Wild Card Games 9-30-2018

Las Vegas 5, Boston 4

Las Vegas made their first playoff appearance in 24 years.  For some of the fans, this was the first playoff game their team has played while they were alive.  Josh O'Keefe played for the first time since July 3rd, hit cleanup and started at short.  O'Keefe doubled off C.C. Salbacca in the first inning to give LV an early 1-0 lead.

Boston scored in the 2nd and 4th off Joe Callahan while Salbacca was cruising, with 9 strikeouts through the first 5 innings.  In the 6th Boba Fett relieved Callahan with 2 out and a runner in scoring position, and lefty specialist Ken Thornton got Alex Hamilton out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 6th Las Vegas finally got to Salbacca.  Back to back doubles tied the game, then Greg Jackson was intentionally walked.  Roberto Ruiz and Jackson executed a double steal, and Damon Nkik ordered another intentional walk, since of course he had a base open.  A single by Everett Jimenez chased Salbacca and gave LV the lead.  Won-Shik Lee then hit a two run single to make it a 5-2 game.

Boston scored 2 in the 8th to make it a one run game.  Bobby Barbettini came in for the 9th.  With one out, he allowed back to back singles to the top hitters of Boston's order.  Reggie Moore bounced into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.

Game 2, and 3 if necessary, will be played in Boston.

New York eliminated the Shockers 5 to 2.  The Shockers scored the first run off Silvanos Tonka in the second.  In the 3rd Chad White hit a 2 run homer to give NY the lead.  Tonka went 6 2/3 innings, striking out 7 and allowing 2 runs for the win.  Steven Jiannetti got 4 outs, and Jon Papelbrad pitched a perfect 9th for the save.

New York will next play in Florida, with Stephen Hamburg on the mound.  This season Hamburg faced the Penguins 3 times, allowing only 9 hits and one run in 25 innings, while striking out 40.  He had a 15 strikeout 3 hitter, and a 17 strikeout 4 hitter.