The Greatest Games in IBC History
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No. 11: A's Good as it Gets, Game 5, 2007 ALDS
No. 11: “A’s Good as it Gets,” Game 5, 2007 ALDS
The deciding Game 5 of the 2007 ALDS between the A’s and the Yankees would be played in Oakland. The Yanks lost the AL East by 1 game to Toronto, so despite their 104 wins; they would have to play on the road against an overachieving A’s team. By 2007, JB was starting to get the reputation of someone who couldn’t close the deal, as he went from a loaded old roster to a loaded young roster, but only had one World Series title to show for it. Jake was in the playoffs for the first time ever, having piloted the A’s to 101 wins and winning the West by 18 games over Seattle. The winner would face the Twins, who upset the heavily favored Blue Jays in 4 games. The Brad Geiss A’s had knocked the Yankees out in the first round in 2005, so JB was hoping history would not repeat itself.
Oakland would jump out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first. Mike Jacobs would double home Cameron and set up Thomas with runners at 2nd and 3rd and nobody out. The Big Hurt would crush a 3 run homer to left to make it 4-0. Mauer would score in the 2nd on an error by Keppinger, but Cameron and Thomas each singled home a run in the bottom of the inning to make it 6-1 and chase Zambrano. The Yankees pen had worked 4 innings in Game 4, so they were tired already. Pujols would single home Damon in the 3rd to make it 6-2, and it would stay that way until the 5th, where we’ll intermittently join Fox’s Thom Brennaman the rest of the way.
“Two outs here in the 5th, Pujols singled and stole second with two outs, Mauer walked. That will bring Alex Rodriguez to the plate with the A’s leading six to four……A 2-2 count on ARod AND AROD CRUSHES ONE DOWN THE LEFT FIELD LINE, IF ITS FAIR ITS GONE! GONE! Alex Rodriguez has cut the A’s lead to one with a mammoth 3 run homer. This crowd is stunned.”
“Jake Hamlin is going to leave Haren in to pitch to the ever dangerous Vlad Guerrero…..One and one the count to Vlad and he hits this to deep left, Huff is back BUT THIS IS GONE! THE YANKEES HAVE TIED THE GAME AT SIX. A four run lead evaporates in a heartbeat.”
Haren would get out of the inning and it would turn into a bullpen game. The relievers managed to hold down the fort, with nothing happening through 8 as the game remained tied. Damon walked and stole second to lead off the 9th, and was sacrificed to 3rd with nobody out by Mauer.
“The go ahead run stands 90 feet away from home plate in Johnny Damon as Derek Jeter steps to the plate. First pitch is high. Jeter steps out and gets the sign from Larry Bowa. One away here in the 9th inning of a tie ballgame. It’s a squeeze! BUNTED TO STREET, GETS IT TO PIAZZA AND DAMON IS OUT AT THE PLATE! The Yankees gambled and it didn’t pay off. I don’t understand HOW IN THE WORLD you put on a suicide squeeze with one out in the 9th inning of a tie ballgame with DEREK JETER at the plate. Sometimes managers do things that make you scratch your head and I gotta tell ya, I don’t know what JB was thinking there.”
Pujols would fly out to left to strand Damon. Nothing happened in the 9th for the A’s, the Yankees went quietly in the 10th. Thomas would strike out with 2 on and 2 out in the 10th to end the scoring threat. Street would retire the Yanks in order in the 11th to complete his 3rd inning of work, leading us to the bottom of the 11th.
“What a performance by young Huston Street of the A’s. Three shutout innings by the A’s young closer in this do or die Game 5. New York sending ROGER CLEMENS to the mound to start the 11th, you think the Yankees don’t want this? Pulling out all the stops here in Game 5………Lugo with a grounder to ARod at 3rd, and there’s the first out of the inning………Huff with a fly ball to center, easy play for Grady, two away………….
Three one pitch to Billy Hall and he lost him. That will bring MIKE PIAZZA to the plate. Of course we ALL remember what happened in the 2000 World Series, when Clemens threw a shard of a broken bat at Piazza after beaning him in an interleague game earlier in the year. First pitch is in the dirt, nice job by Mauer blocking that one. Billy Hall is at first and he has some speed, so a ball in the gap could bring him home. Piazza with a big rip but he misses. One and one the count to Piazza, checked swing but he went. Clemens has Piazza down one ball and two strikes here in the 11th. You gotta think the longer this game goes, the more the advantage turns to the Yankees with this lineup and the fact Clemens hasn’t pitched all series means he can throw for a while. PIAZZA HAMMERS THIS ONE DEEP TO LEFT, ALOU GOES BACK BUT THIS ONE IS OUTTA HERE! MIKE PIAZZA SENDS THE OAKLAND A’S TO THE ALCS WITH A 2 RUN BOMB OFF OF ROGER CLEMENS!..............They say that revenge is a dish best served cold, and Piazza had that baby in the freezer for seven years.”
The deciding Game 5 of the 2007 ALDS between the A’s and the Yankees would be played in Oakland. The Yanks lost the AL East by 1 game to Toronto, so despite their 104 wins; they would have to play on the road against an overachieving A’s team. By 2007, JB was starting to get the reputation of someone who couldn’t close the deal, as he went from a loaded old roster to a loaded young roster, but only had one World Series title to show for it. Jake was in the playoffs for the first time ever, having piloted the A’s to 101 wins and winning the West by 18 games over Seattle. The winner would face the Twins, who upset the heavily favored Blue Jays in 4 games. The Brad Geiss A’s had knocked the Yankees out in the first round in 2005, so JB was hoping history would not repeat itself.
Oakland would jump out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first. Mike Jacobs would double home Cameron and set up Thomas with runners at 2nd and 3rd and nobody out. The Big Hurt would crush a 3 run homer to left to make it 4-0. Mauer would score in the 2nd on an error by Keppinger, but Cameron and Thomas each singled home a run in the bottom of the inning to make it 6-1 and chase Zambrano. The Yankees pen had worked 4 innings in Game 4, so they were tired already. Pujols would single home Damon in the 3rd to make it 6-2, and it would stay that way until the 5th, where we’ll intermittently join Fox’s Thom Brennaman the rest of the way.
“Two outs here in the 5th, Pujols singled and stole second with two outs, Mauer walked. That will bring Alex Rodriguez to the plate with the A’s leading six to four……A 2-2 count on ARod AND AROD CRUSHES ONE DOWN THE LEFT FIELD LINE, IF ITS FAIR ITS GONE! GONE! Alex Rodriguez has cut the A’s lead to one with a mammoth 3 run homer. This crowd is stunned.”
“Jake Hamlin is going to leave Haren in to pitch to the ever dangerous Vlad Guerrero…..One and one the count to Vlad and he hits this to deep left, Huff is back BUT THIS IS GONE! THE YANKEES HAVE TIED THE GAME AT SIX. A four run lead evaporates in a heartbeat.”
Haren would get out of the inning and it would turn into a bullpen game. The relievers managed to hold down the fort, with nothing happening through 8 as the game remained tied. Damon walked and stole second to lead off the 9th, and was sacrificed to 3rd with nobody out by Mauer.
“The go ahead run stands 90 feet away from home plate in Johnny Damon as Derek Jeter steps to the plate. First pitch is high. Jeter steps out and gets the sign from Larry Bowa. One away here in the 9th inning of a tie ballgame. It’s a squeeze! BUNTED TO STREET, GETS IT TO PIAZZA AND DAMON IS OUT AT THE PLATE! The Yankees gambled and it didn’t pay off. I don’t understand HOW IN THE WORLD you put on a suicide squeeze with one out in the 9th inning of a tie ballgame with DEREK JETER at the plate. Sometimes managers do things that make you scratch your head and I gotta tell ya, I don’t know what JB was thinking there.”
Pujols would fly out to left to strand Damon. Nothing happened in the 9th for the A’s, the Yankees went quietly in the 10th. Thomas would strike out with 2 on and 2 out in the 10th to end the scoring threat. Street would retire the Yanks in order in the 11th to complete his 3rd inning of work, leading us to the bottom of the 11th.
“What a performance by young Huston Street of the A’s. Three shutout innings by the A’s young closer in this do or die Game 5. New York sending ROGER CLEMENS to the mound to start the 11th, you think the Yankees don’t want this? Pulling out all the stops here in Game 5………Lugo with a grounder to ARod at 3rd, and there’s the first out of the inning………Huff with a fly ball to center, easy play for Grady, two away………….
Three one pitch to Billy Hall and he lost him. That will bring MIKE PIAZZA to the plate. Of course we ALL remember what happened in the 2000 World Series, when Clemens threw a shard of a broken bat at Piazza after beaning him in an interleague game earlier in the year. First pitch is in the dirt, nice job by Mauer blocking that one. Billy Hall is at first and he has some speed, so a ball in the gap could bring him home. Piazza with a big rip but he misses. One and one the count to Piazza, checked swing but he went. Clemens has Piazza down one ball and two strikes here in the 11th. You gotta think the longer this game goes, the more the advantage turns to the Yankees with this lineup and the fact Clemens hasn’t pitched all series means he can throw for a while. PIAZZA HAMMERS THIS ONE DEEP TO LEFT, ALOU GOES BACK BUT THIS ONE IS OUTTA HERE! MIKE PIAZZA SENDS THE OAKLAND A’S TO THE ALCS WITH A 2 RUN BOMB OFF OF ROGER CLEMENS!..............They say that revenge is a dish best served cold, and Piazza had that baby in the freezer for seven years.”
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10/10/2007, NYA07-Oak07, McAfee Coliseum
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E LOB DP
2007 Yankees 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 9 0 6 0
2007 A's 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 12 1 13 1
Yankees AB R H BI AVG A's AB R H BI AVG
Sizemore cf 4 0 0 0 .316 Cameron cf 6 2 3 1 .450
Jeter ss 5 0 0 0 .208 Branyan rf 3 1 1 0 .267
Pujols 1b 5 1 3 1 .364 Jacobs 1b 6 1 3 1 .409
Mauer c 4 2 2 0 .556 Thomas,F dh 5 1 2 4 .333
Rodriguez,A 3b 5 1 1 3 .400 Glaus 3b 4 0 0 0 .150
Guerrero rf 5 1 2 1 .261 Lugo,J ph 1 0 0 0 .000
Alou lf 5 0 1 0 .364 Huff lf 6 0 0 0 .143
Hill,A 2b 4 0 0 0 .091 Hall,B ss 5 1 1 0 .158
Sheffield ph 1 0 0 0 .455 Piazza c 4 1 1 2 .333
Callaspo 2b 0 0 0 0 .500 Keppinger 2b 4 1 1 0 .200
Damon dh 3 1 0 0 .000 44 8 12 8
41 6 9 5
Yankees INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Zambrano,C 1.1 4 6 6 3 1 49 20 15.63
Perez,R 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 20 11 0.00
Contreras 2.2 1 0 0 3 2 49 25 0.00
Wheeler 2.0 1 0 0 0 4 29 19 0.00
MacDougal 0.1 1 0 0 1 1 14 6 5.40
Rivera,Ma 2.2 2 0 0 1 3 49 28 0.00
Clemens L 0-1 0.2 1 2 2 1 0 14 7 27.00
10.2 12 8 8 9 11 224 116
A's INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Haren 6.1 8 6 5 2 5 120 77 4.38
Miller,T 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 5 3 13.50
Qualls 1.1 1 0 0 0 2 21 12 3.86
Street W 1-0 3.0 0 0 0 1 4 32 18 0.00
11.0 9 6 5 3 12 178 110
NYA: Sheffield batted for Hill,A in the 11th
Callaspo inserted at 2b in the 11th
Oak: Lugo,J batted for Glaus in the 9th
Lugo,J moved to ss in the 10th
Hall,B moved to 3b in the 10th
E-Keppinger. 2B-Mauer, Cameron, Jacobs, Hall,B. HR-Rodriguez,A(2),
Guerrero(2), Thomas,F(2), Piazza(1). SB-Pujols 2(2), Damon 2(2).
K-Sizemore 2, Jeter, Mauer 2, Rodriguez,A 3, Guerrero, Alou, Hill,A,
Sheffield, Cameron, Branyan 2, Jacobs, Thomas,F 2, Glaus 3, Huff, Hall,B.
BB-Mauer, Damon 2, Branyan 3, Thomas,F, Hall,B, Piazza 2, Keppinger, Lugo,J.
SH-Sizemore. WP-Contreras, Haren. BALK-Contreras.
GWRBI: Piazza
Temperature: 67, Sky: clear, Wind: out to right at 13 MPH.12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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No. 10: Too Much BS: Halos Beat Gagne (Again)
No. 10: “Too Much BS: Halos Beat Gagne (Again),” Game 5, 2002 ALDS
Going into Game 5 of the 2002 ALDS, the Angels and White Sox had engaged in an epic struggle. Both of the Angels wins had come off of Chicago closer Eric Gagne. Chicago’s wins had been big, with their offense mashing their way past the Angels. Chicago had won 100 games and took the AL Central rather easily. The Angels won 13 in a row to sneak into the playoffs, tying for the AL West crown and avoiding a Wild Card playoff with Toronto by one game.
The Angels would be throwing a guy with over a decade of playoff experience in John Smoltz, while Chicago would counter with Scott Schoenweis in his first taste of the playoffs. Both teams would go down in the first, but the White Sox would strike in the second, we’ll see what Hawk Harrelson has to say.
“Frank steps in, hitting over .300 for the series. First pitch, Frank swings. THAT BALL HIT DEEP. YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD…………YES! Frank Thomas gives the Sox a one to nothing lead here in the second.”
With that, the Sox had yet another lead in this series, in which they had led every single game. Schoenweis would walk a tightrope, giving up 8 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings, but he would make it through 6 innings with a shutout intact. Thomas would score again in the 6th, coming home on a Greg Zaun double. In the 7th, the Sox would take a 3-0 lead when Tony Womack scored on a sac fly, as Cliff Floyd flew out to the right field wall. With a 3-0 lead and the Angels unable to get any offense going, Degan called on Eric Gagne for the 2 inning save.
“The call to the bullpen and Eric Gagne is in for the two inning save. Rough series so far for Eric, two blown saves and two losses. Bottom of the order due up here in the 8th for Anaheim.”
“Lo Duca leading off the inning, two hits on the night and a walk. Gagne pitches, swing and a line drive to center and Lo Duca’s got his third hit of the night. Not the way Gagne wanted to start this inning. That’ll bring up John Olerud.”
“Olerud having a nice series, hit a single up the middle in his first at bat………Two balls, two strikses, Olerud pops it up. Konerko’s there. Paul has it, one away.”
Jeff Conine would walk on four pitches, putting runners at first and second with one out and bringing up leadoff man Christian Guzman.
“Another rough outing for Gagne so far. Some stirring down in the bullpen, looks like Patterson is starting to stretch………..No balls, two strikes on Guzman. Swing and a line drive to center, Mohr in, slides AND MAKES THE CATCH! THROWS, NO! Lo Duca just got back. What a play by Dustin Mohr!”
“Bernie Williams up to bat; two outs here in the eighth……One strike on Williams, Gagne pitches. Line drive over the second baseman. They’re going to send Lo Duca. Cordova’s throw is cut off by Konerko. The Angels are on the board. Three to one Sox.”
“Here’s Boone, Sox have held him hitless so far today but Schoenweis hit him in the first and he walked him too. Two on, two out, Gagne trying to close out this inning. First pitch to Boone. Swing and a long fly ball to right. Cordova back. Put it on the board. Anaheim leads four to three, Eric Gagne with his third blown save of the series. A long home run by Bret Boone and this crowd is booing Gagne off the field.”
Paul Quantrill would pitch the final three innings for the Halos and get the win.
Going into Game 5 of the 2002 ALDS, the Angels and White Sox had engaged in an epic struggle. Both of the Angels wins had come off of Chicago closer Eric Gagne. Chicago’s wins had been big, with their offense mashing their way past the Angels. Chicago had won 100 games and took the AL Central rather easily. The Angels won 13 in a row to sneak into the playoffs, tying for the AL West crown and avoiding a Wild Card playoff with Toronto by one game.
The Angels would be throwing a guy with over a decade of playoff experience in John Smoltz, while Chicago would counter with Scott Schoenweis in his first taste of the playoffs. Both teams would go down in the first, but the White Sox would strike in the second, we’ll see what Hawk Harrelson has to say.
“Frank steps in, hitting over .300 for the series. First pitch, Frank swings. THAT BALL HIT DEEP. YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD…………YES! Frank Thomas gives the Sox a one to nothing lead here in the second.”
With that, the Sox had yet another lead in this series, in which they had led every single game. Schoenweis would walk a tightrope, giving up 8 hits and 3 walks in 6 innings, but he would make it through 6 innings with a shutout intact. Thomas would score again in the 6th, coming home on a Greg Zaun double. In the 7th, the Sox would take a 3-0 lead when Tony Womack scored on a sac fly, as Cliff Floyd flew out to the right field wall. With a 3-0 lead and the Angels unable to get any offense going, Degan called on Eric Gagne for the 2 inning save.
“The call to the bullpen and Eric Gagne is in for the two inning save. Rough series so far for Eric, two blown saves and two losses. Bottom of the order due up here in the 8th for Anaheim.”
“Lo Duca leading off the inning, two hits on the night and a walk. Gagne pitches, swing and a line drive to center and Lo Duca’s got his third hit of the night. Not the way Gagne wanted to start this inning. That’ll bring up John Olerud.”
“Olerud having a nice series, hit a single up the middle in his first at bat………Two balls, two strikses, Olerud pops it up. Konerko’s there. Paul has it, one away.”
Jeff Conine would walk on four pitches, putting runners at first and second with one out and bringing up leadoff man Christian Guzman.
“Another rough outing for Gagne so far. Some stirring down in the bullpen, looks like Patterson is starting to stretch………..No balls, two strikes on Guzman. Swing and a line drive to center, Mohr in, slides AND MAKES THE CATCH! THROWS, NO! Lo Duca just got back. What a play by Dustin Mohr!”
“Bernie Williams up to bat; two outs here in the eighth……One strike on Williams, Gagne pitches. Line drive over the second baseman. They’re going to send Lo Duca. Cordova’s throw is cut off by Konerko. The Angels are on the board. Three to one Sox.”
“Here’s Boone, Sox have held him hitless so far today but Schoenweis hit him in the first and he walked him too. Two on, two out, Gagne trying to close out this inning. First pitch to Boone. Swing and a long fly ball to right. Cordova back. Put it on the board. Anaheim leads four to three, Eric Gagne with his third blown save of the series. A long home run by Bret Boone and this crowd is booing Gagne off the field.”
Paul Quantrill would pitch the final three innings for the Halos and get the win.
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10/6/2002, Ana02-ChA02, Comiskey Park
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2002 Anaheim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 12 2 13 1
2002 Chicago (A) 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 6 0 5 1
Anaheim AB R H BI AVG Chicago (A) AB R H BI AVG
Guzman ss 4 0 1 0 .056 Womack ss 4 1 2 0 .286
Williams,B cf 5 1 2 1 .348 Durham 2b 4 0 1 0 .333
Boone 2b 3 1 1 3 .389 Floyd lf 3 0 0 1 .059
Gonzalez lf 5 0 1 0 .250 Konerko 1b 4 0 0 0 .250
Beltre 3b 5 0 1 0 .211 Glaus 3b 4 0 0 0 .111
Salmon rf 5 0 2 0 .150 Thomas dh 3 2 1 1 .313
Lo Duca c 4 1 3 0 .300 Cordova rf 4 0 1 0 .263
Olerud 1b 5 0 1 0 .313 Mohr cf 4 0 0 0 .278
Conine dh 2 1 0 0 .235 Zaun c 3 0 1 1 .176
38 4 12 4 33 3 6 3
Anaheim INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Smoltz 6.0 5 2 2 0 7 103 71 3.00
Quantrill W 2-1 3.0 1 1 1 1 2 32 20 5.40
9.0 6 3 3 1 9 135 91
Chicago (A) INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Schoeneweis 6.0 8 0 0 3 4 97 53 0.00
Ginter H 3 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 16 7 0.00
Gagne BS 3, L 0-3 0.2 3 4 4 1 0 21 12 16.20
Patterson,D 1.1 1 0 0 0 1 13 9 10.13
9.0 12 4 4 4 6 147 81
E-Guzman, Olerud. 2B-Womack, Zaun. HR-Boone(3), Thomas(1). K-Guzman,
Gonzalez 2, Beltre, Salmon, Olerud, Durham 2, Floyd, Konerko 2, Glaus 2,
Cordova, Mohr. BB-Boone, Lo Duca, Conine 2, Thomas. SF-Floyd. HBP-Guzman,
Boone. HB-Schoeneweis, Ginter.
GWRBI: Boone
Temperature: 53, Sky: cloudy, Wind: right to left at 10 MPH.12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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No. 9: “Fish and Hits: Chipper Sends Marlins to NLCS"
No. 9: “Fish and Hits: Chipper Sends Marlins to NLCS,” Game 4, 2006 NLDS
A major upset was brewing in the 2006 NLDS in Miami. The Marlins held a 2 games to 1 advantage entering Game 4, having won Game 3 on a walkoff double by Geoff Jenkins. The Giants had won 103 games in the regular season and once again dominated a weak NL West. The Marlins were in the playoffs for a second straight year after moving to Florida from Chicago. If the Marlins won, they would get to sit back and host the Reds if they won or travel to Houston. The Giants were hoping to send the series back to San Francisco to keep their hopes of a repeat alive.
The Giants would score a pair in the top of the first to make it 2-0. After 7 the Giants led by a score of 4-2 and handed the ball to the bullpen. The Marlins had runners at the corners with one out in the bottom of the 8th and Jay Gibbons at the plate as we join Thom Brennaman.
“Hernandez at third, Baldelli at first, one away for Jay Gibbons, who has struggled mightily in this series. No balls and two strikes to Gibbons, on the ground to third, a chance for two, out at second, Roberts’ throw sails high! Hernandez scores and it is four to three San Francisco. Rocco Baldelli went in hard to second to break up the double play and cause Roberts to make a bad throw that sailed into the front row of the stands.”
Pinch hitter Jeremy Burnitz would pop out to end the inning. The Giants would go quietly in the top of the 9th. Jon Rauch would come in for the bottom of the inning to try and send the series back to the Bay. Luis Castillo would lead off the inning with a single, and David Eckstein would single while trying to sacrifice bunt to put two on with nobody out.
“An unusual miscue by the Giant defense sets up the Marlins with first and second and nobody out. Chad Tracy comes to the plate, he homered in the 4th and if he can do it again the Marlins will head to the NLCS…..Two and one to Tracy, line drive up the middle. They’re waving Castillo home! Lee cuts off Vernon Wells’ throw! Tie game!”
While the Marlins still had a golden opportunity, Chipper Jones would ground into a double play and Jenkins would strike out to end the inning. Both teams would go down quietly in the 10th, and the Giants were retired in order in the 11th. In the bottom of the 11th, the Marlins would load the bases with one out for Chipper Jones.
“This raucous sellout crowd is on their feet here in Miami as Chipper Jones comes to the plate. Chipper is two for four on the night. Gabe Hammad said earlier tonight when we were talking to him that everyone on the team looks to Chipper as their leader because he is the only one with substantial playoff experience. Scott Williamson in a lot of trouble and misses low for ball one. The infield is in at the corners to go to the plate; they’re playing for a double play up the middle. The oh one pitch from Williamson is coming. LINE DRIVE PAST ROBERTS! HERE COMES CASTILLO AND THE MARLINS ARE GOING TO THE NLCS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1997!”
A major upset was brewing in the 2006 NLDS in Miami. The Marlins held a 2 games to 1 advantage entering Game 4, having won Game 3 on a walkoff double by Geoff Jenkins. The Giants had won 103 games in the regular season and once again dominated a weak NL West. The Marlins were in the playoffs for a second straight year after moving to Florida from Chicago. If the Marlins won, they would get to sit back and host the Reds if they won or travel to Houston. The Giants were hoping to send the series back to San Francisco to keep their hopes of a repeat alive.
The Giants would score a pair in the top of the first to make it 2-0. After 7 the Giants led by a score of 4-2 and handed the ball to the bullpen. The Marlins had runners at the corners with one out in the bottom of the 8th and Jay Gibbons at the plate as we join Thom Brennaman.
“Hernandez at third, Baldelli at first, one away for Jay Gibbons, who has struggled mightily in this series. No balls and two strikes to Gibbons, on the ground to third, a chance for two, out at second, Roberts’ throw sails high! Hernandez scores and it is four to three San Francisco. Rocco Baldelli went in hard to second to break up the double play and cause Roberts to make a bad throw that sailed into the front row of the stands.”
Pinch hitter Jeremy Burnitz would pop out to end the inning. The Giants would go quietly in the top of the 9th. Jon Rauch would come in for the bottom of the inning to try and send the series back to the Bay. Luis Castillo would lead off the inning with a single, and David Eckstein would single while trying to sacrifice bunt to put two on with nobody out.
“An unusual miscue by the Giant defense sets up the Marlins with first and second and nobody out. Chad Tracy comes to the plate, he homered in the 4th and if he can do it again the Marlins will head to the NLCS…..Two and one to Tracy, line drive up the middle. They’re waving Castillo home! Lee cuts off Vernon Wells’ throw! Tie game!”
While the Marlins still had a golden opportunity, Chipper Jones would ground into a double play and Jenkins would strike out to end the inning. Both teams would go down quietly in the 10th, and the Giants were retired in order in the 11th. In the bottom of the 11th, the Marlins would load the bases with one out for Chipper Jones.
“This raucous sellout crowd is on their feet here in Miami as Chipper Jones comes to the plate. Chipper is two for four on the night. Gabe Hammad said earlier tonight when we were talking to him that everyone on the team looks to Chipper as their leader because he is the only one with substantial playoff experience. Scott Williamson in a lot of trouble and misses low for ball one. The infield is in at the corners to go to the plate; they’re playing for a double play up the middle. The oh one pitch from Williamson is coming. LINE DRIVE PAST ROBERTS! HERE COMES CASTILLO AND THE MARLINS ARE GOING TO THE NLCS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1997!”
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10/7/2006, SF06-Flo06, Dolphins Stadium
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E LOB DP
2006 Giants 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 10 2 10 1
2006 Marlins 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 5 14 2 13 2
Giants AB R H BI AVG Marlins AB R H BI AVG
Roberts,B 2b 6 0 1 0 .125 Castillo,L 2b 6 2 2 0 .222
Estrada c 6 0 1 1 .231 Eckstein ss 6 0 2 0 .200
Lee,Derr 1b 5 1 1 0 .176 Tracy,C lf 5 1 2 2 .333
Ramirez,M lf 5 1 2 2 .294 Jones,C 3b 5 1 3 1 .368
Beltre,A 3b 4 1 1 0 .400 Jenkins rf 4 0 0 0 .467
Wells,V cf 4 0 2 1 .333 Hernandez,Ra c 5 1 1 0 .231
Rios rf 4 1 1 0 .154 Baldelli cf 5 0 3 1 .438
Rodriguez,L ss 4 0 1 0 .267 Gibbons 1b 4 0 0 1 .143
Penny p 3 0 0 0 .000 Towers p 1 0 0 0 .000
Tyner ph 1 0 0 0 .000 Garciaparra ph 1 0 0 0 .400
Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 .000 Wickman p 0 0 0 0 .000
Rauch p 0 0 0 0 .000 Harris,W ph 1 0 0 0 .000
Williamson p 1 0 0 0 .000 Kolb p 0 0 0 0 .000
43 4 10 4 Burnitz ph 1 0 0 0 .000
Kershner p 0 0 0 0 .000
Lopez,Javy ph 1 0 1 0 .250
45 5 14 5
Giants INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Penny 7.0 7 2 2 3 3 105 57 2.57
Hawkins H 1 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 22 15 9.00
Rauch BS 1 1.0 3 1 1 0 1 22 12 13.50
Williamson L 0-1 1.1 2 1 0 1 0 23 14 0.00
10.1 14 5 4 4 5 172 98
Marlins INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Towers 5.0 8 4 4 1 1 78 53 7.20
Wickman 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 3.00
Kolb 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 24 13 0.00
Kershner W 1-0 3.0 1 0 0 1 1 42 24 0.00
11.0 10 4 4 3 3 153 96
SF : Tyner batted for Penny in the 8th
Flo: Garciaparra batted for Towers in the 5th
Harris,W batted for Wickman in the 6th
Burnitz batted for Kolb in the 8th
Lopez,Javy batted for Kershner in the 11th
E-Roberts,B, Rodriguez,L, Jones,C, Gibbons. 2B-Estrada, Wells,V, Eckstein,
Hernandez,Ra. 3B-Beltre,A. HR-Ramirez,M(1), Tracy,C(1). SB-Wells,V(1),
Castillo,L(1), Eckstein(1). K-Ramirez,M 2, Penny, Jenkins 2, Baldelli,
Gibbons, Towers. BB-Wells,V, Rios, Rodriguez,L, Tracy,C, Jones,C, Jenkins,
Gibbons. HBP-Beltre,A. HB-Towers. WP-Penny.
GWRBI: Jones,C
Temperature: 74, Sky: clear, Wind: left to right at 1 MPH.12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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No. 8: Ranger Danger, Game 7, 2012 ALCS
No. 8: Ranger Danger, Game 7, 2012 ALCS
The 2012 ALCS matched up Brett Perryman’s Texas Rangers with the two time defending World Series champion New York Yankees. The managers had locked horns in the 2009 ALCS, when BP’s Tigers beat Mariano Rivera to advance to their first World Series and won it. The following two years, JB had marched to the title. The Rangers had jumped out to a 3-1 series lead, but two Yankee wins had forced Game 7 and the threat of a three-peat was alive and well. Felix Hernandez would take the mound for the Yankees in Game 7 against IBC playoff war horse Roy Oswalt. We’ll join Vin Scully for the big moments.
The Yankees would get on the board in the first inning, scoring two runs thanks in part to an error by Prince Fielder. A sac fly by Josh Hamilton and a triple by Robinson Cano would put the Yankees ahead 2-0. A solo blast by Stephen Drew in the 3rd would cut the lead to one.
“We got to the top of the fourth inning here in the Bronx with the Yankees leading two to one, with Prince Fielder leading off the inning looking for his first opportunity to atone for his error that lead to a run in the first inning. Ball one. Fielder not hitting for a high average so far this series, but he has three home runs. Called strike on the outside corner to even it up and one. Prince’s father Cecil, of course, played for the Yankees 1996 championship club. One and one to Prince Fielder, this ball is hit down the right field line and out of here, off the facing of the second deck and Prince Fielder circles the bases to tie this game at two apiece.”
The bottom of the fourth started with ARod flying out to left. Hunter Pence would follow with a line drive single to left center, but Bryce Harper struck out, bringing up Ichiro.
“Two away here in the bottom of the fourth for Ichiro, who struck out on four pitches to end the second inning. Pence at first. A little bloop out to left, Drew can’t get to it and the Yankees have two men on. First and second, two out and Derek Jeter steps to the plate. Jeter has been one of the cornerstones of this great Yankee run. Called strike in at the knees to start off. Great speed on the bases for the Yankees, so something in the gap should get two home. The oh and one pitch, driven to left center, Young will try and chase it down, to the track, and outta here. Derek Jeter clears the bases with a three run homer and the Yankees now lead it five to two. Sometimes you don’t need to teach an old dog new tricks, because the ones he can do work just fine.”
Hernandez would cruise through the fifth and sixth innings. Oswalt set the Yankees down in order each frame as well, as the Rangers still had a three run hole to climb out of entering the 7th. With one out in the 7th inning, the Rangers would get three straight singles to load the bases.
“Desmond Jennings to the plate with the bases loaded and one out here in the seventh. Weiters at third, then you have the great speed of Chris Young and Michael Bourn at second and first base. Hernandez hasn’t had to pitch out of any kind of trouble all night as Mauer and Jeter head to the mound for a quick chat. Jennings is well below the Mendoza line but could erase all those memories with a big hit here. Hernandez ready and the pitch, slow roller toward short, no chance for a double play, no chance for any play! Jeter couldn’t get it out of his glove but Jennings might have beaten it out anyway.”
“The bases are still loaded for Chase Utley and the Rangers trail by two. First pitch is a ball, very high and Mauer motions for Hernandez to calm down. The oh one pitch, a chopper, snagged on a leap by Felix, he has no play at home. He’ll go to first for the out but the Rangers have cut the deficit to a single run. Boy if he let that go he might’ve had a double play.”
“Miguel Cabrera digs in with two on and two out and the Texas Rangers trailing by a run here in the seventh inning. We finally have some action down in the Yankee bullpen but Cabrera’s fate will be up to Felix. Ball one. Cabrera has been held in check all series by the Yankee pitching. Called strike at the knees. The outfield playing slightly to pull, ball two inside. Utley getting a big lead off of second, but the Yankee outfield has maybe the best collection of arms in baseball. Fouled straight back, Mauer will have a look but it’s out of play. Two and two to Miguel Cabrera, hit high and deep to left field, Harper to the track and he’ll make the catch about a foot in front of the wall. A deep exhale by upwards of fifty thousand people here in Yankee Stadium as the home team holds on to a one run lead.”
The Yankees went quietly in the bottom of the 7th. Hanley Ramirez would double with one out and remain there with two away.
“Ramirez at second and Matt Wieters stepping in. In his younger days when he was the top prospect in baseball, some referred to him as God. If he can put the Rangers ahead here there could be some sacrifices in his name in the Lone Star State tonight……….One ball and two strikes, line drive to right center, here comes Ramriez and the Rangers are even at five with the Yankees.”
Hernandez would uncork two wild pitches but strand Weiters at 3rd. Oswalt breezed through the Yankees in the bottom of the 8th to keep the score knotted at five. He would allow a leadoff single to Michael Bourn in the 9th and be lifted for Rafael Soriano. Pinch hitter Josh Willingham would fly out to left, bringing up Utley.
“Runner on first, one out for Utley, who grounded out with the bases loaded earlier but got a run home in the process. Strike one. Bourn with great speed at first and Pena doesn’t have the best arm behind the plate. Fouled off to the left and out of play. No balls and two strikes to Utley, a check on the runner but just a calling card. Ball one, Pena keeps it in front of him and Bourn stays put. They tried to get Utley to chase to no avail. Bourn extending his lead, they may put a hit and run on here, stays put and ball two inside, Utley spins out of the way, that would’ve been a great pitch to go on. Two balls and two strikes to Chase Utley, tied here in the ninth. Swung on and driven to deep right center field, Hamilton and Ichiro going back to the wall, they both leap for it and she’s outta here! Chase Utley touches ‘em all and the Rangers have a two run ninth inning lead as Ichiro throws his glove down in disgust.”
“Sergio Romo on the mound for the Texas Rangers here in the 9th, one defensive change as Willingham stays in the game playing right field for the Rangers. Rodriguez, Pence and Harper due up, as three outs and two runs stand between the Yankees and any hope of three consecutive pennants……….Full count to ARod, grounder right to Stephen Drew, up and over for out number one…………..Two and two to Pence, called strike three. No argument there, Pence shakes his head as he had no chance at that ball……Full count to Bryce Harper, the youngest player in the playoffs at twenty years of age. Grounded hard to second, a running snag by Utley and a fitting end, a toss to first and the Texas Rangers, one the verge of blowing a three games to one lead have staged an improbable rally of their own to win the American League pennant for the first time in Texas history.”
The 2012 ALCS matched up Brett Perryman’s Texas Rangers with the two time defending World Series champion New York Yankees. The managers had locked horns in the 2009 ALCS, when BP’s Tigers beat Mariano Rivera to advance to their first World Series and won it. The following two years, JB had marched to the title. The Rangers had jumped out to a 3-1 series lead, but two Yankee wins had forced Game 7 and the threat of a three-peat was alive and well. Felix Hernandez would take the mound for the Yankees in Game 7 against IBC playoff war horse Roy Oswalt. We’ll join Vin Scully for the big moments.
The Yankees would get on the board in the first inning, scoring two runs thanks in part to an error by Prince Fielder. A sac fly by Josh Hamilton and a triple by Robinson Cano would put the Yankees ahead 2-0. A solo blast by Stephen Drew in the 3rd would cut the lead to one.
“We got to the top of the fourth inning here in the Bronx with the Yankees leading two to one, with Prince Fielder leading off the inning looking for his first opportunity to atone for his error that lead to a run in the first inning. Ball one. Fielder not hitting for a high average so far this series, but he has three home runs. Called strike on the outside corner to even it up and one. Prince’s father Cecil, of course, played for the Yankees 1996 championship club. One and one to Prince Fielder, this ball is hit down the right field line and out of here, off the facing of the second deck and Prince Fielder circles the bases to tie this game at two apiece.”
The bottom of the fourth started with ARod flying out to left. Hunter Pence would follow with a line drive single to left center, but Bryce Harper struck out, bringing up Ichiro.
“Two away here in the bottom of the fourth for Ichiro, who struck out on four pitches to end the second inning. Pence at first. A little bloop out to left, Drew can’t get to it and the Yankees have two men on. First and second, two out and Derek Jeter steps to the plate. Jeter has been one of the cornerstones of this great Yankee run. Called strike in at the knees to start off. Great speed on the bases for the Yankees, so something in the gap should get two home. The oh and one pitch, driven to left center, Young will try and chase it down, to the track, and outta here. Derek Jeter clears the bases with a three run homer and the Yankees now lead it five to two. Sometimes you don’t need to teach an old dog new tricks, because the ones he can do work just fine.”
Hernandez would cruise through the fifth and sixth innings. Oswalt set the Yankees down in order each frame as well, as the Rangers still had a three run hole to climb out of entering the 7th. With one out in the 7th inning, the Rangers would get three straight singles to load the bases.
“Desmond Jennings to the plate with the bases loaded and one out here in the seventh. Weiters at third, then you have the great speed of Chris Young and Michael Bourn at second and first base. Hernandez hasn’t had to pitch out of any kind of trouble all night as Mauer and Jeter head to the mound for a quick chat. Jennings is well below the Mendoza line but could erase all those memories with a big hit here. Hernandez ready and the pitch, slow roller toward short, no chance for a double play, no chance for any play! Jeter couldn’t get it out of his glove but Jennings might have beaten it out anyway.”
“The bases are still loaded for Chase Utley and the Rangers trail by two. First pitch is a ball, very high and Mauer motions for Hernandez to calm down. The oh one pitch, a chopper, snagged on a leap by Felix, he has no play at home. He’ll go to first for the out but the Rangers have cut the deficit to a single run. Boy if he let that go he might’ve had a double play.”
“Miguel Cabrera digs in with two on and two out and the Texas Rangers trailing by a run here in the seventh inning. We finally have some action down in the Yankee bullpen but Cabrera’s fate will be up to Felix. Ball one. Cabrera has been held in check all series by the Yankee pitching. Called strike at the knees. The outfield playing slightly to pull, ball two inside. Utley getting a big lead off of second, but the Yankee outfield has maybe the best collection of arms in baseball. Fouled straight back, Mauer will have a look but it’s out of play. Two and two to Miguel Cabrera, hit high and deep to left field, Harper to the track and he’ll make the catch about a foot in front of the wall. A deep exhale by upwards of fifty thousand people here in Yankee Stadium as the home team holds on to a one run lead.”
The Yankees went quietly in the bottom of the 7th. Hanley Ramirez would double with one out and remain there with two away.
“Ramirez at second and Matt Wieters stepping in. In his younger days when he was the top prospect in baseball, some referred to him as God. If he can put the Rangers ahead here there could be some sacrifices in his name in the Lone Star State tonight……….One ball and two strikes, line drive to right center, here comes Ramriez and the Rangers are even at five with the Yankees.”
Hernandez would uncork two wild pitches but strand Weiters at 3rd. Oswalt breezed through the Yankees in the bottom of the 8th to keep the score knotted at five. He would allow a leadoff single to Michael Bourn in the 9th and be lifted for Rafael Soriano. Pinch hitter Josh Willingham would fly out to left, bringing up Utley.
“Runner on first, one out for Utley, who grounded out with the bases loaded earlier but got a run home in the process. Strike one. Bourn with great speed at first and Pena doesn’t have the best arm behind the plate. Fouled off to the left and out of play. No balls and two strikes to Utley, a check on the runner but just a calling card. Ball one, Pena keeps it in front of him and Bourn stays put. They tried to get Utley to chase to no avail. Bourn extending his lead, they may put a hit and run on here, stays put and ball two inside, Utley spins out of the way, that would’ve been a great pitch to go on. Two balls and two strikes to Chase Utley, tied here in the ninth. Swung on and driven to deep right center field, Hamilton and Ichiro going back to the wall, they both leap for it and she’s outta here! Chase Utley touches ‘em all and the Rangers have a two run ninth inning lead as Ichiro throws his glove down in disgust.”
“Sergio Romo on the mound for the Texas Rangers here in the 9th, one defensive change as Willingham stays in the game playing right field for the Rangers. Rodriguez, Pence and Harper due up, as three outs and two runs stand between the Yankees and any hope of three consecutive pennants……….Full count to ARod, grounder right to Stephen Drew, up and over for out number one…………..Two and two to Pence, called strike three. No argument there, Pence shakes his head as he had no chance at that ball……Full count to Bryce Harper, the youngest player in the playoffs at twenty years of age. Grounded hard to second, a running snag by Utley and a fitting end, a toss to first and the Texas Rangers, one the verge of blowing a three games to one lead have staged an improbable rally of their own to win the American League pennant for the first time in Texas history.”
Code: Select all
10/23/2012, Tex12-NYA12, Yankee Stadium
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2012 Rangers 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 2 7 13 1 5 2
2012 Yankees 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 8 0 3 0
Rangers AB R H BI AVG Yankees AB R H BI AVG
Utley 2b 5 1 1 3 .200 Jeter ss 4 1 2 3 .333
Cabrera dh 5 0 1 0 .240 Mauer c 4 1 1 0 .167
Fielder 1b 5 1 2 1 .286 Pena c 0 0 0 0 .000
Ramirez 3b 4 1 2 0 .154 Pujols 1b 3 1 1 0 .280
Drew ss 4 1 1 1 .217 Hamilton cf 3 0 1 1 .333
Wieters c 4 1 2 1 .318 Cano 2b 4 0 1 1 .207
Young lf 4 1 1 0 .125 Rodriguez 3b 4 0 0 0 .200
Bourn cf 4 1 2 0 .231 Pence dh 4 1 1 0 .269
Jennings rf 2 0 1 1 .136 Harper lf 4 0 0 0 .308
Willingham ph 1 0 0 0 .385 Suzuki rf 3 1 1 0 .348
38 7 13 7 33 5 8 5
Rangers INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Oswalt W 2-0 8.0 8 5 3 0 5 105 73 1.59
Romo S 2 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 18 10 0.00
9.0 8 5 3 0 6 123 83
Yankees INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Hernandez L 0-2 8.0 12 6 6 1 6 120 76 5.40
Soriano 1.0 1 1 1 0 2 19 12 4.50
9.0 13 7 7 1 8 139 88
Tex: Willingham batted for Jennings in the 9th
Willingham moved to rf in the 9th
NYA: Pena inserted at c in the 8th
E-Fielder. 2B-Ramirez(1), Mauer(1), Hamilton(1). 3B-Cano(2). HR-Utley(1),
Fielder(4), Drew(1), Jeter(2). RBI-Utley 3(4), Fielder(8), Drew(4),
Wieters(3), Jennings(1), Jeter 3(6), Hamilton(3), Cano(4). CS-Ramirez,
Jennings. K-Cabrera, Fielder 2, Ramirez 2, Drew, Young 2, Jeter, Hamilton,
Pence, Harper 2, Suzuki. BB-Jennings. SF-Hamilton. HBP-Pujols. HB-Oswalt.
WP-Hernandez 2.
GWRBI: Utley
Temperature: 73, Sky: partly cloudy, Wind: left to right at 23 MPH.12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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No. 7: The Slam
No. 7: “The Slam,” One Game NL Wild Card Playoff, 2008
September 29, 2008 would feature two one game playoffs for the two remaining NL playoff spots, one to decide the NL West and one to decide the Wild Card. The Wild Card playoff was a rematch of the 2007 NLCS between the Braves and Cardinals, though each team had won almost twenty games less than they had the previous year. In 2007, St. Louis dispatched the Braves in 5 games on the way to their first World Series.
The Braves fought a losing battle with the Marlins for control of the NL East all through September, while the Cardinals used their expanded September roster much like a general would use troops in battle, trying to hold off Atlanta, Arizona and San Diego. The Braves would sweep the Astros in the final weekend while the Cardinals would take 2 of 3 from the Reds to force the playoff.
Game 163 would be played in St. Louis thanks to a coin toss. The Cardinals would start an unlikely hero in Justin Hampson, who won 8 games and ended the season with a 3.10 ERA while making 20 starts. The Braves would counter with Pedro Martinez, who also won 8 games. In a bit of irony, Pedro was almost a Cardinal, in the middle of summer when the Braves were considering throwing in the towel, a deal was on the table of Pedro for Gorkys Hernandez, but the Cardinals turned the deal down. Now the man that could’ve propelled them into the playoffs would try to keep them from getting into the playoffs.
Chone Figgins would lead off the game with a single. He’d be thrown out stealing second and Lastings Milledge would strike out. Andy LaRoche would follow with a deep solo home run down the left field line. Justin Morneau would follow that with a triple and would come home on a single by Jermaine Dye to make it 2-0 Atlanta. Jeff Salazar would start off the bottom of the first with a walk. He would advance to third on a single by Nick Markakis. Salazar would score on a bloop single by Pat Burrell. After Billy Butler walked to load the bases, Chris Gomez grounded a single up the middle that scored Markakis, but Burrell would be thrown out at the plate to make it a 2-2 game at the end of the first.
The Braves would load the bases with one out in the 3rd on a Milledge walk, LaRoche single and Morneau walk. Milledge would score on a single by Dye, but Salazar would throw out LaRoche at the plate and Josh Fields struck out to end the inning with the Braves leading 3-2. A two out solo homer by Morneau in the 5th made it 4-2 and Hampson would be pinch hit for in the bottom of the 5th. LaRoche would walk with one out in the 7th, and John Lannan, who hadn’t pitched since August 17, would come in to face Morneau, who would subsequently single and send LaRoche to third. Joe Smith would come on and give an infield single to Dye that scored LaRoche and get a double play to end the inning, but it was now 5-2 Braves.
Mike Koplove would come on to pitch the 8th for the Cardinals and promptly give up back to back singles. Seth Smith would pinch hit for Pedro. The Cardinals would counter with Scott Downs to neutralize the lefty. Smith would be called back for Jay Payton, and we’ll join the ghost of Jack Buck.
“More strategy going on here than the war games at Fort Leonard Wood. Braves lead five to two, Jay Payton pinch hitting for Seth Smith against Scott Downs. Two balls and no strikes to Payton, the pitch, swing and long one to left field. That ball may go. That ball is gone. Jay Payton with a three run homer for the Braves, who now lead this game eight to two.”
Downs would get out of the inning with a ground out and a double play, but the Cardinals faced a 6 run deficit with 6 outs to go. Juan Salas would come in for the Braves to pitch the 8th. Headley would lead off the inning with a comebacker that Salas would boot and allow him to reach base. Normally in September, Headley would be pinch ran for in this position, but he would stay in with it being a 6 run deficit.
“Headley at first following the error and Nick Markakis steps to the plate. He singled in the first and scored, struck out in the third and struck out in the sixth. Salas to the belt, and the pitch, Markakis swings and hits a long fly ball to center field. Milledge going back. ADIOS! And the Cardinals trail by four on a long blast by Nick Markakis!”
Pat Burrell would follow by flying out to the wall in center field and the Busch Stadium crowd was back into it. Butler would walk and Mike Redmond would double, sending Butler to third. Speedy Aaron Miles would pinch run for Redmond. Chris Gomez would strike out, bringing up Rafael Furcal with 2 on and 2 out.
“Furcal steps to the plate, he’s hitless on the night, playing in his first game since May 18th. We asked Aaron before the game why Furcal would get the nod when he hasn’t seen action in over four months and he said it is strictly for his defense. Benoit retired Gomez and now looking to get out of the inning…………Three and one to Furcal and the pitch, swing and a base hit up the middle. Butler scores, they’re going to wave in Miles, he’ll score without a throw! The Cardinals have cut the lead to eight to six.”
Reed Johnson would pinch hit for Downs and would single and send Furcal to third. Salazar would then ground out to short to end the inning. Yadier Molina would come in to catch following the removal of Redmond for the pinch runner, while closer Matt Capps would pitch the top of the 9th since there would not be a save situation in the game. Justin Morneau would lead off.
“Morneau has had a big day, he’s walked, tripled and homered and that home run has put him one behind the league leader. The first pitch from Capps, Morneau crushes this one to right center! Markakis and Salazar go back but this ball is deep into the bleachers. Justin Morneau gives the Braves some insurance and Atlanta leads by three. Morneau has just tied for the league lead in home runs on that one.”
Capps would get the next three in order and the game went to the bottom of the 9th with Atlanta leading by a score of 9 to 6. Joe Nathan was up and ready in the Braves pen, but Benoit would be sent out to start the 9th against Chase Headley.
“The Braves are starting off the inning with Benoit, I don’t understand this move. Nathan is standing on the mound in the bullpen ready to go. Headley will lead things off. He reached leading off the eighth on an error and scored on Markakis’ homer…..Two and two the count to Headley, the pitch, swing and a roller up the third base line. LaRoche will let it roll. Fair ball! A base hit by Headley to lead off the inning. Brendan Ryan is coming on to pinch run and here comes Brandon Brown to the mound to call for Nathan.”
“Nathan finishing his warm-up pitches, nine wins, twenty-eight saves on the year. Markakis will step in to face him, he homered in his last at bat and has been the Cards best clutch hitter all season…….one and two to Markakis, SWING AND A MISS. Nathan sets down Markakis, one away. Ryan stands at first, no way he’ll be running, Burrell steps in, the leading home run hitter for the Cardinals, he flew out to the wall in center last inning……..three and one, he walked him…. Two men on and Billy Butler represents the tying run at the plate. Nathan sets and delivers, line drive to left field, Oquendo is going to hold Ryan at third and the bases are loaded for Yadi Molina.”
“Braves lead by three with the bases loaded and one away here in the ninth. This crowd is as loud as I’ve ever heard it. Yadi came in after Redmond was pinch ran for last inning….One ball, two strikes to Yadi, popped up to first. Morneau in foul territory, he snags it and the Cardinals are down to their final out.”
“Chris Gomez will have the most important at bat of the year. Gomez has been a jack of all trades, starting at all four infield spots after being grabbed off waivers in spring training, hitting .317 in a little over two hundred at bats. Ryan at third, Burrell at second, Butler stands at first…..three and one to Gomez, well off the plate! Nathan has walked in the run, Ryan trots home! The Cardinals trail by two!”
“Furcal up now with the bases loaded and two away. Antonelli is going to pinch run for Butler, if this game goes extras he’ll play second and Gomez will move over to first. No action in the Braves pen, Nathan is going to sink or swim. First pitch is low for ball one. Rajai Davis is on deck. Nathan misses inside for ball two. They really could use a mound visit here. Two balls and no strikes to Furcal, the pitch is outside for ball three. Nathan is in danger of walking in another run. Now way Furcal swings at this pitch. Nathan sets and fires, low, NO, they call it a strike. Furcal was on his way to first.”
“Three and one the count to Furcal, Nathan sets and delivers. Swing and a long one to right! WAY BACK, DYE LOOKS UP, GRAND SLAAAAAAAAM! A GRAND SLAM HOME RUN BY RAFAEL FURCAL AND THAT’S A WINNER. THAT’S A WINNER AND THE CARDINALS ARE HEADED BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS WITH AN ELEVEN TO NINE WIN! I DON’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW! GO CRAZY FOLKS!”
September 29, 2008 would feature two one game playoffs for the two remaining NL playoff spots, one to decide the NL West and one to decide the Wild Card. The Wild Card playoff was a rematch of the 2007 NLCS between the Braves and Cardinals, though each team had won almost twenty games less than they had the previous year. In 2007, St. Louis dispatched the Braves in 5 games on the way to their first World Series.
The Braves fought a losing battle with the Marlins for control of the NL East all through September, while the Cardinals used their expanded September roster much like a general would use troops in battle, trying to hold off Atlanta, Arizona and San Diego. The Braves would sweep the Astros in the final weekend while the Cardinals would take 2 of 3 from the Reds to force the playoff.
Game 163 would be played in St. Louis thanks to a coin toss. The Cardinals would start an unlikely hero in Justin Hampson, who won 8 games and ended the season with a 3.10 ERA while making 20 starts. The Braves would counter with Pedro Martinez, who also won 8 games. In a bit of irony, Pedro was almost a Cardinal, in the middle of summer when the Braves were considering throwing in the towel, a deal was on the table of Pedro for Gorkys Hernandez, but the Cardinals turned the deal down. Now the man that could’ve propelled them into the playoffs would try to keep them from getting into the playoffs.
Chone Figgins would lead off the game with a single. He’d be thrown out stealing second and Lastings Milledge would strike out. Andy LaRoche would follow with a deep solo home run down the left field line. Justin Morneau would follow that with a triple and would come home on a single by Jermaine Dye to make it 2-0 Atlanta. Jeff Salazar would start off the bottom of the first with a walk. He would advance to third on a single by Nick Markakis. Salazar would score on a bloop single by Pat Burrell. After Billy Butler walked to load the bases, Chris Gomez grounded a single up the middle that scored Markakis, but Burrell would be thrown out at the plate to make it a 2-2 game at the end of the first.
The Braves would load the bases with one out in the 3rd on a Milledge walk, LaRoche single and Morneau walk. Milledge would score on a single by Dye, but Salazar would throw out LaRoche at the plate and Josh Fields struck out to end the inning with the Braves leading 3-2. A two out solo homer by Morneau in the 5th made it 4-2 and Hampson would be pinch hit for in the bottom of the 5th. LaRoche would walk with one out in the 7th, and John Lannan, who hadn’t pitched since August 17, would come in to face Morneau, who would subsequently single and send LaRoche to third. Joe Smith would come on and give an infield single to Dye that scored LaRoche and get a double play to end the inning, but it was now 5-2 Braves.
Mike Koplove would come on to pitch the 8th for the Cardinals and promptly give up back to back singles. Seth Smith would pinch hit for Pedro. The Cardinals would counter with Scott Downs to neutralize the lefty. Smith would be called back for Jay Payton, and we’ll join the ghost of Jack Buck.
“More strategy going on here than the war games at Fort Leonard Wood. Braves lead five to two, Jay Payton pinch hitting for Seth Smith against Scott Downs. Two balls and no strikes to Payton, the pitch, swing and long one to left field. That ball may go. That ball is gone. Jay Payton with a three run homer for the Braves, who now lead this game eight to two.”
Downs would get out of the inning with a ground out and a double play, but the Cardinals faced a 6 run deficit with 6 outs to go. Juan Salas would come in for the Braves to pitch the 8th. Headley would lead off the inning with a comebacker that Salas would boot and allow him to reach base. Normally in September, Headley would be pinch ran for in this position, but he would stay in with it being a 6 run deficit.
“Headley at first following the error and Nick Markakis steps to the plate. He singled in the first and scored, struck out in the third and struck out in the sixth. Salas to the belt, and the pitch, Markakis swings and hits a long fly ball to center field. Milledge going back. ADIOS! And the Cardinals trail by four on a long blast by Nick Markakis!”
Pat Burrell would follow by flying out to the wall in center field and the Busch Stadium crowd was back into it. Butler would walk and Mike Redmond would double, sending Butler to third. Speedy Aaron Miles would pinch run for Redmond. Chris Gomez would strike out, bringing up Rafael Furcal with 2 on and 2 out.
“Furcal steps to the plate, he’s hitless on the night, playing in his first game since May 18th. We asked Aaron before the game why Furcal would get the nod when he hasn’t seen action in over four months and he said it is strictly for his defense. Benoit retired Gomez and now looking to get out of the inning…………Three and one to Furcal and the pitch, swing and a base hit up the middle. Butler scores, they’re going to wave in Miles, he’ll score without a throw! The Cardinals have cut the lead to eight to six.”
Reed Johnson would pinch hit for Downs and would single and send Furcal to third. Salazar would then ground out to short to end the inning. Yadier Molina would come in to catch following the removal of Redmond for the pinch runner, while closer Matt Capps would pitch the top of the 9th since there would not be a save situation in the game. Justin Morneau would lead off.
“Morneau has had a big day, he’s walked, tripled and homered and that home run has put him one behind the league leader. The first pitch from Capps, Morneau crushes this one to right center! Markakis and Salazar go back but this ball is deep into the bleachers. Justin Morneau gives the Braves some insurance and Atlanta leads by three. Morneau has just tied for the league lead in home runs on that one.”
Capps would get the next three in order and the game went to the bottom of the 9th with Atlanta leading by a score of 9 to 6. Joe Nathan was up and ready in the Braves pen, but Benoit would be sent out to start the 9th against Chase Headley.
“The Braves are starting off the inning with Benoit, I don’t understand this move. Nathan is standing on the mound in the bullpen ready to go. Headley will lead things off. He reached leading off the eighth on an error and scored on Markakis’ homer…..Two and two the count to Headley, the pitch, swing and a roller up the third base line. LaRoche will let it roll. Fair ball! A base hit by Headley to lead off the inning. Brendan Ryan is coming on to pinch run and here comes Brandon Brown to the mound to call for Nathan.”
“Nathan finishing his warm-up pitches, nine wins, twenty-eight saves on the year. Markakis will step in to face him, he homered in his last at bat and has been the Cards best clutch hitter all season…….one and two to Markakis, SWING AND A MISS. Nathan sets down Markakis, one away. Ryan stands at first, no way he’ll be running, Burrell steps in, the leading home run hitter for the Cardinals, he flew out to the wall in center last inning……..three and one, he walked him…. Two men on and Billy Butler represents the tying run at the plate. Nathan sets and delivers, line drive to left field, Oquendo is going to hold Ryan at third and the bases are loaded for Yadi Molina.”
“Braves lead by three with the bases loaded and one away here in the ninth. This crowd is as loud as I’ve ever heard it. Yadi came in after Redmond was pinch ran for last inning….One ball, two strikes to Yadi, popped up to first. Morneau in foul territory, he snags it and the Cardinals are down to their final out.”
“Chris Gomez will have the most important at bat of the year. Gomez has been a jack of all trades, starting at all four infield spots after being grabbed off waivers in spring training, hitting .317 in a little over two hundred at bats. Ryan at third, Burrell at second, Butler stands at first…..three and one to Gomez, well off the plate! Nathan has walked in the run, Ryan trots home! The Cardinals trail by two!”
“Furcal up now with the bases loaded and two away. Antonelli is going to pinch run for Butler, if this game goes extras he’ll play second and Gomez will move over to first. No action in the Braves pen, Nathan is going to sink or swim. First pitch is low for ball one. Rajai Davis is on deck. Nathan misses inside for ball two. They really could use a mound visit here. Two balls and no strikes to Furcal, the pitch is outside for ball three. Nathan is in danger of walking in another run. Now way Furcal swings at this pitch. Nathan sets and fires, low, NO, they call it a strike. Furcal was on his way to first.”
“Three and one the count to Furcal, Nathan sets and delivers. Swing and a long one to right! WAY BACK, DYE LOOKS UP, GRAND SLAAAAAAAAM! A GRAND SLAM HOME RUN BY RAFAEL FURCAL AND THAT’S A WINNER. THAT’S A WINNER AND THE CARDINALS ARE HEADED BACK TO THE PLAYOFFS WITH AN ELEVEN TO NINE WIN! I DON’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW! GO CRAZY FOLKS!”
Code: Select all
9/29/2008, Atl08-StL08, Busch Stadium
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2008 Braves 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 3 1 9 18 2 7 0
2008 Cardinals 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 11 12 0 7 3
Braves AB R H BI AVG Cardinals AB R H BI AVG
Figgins 2b 5 0 1 0 .316 Salazar,J cf 4 1 0 0 .266
Milledge cf 4 1 1 0 .294 Headley 3b 5 1 1 0 .308
LaRoche,An 3b 4 2 2 1 .262 Ryan,Br pr 0 1 0 0 .248
Morneau 1b 4 3 4 2 .283 Markakis rf 5 2 2 2 .283
Dye rf 5 0 4 3 .291 Burrell lf 4 1 1 1 .276
Fields lf 5 0 0 0 .259 Butler 1b 3 1 2 0 .308
Guzman,C ss 4 1 2 0 .289 Antonelli pr 0 1 0 0 .257
Molina,J c 4 1 3 0 .284 Redmond,M c 4 0 1 0 .314
Martinez,P p 2 0 0 0 .056 Miles pr 0 1 0 0 .291
Smith,S ph 0 0 0 0 .289 Molina,Y c 1 0 0 0 .241
Payton ph 1 1 1 3 .293 Gomez,Ch 2b 4 1 2 2 .317
Salas,J p 0 0 0 0 .333 Furcal ss 5 1 2 6 .222
Benoit p 0 0 0 0 .250 Hampson p 1 0 0 0 .095
Nathan p 0 0 0 0 .143 Jimenez,D ph 1 0 0 0 .259
38 9 18 9 Francisco,F p 0 0 0 0 .000
Lannan p 0 0 0 0 .125
Smith,Jo p 0 0 0 0 .000
Barker ph 1 0 0 0 .232
Koplove p 0 0 0 0 .000
Downs p 0 0 0 0 .000
Johnson,Re ph 1 0 1 0 .320
Capps p 0 0 0 0 .000
39 11 12 11
Braves INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Martinez,P 7.0 5 2 2 2 10 112 69 3.48
Salas,J 0.1 2 4 1 1 0 18 8 4.43
Benoit H 12 0.2 3 1 1 0 1 25 12 5.85
Nathan BS 4, L 9-4 0.2 2 4 4 2 1 25 12 2.27
8.2 12 11 8 5 12 180 101
Cardinals INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Hampson 5.0 11 4 4 2 5 108 70 3.10
Francisco,F 1.1 0 1 1 2 2 24 14 4.15
Lannan 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 5.24
Smith,Jo 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 11 8 4.53
Koplove 0.0 2 2 2 0 0 4 2 4.71
Downs 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 15 9 3.67
Capps W 1-1 1.0 1 1 1 0 1 10 8 3.29
9.0 18 9 9 4 8 173 112
Atl: Smith,S batted for Martinez,P in the 8th
Payton batted for Smith,S in the 8th
StL: Jimenez,D batted for Hampson in the 5th
Barker batted for Smith,Jo in the 7th
Miles ran for Redmond,M in the 8th
Johnson,Re batted for Downs in the 8th
Molina,Y inserted at c in the 9th
Ryan,Br ran for Headley in the 9th
Antonelli ran for Butler in the 9th
E-Figgins, Salas,J. 2B-Butler, Redmond,M. 3B-Morneau. HR-LaRoche,An(19),
Morneau 2(45), Payton(1), Markakis(29), Furcal(1). CS-Figgins. K-Figgins,
Milledge, LaRoche,An, Fields 3, Molina,J, Martinez,P, Salazar,J, Headley 2,
Markakis 3, Butler, Redmond,M, Gomez,Ch, Furcal 2, Barker. BB-Milledge,
LaRoche,An, Morneau, Guzman,C, Salazar,J, Burrell, Butler 2, Gomez,Ch.
SH-Martinez,P.
GWRBI: Furcal
Temperature: 56, Sky: clear, Wind: out to left at 24 MPH.
12, 14, 15, 17, 22
We played that game on my birthday H2H. My mom had just started dating a guy and he was over to see her and they were in the living room. When that ball just cleared the wall I went insane, I reacted crazier to that than I did to Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. I'm sure he thought I was nuts and there was no way I could explain sim league baseball to my mother so she would understand why I was screaming and jumping up and down
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Guardians
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- Name: Pat Gillespie
Haha...Cardinals wrote:We played that game on my birthday H2H. My mom had just started dating a guy and he was over to see her and they were in the living room. When that ball just cleared the wall I went insane, I reacted crazier to that than I did to Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. I'm sure he thought I was nuts and there was no way I could explain sim league baseball to my mother so she would understand why I was screaming and jumping up and down
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Cardinals
- Posts: 7730
- Joined: Sat May 18, 2002 1:00 am
- Location: Manch Vegas, CT
- Name: John Paul Starkey
No. 6: St. Louis Blue
No. 6, St. Louis Blue, Game 7, 2008 World Series
On Halloween 2008, perhaps the most unlikely Game 7 in IBC history would take place. The mighty Blue Jays would host the underdog Cardinals. The 105 win Jays survived a 5 game ALDS against Oakland and dispatched the mighty Yankees in 5 games in the ALCS. The Cardinals won a wild Wild Card playoff to get into the playoffs and shockingly swept the Marlins, then pulled off one of the biggest upsets in IBC history by beating the 114 win Reds in 6 games in the NLCS. The World Series looked to be a quick one. The Jays easily won the first three games of the series and were poised to sweep in Busch Stadium in Game 4. The Cardinals only looked to live to fight another day, and pulled off three consecutive close wins to force Game 7 at Skydome. The back of the Cardinal pen was very tired following heavy use to keep the series alive, so setup man Scott Downs and closer Matt Capps were both unavailable for Game 7.
The Jays would jump out to a quick lead, scoring a pair in the bottom of the first as Curtis Granderson tripled in Carlos Pena then scored on a double by Placido Polanco. The Cardinals would score a run in the 4th when Sean Barker doubled home Pat Burrell to make it 2-1. The Cards would tie things up in the top of the 6th, as Markakis led off with a double and scored on a single by Billy Butler to make it 2-2. The Jays would have runners at first and second with two outs in the bottom of the inning as Miguel Tejada came to bat.
“Two on, two out for Tejada as Greinke tries to get out of trouble here in the sixth. The Cardinals have rallied to tie this game at two…….One and two the count, ground ball to Headley, he boots it, everyone is safe. Bases loaded for Ryan Ludwick.”
“Joe, this Cardinals team has some holes on defense, the DH has allowed them to get Burrell into the lineup and not have his defense in left, but Headley has had to play third against righties. He had a poor year defensively and now it has come back to bite the Cardinals.”
“Ludwick digging in against Greinke, bases loaded, two outs here in the sixth. Fly ball to right center field, Salazar can’t get it! It goes to the wall. Granderson scores, Polanco scores, they’re going to hold up Tejada at third as Markakis’ throw comes in to Gomez. Toronto leads four to two.”
Russ Branyan would strike out to end the inning and the Cardinals would go down without threatening in the 7th. Greinke would retire the side in order in the 7th before exiting as the Cardinals came to bat in the 8th trailing by two.
“Rafael Furcal to lead off the inning against Sonnanstine, who is at an even hundred pitches. Matt Thornton up and throwing in the pen. First pitch is called a ball. Furcal moved up to second tonight. High fly ball to center field, Granderson is at the track, at the wall, GONE! Rafael Furcal has cut the Toronto lead to one with a solo home run to dead center field.”
Matt Thornton would come on in relief to face the heart of the Cardinal order. Nick Markakis would strike out on three pitches, as he continued his struggles for his first ever bad playoff series. Pat Burrell would strike out on four pitches, bringing in Billy Butler, who would single. Pat Bishop would call in Saito to pitch to Headley.
“Joe I am surprised that they are not pinch running for Butler here. He has not had a great series and in all likelihood will not come to bat again tonight, there is no reason to leave him in.”
“Headley will bat now trying to atone for his error. Saito delivers, fly ball to right center, Ludwick can’t get it. This will be a double for Headley. They’re holding Butler at third. Second and third with two outs now for Sean Barker. Boy Tim you were right, a pinch runner scores there and ties the game. Now Sean Barker, with a chance to be an unlikely postseason hero for the Cardinals like Tom Lawless in 1987 and Dmitri Young in 1996……one and two the count, CALLED STRIKE THREE. Barker is furious, he thought all three strikes were off the plate.”
Greinke would go back out for the 8th, and would retire the first two hitters he would face. Polanco would single up the middle to bring up Tejada. With an exhausted bullpen, Mike Koplove would get the call to get the final out of the inning.
“Koplove coming on for the Redbirds to face Tejada. Cliff Lee up and warming in the bullpen as well but they want the righty on righty matchup. First pitch is a ball. Tejada having a big series so far, takes a called strike one. Looks like Saito will pitch the ninth for the Jays. Tejada yanks this one foul, one and two. Koplove ready to go, pitches. Fly ball to right center, this one is deep. Salazar leaps, home run Miguel Tejada! The Blue Jays have a three run cushion heading into the ninth.”
Ludwick would ground out to short to end the inning. Mike Redmond would lead off the 9th for the Cards by flying out to the track in right. Chris Gomez would follow with a harmless groundout to short. That would bring up Jeff Salazar.
“Salazar is hitless on the night after hitting for the cycle in Game Six. The dangerous part of the Cardinal order lurks ahead………..Full count to Salazar. Hard on the ground to short, Tejada has it, over to first. The Toronto Blue Jays are World Champions for the first time since 1993.”
On Halloween 2008, perhaps the most unlikely Game 7 in IBC history would take place. The mighty Blue Jays would host the underdog Cardinals. The 105 win Jays survived a 5 game ALDS against Oakland and dispatched the mighty Yankees in 5 games in the ALCS. The Cardinals won a wild Wild Card playoff to get into the playoffs and shockingly swept the Marlins, then pulled off one of the biggest upsets in IBC history by beating the 114 win Reds in 6 games in the NLCS. The World Series looked to be a quick one. The Jays easily won the first three games of the series and were poised to sweep in Busch Stadium in Game 4. The Cardinals only looked to live to fight another day, and pulled off three consecutive close wins to force Game 7 at Skydome. The back of the Cardinal pen was very tired following heavy use to keep the series alive, so setup man Scott Downs and closer Matt Capps were both unavailable for Game 7.
The Jays would jump out to a quick lead, scoring a pair in the bottom of the first as Curtis Granderson tripled in Carlos Pena then scored on a double by Placido Polanco. The Cardinals would score a run in the 4th when Sean Barker doubled home Pat Burrell to make it 2-1. The Cards would tie things up in the top of the 6th, as Markakis led off with a double and scored on a single by Billy Butler to make it 2-2. The Jays would have runners at first and second with two outs in the bottom of the inning as Miguel Tejada came to bat.
“Two on, two out for Tejada as Greinke tries to get out of trouble here in the sixth. The Cardinals have rallied to tie this game at two…….One and two the count, ground ball to Headley, he boots it, everyone is safe. Bases loaded for Ryan Ludwick.”
“Joe, this Cardinals team has some holes on defense, the DH has allowed them to get Burrell into the lineup and not have his defense in left, but Headley has had to play third against righties. He had a poor year defensively and now it has come back to bite the Cardinals.”
“Ludwick digging in against Greinke, bases loaded, two outs here in the sixth. Fly ball to right center field, Salazar can’t get it! It goes to the wall. Granderson scores, Polanco scores, they’re going to hold up Tejada at third as Markakis’ throw comes in to Gomez. Toronto leads four to two.”
Russ Branyan would strike out to end the inning and the Cardinals would go down without threatening in the 7th. Greinke would retire the side in order in the 7th before exiting as the Cardinals came to bat in the 8th trailing by two.
“Rafael Furcal to lead off the inning against Sonnanstine, who is at an even hundred pitches. Matt Thornton up and throwing in the pen. First pitch is called a ball. Furcal moved up to second tonight. High fly ball to center field, Granderson is at the track, at the wall, GONE! Rafael Furcal has cut the Toronto lead to one with a solo home run to dead center field.”
Matt Thornton would come on in relief to face the heart of the Cardinal order. Nick Markakis would strike out on three pitches, as he continued his struggles for his first ever bad playoff series. Pat Burrell would strike out on four pitches, bringing in Billy Butler, who would single. Pat Bishop would call in Saito to pitch to Headley.
“Joe I am surprised that they are not pinch running for Butler here. He has not had a great series and in all likelihood will not come to bat again tonight, there is no reason to leave him in.”
“Headley will bat now trying to atone for his error. Saito delivers, fly ball to right center, Ludwick can’t get it. This will be a double for Headley. They’re holding Butler at third. Second and third with two outs now for Sean Barker. Boy Tim you were right, a pinch runner scores there and ties the game. Now Sean Barker, with a chance to be an unlikely postseason hero for the Cardinals like Tom Lawless in 1987 and Dmitri Young in 1996……one and two the count, CALLED STRIKE THREE. Barker is furious, he thought all three strikes were off the plate.”
Greinke would go back out for the 8th, and would retire the first two hitters he would face. Polanco would single up the middle to bring up Tejada. With an exhausted bullpen, Mike Koplove would get the call to get the final out of the inning.
“Koplove coming on for the Redbirds to face Tejada. Cliff Lee up and warming in the bullpen as well but they want the righty on righty matchup. First pitch is a ball. Tejada having a big series so far, takes a called strike one. Looks like Saito will pitch the ninth for the Jays. Tejada yanks this one foul, one and two. Koplove ready to go, pitches. Fly ball to right center, this one is deep. Salazar leaps, home run Miguel Tejada! The Blue Jays have a three run cushion heading into the ninth.”
Ludwick would ground out to short to end the inning. Mike Redmond would lead off the 9th for the Cards by flying out to the track in right. Chris Gomez would follow with a harmless groundout to short. That would bring up Jeff Salazar.
“Salazar is hitless on the night after hitting for the cycle in Game Six. The dangerous part of the Cardinal order lurks ahead………..Full count to Salazar. Hard on the ground to short, Tejada has it, over to first. The Toronto Blue Jays are World Champions for the first time since 1993.”
12, 14, 15, 17, 22
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Cardinals
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No. 6: Yankees Redemption Leaves Reds Dead,†Games 5 and 6
No. 5: Yankees Redemption Leaves Reds Dead,” Games 5 and 6, 2010 World Series.
The 2010 World Series pitted the heavily favored New York Yankees against the National League Wild Card winning Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees won 109 games during the regular season and had swept the ALDS against the Blue Jays and the ALCS against Seattle to get to the World Series. The Reds easily won the NL Wild Card by 16 games over Washington and won 105 overall. They won the NLDS over Philly in 4 and then after getting out to a 3-0 series lead, hung on to win the NLCS over Pittsburgh in 6 games. The Yankees easily won Game 1 of the World Series, then won Game 2 by scoring 3 runs in the 8th inning to take the lead. The Reds then evened the series in dramatic fashion, winning Game 3 and 4 on walkoff home runs. The winner of Game 5 would have all of the momentum, a Reds win and the Yankees would be dead men walking heading back to the Bronx, but a NY win and the Reds would be behind the 8 ball, and not in the Doc Gooden way.
New York opened things up by scoring 2 in the first, with Derek Jeter coming home on a Joe Mauer triple, then Mauer scoring on an RBI groundout by Albert Pujols. The Reds came right back to take the lead in the bottom of the inning on a Helton double, a Choo fielder’s choice and a Victorino single. Things would stay 3-2 until the 4th, when Victorino got to second on an error by Roy Halladay to start the inning and scored on a double by Adrian Beltre. After Jason Bartlett struck out, John Lackey came to the plate, and we’ll join Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
“Runner at second with one out and John Lackey steps to the plate. The Reds with a 2 run lead and Halladay has been laboring throughout this start Tim.”
“Yes he has Joe, he’s had very little movement on his pitches tonight. I’d look for Lackey to bunt here, though moving the runner to third with two outs doesn’t do you much good.”
“Halladay is ready and Lackey hits the first pitch he sees to right center field, this is going to get down and roll to the warning track. Lackey cruises into second with a double and the Reds have a three run lead!”
“Halladay grooved that pitch, he was thinking Lackey would bunt and the pitcher made him pay. Look at that, he’s not even going to wear a jacket on the bases!”
“John Lackey now at second for Brian Roberts who walked and stole second in the first and scored the first run for Cincinnatti; he takes strike one on the outside corner. Not much of a lead for Lackey off second, it’s going to take something in the gap to score him. Roberts pulls Halladay’s pitch to right field, this ball is down the line and it is gone! Rowand chased it but the ball really carried towards the end and clears the wall by a good ten feet. The Reds lead seven to two!”
The Yanks would scratch across a run in the sixth and seventh, but the Reds would answer back with a solo home run by Choo in the bottom of the 7th to make it 8-4. The Reds went down in order in the bottom of the 8th, so we’ll pick things back up to start the top of the 9th with the Reds still leading 8-4.
“Scott Downs coming in to try and close the game out, this isn’t a save situation and Cordero has pitched in the previous two games, so Ken going with the lefty acquired from St. Louis at the deadline along with Victorino in exchange for Colby Lewis and Sean Marshall. Elvis Andrus will pinch hit for Halladay and we have two defensive replacements, Charlie Blackmon staying in to play right field and Clint Barmes at short…..Andrus with a grounder to short and Barmes tested right off the bat, he’s up to the task, one away.”
“Although we know this isn’t a save opportunity Joe, Downs does have twenty career saves and World Series experience from 2007 and 2008 with St. Louis.”
“Derek Jeter steps to the plate, Jason Bulger is throwing in the Reds pen just in case Downs gets into trouble……Full count to Jeter and that pitch JUST misses. Downs is not happy about the call and neither is the Reds dugout. That will bring up red hot Joe Mauer, and there are two righties due up after this, so this may be Downs’ last batter……Three and oh to Mauer and he misses high for ball four, the Yankees with two men on now and here comes Ken to bring in Bulger to face Pujols.”
“It looked like Downs came unnerved after he lost Jeter. Our FoxTrax shows that that pitch did catch the corner, but in October you’re not going to get that call against Derek Jeter.”
“Jason Bulger to face Pujols now, a huge spot for the Yankees……full count pitch, Pujols chases a pitch in the dirt! Strike three and the Reds are one out away from taking a 3-2 lead back to New York. Alex Rodriguez is now the batter…….two and two to ARod, swing and a long drive to left center field, back goes Choo but this is out of here! A three run homer for Alex Rodriguez cuts the Reds lead to one with 2 outs in the 9th and Ken is already coming to call for Joe Thatcher to face Josh Hamilton.”
“That is why I don’t like using closers in non save situations Joe. Ken used Cordero in Game 3 and 4 trying to stay in the game and now tonight when he needs a game closed out he doesn’t have a closer available.”
“The parade of one thousand relievers continues as Joe Thatcher is going to be asked to get the biggest out of the game against Josh Hamilton, the former Red. First pitch is a called strike inside. Hamilton was expecting that big sweeping breaking ball there and was fooled. The second pitch is a called strike, outside corner, Hamilton not happy about that, the Reds are a strike away. This crowd is as loud as I’ve ever heard it, even louder than the last two nights. No balls and two strikes, Thatcher ready and pitches and Hamilton crushes this pitch deep to right, THIS GAME IS TIED UP AT EIGHT! Thatcher hung a slider and Hamilton was all over it.”
The Reds went down in order in the 9th. A one out double by pinch hitter Ryan Howard put the Yanks in position to take the lead as Jeter came to the plate in the 10th.
“Runner at second with one out and they’re not going to pinch run for Howard. The Reds pull a double switch, Brandon League coming in to pitch and Bailey coming in to play first…..No balls and two strikes to Jeter, base hit right field and they have to hold Howard. Jeter hit a line drive but Ludwick charged it and there was no way Howard could score. That will bring up Mauer and the Reds have no lefties to neutralize him. Runners at the corners with one out, League is read, Mauer hits a high fly ball to right field, Ludwick is back at the track and makes the catch. Howard is going to jog home and the Yankees lead nine to eight.”
The Reds would get the final out of the inning, and would get a runner on first in the bottom of the inning, but couldn’t put together a rally and fell to the Yankees 9-8 and faced a 3-2 deficit heading back to the Bronx for Game 6.
Following their furious rally in Game 5, Game 6 in the Bronx was a matchup of Javier Vazquez for the Reds against CC Sabathia for the Yankees. The Yankees would score 4 runs in the 3rd inning, while the Reds would get a run in the 4th on a solo homer by Pablo Sandoval. In the 7th, Derek Jeter added a 2 run shot to make it 6-1 Yankees heading in to the 8th inning. We’ll join Joe and Tim for the 8th.
“CC Sabathia will start the eighth for New York, Mitch Stetter is up and warm in the Yankee pen. Daryl Jones now playing right field as JB is making moves for defense with New York six outs away from a world championship. Bartlett, Roberts and Victorino due up for the Reds.”
“Most people would have went to the pen here Joe, but I like this. Sabathia has been cruising aside from the home run and the Yankees have a comfortable lead. Might as well let him see if he can get through this inning quickly and get a complete game.”
“Bartlett leading off, he is hitless on the night……Full count to Bartlett and he lost him. The Reds get their leadoff man on and switch hitter Brian Roberts is up……Three balls and no strikes to Roberts and Sabathia walks him too. Sabathia walks the first two men in the inning and here comes JB to bring in Stetter.”
“That’s exactly why you don’t rely on a tired starter when you can turn to the pen Joe. The Yankees just need three outs before Rivera can close out the series, don’t send out a guy that’s laboring.”
“Mitch Stetter has primarily been a lefty specialist his whole career, but he’ll be asked to turn Victorino around here and bat from the right side…..Full count pitch coming from Stetter, Victorino swings at a pitch in the dirt for strike three and he is gone. Stetter sets him down. Pablo Sandoval has had a huge postseason for the Reds and has a shot at getting them back in the game…. One and two to Panda, swing and a slow roller to short, Jeter is on and makes the play but the runners move into scoring position with two outs. JB is making his way to the mound, Mariano Rivera will come in to get the final four outs.”
“There’s nobody else you’d rather have on the mound than Rivera in this situation Joe. He is fantastic.”
“Adrian Beltre has a chance now to put the Reds back in this game against one of the greatest closers of all time……the one one pitch is hammered to right center, back goes Jones but this is gone! Adrian Beltre with another clutch postseason homer to cut the Yankee lead to two!”
Rivera would strike out Ryan Ludwick to end the frame. Billy Bray would pitch to the minimum in the bottom of the 8th, as the 9th started with the Reds still trailing 6-4.
“Todd Helton will pinch hit for Wigginton to start the ninth…….oh and two to Helton, swing and a ground ball towards short, Beltre can’t get it, neither can Jeter and the Reds have a leadoff single. That brings up Choo……..two and two, called strike three on the outside corner! Oh my Choo is not happy about that strike call, but he’s out anyways. Casey Kotchman, the hero of the NLCS, will pinch hit for Bailey…….two balls and no strikes, swing and a ground ball in the hole to right, Helton will round second and motor into third without a throw. Runners at the corners now for the Reds and Jason Bartlett, facing a two run deficit…..Bartlett down oh and two to Rivera, swing and a line drive to right center, Helton walks home. They’re going to send Kotchman to third, Jones’ throw is cut off, the Reds trail by one.”
“Never count out the Reds Joe, not even against Mariano Rivera. If they’ve showed us anything this series, it is that they can pull wins out of nowhere.”
“Charlie Blackmon will pinch run for Kotchman as Brian Roberts steps to the plate. Rivera sets and is ready, Roberts swings and hits a high fly ball to deep center field, this will be playable but the Reds will tie the game. Here comes Blackmon with the tying run and the Reds are still alive as this crowd is stunned……Victorino takes called strike three, the inning is over but the game is tied!”
“Sandoval moves to first and Gerald Laird will catch. Stetter will stay in the game to pitch to Cano. Stetter is ready, Cano swings and a line drive out over second base, the Yankees have their leadoff man on here in the ninth. Aaron Rowand will pinch hit for Daryl Jones and here comes Ken to bring in Cordero. Nice work by Bray….One and two to Rowand, line drive over second base, Cano will stop at second. That will bring Jeter to the plate with nobody out.”
“I would HATE to be Francisco Cordero here Joe. Facing Derek Jeter with the game on the line, there’s no margin for error against maybe the greatest shortstop of all time, maybe the greatest player of all time.”
“Jeter steps in and Yankee stadium is rocking…..one and two to Jeter. Sharp grounder to Roberts, out at second, OUT AT FIRST, a huge double play for the Reds. Cano is at third now with two outs and Reds killer Joe Mauer at the plate. First base is open here and Pujols has struggled.”
“No Joe, you have to pitch to Mauer here. Pujols is due for a hit and ARod is on deck after that.”
“They’re going to pitch to Mauer. The deepness of this Yankee lineup really showing itself right here…..Two and oh to Joe Mauer, swing and a line drive to left! Here comes Cano! THE YANKEES ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!”
The 2010 World Series pitted the heavily favored New York Yankees against the National League Wild Card winning Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees won 109 games during the regular season and had swept the ALDS against the Blue Jays and the ALCS against Seattle to get to the World Series. The Reds easily won the NL Wild Card by 16 games over Washington and won 105 overall. They won the NLDS over Philly in 4 and then after getting out to a 3-0 series lead, hung on to win the NLCS over Pittsburgh in 6 games. The Yankees easily won Game 1 of the World Series, then won Game 2 by scoring 3 runs in the 8th inning to take the lead. The Reds then evened the series in dramatic fashion, winning Game 3 and 4 on walkoff home runs. The winner of Game 5 would have all of the momentum, a Reds win and the Yankees would be dead men walking heading back to the Bronx, but a NY win and the Reds would be behind the 8 ball, and not in the Doc Gooden way.
New York opened things up by scoring 2 in the first, with Derek Jeter coming home on a Joe Mauer triple, then Mauer scoring on an RBI groundout by Albert Pujols. The Reds came right back to take the lead in the bottom of the inning on a Helton double, a Choo fielder’s choice and a Victorino single. Things would stay 3-2 until the 4th, when Victorino got to second on an error by Roy Halladay to start the inning and scored on a double by Adrian Beltre. After Jason Bartlett struck out, John Lackey came to the plate, and we’ll join Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
“Runner at second with one out and John Lackey steps to the plate. The Reds with a 2 run lead and Halladay has been laboring throughout this start Tim.”
“Yes he has Joe, he’s had very little movement on his pitches tonight. I’d look for Lackey to bunt here, though moving the runner to third with two outs doesn’t do you much good.”
“Halladay is ready and Lackey hits the first pitch he sees to right center field, this is going to get down and roll to the warning track. Lackey cruises into second with a double and the Reds have a three run lead!”
“Halladay grooved that pitch, he was thinking Lackey would bunt and the pitcher made him pay. Look at that, he’s not even going to wear a jacket on the bases!”
“John Lackey now at second for Brian Roberts who walked and stole second in the first and scored the first run for Cincinnatti; he takes strike one on the outside corner. Not much of a lead for Lackey off second, it’s going to take something in the gap to score him. Roberts pulls Halladay’s pitch to right field, this ball is down the line and it is gone! Rowand chased it but the ball really carried towards the end and clears the wall by a good ten feet. The Reds lead seven to two!”
The Yanks would scratch across a run in the sixth and seventh, but the Reds would answer back with a solo home run by Choo in the bottom of the 7th to make it 8-4. The Reds went down in order in the bottom of the 8th, so we’ll pick things back up to start the top of the 9th with the Reds still leading 8-4.
“Scott Downs coming in to try and close the game out, this isn’t a save situation and Cordero has pitched in the previous two games, so Ken going with the lefty acquired from St. Louis at the deadline along with Victorino in exchange for Colby Lewis and Sean Marshall. Elvis Andrus will pinch hit for Halladay and we have two defensive replacements, Charlie Blackmon staying in to play right field and Clint Barmes at short…..Andrus with a grounder to short and Barmes tested right off the bat, he’s up to the task, one away.”
“Although we know this isn’t a save opportunity Joe, Downs does have twenty career saves and World Series experience from 2007 and 2008 with St. Louis.”
“Derek Jeter steps to the plate, Jason Bulger is throwing in the Reds pen just in case Downs gets into trouble……Full count to Jeter and that pitch JUST misses. Downs is not happy about the call and neither is the Reds dugout. That will bring up red hot Joe Mauer, and there are two righties due up after this, so this may be Downs’ last batter……Three and oh to Mauer and he misses high for ball four, the Yankees with two men on now and here comes Ken to bring in Bulger to face Pujols.”
“It looked like Downs came unnerved after he lost Jeter. Our FoxTrax shows that that pitch did catch the corner, but in October you’re not going to get that call against Derek Jeter.”
“Jason Bulger to face Pujols now, a huge spot for the Yankees……full count pitch, Pujols chases a pitch in the dirt! Strike three and the Reds are one out away from taking a 3-2 lead back to New York. Alex Rodriguez is now the batter…….two and two to ARod, swing and a long drive to left center field, back goes Choo but this is out of here! A three run homer for Alex Rodriguez cuts the Reds lead to one with 2 outs in the 9th and Ken is already coming to call for Joe Thatcher to face Josh Hamilton.”
“That is why I don’t like using closers in non save situations Joe. Ken used Cordero in Game 3 and 4 trying to stay in the game and now tonight when he needs a game closed out he doesn’t have a closer available.”
“The parade of one thousand relievers continues as Joe Thatcher is going to be asked to get the biggest out of the game against Josh Hamilton, the former Red. First pitch is a called strike inside. Hamilton was expecting that big sweeping breaking ball there and was fooled. The second pitch is a called strike, outside corner, Hamilton not happy about that, the Reds are a strike away. This crowd is as loud as I’ve ever heard it, even louder than the last two nights. No balls and two strikes, Thatcher ready and pitches and Hamilton crushes this pitch deep to right, THIS GAME IS TIED UP AT EIGHT! Thatcher hung a slider and Hamilton was all over it.”
The Reds went down in order in the 9th. A one out double by pinch hitter Ryan Howard put the Yanks in position to take the lead as Jeter came to the plate in the 10th.
“Runner at second with one out and they’re not going to pinch run for Howard. The Reds pull a double switch, Brandon League coming in to pitch and Bailey coming in to play first…..No balls and two strikes to Jeter, base hit right field and they have to hold Howard. Jeter hit a line drive but Ludwick charged it and there was no way Howard could score. That will bring up Mauer and the Reds have no lefties to neutralize him. Runners at the corners with one out, League is read, Mauer hits a high fly ball to right field, Ludwick is back at the track and makes the catch. Howard is going to jog home and the Yankees lead nine to eight.”
The Reds would get the final out of the inning, and would get a runner on first in the bottom of the inning, but couldn’t put together a rally and fell to the Yankees 9-8 and faced a 3-2 deficit heading back to the Bronx for Game 6.
Following their furious rally in Game 5, Game 6 in the Bronx was a matchup of Javier Vazquez for the Reds against CC Sabathia for the Yankees. The Yankees would score 4 runs in the 3rd inning, while the Reds would get a run in the 4th on a solo homer by Pablo Sandoval. In the 7th, Derek Jeter added a 2 run shot to make it 6-1 Yankees heading in to the 8th inning. We’ll join Joe and Tim for the 8th.
“CC Sabathia will start the eighth for New York, Mitch Stetter is up and warm in the Yankee pen. Daryl Jones now playing right field as JB is making moves for defense with New York six outs away from a world championship. Bartlett, Roberts and Victorino due up for the Reds.”
“Most people would have went to the pen here Joe, but I like this. Sabathia has been cruising aside from the home run and the Yankees have a comfortable lead. Might as well let him see if he can get through this inning quickly and get a complete game.”
“Bartlett leading off, he is hitless on the night……Full count to Bartlett and he lost him. The Reds get their leadoff man on and switch hitter Brian Roberts is up……Three balls and no strikes to Roberts and Sabathia walks him too. Sabathia walks the first two men in the inning and here comes JB to bring in Stetter.”
“That’s exactly why you don’t rely on a tired starter when you can turn to the pen Joe. The Yankees just need three outs before Rivera can close out the series, don’t send out a guy that’s laboring.”
“Mitch Stetter has primarily been a lefty specialist his whole career, but he’ll be asked to turn Victorino around here and bat from the right side…..Full count pitch coming from Stetter, Victorino swings at a pitch in the dirt for strike three and he is gone. Stetter sets him down. Pablo Sandoval has had a huge postseason for the Reds and has a shot at getting them back in the game…. One and two to Panda, swing and a slow roller to short, Jeter is on and makes the play but the runners move into scoring position with two outs. JB is making his way to the mound, Mariano Rivera will come in to get the final four outs.”
“There’s nobody else you’d rather have on the mound than Rivera in this situation Joe. He is fantastic.”
“Adrian Beltre has a chance now to put the Reds back in this game against one of the greatest closers of all time……the one one pitch is hammered to right center, back goes Jones but this is gone! Adrian Beltre with another clutch postseason homer to cut the Yankee lead to two!”
Rivera would strike out Ryan Ludwick to end the frame. Billy Bray would pitch to the minimum in the bottom of the 8th, as the 9th started with the Reds still trailing 6-4.
“Todd Helton will pinch hit for Wigginton to start the ninth…….oh and two to Helton, swing and a ground ball towards short, Beltre can’t get it, neither can Jeter and the Reds have a leadoff single. That brings up Choo……..two and two, called strike three on the outside corner! Oh my Choo is not happy about that strike call, but he’s out anyways. Casey Kotchman, the hero of the NLCS, will pinch hit for Bailey…….two balls and no strikes, swing and a ground ball in the hole to right, Helton will round second and motor into third without a throw. Runners at the corners now for the Reds and Jason Bartlett, facing a two run deficit…..Bartlett down oh and two to Rivera, swing and a line drive to right center, Helton walks home. They’re going to send Kotchman to third, Jones’ throw is cut off, the Reds trail by one.”
“Never count out the Reds Joe, not even against Mariano Rivera. If they’ve showed us anything this series, it is that they can pull wins out of nowhere.”
“Charlie Blackmon will pinch run for Kotchman as Brian Roberts steps to the plate. Rivera sets and is ready, Roberts swings and hits a high fly ball to deep center field, this will be playable but the Reds will tie the game. Here comes Blackmon with the tying run and the Reds are still alive as this crowd is stunned……Victorino takes called strike three, the inning is over but the game is tied!”
“Sandoval moves to first and Gerald Laird will catch. Stetter will stay in the game to pitch to Cano. Stetter is ready, Cano swings and a line drive out over second base, the Yankees have their leadoff man on here in the ninth. Aaron Rowand will pinch hit for Daryl Jones and here comes Ken to bring in Cordero. Nice work by Bray….One and two to Rowand, line drive over second base, Cano will stop at second. That will bring Jeter to the plate with nobody out.”
“I would HATE to be Francisco Cordero here Joe. Facing Derek Jeter with the game on the line, there’s no margin for error against maybe the greatest shortstop of all time, maybe the greatest player of all time.”
“Jeter steps in and Yankee stadium is rocking…..one and two to Jeter. Sharp grounder to Roberts, out at second, OUT AT FIRST, a huge double play for the Reds. Cano is at third now with two outs and Reds killer Joe Mauer at the plate. First base is open here and Pujols has struggled.”
“No Joe, you have to pitch to Mauer here. Pujols is due for a hit and ARod is on deck after that.”
“They’re going to pitch to Mauer. The deepness of this Yankee lineup really showing itself right here…..Two and oh to Joe Mauer, swing and a line drive to left! Here comes Cano! THE YANKEES ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!”
12, 14, 15, 17, 22
I've got to do Game 5 between Bren and Nick but it'll just be an addition to the current list when it gets posted (it has been done for years we just kinda forgot about it)Tigers wrote:LOL. There are more great games to be played, Shawn...Dodgers wrote:I look forward to reading about #1 on this list in 2029.
