SLCS games 4

 Cleveland v Baltimore

Noel Walton struck out the first 2, but Troy Wyckoff homered to give Cleveland the early lead. In the bottom of the inning, Delvis Winchester struck out the side. Winchester was their closer for most of the season, saving 42 games. In an interesting maneuver, Jason Gambini decided to let him start in the postseason. In the regular season, he only had one 3 inning tuneup to prepare for this role.

Cale Black homered in the second to tie the game at 1. Otto Stevens homered in the 5th to make it 2-1 Cleveland. Both starters had good games, with Walton going 7 and just allowing 2 runs, while Winchester only allowed one through 6 innings, striking out 7.

Cleveland added an insurance run in the 8th while David Ramirez shut down the Colts in the 7th and 8th. He was still on the mound protecting a 2 run lead in the bottom 9th.

After back to back singles to start the inning, Kirby Morris came on in relief to face Cale Black, He flew out, but Logan Best singled to load the bases. Pete Craig hit one down the right field line, 2 runs scored to tie the game. Best remained at third, a decision he may come to regret. 

Xian Guao struck out, and after an intentional walk, Mike McCarty grounded to short, sending the game into extras.

A double by Joey Encarnacion and a single from Gerald Evans put runners on 2nd and 3rd, nobody out in the bottom 10th. Playing the infield in, Cleveland got ground balls from the dangerous Jason Robinson and Cale Black, stranding the runners. Pete Craig struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Neither team threatened until the 13th. With a runner on and 2 out, Malcolm Thomas homered to give Cleveland another 2 run lead. 

Daniel Reyes was charged with protecting it. Last season, he was a 23 game loser in Philadelphia. This year he was much better in relief. Cale Black homered to make it a one run game. Reyes got the next 3, and Cleveland will advance to the championship series.

Louisville v Mars

It was a close game early, as Louisville held a 2-1 lead going into the 6th, when they exploded for 5 runs. In the 8th, Cole Werner put the icing on the cake with a grand slam. Louisville routed Mars 12-6 to advance. Jimmy Flannery, with 3 homers, 7 runs, and 7 RBI in the series, was named MVP.