SLCS: Charlotte vs Utah

 Game 1: 

The ceremony might have been a little over the top in this one. Kermit Holmes threw out the first pitch on the anniversary of the day his inside-the-park-homer walked off the Phoenix Autobots, sending Eddie's last Ute team on to the world series. 

The current Utes could not muster any offense. 

In the second inning, Bubba Donaldson homered off Fernando Hernandez Jr. for a 1-0 lead. In the 5th, Donaldson singled, stole second, and scored on a Simon Burgos single. Burgos added a solo homer in the 8th. Malcolm Sherman went 4 2/3 innings before being pulled for Paul Hayes. 5 Hawk relievers combined to hold Utah scoreless despite 8 hits. Adrian Banuelos pitched the 9th for a save.

Utah lost 3-0, leaving 9 runners on base. The Hawks? They only left 1 runner on base all day.

Game 2:

Miguel Tejawa homered in the first. The Utes briefly held a lead, scoring 2 in the bottom of the inning off Barret Cordova. Tied at 3-3 in the 6th, Luis Alfredo Garcia stole 2 bases and scored on a Tejawa sacrifice fly, the 4th run off Utah starter Juan Gutierrez. Both bullpens were perfect, with Banuelos picking up his second save.

Game 3:

Utah scored first off George Dixon on a Tufnel single. In the bottom of the inning, Troy Wyckoff hit a 2 run homer off Julio Caraballo, and that was the end of the offense for the day. Dixon went 6 innings for the win, and Banuelos struck out the side for his 3rd save of the series.

Game 4:

Angel Garcia led off the bottom first with a homer, and Utah starter Makowsky only pitched a single inning. Hawks added 4 runs later but didn't need any. Starter Arnie Henry went 5, Alex Munoz and Paul Hayes each threw a scoreless inning, and Antonio Rodriguez pitched out of the 8th and came back for the 9th. He got two outs, but loaded the bases with Utes. Banuelos came on for the last batter and got Mike Winters to ground to first, picking up his 4th save of the series and 8th of the playoffs.

The Hawks advance to the world series and will play Bay Area.

 

MLCS: Detroit vs Bay Area

 Game 1:

Anthony Henderson pitched a 2 hitter over 7 innings. John Berg matched zeros, giving up 3 hits and striking out 10 over 7 innings. In the bottom 8th, reliever Chris Craig got the first 2 outs, then #9 batter Jerry Meany hit a solo homerun, the only run of the game. Rich Gaston pitched the top of the 8th for Detroit, and finished the 9th as well to earn the win.

Game 2:

Chris Murray had 3 hits and scored 2 runs. Phil Stoger homered and drove in 4. Bay Area had a 3-2 lead going into the 8th, as starters Teddy Rudge and Joe Perry had both pitched well. They added 2 insurance runs in that inning before Stoger iced the game with a 3 run homer. In the top of the 9th, Bay Area was down 8-2. Homers by Eugene Wheeler an Miguel Cruz made it 8-5, but it was too late as Detroit went up 2-0 for the series.

Game 3:

Bay Area had homers by Wheeler, Cruz, and Artie Jacobs as Aaron Webb allowed 2 runs on 3 hits over 7 innings. Craig pitched the final 2 innings to close the game out by the score of 6-2.

Game 4: 

Ryan Jones scored 3 runs and Jason Anderson knocked in 4 as Bay Area tied the series with an 8-3 win. Starters Manny Olmos and Chris Carlson only lasted 3 innings each, but the Bay Area bullpen was more effective. Anthony Vincent pitched 3 scoreless innings for the win, and Chris Craig pitched the final two, though it was not a save situation.

Game 5:

Anthony Henderson had one of the most dominant postseason starts ever, throwing a complete game 2 hitter and striking out 15, an OOTP era record. Bay Area won 8-0 as Gary Lorenzo homered and drove in 3.

Game 6: 

Teddy Rudge lasted just one inning, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits. Bay Area took a 5-2 lead after 2 and held on for a 7-4 win. Cruz, Wheeler, and Chris Goodwin homered. Craig earned a save by pitching the last 2 innings. Bay Area will advance to the second world series in franchise history.

MLDS: New York vs Detroit

 Game 1:

Anthony Wilcock gave NY a first inning lead with a homer off John Berg. Detroit scored one in the bottom of the inning but could have had more. With nobody out, Mike McCullough tried to go first to third on a single to center but was thrown out. This would become a theme. Detroit stole no bases, but had 5 runners caught stealing, including Phil Stoger 3 times. After regulation, the game was tied at 2. The game continued to the 14th, with few good scoring opportunities on either side, what few ones they had were ruined by bad baserunning. In the bottom 14th, Chris Murray singled with one out. He moved to second on a walk, and Reggie Guerrero singled to right, Murray beating the throw home. Kevin Blazek pitched 3 scoreless innings for the win.

Game 2:

Silvanos Tonka did not have one of his best starts, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks over 4 1/3 innings. Teddy Rudge was not much better for Detroit, and the game was tied up the bottom 8th. New York went to closer Gabriel Romero. He walked the first 2 and loaded the bases on a single. Chad White went to the mound for hard throwing Karl Willey. Daron Bell singled in two, and another run came in later on a sacrifice fly. Detroit won the game 7-4 with Ryan Edmondson finishing up and getting the win.

Game 3:

Manny Olmos, a former Cobra, pitched into the 7th and allowed just one run, a second inning homer to Steven Stephens. Detroit got 2 in the 4th as T.J. Miller and Jose Alvarado hit back to back homers off Jonathan Umber. Detroit added another homer by Bell in the 5th, and Miller's second of the game in the 8th, to win 4-1 and sweep the Cobra. Rich Gaston struck out 3 in earning a 2 inning save.

MLDS LA vs Bay Area

 Game 1:

Eugene Wheeler wasted no time establishing his presence, he homered on the first pitch Jeffery Anderson threw for the Shockers. Later in the same inning, Christian Reyes added a solo shot. Bay Area went on to win 5-1 behind 7 innings of 3 hit ball from Joe Perry. Chris Craig struck out 5 over the last 2 innings for the save.

Game 2:

Wheeler got things started with a HBP, stole second, and came around to score. Bay Area added another run in the inning, but the Shockers scored 3 in the bottom off ace Anthony Henderson to take a 3-2 lead. Henderson was wild to start the game, walking 4 in the inning and allowing all runs to score with 2 outs after he it looked like a line drive double play might get them out of it. Shockers took a 4-2 lead to the 8th behind a strong start from Joe Lamb, and went to their closer, William Wright, for a 2 out save. It was a disaster very quickly. A walk and 2 singles made it 4-3, and Miguel Cruz then hit a 3 run homer to put Bay Area on top. Craig showed Wright how it was done, pitching 2 innings for his second straight two inning save.

Game 3:

Shockers went to Wright again in the 8th, this time with a 6-4 lead. Once again, he was not up to the task. Wright loaded the bases and Peter Rabbitt tied the game with a single, but at least Wright was able to keep the game 6-6. In the top 9th, Shockers retook the lead and Michael Molina's 3 run homer gave them some insurance. Wright remained in the game and struck out the side in the 9th. Apparently, he really doesn't like the 8th inning.

Game 4: 

Wheeler again started the game well, with a single, steal, and run scored. LA removed starter Ken Caffey after a single inning, and went to Grant Hansen. Hansen pitched well for 4 2/3 innings, striking out 9. LA scored their first run in the 6th as Larry Brooks drove in Tomas Gatito, and in the 7th a sac fly from Gatito tied the game at 2. Chris Craig pitched a scoreless 8th and struck out the side in the 9th. In the bottom of the inning, Ryan Jones led off with a double off Gerrit Garcia. After an intentional walk, the runners pulled off a double steal, with Jones beating the throw to third. Jason Anderson grounded out to third and the runners held, bringing up Peter Rabbitt. Peter hit a weak tapper between third and the mound, Jones took off. Garcia fielded it and made a desperate throw to the plate, but it was too late, and the Bandits walk off with the series victory, beating the team with baseball's best record in 2023.

SLDS Utah vs New York

 Game 1:

With their top 3 starters tired out from the Boston series, Utah handed the ball to Darin Makowsky. For the first 3 innings he matched zeroes with New York ace Mark Stevens. In the 4th, Todd Gibbs hit a 2 run homer. Michael Vaughn had a solo shot in the bottom of the inning for New York, and Makowsky was pulled from the game before reaching 5 innings. In the 8th Aster singled, scored on a Leo Hamilton double, and Hamilton later scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1. Four Ute relievers finished the game, allowing no runs. Jorge Aleman earned the win, and Ray Ramey struck out the last 3 for the save.

Game 2:

Utes scored 3 in the 3rd and 3 more in the 7th on the way to a 7-0 win. Aster reached base 5 times, scored 3 runs, and stole 2 bases. Wesley Coffield had 3 hits, including a homer, and drove in 3. Gary Smith took the loss, and Fernando Hernandez Jr allowed only 2 hits over 6 shutout innings. Hernandez has always had the Knights' number, including a 19 strikeout no-hitter two years ago.

Game 3:

It started as a great pitching matchup between Juan Francisco Hernandez and Juan Gutierrez. Ramon Duran's solo homer put the Knights up 1-0 in the 6th. In the bottom 7th, Utah loaded the bases with 2 out for Aster. She took strike one, fouled the next pitch off, and then went opposite field for a grand slam. Utah added 2 more runs and won the game 6-1 with a series sweep. 

SLDS Charlotte vs Toledo

 Game 1:

Dorian Ivey dominated the Hawks, striking out 11 over 7 shutout innings. Spot starter Arnie Henry matched zeroes with Ivey, pitching into the 6th. In the bottom 7th, a two out single by Jose Vasquez brought home Cary Lee for the only run of the game. Jesus Palmeiro pitched two innings for the save.

Game 2: George Dixon bounced back from a rough start against Las Vegas with 7 shutout innings. Charlotte scored in the 4th off Mike Farley. Justin Alexander singled, moved to second on a single, to third on a fly to center, and walked home on a balk. It was the only run of the game. Adrian Banuelos pitched 2 perfect innings for the save.

Game 3: Starting pitcher Cary Lee homered in the first. Colby Rinard had 3 hits, driving in one and scoring one. Toledo beat Malcolm Sherman 3-1, with Palmeiro picking up another 2 inning save.

Game 4: Troy Wyckoff homered in the second. Barrett Cordova pitched a one hitter for 7 innings. Brent Aldrich allowed 2 runs, going the distance and striking out 10, but took the 2-0 loss. In the 6th, Hawks added an insurance run as William “Bucky” Auger walked, stole 2 bases, and scored on a sacrifice fly. Banuelos had another perfect 2 inning save, striking out 5.

Game 5: It would be another pitcher’s duel between aces George Dixon and Dorian Ivey. The game was scoreless through 5. In the 6th, Angel Garcia led off with a walk. He stole 2nd, and moved to third on a wild pitch. 2 walks later and still nobody out, Troy Wyckoff brought Garcia home with a fly to left. Hawks left the other runners on base. Dixon went 5 innings and 4 relievers finished the 1-0 shutout, with Banuelos working a perfect 9th for the save.

Wild Card Orlando v New York

 Game 1: Steven Stephens homered and drove in 2, while Silvanos Tonka pitched 5 shutout innings (combining with 4 relievers on a shutout) to earn his 17th career postseason win by a 3-0 score.

Game 2: Orlando scored 3 in the third and 3 more in the 7th. Scott Herrera had 3 hits, including a 2 run homer. Orlando took the game 6-4, getting the final 5 outs from closer Walter Miller.

Game 3: Early on it was all Orlando. They took a 6-0 lead as Antonio Sepulveda pulled an Ohtani. On the mound he went 5 2/3 shutout innings. In his starts he also serves as his own DH, and he had two hits including a 4th inning homer.

Then New York came back. Oliver Brooks homered to lead off the inning. 2 outs and 2 base runners later, Wellington Gehrig Bear launched a 3 run bomb off lefty Ben Johnston to make it 6-4.

In the 8th, a pair of singles and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out. Orlando went to lefty Nick Jeffries, and he struck out Dave Price. That brought up Lee Thompson, and the veteran hit a grand slam to put NY up 8-6.

Orlando got a pair of baserunners in the bottom of the inning but couldn’t score. In the bottom 9th, Francisco Nunes homered to make it a one run game. Bobby Barrios singled with one out. Doug Murphy got Walt Campbell to ground out, moving the tying run to second. The last batter was Sepulveda, who grounded out to end the game.

Bear was named series MVP, and New York will go on to face Detroit in the next round.

Wild Card: Bay Area vs Denver

 Game 1: Anthony Henderson pitched 7 shutout innings, giving up 5 hits and striking out 7. Bay Area scored first on a 2 out throwing error, and added two later for a 3-0 win.

Game 2: Rabbits took a 4-1 lead to the 8th inning. Michael Stewart had two doubles, scoring one and driving in another. In the top 8th Wilson Cutright got the first two out, but a single and double set up a threat. Denver went to their closer, Gabriel Parita, to face Christian Reyes. Reyes hit a 2 run single to make it a one run game.

In the 9th, back to back singles chased Parita, the Rabbits going to Kevin Schneider. He got a flyout, then Peter Rabbit singled to load the bases, and a sac fly tied the game.

Rabbits failed to score in the bottom of the inning. In the 10th, Miguel Cruz led off with a homer, and the Rabbits couldn’t tie it. Bay Area will next take on the Shockers.

Wild card: Las Vegas vs Charlotte

 Game 1: This was a slugfest. LV knocked out starter George Dixon with 6 runs in 2 innings, and poured on more late. For LV, four players had 3 hits, Yoon-Tae Kim knocked in 5, and Mike Rondon drove in 4 to lead a 15 run attack. For Charlotte, Bubba Donaldson was on base all 5 times including a 3 run homer in the 9th. Las Vegas won 15-9.

Game 2: A first inning homer by Kim gave LV a 1-0 lead. Shawn Finley started, pitched into the 6th, and gave up no runs. It was still 1-0 into the top of the 8th. Angel Garcia singled and stole second, but went nowhere on 2 short flyball outs. Simon Burgos singled with 2 outs to tie the game, as Garcia slid around the tag to beat the throw home by Raul Saldana. Next batter was Bubba, and he hit another homer to take a 3-1 lead. Jaime Lannister homered in the bottom of the inning to make it a one run game.

Bottom 9th, still 3-2, Adrian Banuelos struck out the side to force game 3.

Game 3: Angel Garcia led off the game with a triple and scored on a flyout. Charlotte added another in the 5th on back to back doubles by Fuller and Sampson. Meanwhile, starter Barrett Cordova had a no-hitter going.

That was broken up in the 6th as LV put runners on the corners with one out. Lefty reliever Alex Munoz got Lannister and Kim out, but did allow one inherited run to score. It was still 2-1 going to the top of the 9th.

With 2 out, Luis Alfredo Garcia walked and stole second. Next batter was Jason Fuller, who hit .290 in September after a .336 season in AAA. Light hitting shortstop William Auger was up next, and due to pinch hitting, injury, and defensive replacements Charlotte had nobody left on the bench. Auger hit .197 with 3 homers on the regular season. With a 2-2 count, Ryan Robinson threw him a sinker that didn’t sink, and Auger channeled the spirit of Bucky Dent and gave the Hawks a 5-1 lead with a 3 run homer.

In the bottom 9th, Paul Hayes got the first 2, then gave up a single and 2 run homer to Rondon. Antonio Rodriguez struck out Raul Saldana to finish the series. With a .625 average, 2 homers, and 5 RBI, Bubba Donaldson was named series MVP.

Bill the Cat’s club will face Toledo next.

Wild Card: Utah v Boston

 Game 1: Boston has a strong left handed lineup, so Utes give the ball to their lefty, Fernando Hernandez Jr. He was great for the first 5 innings, and thanks to a Todd Gibbs HR they led 1-0. In the 6th Boston loaded the bases and took the lead on Virgil Burden’s 2 run single.

The 2-1 score held up. Aster had 3 hits and stole 3 bases but her teammates couldn’t drive her in. Larry Moody struck out 11 over 7 innings for the win, and Jeremy Byers picked up a 2 inning save.

Game 2: Boston took a 2-0 lead in the third on Bernardo Pineda’s homer. Aster tied it with a blast over the Green Monster in the 5th. Utah was able to add more runs and win 6-4. Juan Gutierrez struck out 11 in 5 1/3 innings. Aster had 3 more hits, and at 6 for 8 in the series earned the title: “Most hated cat in Boston”.

Game 3:Utah went to a surprise starter, rookie Julio Caraballo. He gave them more than expected, 6 shutout innings of 1 hit ball. Mike Winters homered in the third, and later the same inning Derek Tufnel hooked one around the Pesky pole in right. Leo Hamilton added a solo shot in the 5th.

That’s all the offense Utah would get or need. Ray Ramey, Scott Klippenstein, and Cesar Cordero finished the shutout.

Aster was named series MVP with a .583 series average. She even earned some grudging respect from the Fenway faithful. Donnie from South End said: “This cat can play. She hits, she runs, she’s got power. She even switched from second base to right field late in the game. Not everyone can do that. Reminds me of a cat named Mookie.”