NSL 2013 SEASON PLAYOFFS

Vermont Woodchucks vs Magic City Maulers

Game 1

Kris Medlen vs R.A. Dickey

Mgr. Wilburn and Mgr. Burnham meet for the fourth time in post season play. With the brisk wind blowing out, this game did not neglect for the long ball. MC draws first blood as Corey Hart leads of the top of the 2^nd with a tape measure shot, as Dickey hangs a knuckler. But, Vermont scores 2 as Ruiz leads off with a double, and Ryan Ludwick hammered a fastball to deep center. In the home half of the 3^rd inning, Ben Zobrist connects with another fastball to make it 3-1 after 3 innings. In the bottom of the 4^th, Ludwick leads off with his 2^nd homer of the game, and Wil has seen enough of Medlen, and promptly brings in Gallardo. Gallardo gets Doumit to pop up, but Bloomquist hits a grounder to 1B Davis, who does his best Bill Buckner imitation and lets it go through the wickets. Unfortunately, McCutchen hits a 2-1 fastball to deep CF to make the score 5-1 and Cabrera follows up with a solo shot that had no trouble clearing the RF stands. 7-1 Vermont after 4 innings. Things quieted down until the bottom half of the 8^th inning, when VT put up another crooked number. After a walk to Ludwick and a double by Doumit, Bloomquist connects for another single to score Ludwick. After short fly outs by McCutchen and Zobrist, Cabrera connects for his 2^nd homer of the game. Ryan Braun ends the scoring with his own solo shot, for the 7^th homer for Vt. With 2 outs in the top of the 9^th, salt is added to Magic City’s wound, as the torrential rains came and the umps called the end of the game…

Final Score…Vermont 12 Magic City 1

Game 2

Gio Gonzalez vs Clayton Kershaw

In a game that did not resemble game 1, Vermont’s Clayton Kershaw pitched a CG shutout win, as Soriano and Ludwick hit back to back homers in the 2^nd inning. The game was a pitcher’s duel, but Magic City just never could mount any offense against Kershaw…

Final Score… Vermont 2 Magic City 0

Game 3

Kyle Lohse vs Cole Hamels

As the series shifts to Magic City, the Maulers are in need of a win. Cole Hamels is up for the task as he pitches a CG 5 hitter, only giving up 1 unearned run. Justin Upton and Corey Hart pace the Maulers as they smack HR’s. Lohse lasted only 4 innings, yielding all 5 runs on 7 hits.

Final Score Magic City 5 Vermont 1

Game 4

R.A. Dickey vs Kris Medlen

Game 1 matchup again, as Medlen attempts to get out of the 4^th inning. Vermont plates 3 in the 3^rd inning, Bloomquist leads of with a double, moves to 3^rd on a McCutchen dribbler. Medlen then K’s Zobrist and almost gets out of the jam, but Cabrera bloops a little liner over short and Cabrera and Beltran miscommunicate and collide, scoring Bloomquist. With Cabrera holding down 1B, Braun launches a shot to deep CF, and putting the ‘Chucks up 3-0. The Maulers get 1 back in the 5t after Cabrera reaches 1^st on an error and moves to 3^rd on a double by Infante. Cabrera scores on a ronny Cedeno SF to RF. Dickey the gets Upton to pop up, ending the rally… The Maulers get one back in the bottom of the 6^th, after Beltran drills a 65 MPH fastball from Dickey, making it 3-2 Woodchucks. It was quiet until the bottom of the 8^th, two outs, when Beltran connects on another fastball by Dickey to tie the game 3-3. In the top of the 9^th, Vermont gets 2 from Wilburn’s nemesis Alfonzo’s 2 run homer, after Medlen got Cabrera and Braun. After pitching a great game, Medlen is pulled in favor of Jansen, to face Ludwick…who flies out to Corey Hart. Burnham decides to leave Dickey in to close out the game…But, he walks Rizzo, who gets pinch ran for by Maybin. Burnham then yanks a disgusted Dickey in favor of Atchison.. Maybin advances by a wild pitch by Atchison, and then cannot find the plate and walks Santana. Wilburn then asks Castilla to pinch run for Santana…With one out, Cabrera then doubles to deep center, scoring both Maybin and Casilla…Atchison then strikes outInfante and Cedeno to end the Mauler rally. In the top of the 11^th, Zobrists singles to CF and steals second, bringing up Cabrera. Mauler’s mgr. Wilburn, decides to pitch to Cabrera, who dribbles a grounder to second, but advances Zobrist to 3^rd. With 1^st base open, Wilburn elects to pitch to Braun, and Jansen makes him look bad, as he strikes out Braun. With 2 out, Wilburn looks to the bullpen and selects James Shields to face “Chooch” Ruiz and the Maulers IW Ruiz, looking to take their chances with…”FonzO… Well, Soriano takes no time, and deposits a 0-0 pitch from Shields into the LF bleachers for his 2^nd HR of the game and another 3 RBI’s. Ludwick ends the onslaught as he K’s. Burnham brings on J.J. Putz to try and hold a 3 run lead. After getting Maybin to fly out to CF, Ellis singles by Doumit. Cabrera hits an IF fly for the 2^nd out, bringing Infante to the plat who lofts a medium fly ball to CF and McCutchen secures it for the final out of the game.

Final Score Vermont 8 Magic City 5

Game 5

Gio Gonzalez vs Clayton Kershaw

After McCutchen K’s, Zobrist doubles to Cf and Cabrea knocks him in with a double to RF. Ryan Braun singles to left, but Cabrera is held at thirdbase. This brings Ruiz to the plate and after Braun steals 2^nd, Ruiz doubles home both Cabrera and Braun..The Maulers get 1 back in the bottom of the 1^st on a long HR by Chris Davis…In the top of the 3^rd, after striking out Braun, Gonzalez gives up a double to Ruiz, but strikes out Soriano… Wilburn pulls Gonzalez and replaces him with Gallardo and with 2 out, Ludwick smacks a 2 run shot to put Vermont up 5-1. In the top of the 5^th inning, McCutchen leads off with a shot to LF, to make the score 7-1..Kershaw cruises the rest of the way, to push Vermont into their 2^nd World Series against a spunky Albany Wildcat team, managed by Nate Davis….Ryan Ludwick (.412, 4HR AND 6rbi) AND Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 0.50 ERA and 15 K’s) were nominated co-MVP’s of the series… Congratulations to Bryan for his terrific season and all the other playoff teams…..

* A. McCUTCHEN facing Y. GALLARDO, T 4th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 5-1

GALLARDO winds and fires ... well hit drive ... deep to left field ... carrying ... it's long gone!

Woodchucks 6, Maulers 1

* B. ZOBRIST facing Y. GALLARDO, T 4th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 6-1

GALLARDO winds up ... on the hands ... popped up ... INFANTE's calling for it ... he's under it

and he makes the catch ... and that's the second out

* M. CABRERA facing Y. GALLARDO, T 4th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 6-1

The pitch ... it's a long fly ball to center field ... BELTRAN got a late start

he's running back ... still after it ... and makes the catch in the webbing

and that's out number three

* BOTTOM OF THE 4th, Woodchucks 6, Maulers 1

* C. BELTRAN facing C. KERSHAW, B 4th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-6

Here's a pitch ... BELTRAN dribbles one to the left of the mound ... KERSHAW can't reach it

BLOOMQUIST charges in ... grabs it and throws in one motion ... and nips BELTRAN at first

one down

* C. DAVIS facing C. KERSHAW, B 4th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Behind 1-6

KERSHAW deals ... a little tapper up the line ... DOUMIT charges ... scoops it ... and tags DAVIS

and that's out number two

* C. HART facing C. KERSHAW, B 4th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-6

Here's the delivery ... fly ball center field ... plenty of room ... McCUTCHEN's there

and takes it in ... that's three away

* TOP OF THE 5th, Woodchucks 6, Maulers 1

* R. BRAUN facing Y. GALLARDO, T 5th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 6-1

Now GALLARDO comes home with it ... he swings ... but he held up ... no, he went too far

Ryan is down on strikes ... one away

* C. RUIZ facing Y. GALLARDO, T 5th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 6-1

The pitch ... well hit drive ... deep to left field ... carrying ... it's long gone!

Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

And here comes Maulers manager Bull Burnham ... again ... he's asking GALLARDO for the ball

in from the bullpen is James SHIELDS ... the right-hander

GALLARDO pitched an inning and two thirds in relief ... the game for GALLARDO ... 2 runs

on 2 hits ... 2 homers ... he fans 2 ... the right-hander SHIELDS sporting a generous 7.71 ERA

this is his 3rd appearance ... he's worked two and a third ... they'll give him some innings

* A. SORIANO facing J. SHIELDS, T 5th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

SHIELDS brings it to the plate ... there's called third strike ... right down the pike ... two down

* R. LUDWICK facing J. SHIELDS, T 5th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

The pitch ... blooper to left center ... toward the gap ... BELTRAN runs in on it

CABRERA's backing up ... it drops in ... and LUDWICK's on at first with a base hit

2nd hit for LUDWICK in the game

* R. DOUMIT facing J. SHIELDS, T 5th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Ahead 7-1

He brings it home ... lofted to center ... BELTRAN's over ... he's under it ... this should do it

he squeezes it ... and the side is retired

* BOTTOM OF THE 5th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* C. SANTANA facing C. KERSHAW, B 5th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

To the plate ... hit in the air to left field ... SORIANO backpedals ... plenty of room

and he covers it ... one away

* A. ELLIS facing C. KERSHAW, B 5th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

KERSHAW with the pitch ... lined ... BLOOMQUIST leaps ... but he won't get it

and ELLIS's on at first

* A. CABRERA facing C. KERSHAW, B 5th, 1 Out, Runner on 1st, Behind 1-7

The pitch ... it misses ... ball four ... and CABRERA will get the base

that was CABRERA's first walk of the season

* O. INFANTE facing C. KERSHAW, B 5th, 1 Out, 1st and 2nd, Behind 1-7

The pitch ... smashed hard at DOUMIT ... he scoops it up ... over to second for one

back to DOUMIT at first ... double play ... and they get out of the inning

* TOP OF THE 6th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* W. BLOOMQUIST facing J. SHIELDS, T 6th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

Here's the delivery ... a towering fly ball to center ... BELTRAN roams over ... plenty of room

and hauls it in ... one away

* A. McCUTCHEN facing J. SHIELDS, T 6th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

The delivery ... fastball ... badly fooled ... strike three ... two away

* B. ZOBRIST facing J. SHIELDS, T 6th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

The offering to ZOBRIST ... taken ... strike three ... he's gone ... that's three away

* BOTTOM OF THE 6th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* R. CEDENO facing C. KERSHAW, B 6th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

KERSHAW comes to the plate ... called strike ... strike one

* R. CEDENO facing C. KERSHAW, B 6th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

KERSHAW brings it ... CEDENO's called out on strikes ... one away

* J. UPTON facing C. KERSHAW, B 6th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

Here's the pitch from KERSHAW ... UPTON turns the bat loose ... but comes up empty

he's out of there ... a pair of strikeouts for KERSHAW here in the 6th ... two gone

* C. BELTRAN facing C. KERSHAW, B 6th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

KERSHAW brings it to the plate ... BELTRAN piles into this pitch ... that could be trouble

BRAUN races it to the wall ... back ... picked clean! ... three down

* TOP OF THE 7th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* M. CABRERA facing J. SHIELDS, T 7th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

He wheels and deals ... there's called third strike ... right down the pike ... one down

And here comes Maulers manager Bull Burnham ... again ... he's asking SHIELDS for the ball

Edward MUJICA will take the mound for Magic City ... the right-hander

so SHIELDS goes two innings in relief ... he yielded ... one hit ... he fans 4

the right-hander MUJICA sporting a generous 33.75 ERA ... this is his 2nd appearance

he's worked one and a third ... with this game pretty well decided

they'll give him some innings

* R. BRAUN facing E. MUJICA, T 7th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

The pitch from MUJICA ... strike three ... he's out of there ... two gone

BRAUN has now struck out 3 times

* C. RUIZ facing E. MUJICA, T 7th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

The delivery ... fastball ... it's a nubber to the left of the mound ... CABRERA charges

picks up the ball barehanded ... and he gets him ... three away

* BOTTOM OF THE 7th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* C. DAVIS facing C. KERSHAW, B 7th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

The pitch ... grounded to first ... and it's by DOUMIT ... it took a strange hop

single for DAVIS

* C. HART facing C. KERSHAW, B 7th, No Outs, Runner on 1st, Behind 1-7

DAVIS takes his lead ... now the pitch ... HART pounds it on the ground

ZOBRIST stops it on one hop ... shovels to BLOOMQUIST for the force

and he leaps over DAVIS and guns it to first ... not in time! ... HART reaches

but they get the lead runner ... one down

* C. SANTANA facing C. KERSHAW, B 7th, 1 Out, Runner on 1st, Behind 1-7

Firstbaseman DOUMIT holding the runner on ... the pitch ... and SANTANA is caught looking

two down

* A. ELLIS facing C. KERSHAW, B 7th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Behind 1-7

The pitch ... healthy cut by ELLIS ... but all he hits is air ... he's out on strikes

side retired

* TOP OF THE 8th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* A. SORIANO facing E. MUJICA, T 8th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

The pitch ... hot smash to INFANTE ... takes it on one hop ... over to DAVIS at first

and there's one away

* R. LUDWICK facing E. MUJICA, T 8th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

The delivery from MUJICA ... taken ... strike three ... he's gone ... two down

* R. DOUMIT facing E. MUJICA, T 8th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

Now the delivery ... DOUMIT hacks at it ... and shoots it skyward ... into short left-center

that could be trouble ... CABRERA puts on a burst of speed ... BELTRAN won't be able to reach it

CABRERA cannot get it! ... he had to leap over a sliding BELTRAN to avoid a collision

and DOUMIT holds first with a single

* W. BLOOMQUIST facing E. MUJICA, T 8th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Ahead 7-1

The pitch ... slow chopper toward CABRERA ... he charges ... barehands it

makes the off-balance throw to first ... and the side is retired

* BOTTOM OF THE 8th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* A. CABRERA facing C. KERSHAW, B 8th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

Now the pitch ... swung on ... lined shot to center ... McCUTCHEN runs straight back

he got a quick start ... turns and reaches ... and brings it down ... he made that look easy

one down

* O. INFANTE facing C. KERSHAW, B 8th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

He lets it go ... it misses ... ball four ... and INFANTE will get the base

that was INFANTE's first walk of the season

* R. CEDENO facing C. KERSHAW, B 8th, 1 Out, Runner on 1st, Behind 1-7

Now the pitch ... taken...ball ... CEDENO walks

* J. UPTON facing C. KERSHAW, B 8th, 1 Out, 1st and 2nd, Behind 1-7

Now the delivery ... UPTON hits in the air to right center field ... BRAUN is over ... he has it

both runners are tagging

TRY FOR THIRD? (1-yes, 2-no*)

but they're holding them ... as the throw comes back in

* C. BELTRAN facing C. KERSHAW, B 8th, 2 Outs, 1st and 2nd, Behind 1-7

The pitch ... swung on ... it's a high fly to shallow center ... McCUTCHEN runs in on it

he's under it ... and makes the catch ... that's three away

* TOP OF THE 9th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* A. McCUTCHEN facing E. MUJICA, T 9th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

MUJICA into his motion ... delivers ... swing and a miss ... hang up a K for MUJICA ... one away

McCUTCHEN has now struck out 3 times

And here comes Maulers manager Bull Burnham ... he's asking MUJICA for the ball ... pitching change

lefty Madison BUMGARNER climbs the hill ... and that will turn around ZOBRIST

so MUJICA goes two innings in relief ... he yielded ... one hit ... he fans 3

for BUMGARNER this is his first appearance ... he's a southpaw

* B. ZOBRIST facing M. BUMGARNER, T 9th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

He comes home ... fly ball left field ... no trouble ... HART moves under it ... and brings it down

and that's the second out

* M. CABRERA facing M. BUMGARNER, T 9th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Ahead 7-1

Now BUMGARNER pitches ... wide of the strike zone ... ball four ... and CABRERA trots down to first

* R. BRAUN facing M. BUMGARNER, T 9th, 2 Outs, Runner on 1st, Ahead 7-1

Miguel CABRERA is on the move ... BUMGARNER delivers ... slow bounder to first ... DAVIS's got it

he'll touch it up himself ... for out number three

* BOTTOM OF THE 9th, Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

* C. DAVIS facing C. KERSHAW, B 9th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

KERSHAW with the offering ... on the corner ... that one froze DAVIS ... couldn't pull the trigger

one away

* C. HART facing C. KERSHAW, B 9th, 1 Out, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

The pitch ... HART bounces one toward short ... grabbed on two hops by BLOOMQUIST

makes the throw ... and HART is out at first ... and that's the second out

* C. SANTANA facing C. KERSHAW, B 9th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 1-7

KERSHAW comes home ... bounced to short ... BLOOMQUIST to his right ... he has it

and he throws him out ... and that's the last out of the game

FINAL SCORE : Woodchucks 7, Maulers 1

ALBANY and NORTH YORK

Game #1 starts out at in Albany with the first pitch temperature at -13. The Wildcat Ace Jeff Weaver is already in trouble in the first with bases loaded and nobody out. Up to the plate steps the #4 hitter Aramis Ramirez, just the guy the Warthogs wanted. Unfortunately for them he grounds into a double play but plates the first run of the game. The game would stay that way until the top of the 6^th when again Ramirez would step to the plate with a runner in scoring position. This time he would connect on a RBI double to extend the lead to 2-0. The Warthogs would tact on another run in the 7^th. As far as for the Wildcats all they could do is scatter 4 hits as Harrell twirls a CG Sho.

Game #2 would see Barry Zito match up against Johnny Cueto. Once again the Wildcats were staring at trouble in the 1^st as Adrian Gonzalez would step up to the plate with 2 runners on and smack a 3Run Homer giving the Warthogs an early 3run lead. Albany would finally plate their first run of the series in the bottom of the 2^nd as Tejada gets them on the board with an RBI single to make it 3-1. The Warthogs would take a give me run in the 4^th on a pass ball to make the lead 4-1. They would add another run in the top of the 9^th as well on a triple by Johnson. Once again the Albany offense would stall but did muster to get 1 run. Maybe that was a sign the offense is waking up. Warthogs take game two 5-1 to lead the series 2-0.

Game #3 sees Albany heading to North York to get the series going. This game we would have to wait until the 2^nd inning to get the scoring going as the Warthogs once again take the early lead on a RBI double by Ellsbury followed by sac flies from Hardy and C Gonzalez. The 3 run lead would stay that way for long as Hardy would add a solo HR in the bottom of the 4^th to make it 4-0. Barry Zito would dazzle as he finished off the Wildcats by shutting them out by holding them to 5 hits. Warthogs lead the series 3-0.

Game #4 with the Wildcats on the fence would see Ace Jeff Weaver taking on Jake Westbrook. This game would start off as a pitching duel as it would take until the 5^th inning to see the first run. The scoring would start this time from the Wildcats, yes that is right the Wildcats. Jason Kubel would step up to the dish with 2 runners on a smash a 2run triple. Maybe that is what the Wildcats needed was a triple from the most unlikely source. But wait the Wildcat offense was not done as Hunter would plate Kubel on a single and Fielder would finish off the innings be belting a 2Run shot. The Wildcats have their first lead of the series 5-0 after the 5^th. They would tack on another run in the 6^th and 2 more in the 7^th. The Warthogs would finally get on the board in the 8^th on a 2run Homer from Hardy but that wouldn’t be enough. The Wildcats stay alive and make the series 3-1.

Game #5 would see the second go around of pitchers Johnny Cueto and Lucas Harrell. The scoring for this one starts in the bottom of the 1^st as the #2 hitter Ian Kinsler gets the Warthogs on the board with a solo HR to take the early 1-0 lead. Once again Albany sees them self’s digging out of hole, a too familiar site. This time they don’t let it get out of control as the battle back in the top of 5^th on a RBI single by Sandoval to tie it up at 1-1. Unfortunately for the Cat’s it doesn’t stay that way for long as the Warthogs counter in the bottom half with an RBI Fielder’s choice by Kinsler and RBI double by Ramierez. With the Cat’s playoff picture in jeopardy it was time to see if they would come to life or pack it for the off season. Thankfully for the Wildcat mangaer Nathaniel the Warthogs would give them that little life they needed with a thank you run in the 4^th on an error that plates Hunter to get them within one run. Once again the Cats can’t seem to keep it close as they give up another run in the bottom half of the innings on a sac fly by Hardy. They would give up another run in the 6^th on a WP to make it 2-5. The Cats find themselves on the brink of elimination, what will they do. Once again the door would be opened up in the 7^th after a clutch PH RBI single by Fontenot to give them life, the Warthogs would walk in a run, give up a sac fly to fielder, and RBI single by Hunter to give Albany the 1 run lead. The Wildcats would then turn over to the well rested Closer Grant Balfour for the final two innings. The Wildcats find themselves within a game of tying up the series and heading home.

Game #6 sees the Wildcats heading home but the temperature not much better than when they left. The all to uncommon script for the series continues as the Warthogs jump on the Cats again in the first with a 2run HR by Molina. This game would stay that way until the 6^th when the Wildcats would finally wake up. About the only right decision made by the Nathaniel all series long was bringing in Mike Fontenot to pinch hit. Fontenot would find himself up to bat again with the Cats down and come through with a 2run RBI double. The Wildcats would add another run in the inning to take a 2-3lead. Then they would cap off the game in 8^th with a Big 3run Homer by Justin Morneau to put the game out of reach.

Game #7 that is right who would have guessed after being down 3-0 in the series the Wildcats would throw Ace Jeff Weaver against the Warthogs Jaime Garcia. This one would be the pitching duel of the series. The name the Warthogs might not forget for a while is Cody Bleeping Ross. As he would touch off on a Garcia pitch in the 4^th for the lone run of the game. It would take the Warthogs until the 6^th to get their first hit but would only be able to come up with one more for the game. Weaver would throw a CG 2 hit Sho to advance to the next round.

This was a great series that had both managers on the edge of their seats. I would like to give Rich a big thanks for helping out and getting to play the series FTF on joinme.

SPARROW LAKE and NEW HUDSON

Game 1 @ Sparrow Lake

The pitching matchup featured 19 game winner, Matt Cain of New Hudson VS. Rookie of the Year candidate, Wade Miley. These two lived up to their pristine regular season numbers as there were 0 runs scored with only 4 hits total through 6 innings. The 0-0 tie was broken up in the Top of the 7^th as Josh Rutledge launched a solo Home Run with 2 out. Fast forward to the Bottom of the 8^th, as Shin Soo Choo led off the inning with a Single and a Steal against Strop. Next batter, Walker, lays down a Sacrifice Bunt and New Hudson attempts to get the runner out at 3^rd, but Choo is safe. With runners on the corners with nobody out, the Nutjobs call upon their AXZ Closer, Troy Patton, who split closer duties with Street during the regular season; could his inexperience cost him? Up for the Stallions is .325 hitter Melky Cabrera who during the regular season solidified himself as the Stallions steadiest hitter with double digit totals in 2B, 3B, HR, and SB. Manager Mark decided to put on the Hit and Run call which results in an unassisted put out by Votto at 1^st, runner advancing to 2^nd and the other holding at 3^rd. With 1 out Konerko draws his 3^rd Walk of the game, loading the bases for Nick Markakis. With the bases loaded and 1 out, the Nutjobs are looking for an inning ending Double Play, but Markakis spoils this with a clutch Grand Slam. From there another Sparrow Lake Rookie of the Year Candidate, Herrera who led the entire league with 56 Saves, came in and closed the door for the Stallion Game 1 Win.

NH: 1-4-1

SL: 4-4-0

WP: Oliver LP: Strop S: Herrera

Game 2 @ Sparrow Lake

Game #2 of the New Hudson-Sparrow Lake Playoff Matchup featured Homer Bailey and Cliff Lee. Sparrow Lake got on the board early thanks to a one out RBI Single by Konerko, scoring Choo to take the 1-0 advantage. All was quiet until the Bottom of the 3^rd, when that man, Paul Konerko hit a 2 run Home Run scoring Walker to take the 3-0 advantage after 3 innings of play. The Nutjobs got one run back in the Top of the 4^th as MVP candidate Mike Trout led off the inning with a Single followed by a Steal of 2^nd base, and was soon drove in by a Joey Votto double making the score 3-1. This would be the only run the Nutjobs would score for the rest of the game. The Stallions tacked on 2 more runs in the Bottom of the 5^th courtesy of a Konerko RBI Single and a fielding error by Nate Schierholtz that allowed Melky Cabrera to score. Final score of the game was 5-1. Cliff Lee went the distance in the Stallion victory.

NH: 1-4-1

SL: 5-9-0

WP: Lee LP: Bailey

Sparrow Lake took the series 4-1. Below is a short summary of the games at New Hudson. Attached are the scoresheets.

Game 3

Andy Pettitte pitched a beauty for Sparrow Lake. He struck out the first 6 batters that he faced and gave up only 1 run. Choo went 3-4 with a walk and Markakis had the winning RBI in the top of the 10th. New Hudson was led by Votto who went 1-2 with a homer.

Game 4

Not wanting to be swept, New Hudson managed to take game 4. Castro had a 3-run homer and the Nutjobs bullpen held Sparrow Lake scoreless.

Game 5

Sparrow Lake made sure that the series would go no further taking game 5 by a score of 16-5. M. Cabrera went 4-5 with 4 runs scored. Every starter scored at least 1 run.

MAGIC CITY and YORK

Game 1: It looked like Si had game one locked up, as the Caps carry a 3 run lead into the 8th, but Omar Infante ties it with a 3 run blast. Still in the 8th, Santana walked, and pinch runner Alexi Casilla stole 2nd. Justin Upton then plated him to give MC the lead. Medlen gets a 1-2-3 9th, for the CG, 4-3 win.

Game 2: Dunn hits a 3 run homer in the 2nd, but Omar "F*******" Infante ties it up in the 3rd with another 3 run shot. The lead didn't last long though as Nellie Cruz smacks another 3 run homer, giving the Caps a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Final 8-3.

Game 3 - Santana leads off the game with a HR. York comes back and hits 2 solo shots in the 2nd. Then hits a 3 run shot and a 2 run shot to beat MC 8-1. Game 4 - Infante goes 3-4 with another dinger and MC wins it 5-3 with Medlen going the distance. Game 5 - Gonzalez goes the distance for an easy 9-3 MC win. MC leads the series 3-2

I got to watch the Vermont/Crosstown series on joinme. It was a great series, with lots of drama. I mentioned to them both how our series, while good, had lacked a lot of drama. Well games 6 and 7 more than made up for it, as we had 2 amazingly tense games.

Game 6- MC jumps out to an early 3-0 lead, but as Si has down all series, he uses the longball to get back in it. Cruz blasts a 2-run shot in the 4th to cut it to 3-2. Then in the 7th, Dunn ties it with a solo, and G. Jones makes it back-to-back solos, and gives York, the come from behind, 4-3 win.

Game 7: Man it doesn't get much better than this. Scoreless into the 8th. Jones reaches on a Medlen error, and scores on pinch-hitter Seth Smith's double. In the 9th, Beltran draws a lead-off walk. Davis forces him at 2nd on a FC. Casilla runs for Davis, and promptly steals 2nd. Corey Hart is then hit by a pitch. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Rizzo lofts a lazy flyball to Nelson Cruz, who drops it, put comes up throwing, and nals Casilla at the plate! Hart moves to 3rd and Rizzo advanced to 2nd on the throw home. With MC down to their last "enter" of the season, pinch-hitter AJ Ellis, lines a bullet over secondbase, scoring pinch-runner Mike Young in dramatic, walk-off fashion.
I was on the phone with Si, but i was running around chanting AJ Ellis!!! AJ Ellis!!!, so I don't now if he was cussing or not, but he took it way better than I expected. One for the ages for sure. Thanks to Becker for helping us out so Si could use joinme for the series. And thanks Si, it was a great series.

VERMONT and CROSSTOWN

Game 1

Justin Verlander vs R.A. Dickey….Crosstown doesn’t waste any time as they plate one in the top of the 1^st as Jackson’s lead off single followed by Aaron Hill’s “Hit and Run” single puts Crosstown up 1-0. No scoring until the bottom of the 5^th inning, when Ryan Doumit leads off with a single. He then gains 2^nd base on an error when Johnson drops the perfect throw from Verlander when Bloomquist lays down a sac bunt. With Bloomquist on 1^st and Doumit on 2^nd, McCutchen steps to the plate and K’s. Miggy Cabrera is at the plate when Verlander uncorks a wild pitch, moving both runners up a base. Cabrera, with 1^st base open, then hit a deep fly to Jackson in CF and Doumit sneaks in to tie the game. With Bloomquist on 3^rd and 1^st base open, Cross elects to walk Braun and face Chooch Ruiz. On the 1^st pitch Braun steals second as Marson does not make a throw. Ruiz then looks like a fool as a slider from Verlander freezes him for strike three….After 5 it is Cross 1 VT 1. In the top of the 8^th inning, Austin Jackson hits his 2^nd single of the game. Hill tries a “Hit and Run” and moves Jackson up to 2^nd base. Encarnacion then hits a slow bounder to SS and Jackson moves to 3B. Then on what could be the play that changes the game, Pujols hits a slow bouncer to Doumit at 1^st and Ryan throws high to Dickey for an error, but Jackson scores. Then Billy Butler tags a hanging knuckler that chases Soriano to the deepest part of LF, and Soriano “and he makes the running catch ... he slams into the wall! he's down ... it doesn't look good ... he's coming off the field let's hope he'll return to action soon ... and he gets a big hand from the crowd The report from the clubhouse... ... the Woodchucks center fielder SORIANO ... injured for the rest of the game” In the bottom of the 8^th inning, Verlander hits Ruiz in the lower back that takes Ruiz out of the game. Chone Figgins replaces Ruiz at 1^st and promptly steals 2^nd. Ben Zobrist then becomes Verlander’s 10^th strikeout victim. With Soriano in the clubhouse icing down his dick, Burnham calls on LaHair for a chance to plate Figgins. Cross decides that the Lefty vs lefty feature is what he needs. He brings Jose Mijares in to face LaHair. LaHair is fooled by Mijares stuff and strikesout. Cross signals to the bullpen and calls on his closer, Tazawa. He comes in and takes only 3 pitches to end the 8^th and the threat, by striking out Ludwick. The top of the 9^th and Crosstown leading by 1 run. E. Young leads it off with a single and then steals 2^nd for the ‘Dale’s 3^rd SB of the game. Gomez then bounces to Dickey for the 1^st out, but the insurance run moves to 3^rd. Y. Escobar then hits a flyball to Braun and Young easily scores the insurance run. Heading into the bottom of the 9^th and down by 2 runs, Vermont had their backs against the wall…. But, big play Ryan Doumit steps into the box and tags the 1^st pitch to deep CF to bring the game within 1 run. Burnham ph Thome for light hitting Bloomquist, and draws a walk. Ryan Theriot then pinch runs for Thome and with McCutchen at bat, takes off on a hit and run. McCutchen drops a double deep into Rf and Theriot scores the tying run. With 1B open, Cross walks Cabrera. Then, Cross decides he doesn’t want the big bat of Braun to beat him, walks him also…….This loads the bases with 0 outs. Burnham then ph for Figgins with Jayson Nix..who comes up with the biggest hit of his fruitless career….And the ballgame is over…….Vermont scored 3 runs in the bottom half of the 9^th to win the game. VT 4 Cross 3.

Game 2

Tillman vs Kershaw…….Vermont wastes no time as they score 1 run in the bottom of the 1^st inning as back to back singles by Cabrera and Braun get it done. Ruiz hits a pea past 1b and Braun is thrown out at home trying to score from firstbase. In the top of the 1^st inning, Encanacion singles and scores on a Albert Pujol’s double, to tie the game. In the bottom of the 6^th inning, Zobrist coax’s a walk and then Soriano, goes deep for a 2 run homer…. In the top of the 8^th, Jackson leads off with a single, then scores on a mental lapse by McCutchen as Hill singles to CF and scores Jackson, to bring the game VT 3 Cross 2. With Hill on 1B and 0 outs, Kershaw gets Encarnacion to flyout to RF with no advance. Cross then decides to PR for Hill using Nate McLouth.. Then McLouth attempts to steal 2^nd, but Ruiz throws a strike to 2^nd and gets McLouth. Kershaw then pitches out of the jam, by striking out Pujols. In the top of the 9^th, Quentin leads off with a single and Burnham yanks Kershaw. He brings on Atchinson for the save…Cross PR Young for Quentin, then steals 2^nd base. Billy Butler at the plate with 0 outs and Atchinson walks Butler to have men on 1^st and 2^nd, 0 outs. Gomez then hits into a 5-4-3 DP and Young moves to 3^rd. Cross PH Joyce for Escobar and strikesout to end the game………………….

VT 3 CROSS 2

Game 3

As the series shifts to the Hoosier state, the Dales are well aware of the daunting task. Win 4 games in 5 attempts, while likely never seeing a pitch from anyone but an A. Grienke would try to get the Dales on track and faces Lohse in the game 3 tilt. Pitching dominates early as nobody gets a runner past second through 3 ½. In the bottom of the 4^th, the Dales think they have something when Albert’s single gets under McCutchen’s glove and rolls to the wall. In a brain fart moment, the 3b coach forgets that nobody is out and sends Pujols to his death at the plate. In the top of the 5^th the Chucks lay claim to the momentum by pulling of the squeeze with the bases load off the bat of Bloomquist. The Dales get a little life in the bottom of the 6^th when Hill leads off with a double and is plated with a clean single from E5 Encarnacion. The Dales make a little more noise in the bottom of the 7^th when they manage 3 stolen bases in the inning, but it goes for naught when Gomez is thrown out tagging from 3^rd. Cabrera silences the home crowd with a no doubter solo blast in the top of the 8^th that sends Crossie down the hall of the clubhouse to “vent”. Down 2 – 1 in the bottom of the 8^th, and facing a 3 zip hole in the series, the Dales get a little magic from the “franchise”. Facing the A reliever Stammen, Albert follows an Encarnacion double with a blast to left-center that sends the crowd into a frenzy and breathes life into the Dales dugout. Tazawa holds on in the 9^th and saves the game and makes Joe Smith the unlikely winner, strapping Stammen with the loss.

Game 4

In game 4 the pitching matchup reverts to game 1 starters Dickey and Verlander. Both are up to the challenge through 4 in zip zip tie. Soriano clubs a solo shot in the top of the 5^th to open the scoring, but the Dales answer in the bottom of the frame with 2 unearned runs on rbi doubles by Marson and Hill. Albert stays hot, going solo in the bottom of the 6^th to extend the lead to 3 – 1. The Dales faithful are starting to feel like they can even the series, but the Chucks have other ideas. Verlander gets the dangerous veteran Thome to start the frame, but McCutchen gets a walk to start a rally. Cabrera is retired but McCutchen gains second on the out. The Dales decide to pitch to Braun, rather than putting the tying run on. Braun makes them pay with a single and steals second to get into scoring position. Verlander stays in to try and get Ruiz to end the inning, but Chooch is up to the task, sending a bleeder through the infield and plating the speedy Braun. Smith comes in to stop the bleeding, but the damage is done and the score is tied at 3. Both teams go quietly in the 9^th to set up extra innings. It turns out to be just one extra inning as McCutchen takes one over the center field wall to put the Chucks up 4 – 3. O’flaherty sets em down in order in the bottom of the 10^th to make a winner out of Atchison and loser out of Smith.

Game 5

Facing elimination, the Dales send Tillman out to face Kershaw in game 5. The Chucks open the scoring in the top of the second as Zobrist draws a walk and scores on a hit and run single that is played a bit lazily by Jackson in center. The Dales appear to be in business in the bottom of the 3^rd, loading the bases with two walks and an infield hit. Kershaw gets Quentin to hit into the run scoring dp, then gets the ground out to end the threat. The Chucks get busy in the 5^th with a Bloomquist lead-off single. McCutchen advances him with a ground out. Cabrera draws the unintentional/intentional walk, setting Braun up for destruction, but Tillman gets the pop up for the 2^nd out. Chooch gets his second big hit of the series, plating the go ahead run for a 2 – 1 lead. The Dales answer quickly in the bottom half, as E5 goes yard to tie it at 2. The Dales finally get a bit of breathing room in the bottom of the 7^th as Hill doubles in Jackson to take the lead and Quentin adds an rbi single to stretch the lead to 4 – 2. The Dales pen hold the Chucks in place, giving up just 2 hits over the final 3 2/3 innings. Betencourt gets the win, Tazawa the save and Kershaw the loss.

The Dales head back to Vermont in a dire 3 – 2 hole, but with some confidence that they have gone toe to toe through 5 games.

Game 6

Lohse vs Greinke…….Bottom of the 2^nd, Ruiz singles and Soriano doubles him to 3^rd…0 out..Ryan Ludwick hits a groundout, but scores Ruiz and Soriano to 3^rd. Doumit flies out in shallow LF…But Willie Bloomquist singles home Soriano…McCutchen walks, but Zobrist pops out to IF for 3^rd out. VT 2 Cross 0….Bottom of the 5^th inning, McCutchen singles ..Zobrist moves him to 2^nd..Cross IW Cabrera to face Braun….Brauhits a bases clearing double and goes to 3^rd on the throw….BTW, Cabrera bowled into Marson, causing him to drop the throw….Ruiz steps in and crushes one for a 2 run blast to end the scoring in the 5^th. VT 6 Cross 0…In the top of the 9^th, Johnson strikeout..Cross PH Young for Marson….Young beats out an IF single…Jackson doubles Young to 3^rd…Hill singles home Young and the shutout is gone…., but so isn’t Lohse, as Burnham brings on Atchison…Atchinson gets Encarnacion to ground into a game ending DP……..Helluva series with Crossie……..Vermont feels very lucky to get by……

Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz is names MVP……He batted .364, 3 doubles, 1 HR and 5 RBI’s….