Ichiro at second, Winn is
at first. Koplove sets and fires. Ground ball that Chavez can’t get, Ichiro is going for home and is
going to score easily! The Giants have taken the lead.”

San Francisco would add one more run before the inning was over to take a 9-7 lead. The
Cardinals would get two on and two out in the 9th, but Jose Vizcaino would strike out on 3
pitches to end the game and the Giants had a 1-0 series lead.

Code: Select all

10/4/2005, StL05-SF05, SBC Park
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2005 Cardinals         0  6  0  0  0  0  1  0  0     7 12  2     8  0
2005 Giants            0  1  1  0  0  0  1  6  x     9 16  1     9  2
 
Cardinals            AB  R  H BI   AVG    Giants               AB  R  H BI   AVG
Stewart           lf  5  1  1  2  .200    Ichiro            rf  5  1  1  0  .200       
Durham            2b  5  0  1  0  .200    Winn              cf  5  2  3  1  .600       
Chavez            3b  4  0  2  0  .500    Lee               1b  5  0  1  1  .200       
Overbay           1b  5  0  2  1  .400    Lee               lf  5  0  0  0  .000       
Wilson,P          rf  3  2  1  1  .333    Beltre            3b  5  1  4  2  .800       
Vizcaino          ss  5  1  2  0  .400    Estrada           c   4  1  1  0  .250       
Johnson           cf  4  1  2  1  .500    Cabrera           ss  4  2  2  0  .500       
Inge              c   3  1  0  0  .000    Graffanino        2b  4  0  2  1  .500       
Suppan            p   3  1  1  2  .333    Vazquez           p   0  0  0  0  .000       
 Redmond          ph  1  0  0  0  .000     Rodriguez,F      p   2  0  1  1  .500       
 Wise             p   0  0  0  0  .000     Farnsworth       p   0  0  0  0  .000       
 Koplove          p   0  0  0  0  .000     Rauch            p   0  0  0  0  .000       
                     38  7 12  7           Quinlan          ph  1  1  1  0 1.000       
                                           Riske            p   0  0  0  0  .000       
                                           Gonzalez         ph  1  1  0  0  .000       
                                           Williamson       p   0  0  0  0  .000       
                                                               41  9 16  6             
 
Cardinals                        INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Suppan                           7.0  9  3  2  1  4 109  71  2.57
Wise                             0.0  4  4  4  0  0  13  11 99.00
Koplove          BS 1, L 0-1     1.0  3  2  0  0  0  19  15  0.00
                                 8.0 16  9  6  1  4 141  97 
 
Giants                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Vazquez                          1.2  6  6  6  2  0  39  20 32.40
Rodriguez,F                      2.1  3  0  0  1  2  43  26  0.00
Farnsworth                       2.2  2  1  1  0  0  39  24  3.38
Rauch                            0.1  0  0  0  0  0   4   2  0.00
Riske            W 1-0           1.0  1  0  0  0  0  16  12  0.00
Williamson       S 1             1.0  0  0  0  1  1  13   7  0.00
                                 9.0 12  7  7  4  3 154  91 
 
StL: Redmond batted for Suppan in the 8th
SF : Quinlan batted for Rauch in the 7th
     Gonzalez batted for Riske in the 8th
 
E-Durham, Koplove, Graffanino. 2B-Durham, Overbay, Suppan, Beltre. 
HR-Wilson,P(1). K-Wilson,P, Vizcaino, Inge, Ichiro, Winn, Lee, Rodriguez,F. 
BB-Chavez, Wilson,P 2, Inge, Estrada. WP-Koplove. 
GWRBI: Lee
Temperature: 57, Sky: partly cloudy, Wind: out to left at 9 MPH.
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No. 15: Casey at the Bat, Game 6, 2010 NLCS

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No. 15: Casey at the Bat, Game 6, 2010 NLCS

The 2010 NLCS pitted the two best teams in the National League against each other, and
they also happened to be division rivals. The Pittsburgh Pirates won an IBC record 122 games on
the strength of a 4 man rotation of Danny Haren, Tim Lincecum, Zach Greinke and Johan
Santana, a solid lineup and a killer back end of the bullpen. The Reds were the third team that
Ken had led to the playoffs, following his mid decade success in Houston and capturing the 2009
Wild Card with Washington. A flurry of deadline deals filled the holes in the Reds team and
primed them for the playoffs, though the fate of the team was being left in the hands of the likes
of Taylor Buchholz. The Reds beat the Phillies in 4 in the NLDS, while it took JP’s Bucs 5
games to vanquish Jag’s Arizona squad. The Reds rode their pitching to a 3-0 series lead and
didn’t allow a single earned run in the first three games of the NLCS. With their backs against
the wall, the Pirates took Games 4 and 5 to force Game 6. Trying to be only the second team in
IBC history, after the 2008 Cardinals, to face a 3-0 hole and force Game 7, Haren faced off with
Javier Vazquez in Game 6.

The Pirates would get a run across in the first, as Vlad Guerrero singled home Carlos
Beltran. The Reds would tie things up in the top of the 2nd on a solo home run by Adrian Beltre.
An Evan Longoria single scored Matt Holliday in the 3rd and an RBI groundout by Carlos
Beltran scored Yadier Molina in the 4th to give the Bucs a 3-1 lead. A Todd Helton single in the
5th would cut the lead to one and a sac fly by Shane Victorino would tie things up in the 6th.
Things went pretty quietly after that, with double plays killing any of the Reds chances at a rally
and aside from Omar Vizquel being thrown out at home in the 6th, the Pirates managed to get

only 2 runners to second base between the 7th and 11th innings. We’ll join Reds radio broadcaster
Marty Brennaman for the 12th.

“The 12th inning is brought to you by Skyline Chili. It’s always Skyline time. David
Aardsma on in relief for the Pirates here in the 12th, Beltre to lead it off, then Casey Kotchman
on deck to pinch hit for Cordero and Clint Barmes due up third……One and two to Beltre, swing
and a miss, down he goes for out number one. Casey Kotchman stepping in to pinch hit, he has
one hit in the series in three at bats, batted .327 in forty-nine at bats with the Reds. First pitch is a
called strike one. Barmes on deck and then Roberts if anybody gets on. The one strike pitch,
swing and a high fly ball to left field, this has a chance, Holliday back, he leaps up, IT’S GONE!
A HOME RUN FOR CASEY KOTCHMAN AND THE REDS LEAD BY ONE!”

Aardsma would retire Barmes and Roberts to end the inning. Brandon League would
come in to try and get the save for the Reds. Beltre would single to lead off the inning. Andre
Ethier then struck out and Matt Holliday walked. We’ll rejoin Marty for the rest.

“Brandon League in some trouble as the Pirates are trying to mount a rally here. A single
and a walk and they’re back in business. Evan Longoria steps in now…………..two and two the
count to Longoria, swing and a double play ball to third, BOOTED by Beltre. Everyone is safe!
A potentially devastating error on a routine ground ball by Beltre and now the Pirates have the
bases loaded and only one out. Brian Myrow steps in, he came on as a defensive replacement for
Vlad earlier in the ballgame……….Two and two to Myrow, swing and a miss! League got him
to chase one outside and he is gone. That means it is all up to Placido Polanco to send us to a
Game 7 tomorrow or send the Reds to the World Series for the first time since 1990. First pitch
is a called strike belt high…..The oh and one pitch, a little flare down the left field line but it will
land foul by about six feet. Whew, that was dangerous and would’ve sent us to Game 7. The oh
two pitch misses. I’ve never heard PNC Park this loud in all the years we’ve been coming here.
League is ready, one and two to Polanco, SWING AND A MISS! The Cincinnati Reds are going
to the World Series. The Reds have done it.”

Code: Select all

10/20/2010, CIN10-PIT10, PNC Park
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12     R  H  E   LOB DP
2010 Reds              0  1  0  0  1  1  0  0  0  0  0  1     4 10  2     6  0
2010 Pirates           1  0  1  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0     3 13  0    12  3
 
Reds                 AB  R  H BI   AVG    Pirates              AB  R  H BI   AVG
Roberts           2b  6  0  1  0  .231    Beltran           cf  5  1  1  1  .115
Helton            1b  5  0  1  1  .130    Ethier            rf  6  0  1  0  .200
Sandoval          c   5  0  2  0  .440    Holliday          lf  4  1  2  0  .261
 Laird            c   0  0  0  0  .000    Longoria          3b  6  0  2  1  .280
Choo              lf  5  1  1  0  .174    Guerrero          1b  5  0  1  1  .227
Ludwick           rf  3  0  0  0  .368     Myrow            1b  1  0  0  0  .333
 Blackmon         pr  1  0  1  0  .167    Polanco           2b  6  0  0  0  .115
Victorino         cf  3  0  0  1  .273    Molina            c   5  1  4  0  .318
Beltre            3b  4  1  1  1  .240    Vizquel           ss  2  0  1  0  .214
Bartlett          ss  3  0  0  0  .190     Hafner           ph  1  0  0  0  .000
 Thatcher         p   0  0  0  0  .000     Bloomquist       ss  1  0  0  0  .000
 Cordero          p   0  0  0  0  .000    Haren             p   2  0  1  0  .250
 Kotchman         ph  1  1  1  1  .500     Broxton          p   0  0  0  0  .000
 League           p   0  0  0  0  .000     Hawpe            ph  1  0  0  0  .000
Vazquez           p   2  1  2  0  .600     Papelbon         p   0  0  0  0  .000
 Roberts          ph  1  0  0  0  .000     Mather           ph  1  0  0  0  .250
 Downs            p   0  0  0  0  .000     Aardsma          p   0  0  0  0  .000
 Bulger           p   0  0  0  0  .000                         46  3 13  3
 Barmes           ss  2  0  0  0  .000
                     41  4 10  4
 
Reds                             INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Vazquez                          6.0  9  3  2  2  3  94  59  1.35
Downs                            0.1  0  0  0  0  0   1   1 45.00
Bulger                           1.2  1  0  0  0  3  31  21  2.45
Thatcher                         1.0  0  0  0  0  2  12   8  0.00
Cordero          W 1-0           2.0  2  0  0  0  2  28  17  0.00
League           S 1             1.0  1  0  0  1  3  29  18  2.45
                                12.0 13  3  2  3 13 195 124 
 
Pirates                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Haren                            8.0  7  3  3  2  5 104  74  4.50
Broxton                          1.0  0  0  0  1  0  11   4  0.00
Papelbon                         2.0  2  0  0  0  0  19  13  5.40
Aardsma          L 0-1           1.0  1  1  1  0  1  11   8  6.75
                                12.0 10  4  4  3  6 145  99 
 
CIN: Roberts batted for Vazquez in the 7th
     Blackmon ran for Ludwick in the 9th
     Blackmon moved to rf in the 9th
     Barmes inserted at ss in the 9th
     Kotchman batted for Cordero in the 12th
     Laird inserted at c in the 12th
PIT: Hafner batted for Vizquel in the 8th
     Bloomquist inserted at ss in the 9th
     Hawpe batted for Broxton in the 9th
     Myrow inserted at 1b in the 11th
     Mather batted for Papelbon in the 11th
 
E-Sandoval, Beltre. 2B-Choo, Holliday. HR-Beltre(1), Kotchman(1). 
SB-Beltran(3), Holliday(1), Vizquel(2). CS-Victorino, Longoria. K-Helton, 
Choo 2, Ludwick, Beltre 2, Beltran, Ethier 2, Holliday 2, Longoria, Guerrero, 
Polanco 2, Haren, Hafner, Hawpe, Myrow. BB-Ludwick, Victorino, Beltre, 
Beltran, Holliday 2. SH-Haren. SF-Victorino. HBP-Bartlett, Vizquel. 
HB-Vazquez, Haren. WP-Haren 2. BALK-Haren. 
GWRBI: Kotchman
Temperature: 52, Sky: clear, Wind: in from center at 3 MPH.
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No. 14: Freebyrd and the Uggla Duckling, Game 5s 2011 NLDS

The 2011 NLDS matchup between the Pirates and Marlins had shockingly wound up in a Game 5. JP’s two year rebuild in 2007 and 2008 made him poised to have a dynasty starting in 2009 and he had had the best record in the National League for three years in a row but had yet to win the pennant. After leaving the AL East, Dan had been to the playoffs three of four years since moving to Miami. The Pirates led the NLDS two games to none, but Dan pulled off two wins in a row to force a Game 5 and a potentially crushing loss to the Pittsburgh franchise.

The Pirates plated a run in the first when Matt Holliday grounded into a bases loaded double play. Holliday would get his first RBI of the game in the third when he lined a single to right to score Ben Zobrist, but Evan Longoria was thrown out at third for the second out. Holliday would be thrown out at home for the third out of the inning trying to score on an Aubrey Huff single. We’ll join the Pirates radio team of Mike Shannon and John Rooney in bits and pieces the rest of the way.

“One away here in the fourth and Haren has Matt Joyce down one and two in the count. Here’s the pitch, Joyce swings and hits a fly ball to right center, this is going to get down and the Marlins have a man on with one out John.”

“Mike the middle of this lineup, three through seven, has such a power threat, it is one of the more dangerous ones we’ve seen all season.”

“The Marlin third baseman Aramis Ramirez steps to the plate. Haren is ready and pitches. Swing and a home run to left field. Holliday didn’t even move, Ramirez crushed that one and this is a tie ballgame.”

“Mike, we’ve worried all series long about what would happen if these guys got hot. If they’re hot tonight the Pirates are in trouble.”

“Big trouble. I tell ya folks that ball got out of here before Ramirez was out of the batter’s box. Garret Jones is now the batter for Florida……Line drive to left center, Holliday’s going to cut it off before it gets in the gap and hold Jones to a single but the Marlins have something going. Giovanni Soto is the batter, Haren could really use a double play…..a ball and a strike to Soto, swing and a long one out to left, Holliday is back and this one is gone and the Marlins have a four to two lead and they’re all waiting at the top of the dugout for Soto.”

The Pirates went quietly in the fourth and Haren settled down to easily get through the fifth inning. Nick Johnson would lead off the Pirates half of the fifth with a double. Zobrist flew out to center and Dan elected to intentionally walk Longoria to put two on with one out for Holliday.

“Matt Holliday steps to the plate for the Buccos, he’s knocked in both runs tonight and has two on here. Scherzer is ready and the pitch, base hit to right center field, here comes Nick Johnson, Longoria is going to third and the Pirates have runners at the corners with one out! He threw that middle away and Holliday just took it to the opposite field.”

Aubrey Huff would walk on four pitches to bring up Marlon Byrd with the bases loaded and one out. The Marlins had action in their pen but nobody was yet ready.

“Here comes Marlon Byrd with the bases loaded. Boy a home run would be as nice as a cool frosty Budweiser right now John…….no balls and two strikes to Byrd, SWING AND A LONG ONE TO RIGHT FIELD. GET UP BABY, GET UP! Nooooo! Matt Joyce makes a leaping catch at the wall, all the runners are tagging, here comes Longoria and we got a tie game.”

“That wall in right is twenty-one feet high Mike, in a lot of ballparks that ball would’ve been gone.”

“Here’s Yadi with a chance to give the Pirates a lead again. First pitch and he swings and hits a line drive to right, Holliday scores, here comes Huff, Joyce’s throw is there. Huff is safe! Soto missed the tag! The Pirates lead it six to four! This crowd is going bananas!”

The sixth and seventh went quietly as both teams had turn the game over to their bullpens. Ian Kinsler led off the eighth with a single for Florida off Joe Nathan. Sean Burnett came in and struck out Carl Crawford. That brought in Papelbon to try and get the five out save.

“Papelbon will try to get the final five outs to send the Pirates to the NLCS. Troy Tulowitzki will be the batter. Throw to first but Kinsler is back easily. With Yadi behind the plate he’s not going anywhere…..One and one the count, Tulowitzki swings and rips a ball into the gap in left, that ball will go to the wall. Kinsler scores easily and Tulo is at second with a one out double. Matt Joyce now in……..Full count pitch to Joyce, SWING AND A MISS, HE GOT HIM! Papelbon blew a fastball by him.”

“John he took two pitches for strikes on the outside of the plate and was looking for him to go back there. A high inside fastball was the last thing he expected and he was way late on that swing.”

Aramis Ramirez would walk on five pitches and Garrett Jones stepped to the plate against a struggling Papelbon. JP had seen enough from his closer and pulled him for LOOGY Trevor Miller. Dan countered by pinch hitting Jesus Guzman.

“We’ll have a pinch hitter for Jones and it is Jesus Guzman. Guzman only had eight at bats during the regular season and he had one hit. He played in seven games at first in September as a late inning defensive replacement and Miller has to stay in to face one batter. First pitch is a called strike on the outside corner, that was a gift. If first base was open I bet JP would put him on and bring in Francisco. Second pitch is a ball in the dirt. Tulowitzki has good speed, anything out of the infield will score him, it will take on in the gap to get home Ramirez. The one ball one strike pitch comes from Miller. Guzman swings and there’s a ground ball by the mound, Ryan dives and it’s by him, here comes Tulowitzki and we have a tie game. The last person you would expect to get a big hit, shades of Francisco Cabrera.”

“Hoooooleeeeeeeeyyyyyy shit”

“Sorry folks, our dugout mic picked up JP there.”

Soto would line out to third to end the inning. The Pirates went down in order in the bottom of the eighth. Francisco got through the ninth on five pitches. The Pirates got two on with two out in the ninth but Holliday would ground out to short to end the inning. The Marlins again went down in order in the tenth.

“Joaquin Benoit will come out for his second inning, he got in a little trouble in the ninth but got out of it. The Pirates are on their seventh reliever, the bullpen is almost empty so the longer this goes Mike, the more the odds tilt in the favor of the Marlins.”

“You’re absolutely right John, the only guy left in the pen is Scott Feldman, though I’m sure that Lincecum and Weaver will pitch if the need arises. But maybe we’ll just get a home run here from Murphy and send us all home happy, heh heh heh.”

“David Murphy steps in against Benoit having took over for Huff in the eighth inning……no balls and two strikes to Murphy, Benoit pitches, called strike three on the outside corner. A great pitch from Benoit and Murphy heads back to the bench.”

“Nothing he could do with that John, he thought it was a ball and had some words for Jerry Meals as he went back to the dugout. Well, maybe Byrd will end it here since I was wrong about Murphy, heh heh.”

“Marlon Byrd flew out to the wall in right in the fifth and just missed a home run. First pitch to Byrd is a call strike low and away, my goodness this strike zone is getting wide as the night goes on. Byrd steps out of the box and the Pirates dugout better watch it. Adron Chambers is really yelling at Meals who looks over trying to see who it is. Byrd steps back in. Benoit is ready, here’s the pitch. Swing and a high fly ball TO LEFT FIELD. THIS BALL IS DEEP AND IT’S A GONER! Marlon Byrd has just sent the Pirates to the NLCS with a home run!”

“HEH HEH They are mobbing him at home plate John! Look at them, he’s trying to run away but they’ve chased him down and dogpiled on top of him. What a game!”

Meanwhile the other NLDS also had their Game 5 that night, with a 10 pm start due to it being two west coast teams. Nils once again had his Giants in the playoffs against his chief competition, Jag’s Diamondbacks. Nils too had jumped out to a 2-0 series lead, but Jag forced a deciding game with an 11th inning walkoff home run by Justin Upton in Game 4. Francisco Liriano got the start for Jag, while Ubaldo Jimenez started for Nils after he stole him from Jim around the deadline.

The Giants got on the board in the bottom of the first with a solo home run from Ryan Zimmerman to make it 1-0. Alex Rios grounded into a bases loaded double play in the second, but another run would score to make it 2-0 Giants. Jeff Clement led off the top of the third with a solo blast for Arizona and the tying run would score on a BJ Upton double. We’ll join Dick Stockton and Ron Darling on TBS for the main points of the game henceforth.

“We welcome those of you that just watch the Pirates defeat the Marlins on a Marlon Byrd home run to advance to the NLCS. We have a tie game here in the top of the fourth in San Francisco. Mark Teixeira leading off the inning against Ubaldo Jimenez………….and he walked him on four pitches.”

“That’s the second leadoff walk he has issued today Dick, I don’t think he wanted any part of the MVP candidate.”

“Dallas McPherson is up next, one half of the third base platoon for the DBacks. He had twenty-five homers on the season so he is dangerous…….count even at one and one, here’s a long drive down the right field line, this could be trouble. This ball is gone! Dallas McPherson with a two run home run to put the Diamondbacks ahead by two!”

Arizona wouldn’t score again in the inning. Liriano would set down the Giants in order in the bottom of the inning. The first two DBacks would be set down by Ubaldo to start the fifth.

“Grady Sizemore steps in the box with two away here in the fifth. Grady has struggled all series, hitting under .200. He came over at the deadline with Chris Perez when the Cardinals had their fire sale and has started in center ever since.”

“A few years ago Dick, Sizemore looked to be one of the future superstars in the game but he’s had injury problems and never really been the same since. A lot of teams were looking at him at the deadline but Arizona pulled the trigger on him.”

“The first pitch to Grady is low. He showed bunt there, may be looking to drag one and get on. Ball two. Ubaldo in danger of issuing his third walk of the game. Here’s the two oh pitch, swung on and hammered deep to right field. THIS BALL IS GOING TO MCCOVEY COVE! Grady Sizemore has given Arizona a three run lead here in the fifth.”

“Jiminez was so worried about not walking him he put a fastball in the middle of the plate and Grady hammered it. In the battle of deadline acquisitions, Arizona just won that one.”

The DBacks now had a five to two lead. Liriano would be removed by Jag after six strong innings and Darren O’Day would pitch a scoreless seventh. The Arizona offense went down in order in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Chris Perez would come in for Arizona to pitch the eighth.

“The Diamondbacks are six outs away from the National League Championship Series. Chris Perez on to face Gerardo Parra, Omar Infante and Jason Heyward here in the eighth…….Two and two to Parra, swing and a miss, he chased a slider out of the zone……Two balls and two strikes to Omar Infante, here’s a ground ball past the mound and it will sneak into center field for a base hit. Jag is already on his way to the mound to make a pitching change.”

“He wants Kuo to face Heyward and neutralize him Dick. Five outs from his closer and the DBacks are in the NLCS. Pittsburgh tried this earlier tonight and it didn’t work.”

“Kuo finishing his warmup pitches and Heyward is ready…….Two and two to Heyward, ground ball to short, they got a chance for two here. Out at second and safe at first! A bang bang play but Heyward beats the ball to the bag. Teixeira arguing but he’s safe on the replay…….Full count to Zimmerman. High and away and he walked him, the tying run comes to the plate in Adrian Gonzalez”

“Looks like we’re going to have a mound visit Dick. Two outs, lefty lefty matchup, Kuo’s going to try to get him to chase something out of the zone. You can’t give him anything to hit here.”

“Gonzalez digs in, he is the likely NL MVP if Teixeira doesn’t win it. He swings over a slider and there’s strike one.”

“That’s what Kuo wants to do. Chase pitches out of the zone.”

“Kuo comes inside and gets the call. Gonzalez down nothing and two in the count. Kuo sets and delivers, a ground ball in the hole, Castro can’t get it. They’ll hold Heyward at third and the bases are loaded for Dan Uggla.”

“Uggla’s hitting over .400 for the series Dick. Not the guy you want to see here, especially with a left on the mound.”

“Everything is quiet in the Arizona bullpen, it is up to Kuo. The catcher jogs out to the mound for a quick conference……..Full count to Dan Uggla, Chris Ianetta on deck. Kuo gets the sign and is ready with the pitch. Uggla swings and hits a long fly ball to left center field. This could be trouble. Sizemore chasing it to the wall BUT THIS IS GONE! DAN UGGLA WITH A TWO OUT, EIGHTH INNING GRAND SLAM TO GIVE THE GIANTS A ONE RUN LEAD HERE IN GAME 5!”

Matt Capps would stay in for his second inning of work in the ninth. Teixeira grounded out to the mound to start the inning. McPherson would work a full count before striking out. Rickie Weeks then came up with the season on the line.

“Two outs, nobody on for Arizona and it all rests on the shoulders of Rickie Weeks. He fouled off a couple of tough pitches to make this a full count. Jeff Clement on deck and he already has a homer tonight, this will be Capps last batter. Weeks digs in. Capps is ready and fires, here’s a comebacker to the mound. Capps has it, throws it to first and the San Francisco Giants are going to the National League Championship Series! The Giants escape with a one run victory thanks to a Dan Uggla grand slam and will meet the Pirates on Friday in Pittsburgh.”

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10/5/2011, Flo11-Pit11, PNC Park
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10     R  H  E   LOB DP
2011 Marlins           0  0  0  4  0  0  0  2  0  0     6  9  0     4  2
2011 Pirates           1  0  1  0  4  0  0  0  0  1     7 11  0     7  0
 
Marlins              AB  R  H BI   AVG    Pirates              AB  R  H BI   AVG
Kinsler           2b  3  1  2  0  .421    Johnson           1b  4  2  3  0  .474
Crawford          lf  5  0  0  0  .136     Butler           1b  1  0  0  0  .000
Tulowitzki        ss  5  1  1  1  .348    Zobrist           2b  4  1  1  0  .211
Joyce             rf  5  1  1  0  .250    Longoria          3b  2  1  1  0  .316
Ramirez           3b  3  1  1  2  .235    Holliday          lf  5  1  2  2  .304
Jones             1b  3  1  1  0  .235    Huff              rf  3  1  1  0  .300
 Guzman           ph  1  0  1  1 1.000     Murphy           rf  1  0  0  0  .000
Soto              c   4  1  1  2  .125    Byrd              cf  3  1  1  2  .300
Morgan            cf  4  0  1  0  .250    Molina            c   4  0  2  2  .313
Scherzer          p   2  0  0  0  .000    Ryan              ss  4  0  0  0  .421
 Farnsworth       p   0  0  0  0  .000    Haren             p   3  0  0  0  .286
 Matsui           ph  1  0  0  0  .667     Marshall         p   0  0  0  0  .000
 Balfour          p   0  0  0  0  .000     Nathan           p   0  0  0  0  .000
 Span             ph  1  0  0  0  .125     Burnett          p   0  0  0  0  .000
 Benoit           p   0  0  0  0  .000     Papelbon         p   0  0  0  0  .000
                     37  6  9  6           Miller           p   0  0  0  0  .000
                                           Francisco        p   0  0  0  0  .000
                                           DeRosa           ph  0  0  0  0  .000
                                           Chambers         pr  0  0  0  0  .000
                                           Abreu            p   0  0  0  0  .000
                                                               34  7 11  6
 
Marlins                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Scherzer                         5.1 10  6  6  5  3 105  57  8.71
Farnsworth                       0.2  0  0  0  0  0   5   3 22.50
Balfour                          2.0  0  0  0  0  2  23  18  0.00
Benoit           L 0-1           1.1  1  1  1  2  2  26  15  3.86
                                 9.1 11  7  7  7  7 159  93 
 
Pirates                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Haren                            6.2  6  4  4  2  5 102  64  3.68
Marshall         H 1             0.1  0  0  0  0  1   4   3  0.00
Nathan                           0.0  1  1  1  0  0   4   2 27.00
Burnett          H 1             0.1  0  0  0  0  1   4   3  0.00
Papelbon         H 1             0.1  1  1  1  1  1  14   6  6.75
Miller           BS 1            0.0  1  0  0  0  0   3   2  0.00
Francisco                        1.1  0  0  0  0  0   6   6  0.00
Abreu            W 1-0           1.0  0  0  0  0  1  10   9  9.00
                                10.0  9  6  6  3  9 147  95 
 
Flo: Joyce moved to cf in the 1st
     Morgan moved to rf in the 1st
     Matsui batted for Farnsworth in the 7th
     Guzman batted for Jones in the 8th
     Guzman moved to 1b in the 8th
     Span batted for Balfour in the 9th
Pit: Butler inserted at 1b in the 8th
     Murphy inserted at rf in the 8th
     DeRosa batted for Francisco in the 9th
     Chambers ran for DeRosa in the 9th
 
2B-Tulowitzki(1), Johnson(2). HR-Ramirez(2), Soto(1), Byrd(1). 
RBI-Tulowitzki(4), Ramirez 2(5), Soto 2(3), Guzman(1), Holliday 2(5), 
Byrd 2(2), Molina 2(3). CS-Kinsler, Crawford. K-Crawford 2, Tulowitzki, 
Joyce 3, Jones, Scherzer, Matsui, Johnson, Holliday, Huff, Ryan, Haren, 
Butler, Murphy. BB-Kinsler 2, Ramirez, Zobrist, Longoria 3, Huff, Byrd, 
DeRosa. SF-Byrd. WP-Scherzer. BALK-Scherzer. 
GWRBI: Byrd
Temperature: 64, Sky: clear, Wind: right to left at 4 MPH.
Attendance: 38,341
Game Time: 3:38

Code: Select all

10/5/2011, Ari11-SF11, AT&T Park
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2011 Diamondbacks      0  0  2  2  1  0  0  0  0     5  6  0     1  3
2011 Giants            1  1  0  0  0  0  0  4  x     6  7  0     3  0
 
Diamondbacks         AB  R  H BI   AVG    Giants               AB  R  H BI   AVG
Upton             lf  3  0  1  1  .188    Infante           ss  4  0  1  0  .318
Sizemore          cf  4  1  1  1  .136    Heyward           rf  3  1  0  0  .250
Upton             rf  4  0  0  0  .364    Zimmerman         3b  3  2  2  1  .300
Teixeira          1b  3  1  0  0  .263    Gonzalez          1b  4  1  1  0  .500
McPherson         3b  4  1  1  2  .235    Uggla             2b  4  2  3  4  .412
Weeks             2b  4  0  0  0  .190    Iannetta          c   3  0  0  0  .211
Clement           c   3  1  2  1  .667     Pacheco          c   0  0  0  0  .333
Castro            ss  3  0  0  0  .063    Soriano           lf  2  0  0  0  .150
Liriano           p   2  1  1  0  .500    Rios              cf  3  0  0  0  .125
 Pie              ph  1  0  0  0  .333     Capps            p   0  0  0  0 1.000
 O'Day            p   0  0  0  0  .000    Jimenez           p   1  0  0  0  .333
 Perez            p   0  0  0  0  .000     Parra            cf  1  0  0  0  .000
 Kuo              p   0  0  0  0  .000                         28  6  7  5
                     31  5  6  5
 
Diamondbacks                     INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Liriano                          6.0  3  2  2  4  5  97  58  7.00
O'Day            H 1             1.0  1  0  0  0  2  19  13  0.00
Perez            H 1             0.1  1  1  1  0  1  10   6 13.50
Kuo              BS 1, L 0-1     0.2  2  3  3  1  0  22  13 16.20
                                 8.0  7  6  6  5  8 148  90 
 
Giants                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Jimenez                          7.0  6  5  5  2  6 111  69  4.61
Capps            W 1-0           2.0  0  0  0  0  3  27  18 13.50
                                 9.0  6  5  5  2  9 138  87 
 
Ari: Pie batted for Liriano in the 7th
SF : Parra inserted at cf in the 8th
     Pacheco inserted at c in the 9th
 
2B-Upton(3), Liriano(1). HR-Sizemore(1), McPherson(3), Clement(1), 
Zimmerman(3), Uggla(2). RBI-Upton(1), Sizemore(2), McPherson 2(7), 
Clement(1), Zimmerman(5), Uggla 4(7). SB-Uggla(1). CS-Upton, Clement. 
K-Upton, Sizemore, Upton, Teixeira, McPherson 2, Weeks, Clement, Liriano, 
Heyward 2, Uggla, Soriano 2, Rios, Jimenez, Parra. BB-Upton, Teixeira, 
Heyward, Zimmerman, Iannetta, Soriano, Jimenez. 
GWRBI: Uggla
Temperature: 48, Sky: clear, Wind: out to left at 13 MPH.
Attendance: 42,062
Game Time: 2:45
12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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Cardinals
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Location: Manch Vegas, CT
Name: John Paul Starkey

No. 13: "Oh Mo," Game 6, 2009 ALCS

Post by Cardinals »

No. 13: "Oh Mo," Game 6, 2009 ALCS

The Tigers won 107 games in 2009 and held a three games to two lead over the Yankees entering Game 6 of the 2009 ALCS. This was the culmination of a four year rebuilding project by Brett Perryman after entering the league in 2005 and building his team solely via prospects. The mighty Yankees meanwhile, were in the playoffs yet again and rolled to 111 wins during the regular season, but had to win three games in a row to prevent the biggest playoff upset in IBC history against a plucky 86 win Ranger team in the ALDS. The Tigers were trying to prevent a do or die Game 7 and move on to their first World Series, while JB’s Yanks were hoping to shed the label as the 1990s Atlanta Braves of the IBC, a team that always got to the playoffs but never finished the job.

The Tigers would jump ahead right away with a 2-0 lead on a two run homer by Chase Utley. The game would be tied up in the bottom of the first on a solo shot by Jeter and a sac fly by Howard. Chris Young would add a two run blast in the second to make it 4-2. Each team tacked a run on the board in the fourth, and the Yankees would score a run on an error in the sixth to make it 5-4. We’ll join Chip Caray and Ron Darling in the bottom of the 7th.

“The Yankees rallying in the sixth for a run Ron, and now have cut the Tiger lead to one run with Mauer, Pujols and ARod due up here in the seventh.”

“It looks like Perryman is going to let Matos go another inning Chip, you had to figure he would have a left hander ready for Mauer here but I guess he wants Matos to pitch to the right handers.”

“Mauer steps in, he already has two hits on the day and is hitting over .400 for the series. First pitch fastball is fouled straight back. Mauer with a good rip at that one. No action in the Tiger bullpen. A swinging bunt by Mauer off to the left, Matos gets it throws to first AND THROWS IT DOWN THE RIGHT FIELD LINE! Mauer headed for second and will make it without a throw.”

“I think he forgot who was running Chip. Joe Mauer is a great player but he is still a catcher, he rushed that throw, he didn’t step into it and now the Yankees are set up to tie this game on a base hit.”

“That will bring up Pujols…………..swing and a grounder to Utley and that’ll move Mauer to third. The tying run is ninety feet away. ARod will be up now with a chance to tie the game or maybe put the Yankees ahead with a home run………Three and one is the count to ARod, a swing and a line drive to shallow center, Young won’t have a play, Mauer scores without a throw and New York has tied the game at five!”

Ryan Howard would subsequently ground into a double play to end the inning. Rivera would come in to pitch the 8th and shut down the middle of the Tigers order. Matos pitched his third inning in the bottom of the 8th and would retire the Yankees in order, as the score remained tied at 5 entering the 9th.

“Rivera stays in to start the ninth against Matt Holliday. Rivera has always been a horse in the playoffs though………….Holliday ahead in the count two balls and one strike, line drive center field, and Matt Holliday leads off the ninth with a single and here comes JB. Papelbon is coming into the game now.”

“There was a lot of controversy in New York when Papelbon took over the closers role from Rivera, because Mariano is a New York icon and such a class act Chip, and Papelbon rubs a lot of people the wrong way.”

“Yeah because he’s an asshole.”

“Your mic is on Chip. Anyways, Papelbon facing the bottom of the order would normally be an easy inning, but this is a deep Tiger lineup, maybe the best lineup in baseball other than the Yankees, and it’s nice having multiple closers in the pen, we did in 86 with Jesse Orosco and Roger McDowell and it helped us win a World Series.”

“Holliday takes off on the first pitch! The Yankees are caught napping, the throw is not nearly in time from Mauer. A very risky play by Detroit but it pays off. Looks like Fukudome is going to bunt Holliday to third…….Bunted to the mound, Papelbon goes to first for the out.”

“Chip, he had Holliday at third, he didn’t even look at him. ARod was screaming for him to throw him the ball and I guess he didn’t hear him. Not a smart play at all.”

“Well not everyone has that Ivy League education Ron. The rookie sensation Matt Wieters steps to the plate now with a chance to put the Tigers ahead…………….Wieters ahead in the count three and one, hard on the ground to Jeter, Holliday stays put and there’s two away. JB had the infield in and the move paid off. Now it is all up to Alex Gordon.”

“Perryman has these young players stashed at the bottom of his lineup Chip, and now it’s time to see if the future of the Tigers organization will send them to the World Series.”

“Gordon is having a nice series for the Tigers, but they need one more hit from him……….Two and one to Alex Gordon, LINE DRIVE RIGHT FIELD! The Tigers lead six to five! Alex Gordon with a solid line drive to give Detroit the lead.”

Chris Young would strike out to end the inning, and Joe Nathan would be called on to close out the series and win the pennant for the Tigers.

“The Tigers closer Joe Nathan takes the mound with Detroit clinging to a one run lead. DeJesus, Jeter and Mauer are due up for the Yankees in the ninth.”

“We all remember last year Chip, Joe Nathan coming on in St. Louis for the save in the Wild Card one game playoff and giving up the grand slam that put the Cardinals in the playoffs and caused the fire sale in Atlanta. Time to see if Nathan can close the deal for the Tigers.”

“DeJesus steps to the plate, hitting under .200 for the series……………..Full count pitch and he walked him. Not a good start for the Tigers here in the ninth. Derek Jeter, no wait! They’re going to pinch hit Johnny Damon! For Jeter in the ninth inning of a playoff game?”

“Well Chip, I guess JB wants a lefty to face Nathan, otherwise I don’t understand this move at all. Remember in 2007 he tried a suicide squeeze with Jeter in the ninth inning that failed and they went on to lose the game to the A’s and be knocked out of the playoffs, so he’s done this kind of thing before.”

“Damon steps in. DeJesus takes off for second, he is………safe. The throw was there and he slid around it. Both managers are showing a lot of nerve here in the ninth inning.”

“Usually on failed hit and runs like that you wind up getting burned Chip, luckily for the Yankees Nathan threw an off speed pitch and that gave DeJesus a split second more time.”

“Now the tying run is in scoring position with nobody out. The Tigers bunted in this situation in the top of the ninth…….The count even at two and two, Damon fighting to stay alive, swing and a miss! Damon chases ball three and there’s one away.”

Joe Mauer would follow with a five pitch walk, which brought Albert Pujols to the plate with two men on and one away.

“Albert Pujols steps in against Nathan, the sellout crowd is on their feet here in the Bronx………….Two and one to Pujols, Nathan’s control starting to slip a little. Hard grounder to Furcal, can they turn it? YES! DOUBLE PLAY AND THE TIGERS WIN THE PENNANT!”

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10/22/2009, DET09-NYA09, Yankee Stadium
 
                       1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9     R  H  E   LOB DP
2009 Tigers            2  2  0  1  0  0  0  0  1     6 10  3     3  4
2009 Yankees           2  0  0  1  0  1  1  0  0     5  9  1     7  0
 
Tigers               AB  R  H BI   AVG    Yankees              AB  R  H BI   AVG
Furcal            ss  4  1  2  0  .200    Jeter             ss  4  1  1  1  .192
Utley             2b  4  1  2  2  .174     Damon            ph  1  0  0  0  .500
Cabrera           dh  4  0  0  0  .217    Mauer             c   3  2  2  0  .440
Fielder           1b  4  0  0  0  .182    Pujols            1b  5  0  2  0  .250
Holliday          lf  4  2  1  0  .346    Rodriguez         3b  3  0  1  1  .520
Fukudome          rf  3  1  2  0  .238    Howard            dh  2  1  0  1  .136
Wieters           c   4  0  1  1  .348    Ramirez           lf  3  1  1  0  .273
Gordon            3b  4  0  1  1  .278    Cano              2b  4  0  0  0  .136
Young             cf  4  1  1  2  .174    Ordonez           rf  4  0  1  1  .087
                     35  6 10  6          DeJesus           cf  3  0  1  1  .150
                                                               32  5  9  5
 
Tigers                           INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Gallardo                         4.1  5  3  3  4  3  89  45  4.91
Romo                             0.2  1  0  0  0  2   8   7  3.38
Matos            BS 1, W 2-0     3.0  3  2  1  0  0  32  20  1.17
Nathan           S 2             1.0  0  0  0  2  1  24  12  0.00
                                 9.0  9  5  4  6  6 153  84 
 
Yankees                          INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   ERA
Vazquez                          3.0  7  5  4  0  3  63  44  8.10
Herges                           2.0  1  0  0  0  1  19  10  2.84
Chamberlain                      2.0  0  0  0  0  1  24  14  0.00
Rivera           L 0-1           1.0  1  1  1  0  1  18  11  2.45
Papelbon                         1.0  1  0  0  0  1  18  10  3.38
                                 9.0 10  6  5  0  7 142  89 
 
NYA: Damon batted for Jeter in the 9th
 
E-Fukudome 2, Matos, Vazquez. HR-Utley(1), Young(2), Jeter(1). 
SB-Holliday(1), DeJesus(1). CS-Utley. K-Utley 2, Holliday, Fukudome, 
Gordon 2, Young, Jeter, Rodriguez 2, Howard, Ordonez, Damon. BB-Mauer 2, 
Rodriguez, Howard, Ramirez, DeJesus. SH-Fukudome. SF-Howard. 
GWRBI: Gordon
Temperature: 71, Sky: clear, Wind: left to right at 16 MPH.
[/quote]
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Cardinals
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No. 12: Snakes Rattle and Roll to NL Crown

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No 12: "Snakes Rattle and Roll to NL Crown,” Games 5 and 6, 2003 NLCS

We’re cheating a little and combining two games here. We also don’t have play by play for the games. The Giants swept the Phillies to advance to the NLCS while Arizona was able to get through a 115 win Pittsburgh team in 4 games. The Giants won Game 1 with a 3 run rally in the bottom of the 9th, while Freddy Garcia and Gabe White combined to one hit the DBacks in Game 2. Arizona would come back to even the series in the next two games, making it a best of 3 series.

Game 5 would be a matchup between Tim Hudson and Mike Mussina. Each pitcher went 7 innings and allowed only a single run. The bullpens would tag team the next 3 innings and put up zeroes as well. The Giants would plate a run off Ricardo Rincon in the 11th to take a precarious one run lead. A solo home run by Shawn Green would knot things up and send the game to the 12th. Still there would be no scoring until the 15th inning, as everyone east of the Mississippi had turned in for the night. The Giants would push across a run against Woody Williams to take a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the 15th. Adam Eaton would try to close the game out after hurling the previous 1 2/3 innings as we join Thom Brennaman.

“A marathon Game Five of the 2003 NLCS here in Arizona. The Giants hold a one run lead heading into the bottom of the fifteenth inning and Adam Eaton is going to try and get the last three outs for the Giants. Ramiro Mendoza warming up in the bullpen just in case Eaton gets into trouble. Soriano will lead things off for the Arizona………………Three and one the count to Soriano. Soriano swings AND HITS A LONG FLY BALL TO LEFT. WAY BACK AND GONE! ALFONSO SORIANO HAS TIED THIS GAME AT THREE HERE IN THE FIFTEENTH INNING!”

With the game tied once again, Nils would signal for Ramiro Mendoza to come in and try to get the game into the 16th inning.

“Scott Rolen digs in, he is hitless in six at bats today………….One ball and two strikes to Rolen, a swinging bunt up the third base line. Graffanino has to hurry, SAFE! Rolen hustled out of the box and beat the throw by a half a step………Now Tejada can win it with one swing. Rolen one of the better baserunners in all of Major League Baseball is on at first, so a ball in the gap will most likely bring home the winning run………Two balls, two strikes to Tejada, line drive back up the middle, Rolen is going to have to stop at second. That ball was hit too hard for him to try for third.”

“Luis Gonzalez will try and be the hero for Arizona now. Nobody out, runners on first and second. We all remember Gonzalez winning Game Seven of the 2001 World Series with a bloop single in the bottom of the ninth………….Two and two to Gonzalez, a ground ball, Gil can’t get it. THEY’RE WAVING ROLEN AROUND THIRD! THE THROW FROM REDMAN IS OFF LINE, DIAMONDBACKS WIN FOUR TO THREE IN FIFTEEN INNINGS!”

The series would head back to San Francisco for Game 6. Roy Oswalt would face off with Freddy Garcia. This would not be a pitcher’s duel, as Oswalt gave up 6 runs and Garcia gave up 7. The Giants would tie things up in the bottom of the 8th to make it 7-7. It would be the bullpens that would settle things down, as there would be no scoring from the 9th through the 13th. Ramiro Mendoza would start the 14th for the Giants.

“Mendoza allowed a single to Mike Lamb to lead off the inning, then struck out Soriano before walking Rolen. That will bring Tejada to the plate with one out. Ground ball down the third base line gets into left. Lamb is going to score easily. They’re sending Rolen. The throw to the plate is going to be in time and Rolen is out! An RBI double by Tejada gives Arizona the lead.”

“Now Luis Gonzalez steps up trying to add some insurance. Cerda getting loose quickly for the Giants but it doesn’t seem that he is warm yet. Mendoza needs one more out. The first pitch IS CRUSHED DEEP TO LEFT! THAT BALL IS GOING TO MCCOVEY COVE! LONG GONE!”

Felix Rodriguez would close things out in the bottom of the 14th by retiring the Giants in order and Arizona was headed to their first World Series.
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