World Series Games 3,4,5

Game 3

The series gets a lot warmer as the teams move down to Miami. Roger Chillingworth takes the mound for New York, with Jim Farmer for Miami. The greatest player in Star history, Lewis Solo Jr., is sitting in the first row. He’s torn. His team is in the World Series, but his son is playing shortstop for New York. He refuses to answer who he’s rooting for, saying he’ll get in trouble no matter what he answers.

Miami strikes first. Nkik’s two out double scored Favre in the first. In the 4th, New York gets a rally going. 2 out hits by Joe Thomas, Ricky Buckley, and Jerrod Smith gave them a 3-1 lead, which is all that Chillingworth would need, pitching a complete game, 11 strikeout 3 hitter.
In the 8th inning, New York added a pair of runs as Brett Solo blasted a homer as his proud papa watched. His grandfather, however, missed the ballgame while trying to get to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Game 4

Dave Lefevre made his return to the mound after missing over a month. Pedro Lewis came back on short rest to make the start for New York. Lefevre started strong, allowing only a Brett Solo homerun through 5 innings. Miami led 3-1 with RBI hits by Kashiwada, Hoffman, and Brian Kelly.

Lefevre did not have the stamina, though. In the sixth with one out, Everett Jimenez booted a grounder to load the bases. Lefevre then hit Bob Zygyk to force in a run. Don Thompson relieved Lefevre and walked pinch hitter Garrison, tying the game at 3. That brought up the rookie Ricky Buckley, who played most of the 2006 season in the minors. In the regular season he has a total of 56 at bats and only 1 RBI. His next swing quadrupled that total.

The game was over right there, but New York added a few in the 9th with homers by Brett Solo and Bob Zygyk. They won 11 to 4 to tie the series. This time Brett's grandfather Lewis was in the stands. When he saw the 9th inning homer, he shouted "He hit that one to Las Cruces! I need a new diaper"

Game 5

Stuart Coppolla took the mound again, and Sunsurf, the 44 year old 309 game winner, made what will likely be the last start of his career. While Coppolla in the past gained a reputation as a big game pitcher, he has done his best to ruin it this postseason. He lost 2 games against Hollywood, including the 19-0 game, and gave up 5 in this one.

Favre doubled in Brian Kaat in the first, and Damon Nkik belted a 2 run homer to give Miami a 3-0 lead. Miami added another in the 3rd on a wild pitch and one in the 7th on a Matt McCoy single.

Meanwhile, Sunsurf pitched well enough to win, allowing 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings. Paul Hagan and Jackie Garrison had RBI singles in the 5th and 7th innings.

In the 8th inning, Miami held a 5-2 lead and went to Joel Shapiro, who had been outstanding in his 8th inning role. This time, he didn’t do so well. After a Buckley leadoff hit, Shapiro threw 2 wild pitches to move him to 3rd. Behind in the count, he challenged Manfred, who singled. 5-3. Miami then went to the closer, Belardi. K-Bob retired White and Lee to get two outs, but Brett Solo tripled off the wall to make it a one run game. Belardi got Joe Thomas to ground weakly to short, but Joe surprised everyone to beat the throw and tie the game. Belardi finally got Tim Griffin to pop up and end the inning.

In the bottom 8th Kashiwada doubled. Speedy Brian Kelly pinch ran, and lefty Chuck Rader came on to face Bubba Lewis. Lewis walked. Everett relieved Rader. Jimenez failed to get the sacrifice down, with Everett making a diving catch. Pinch hitter Tim Carey then singled in the go ahead run.

Belardi stayed in the game and pitched a scoreless 9th. Miami had salvaged one win for the home fans, and still leads the series 3-2.