SLCS 2019 Games 1-4

Game 1:

Silveran Kanan Bonis pitched around an error and wild pitch that put a runner on 3rd with nobody out in the first.  He struck out Bass, Arceneaux, and Ford to strand the runner.  He pitched a strong game with 4 hits and 7 strikeouts in 6 innings, but solo homers by Bass and Arceneaux gave Miami a 2-0 lead.  That's all Scott Elzy would need as he struck out 10 in a 7 inning 2 hitter.  Miami went on to win 5-0.

Game 2:

Chicago took a 4-0 lead over Pedro Lewis, however Chicago starter Ruben Ramirez tweaked a hamstring and had to leave after 4 innings.  Alphonso Soprano hit a 2 run homer in the 6th and Luke Ford hit one in the 7th to tie the game at 4.  In the top of the 8th with 2 down, Bonis drew a walk and raced around the bases to score on Gregor Clegane's double. 

With a 1 run lead, Chicago turned the ball over to Steve Kepler for a 6 out save.  He pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning.  In the 9th, Sergio Perez led off with a walk and Peter Rabbitt bunted him over to second.  Kepler struck out Billy Bass, then faced 2 time MVP Arceneaux.  With the right handed Luke Ford on deck and no Miami pinch hitters left, Kepler refused to pitch around him.  On a 2-2 pitch, Arceneaux hit a ground ball right to the second baseman, and Chicago tied the series at 1.

Game 3:

Sergio Perez led off the game with a homerun off Kyle Bonderman.  Chicago ran the bases loaded offense in against Carlos Padron, scoring 3 in the bottom 1st, 1 in the second, and 2 more in the 3rd.  Billy Bass hit a 3 run homer in the 3rd.

In the 6th Chicago held a 6-5 lead with 2 outs and 2 runners on.  Pat Jones walked Sergio Perez to load the bases, and couldn't find the strike zone against Bass, walking in a run to tie the game.  He had nowhere to put Arceneaux, fell behind the count 2-0, and served up a gopher ball for a grand slam and a 10-6 Miami lead.

Johnny Anderson pitched 4 strong innings in relief, allowing 2 hits, no runs, no walks, and 8 strikeouts.  Miami coasted to a 12-6 victory.

Game 4:

Chicago took a 4-0 lead over Brad Moulds with a 4 run second inning, highlighted by homers from Gregor Clegane and Tommy Ross.  Matt Smith pitched a strong and efficient game for the first 5 innings, but ran into trouble in the 6th.  Luke Ford hit a 2 run homer and Ricky Buckley went back to back to make it a one run game.  Scott Cole came in for relief and put 2 runners on before pinch hitter Trevor Burton singled in the tying run.

In the top of the 8th Buckley led off with a double and one out later came around to score on an E5 groundball that Javier Soto threw past first base.  Kepler came in to face pinch hitter Sergio Perez, and got out of the inning with no further trouble.

In the bottom of the 8th Soto led off and achieved atonement for his error, launching a homerun to left off Travis Howard.  With 2 out in the 9th Arceneaux worked Kepler for a 12 pitch walk, then departed for pinch runner Dustin Kinney as Miami chose to play it aggressively.  Didn't matter as Luke Ford struck out on 3 pitches.

Chicago failed to score in the 9th, sending the game to extras.  Kepler remained in the game for his 3rd inning.  Buckley walked, the next two batter struck out.  Buckley took off on the first pitch to Todd Merkich.  Merkich swung and hit the ball 404 feet to put Miami up 7-5.  Kepler, exhausted, left the game and Rob Davis got the final out.

3 outs away from being down 3-1 and having to face Scott Elzy, Chicago pinch hit for the second baseman with DH/1B Max Thomas.  Thomas homered off Lou Watson to make it a one run game.

Miami brought in Sam Parillo, who got Soto to fly to center, then Scott Arroyo to strike out Bonis.  They went to the 4th pitcher of the inning, Tom Knight, to get Clegane.  The Mountain crushed one to the opposite field and tied the game.

For the 11th both teams had used almost everyone on their benches.  Thomas had to stay in the game at first, sending Ryan Freeman over to third and Soto to second.  Rob Davis remained the game with only one other reliever left in the Chicago bullpen.  Peter Rabbit found the out of position defender, hitting a grounder to Freeman, but he picked it up and tossed to Thomas for out #1.  Billy Bass struck out, and Dustin Kinney, batting in Arceneaux's spot, flew to left.

In the bottom 11th Tommy Ross led off with a walk against Knight.  Vogler struck out, and Minion singled Ross to second.  A Byron Jones walk loaded the bases.  Playing infield in, Miami got the ground ball from Thomas and a force play at the plate.  Soto took a two strike pitch back up the middle to score the winning run and tie the series at 2.