MLCS Game 7

Philadelphia at New York, Rudy Baker vs. Stuart Coppolla.

Paul White connects for another 1st inning HR, and gives Philadelphia the early 1-0 lead. That's the way the score stayed until the bottom of the 4th. With 1-out, Brett Solo doubles. Manfred then singles into the gap, drives in Brett Solo, and advances to 2B on the throw home. Chad White grounds out but Mahatma Russell launches a 2-run HR to right to make it 3-1. Roy Brown follows with a solo HR to make it 4-1.

That's the way the score stayed until the 7th, behind solid pitching from Coppolla, and 2 scoreless innings from Kyle Bonderman. In the top if the 7th, Philadelphia gets a leadoff 2B from Ruiz, prompting NY to go to the bullpen for Jaret Benser. Benser will try for the 3-inning save apparently.

Benser gets Moochie Henson to pop up for the 1st out. Then Jimmy Taylor singles to the gap, with Ruiz being held at 3B, as Philadelphia looks for the big inning with Balboni and White due up. Balboni then comes up small, slapping into the inning-ending 4-6-3 DP.

In the bottom of the 7th, lefty James Willits gets 2 quick outs then gets into trouble. Urbano and Buckley single, and Keith Lee walks to load the bases. Dale Jaeger then comes in to face Brett Solo, who works the bases loaded walk to force in a run and make the score 5-1. Mueller then pops up to end the inning.

Both teams fail to threaten or score in the 8th. In the 9th, Philadelphia has their 7-8-9 bitters due up:
Mike Christenson: single
Jerry Ruiz: pop up to 3B
PH Corey Sloan: 2-run HR to right
Jimmy Taylor: pop up to 1B

with 2-out and the score 5-3, Philadelphia sends it's two best hitters to the plate. The hope is for Balboni to reach base and setup a power vs. power matchup with Paul White.

Balboni: strike out looking to end the game and the series. NY wins the game 5-3 and advances to the world series for the 4th straight year, setting up a rematch of the 2007 World Series against Utah.

Coppolla goes 6-7-1-1-0-4 and gets the win, Benser goes 3-4-2-2-0-2 for the save.

Dale Jaeger makes himself a household name with a dominating postseason, pitching in 8 games, with 5 saves, 9 innings, 2-hits, 0 runs, 3-walks, and 15 strikeouts. Benser was as good as advertised, pitching in 7 games with 1-win, 3-saves, 11 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs for a 2.45 ERA, 1-walk, and 13 strikeouts.