MLCS, games 5 to 7

In a rematch of game 1 starters, New York gets off to a quick 2-0 lead on a homerun from the red hot Manfred Mueller in the first inning. Hollywood ties the game in the bottom of the 1st inning with an RBI single from Tejawa, and an RBI double from Freddie Justis. In the 3rd inning, New York’s Jackie Garrison connects for a solo homerun to give New York a 3-2 lead. In the 8th inning, New York takes Pedro Lewis out of the game for a pinch hitter and fails to score an insurance run. In the bottom of the 8th, New York calls on closer Troy Everett, for the 2 inning power save. Everett gets 2 quick out before surrendering a game tying homerun to Miguel Tejawa. Freddie Justis follows with a double, and then scores the go-ahead run on a Roy Brown single. In the 9th, Nuke McDougal closes out the Cobra with a 1-2-3 inning. Final score: Hollywood 4 New York 3. New York leads the series 3-2.

Going back to New York for Game 6, Jack Johnson was trying to extend the series to a 7th game. In the first inning, Hollywood jumped all over Stuart Coppolla, scoring 6 runs, highlighted by homeruns from Miguel Tejawa, Roy Brown, and Ernie Escobar. Coppolla was pulled after getting through the 2nd inning. His line was 2-7-6-6-0-1. Then, the nightmare continued….New York went to Matt Gomez, a starting pitcher who qualified for the post-season roster due to Tim Roger’s injury. Gomez would pitch 6 innings in this game, surrendering a grand slam homer to Roy Brown, amongst other things. His box score was 6-13-9-9-4-5. Meanwhile, Jack Johnson continued to dominate the Cobra. When all was said and done, the final score was Hollywood 19, New York 0. It is believed to be the most lopsided score in playoff history. Johnson finished with the complete game shutout, 9-4-0-0-3-2. The series is now tied at 3 games apiece.

For the 2nd straight season, New York is playing in game 7 of the Major League Championship Series. Lets reflect on the positives of New York’s season, and why this year could be different than years past:
They ended two years of frustration by finally defeating the Portland Decepticons in a playoff series.
Their game 7 starter will be Roger Chillingworth who they reacquired last off-season. They brought him in specifically to win this game.
Unlike last year, New York has the home-field advantage
In the bottom of the 1st, Brett Solo walks and scores when Keith Vasbinder misplays Keith Lee’s single. After Roger sets down the B’s for a few frames, New York strikes again in the 3rd inning. Roger leads off with a single. Garrison follows with a double. After a Manfred Mueller pop out, Brett Solo hits a 2 run double. Keith Lee then bangs one off the wall to score Solo, and give New York a 4-0 lead.
In the 7th inning, Hollywood cuts the score in half with a Keith Vasbinder 2 run homer. In the bottom of the inning, Hollywood gets the first 2 outs of the inning before walking Garrison and hitting Mueller with a pitch. With 2 on and 2 out, Brett Solo smashes one in the gap, and both runners score. Needing to go to the bullpen, Eddie refuses to go to his core relievers of Benitez, Rocker, and Everett, and instead, goes to game 4 starter Jaret Benser. Benser is absolutely filthy, retiring 4 out of the 6 batters he faced via the strikeout. The other 2 batters didn’t fare much better, and New York closes out the series with a 6-2 victory.
The Major League playoff MVP is Manfred Mueller, who hit .286 with 5 homers, 10 runs, 10 RBI’s, and 10.4 RC/G. The top pitcher was Pedro Lewis who went 2-0, 0.77, 23 IP, 17 H, 7 BB, and 28 K’s.