MLDS 2019: Florida vs New York

Game 1:

Silvanos Tonka got the nod over 20 game winner Hamburg, and gave the Cobra 7 scoreless innings of 3 hit ball.  Florida started Buddy Dervish, who had missed most of September with a forearm strain.  Dervish retired leadoff hitter Lee Thompson on just two pitches before his day came to an end.  Shenanigans were on as the Penguins brought in Peter Buchanon to face New York's lefty heavy lineup.

The strategy backfired however, as Buchanon was wild, walking 7 in 4 innings of work, and allowing 4 runs.  Jon Papelbrad got the last 4 outs to save the 4-1 game.

Game 2:

Florida knocked Hamburg out with 4 runs in the second inning.  Roger Blackwood pitched 7 innings, allowing 3 runs and striking out 8 for the win.  Gromit Peveto was 3 for 5, including a 2 run double off Hamburg.  Scott Meyer later added a homer.  Scott Klippenstein pitched the final inning to save the 5-3 game as Florida evened the series.

Game 3:

The league's rabbit ball supply was in use as New York jumped out to a 5-0 lead off starter Joel Camels.  Luis Harris had the key hit with a 3 run double.  In the bottom of the inning, Florida came right back with a 5 spot off the GreatJon of house Umber.  Conn had a three run homer, and Melvin Ortiz added a 2 run double. 

New York scored in each of the first 5 innings, jumping out to a 13-5 lead.  Umber went 7 innings for the win but ran into trouble late in the game, giving up 8 runs in total.

In the bottom 8th the Penguins hit 3 homers to make it a 14-10 game. With 2 out, they put 2 runners on for Gromit, with the on deck hitter now representing the tying run.  New York went to the closer, Papelbrad, who recorded the last 4 outs.

The two teams combined for 11 homers, including 2 each by Luis Harris and Ken Jones.

Game 4:

Buddy Dervish made his first real start and was excellent, pitching 6 innings of one run ball.  New York took a 2-1 lead in the 7th as Luis Harris singled, stole 2 bases off David Tejada, and scored on a sac fly by Brienne of Tarth. 

In the bottom of the inning Gerald White Jr doubled and scored on a Scott Meyer single.  In came speedy pinch runner Vaughn Henderson, who moved to second on an out, stole third, and came home when Cody Fett's throw sailed into left field.

In the top 8th, Grant Hansen walked the bases loaded with nobody out, leaving the game with Wellington Gehrig Bear at the plate.  Klippenstein did the best he could given the circumstances, allowing a sacrifice fly before getting Ken Jones to bounce into a double play. 

In the bottom 8th Angel Garcia singled and stole 2 bases with nobody out.  Gromit popped up, and Juan Penales grounded out with the infield in, keeping Garcia at third.  Conn was intentionally walked, bringing up Klippenstein.  Florida made the controversial decision not to pinch hit for their best reliever, and he struck out.

Klippenstein then struck out the side to set up a walk off win in the bottom 9th.  With one out, Henderson drew a walk against Bryan Avila.  Manny Olmos came in for relief.  Olmos, a lefty with a good pickoff move, tried to keep Henderson on first.  Henderson took off and Melvin Ortiz liked the pitch too much to take it.  He knocked a line drive down the right field line and Henderson came in to score, tying the series at 2-2.

Game 5:

This was a great pitcher's duel between Roger Blackwood and Silvanos Tonka.  Both pitchers threw up zeros through the first 7 innings.  In the 8th Ortiz singled with 2 outs and scored on a pinch hit double off the bat of Sean Fordham.

The struggling Grant Hansen came out for the 8th and allowed a leadoff double to Alex Williams, who left the game for pinch runner David Jackson.  That was it for Hansen, Klippenstein came in again.  Back to back deep flyouts to center brought the tying run home.

New York brought Stephen Hamburg in to relieve Tonka.  Hamburg and Klippenstein matched zeros into the 11th inning.  Though he had thrown 3 innings already, Florida once again did not pinch hit for Klip, who struck out in the 11th against Brian Ohman.

In the bottom 11th, Klippenstein walked Lee Thompson, and Florida went to Mark Rigsby.  Sun struck out as Thompson stole second.  Bear was intentionally walked, bringing up reserve OF Victor Jacobs.  Jacobs lined a single into right, Thompson raced home, and New York will move on to the championship series.