SLCS: Miami vs Las Vegas

 Game 1: 

Joel Camels gave up three runs on 4 hits in 5 innings, and Ken Fitzgerald allowed 2 runs while striking out 11 in 5 innings. From the 6th on, it was a battle of the bullpens.

Neither team scored again until the bottom 9th. Won-Shik Lee led off with a triple against Miami closer Ricardo Osuna. Jaime Lannister brought him home with a single. Lannister was caught stealing and the next two batters struck out to send the game to extra innings.

In the bottom 10th, Michael Rondon and Raul Saldana started with singles, putting runners at the corners with nobody out. Draal Kanjigarson then singled to left to bring the winning run home.

Game 2:

Miami jumped out to a 6-0 lead against Shawn Finley after 3 innings. Las Vegas battled back, pulling to within 7-5 in the 6th. They added 3 runs in the 7th, but Vegas still threatened. In the bottom 8th Jerry McDonald made a spectacular diving catch for the second out, but injured himself and had to leave the game. A 2 out out rally brought the score to 10-6.

In the 9th, Las Vegas loaded the bases with one out, but Ervin Russell got Lee to hit into a double play to end the game. Las Vegas had 16 hits and 6 walks, but Miami was able to escape with only 6 runs scored.

Game 3:

Ramon Torra, added to the roster in place of the injured McDonald, hit a 2 run homer in the 4th to break a 1-1 tie. Johnny Anderson pitched 6 innings for the Stars, allowing 3 hits and one earned run. Ben Angus pitched into the 6th and took the loss. Osuna pitched a perfect 9th, striking out 2, to preserve the 4-3 win.

Game 4:

Torra came through again with a second inning 2 out, 2 run double. He scored later in the inning, and singled home another run in the 6th to have a hand in all 4 Miami runs on the day. Brad Moulds allowed 2 runs in 5.1 innings, and Ervin Russell pitched the last 1.1 innings to save the game, 4-3.

Game 5: 

Miami scored 3 times in the first on homeruns by Arceneaux and Eric Lemon, and 3 more in the 4th as Torra hit a 2 run triple. Las Vegas had 2 run homers by Yoon-Tae Kim and Roberto Vargas, but Miami was able to hold on for a 7-5 to advance to the world series.