SLCS 2019 Games 5-7

Game 5:

Miami got off to a quick start as Sergio Perez walked to lead off the game and Billy bass followed with a homer.  Silveran Kanan Bonis got into further trouble, walking the bases loaded, but struck out the side to get out of it.

That would be all the runs Scott Elzy needed.  The Miami ace pitched into the 9th, allowing 3 hits and one run while striking out 3. 

Bonis had to leave the game after the second inning with neck and back pain. 

Game 6:

Bonis was able to recover quickly and make his usual start as the DH for Chicago.  He singled in the first run off Pedro Lewis, and later came around to score as the Winds had 5 hits in the opening frame.  They chased Lewis with runs in the 2nd and 3rd, and opened a 7-0 lead in the 5th.  Ruben Ramirez pitched 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball and Chicago held on for a 7-3 win to force game 7.

Game 7:

Starters Kyle Bonderman and Carlos Padron started the game strong.  Miami struck first, scoring a run in the third inning thanks to back to back doubles by Oswipe Cabrera and Cal Mathis.  In the top of the 4th, Bonis and Clegane singled, and Vogler doubled to tie the game.  Nishi singled in Chicago's second run, and one out later Kevin Minion lifted a sac fly to center, scoring Vogler.

Miami went to the bullpen after the 4th and held the Winds to 3 runs.  In the 5th, Peter Rabbitt led off with a double, then moved to third and finally scored on two groundouts.  Sergio Perez tied the game with a 6th inning homer.  With 2 on and one out, Bart Riley came on in relief and pitched out of the jam.

Scott Arroyo and Ervin Russell combined to keep the Winds off the board for the 5th through 7th.  In the 8th, doubled with 2 outs, sending Vogler to 3rd,  Tommy Ross struck out to strand the runners.

After a one out double by Bass, Chicago went to the closer, Steve Kepler.  He got Arceneaux on a ground out, walked Luke Ford, and struck out Burton.  Neither team threatened in the 9th.

Javier Soto led off the top of the 10th with an opposite field off Tom Knight.  Kepler came back out to protect the 4-3 lead in the bottom of the inning.  With one out, Perez drew a walk, and Miami sent in the speedy Roberto Gonzales to run for him.  Brian Kaat wanted faster wheels in case of an extra base hit, but declined to order a steal with Bass and Arceneaux due up next.  Meanwhile, Kepler was out of gas and Sylvanos Wong brought in Pat Jones to close the game.

Bass grounded to third, sending Gonzales to second.  Arceneaux was intentionally walked, bringing up Luke Ford.  The ghost of former Miami pitching coach Obi Wan Kenobi told Luke to use the force.  He would oblige, but maybe not in the way Kenobi wanted.  Jones threw a 2-0 slider, Ford hit a hard ground ball towards shortstop.  Vogler picked it up and flipped the ball to Nishi for the force at second.

Chicago will head to the world series for the first time in team history.