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128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Four Series 7-8

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Series 5-6

We conclude the top half of the bracket:





20. 2018 Boston Red Sox v. 109. 1934 Detroit Tigers

Boston's back - another favored World Champion club - against the AL Champion Tigers; there isn't a Detroit team from this generation that has moved forward.

Tigers-Mickey Cochrane
3B Owen (28)  115    2.2
1B Greenberg (23)  156  4.5
2B Gehringer (31)  149   7.6
C Cochrane (31)    117    3.9
LF Goslin (33)   112   2.2
CF White (25)   108    2.3
DH Walker (26)  94    .7
SS Rogell (29)   98    4.2
RF Fox (25)      85     1
P Rowe (24)     127    6.7

Bench:
DH Hayworth (30)  82  .4
SP2 Bridges (27)   119  4.4
SP3 Sorrell (33)     91    .4

Walker/Fox game one play will determine who plays right in game 2 - if one of them doesn't hit through the first two games, Hayworth might play if there's a game 3. Detroit's got all right handed starting pitchers.

Red Sox-Alex Cora
LF Benintendi (23)  123  4.2
RF Betts (25)    186          9.8
DH Martinez (30)  173    7
SS Bogaerts (25)  135      5.1
1B Pearce (35)   141        1.2
2B Holt (30)  109             1
3B Devers (21)  94           1.5
CF Bradley (28)  92         2.1
C Leon (29)   37               .3
P Sale (29)    209             6.9

Bench:
C Vazquez (27)  46      .3
SP2 Price (32)   123        3.7
SP3 Rodriguez (25)  116  3
SP3 Porcello (29) 103       3

Boston doesn't have a good catching option; Moreland/Nunez were their starters at 1st and 2nd, but against an all RH Tiger rotation, they won't see starts.  Bradley will sit in game 2 when Martinez moves to RF.  All the expected Sox starters are lefties - but Porcello could get the game 3 call.  Boston is the seed favorite, they have a WAR advantage at SS-LF-RF-DH and SP for games 1 and 3

1st: 29 year old lefty Chris Sale was 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA for the Red Sox; he's on the Fenway Park mound for game one of the penultimate series in the top half of the bracket.  1-2-3
1st: Schoolboy Rowe is a 24 year old right hander, 24-8 with a 3.45 ERA; he takes the ball for the Tigers, Mookie Betts hits a one out double and JD Martinez gets plunked.  An out later Rowe walks Steve Pearce - the Sox have loaded the bases in the first inning, but do not score.

2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Jackie Bradley singles with one away, after the second out Andrew Benintendi singles and Betts is aboard with a walk. The bases are loaded again - and again, they do not score.

3rd: Billy Rogell singles with one out, after a second out and a Rogell stolen base - Marv Owen doubles him home; the Tigers are out in front. Here's an interesting move - Alex Cora decides to put Hank Greenberg on in this spot - that means they pitch to Charlie Gehringer - and Sale gets him.  Tigers 1 Sox 0
3rd: Rowe strikes out the side - I'm not saying that hasn't happened in the tournament yet, but 1-2-3 all Ks is not something that I recall.  Rowe has 6 Ks. 

4th: 1-2-3, less than 10 pitches for Sale here.
4th: Rafael Devers draws a walk and scores on a Jackie Bradley double - that's two hits for Bradley and the score is tied.  Rowe strikes out 2 more.  That's 8.  Tigers 1 Sox 1

5th: Another super quick one for Sale.  
5th: 1-2-3

6th: Owen doubles to open the inning - just the third Tiger hit, that's all.  
6th: Brock Holt walks to open - and then Rowe strikes out the next 3 Sox.  That's 11 Ks for Rowe, which might be the tournament high so far.  

7th: Another easy Sale inning - great, great pitchers duel today.  
7th: Rowe gets the first 2. including the 12th K -- but then JD Martinez bombs a homer to break the tie - the Fenway roar goes up as the Sox take the lead. That ends Rowe's day - 23 year old right hander Elden Auker won 15 games and he comes on to end the inning - Tigers 1 Sox 2

8th: Owen singles with two out - he's got 3 of the Tigers 4 hits, but that's all.
8th: Pearce walks, Holt walks -- the Sox have a chance to get some insurance; Bradley singles after an out -- Pearce comes around - but he is gunned down at the plate on a Gehringer relay home, there are no collisions allowed as this is a game played under 2018 rules, but Cochrane applies a perfect swipe tag.  Sandy Leon will draw a walk - but the Sox don't score and we head to the 9th.

9th: The Sox bring on their closer, 30 year old right hander Craig Kimbrel, 42 saves and a 2.74 ERA - he gives up a leadoff single to Gehringer; tying run on.  But that's it and the Sox take game one.

Tigers 1
Red Sox 2
WP Sale
LP Rowe

Five hits for Detroit, 6 for Boston, just great pitching performances for both starters. Rowe struck out a dozen, the tournament high. Betts/Pearce/Holt all reached twice, Jackie Bradley had 3 hits and JD Martinez hit the big home run.

Sale gives up 4 hits in 8 innings, Marv Owen had the big game for Detroit, three hits, two doubles.

Let's go to Detroit for Game 2.


LF Benintendi (23)  123  4.2
CF Betts (25)    186          9.8
RF Martinez (30)  173    7
SS Bogaerts (25)  135      5.1
1B Pearce (35)   141        1.2
2B Holt (30)  109             1
3B Devers (21)  94           1.5
C Vazquez (27)  46      .3
SP Price (32)   123        3.7

3B Owen (28)  115    2.2
1B Greenberg (23)  156  4.5
2B Gehringer (31)  149   7.6
C Cochrane (31)    117    3.9
LF Goslin (33)   112   2.2
CF White (25)   108    2.3
RF Walker (26)  94    .7
SS Rogell (29)   98    4.2
SP Bridges (27)   119  4.4

1st: Tommy Bridges stands on the Navin Field mound, the Tigers need today to stay alive; he was 22-11 with a 3.67 ERA - Andrew Benintendi hits the first pitch for a triple; an out later JD Martinez strokes a single to left and it's Sox 1 Tigers 0
1st: 32 year old lefty David Price gets the ball for the Sox, 16-7 with a 3.58 ERA, 1-2-3

2nd: Holt draws a one out walk, nothing else.
2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Betts walks with two out and Martinez singles for the second time, but that's all.
3rd: Billy Rogell opens with a single, two outs later, Cora decides to put Greenberg on, a decision that worked in game one - here, Price then walks Gehringer to load the bases. Cochrane then singles - that's going to score 2 and put the Tigers out in front. Sox 1 Tigers 2

4th: 1-2-3
4th: Jo Jo White singles, but that's all.

5th: David Price didn't swing the bat once in 2018 -- but he singles with one out here, and thats all.
5th: After an out, Hank Greenberg hits a bomb to dead center - Detroit adds to their lead, Sox 1 Tigers 3

6th: Betts opens with a walk, that's all.  Another tight one.
6th: 1-2-3

7th: Brock Holt doubles - two outs later he stands at third and the pitchers spot is up - Cora calls on Mitch Moreland, benched for Pearce in the series, and he singles to center, it scores Holt and now it's Sox 2 Tigers 3
7th: 29 year old right hander Heath Hembree comes on, Owen walks with two out and then Greenberg bombs his second homer; a two run shot to left, is that the insurance in this one? Sox 2 Tigers 5

8th: Betts reached by error and then JD Martinez doubles down the line, Betts is coming all the way around and it's 5-3. Xavier Bogaerts follows with a double, the wheels have come off for Bridges and it's 5-4. Elden Auker pitched in game one and he's on here - he gets two out, intentionally walks Devers to put the potential go ahead run on base -- but gets through it.  Sox 4 Tigers 5
8th: 30 year old right hander Joe Kelly enters, can he keep the deficit to 1. He can't - after an out, Goose Goslin homers, it's Detroit's third homer of the day - the Tigers are just determined to send this series back to Boston. After a second out, Gee Walker walks - Cora decides to put Billy Rogell on - Cochrane counters by going to his bench for Pete Fox -- 2 on, 2 out - 6-4 Tigers -- and Kelly gets him.  The Sox are still alive, Sox 4 Tigers 6

9th: The Tigers have one bullpen lefty, it's 30 year old Chief Hogsett; he enters - Boston's pinch hitter is Hanley Ramirez - Hogsett gets him; Benintendi started the game with a triple and now doubles - that's going to being the tying run to the plate with one away. Mookie Betts rips a single - Benintendi will score easily - Betts has reached 3 times and it's now 6-5.  Still only one away. 29 year old right hander Luke Hamlin's ERA was 5.38 and he comes on.  Martinez walks.  Tying run in scoring position.  Bogaerts hits a loud fly ball to right - Betts advances.  Tying run on 3rd.  Steve Pearce at the plate. He flies deep to left - Goose Goslin saves the series with a helluva diving catch on a ball that otherwise goes by him and gets to the wall, probably clearing the bases.  A tremendous, tremendous catch to save this series.

Red Sox 5
Tigers 6
WP Bridges
LP Price

2 homer game for Greenberg, Goslin homered and made the game saving catch, White singles twice, Rogell reached twice, Owen's now reached 4 times.

Benintendi tripled and doubled, Betts has reached 5 times, Holt 4 times, Martinez reached 4 times today and had the game winning homer back in game 1.

One more for all the marbles - back to Fenway we go.

3B Owen (28)  115    2.2
1B Greenberg (23)  156  4.5
2B Gehringer (31)  149   7.6
C Cochrane (31)    117    3.9
LF Goslin (33)   112   2.2
CF White (25)   108    2.3
SS Rogell (29)   98    4.2
RF Fox (25)      85     1
DH Hayworth (30)  82  .4
SP Sorrell (33)     91    .4

LF Benintendi (23)  123  4.2
RF Betts (25)    186          9.8
DH Martinez (30)  173    7
SS Bogaerts (25)  135      5.1
1B Moreland (32) 102
2B Holt (30)  109             1
3B Devers (21)  94           1.5
CF Bradley (28)  92         2.1
C Leon (29)   37               .3
SP Rodriguez (25)  116  3

The Tigers go with Hayworth for the first time - and Moreland wasn't going to play in the series, but Cora has changed his mind and slides him in against the right handed Sorrell.  

1st: The choice here was between the right handed Porcello and the left handed Rodriguez - Cora once again goes lefty.  25 year old Eduardo Rodriguez was 13-5 with a 3.82 ERA. He gets the first two - but then Gehringer singles, there are back to back walks to Cochrane and Goslin - and then White singles; that scores a run - Cochrane attempts to score - Jackie Bradley fires home, the swipe tag by Leon gets Cochrane at the plate and the inning ends.  Tigers 1 Sox 0
1st: There's a solid step down from every starter in the series and 33 year old Vic Sorrell, 6-9 with a 4.70 ERA.  Cochrane has to be looking really just to get anything at all from this start.  He does in the first, 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Bogaerts doubles and Moreland walks - Brock Holt then lines a double that scores everybody - it's 2-1; Jackie Bradley will walk, but that's all.  Tigers 1 Sox 2

3rd: Owen singles - but that's all.
3rd: Benintendi reaches by error and then Betts walks, after an out, Bogaerts his his second double in as many innings - it scores both men, folks, this one might get out of hand early, Tigers 1 Sox 4

4th: Rogell singles with two out, that's it.
4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3; Rodriguez hasn't allowed a runner past first since the first.  
5th: The Sox load them up - walks by Benintendi and Betts - then Martinez is hit hard on the knee; he moves gingerly to first - and Bogaerts maybe ends this game and wraps up the MVP - he hits his third double of the day; everyone comes around to score - Bogaerts has 5 RBI and the Sox are up 7-1. 35 year old right hander Firpo Mayberry won 15, he enters, he gets an out, but then Holt singles home Bogaerts. It sure looks like a route in Fenway. Tigers 1 Sox 8

6th: Gehringer singles and Cochrane doubles to open the frame; but Detroit can't cut into this lead at all.  Folks, this one is all but over.  
6th: With two out, Betts and Martinez single back to back, but that's it.

7th: That's it for Rodriguez, 30 year old right hander Ryan Brasier enters, after two out, Owen triples - and that's followed by a Greenberg triple and it's 8-2.  Back to the pen for Heath Hembree - he gives up a Gehringer hit and maybe there's a hint, a hint of life for the Tigers 3 Sox 8
7th: Holt singles with an out, really strong series for Holt installed as the second basemen over Nunez, after the second out he comes around to score on the Bradley double - and now you can feel it, this Fenway crowd senses they are about to see their second team move forward. Tigers 3 Sox 9

8th: With two out, Rogell and Fox single - Boston turns to Joe Kelly - he gets through it.
8th: Luke Hamin comes on - he gives up a single to Benintendi, then after two away walks Bogaerts - Moreland then doubles home the 10th run and that brings in Elden Auker - - he gives up a 2 run double to Brock Holt - its a celebration in Boston, the Sox are headed to the next round - Devers is gonna walk, but the inning ends Tigers 3 Red Sox 12

9th: The Tigers don't quit - they load the bases; Owen walk/Greenberg single/Gehringer single - Owen scores on a groundout, 27 year old lefty Brian Johnson enters to wrap it up - he walks White after the second out - but this is where it ends.  

Tigers 4 
Red Sox 12
WP Rodriguez
LP Sorrell

Betts reached 8 times in the series; Bogaerts quiet in games 1 and 2 - but had 3 doubles today, reached 4 times, had 5 RBI; Martinez strong in games 1 and 2, not much in game 3 -- you know who the MVP is - it's Brock Holt; he reached 9 times in the series and today had 4 hits including 2 doubles.  



So - 31 teams have advanced.  One to go and we've completed the top half of the bracket in this 128 team tournament to crown the Greatest MLB Team of All Time.

The 2018 Sox will face the winner of this one...






45. 1947 New York Yankees v. 84. 1989 Oakland A's

31 teams have advanced - 9 are Yankees.  2 are A's, both of those are Philadelphia teams; there's only one other Oakland team still to come.

A's-Tony LaRussa
LF Henderson (30)  148  5
3B Lansford (32)     131  4
RF Canseco (24)      147  2.4
1B McGwire (25)     129  3.2
CF Henderson (30)  98    3
2B Phillips (30)        99     2.7
C Steinbach (27)      92     1.4
SS Gallego (28)        88     2.4
P Moore (29)            142   5.3

Bench
C Hassey (36)         77   .8
SS Weiss (25)          77   .6
DH Parker (38)      110  1
CF Javier (25)        82    .7
SP2 Welch (32)      123   3.5
SP3 Stewart (32)    112   3.8

Yankees are going to throw all right handers at the A's - that might mean Hassey/Weiss/Javier are better starters than the regulars and that's a change LaRussa would make as warranted.  Parker will DH when the series moves to Oakland.  

Yankees-Bucky Harris
1B McQuinn (37)  132   4.2
LF Keller (30)       165    2
CF DiMaggio (32)  154   4.6
RF Henrich (34)    138    4.9
C Berra (22)           115    1.3
3B Brown (22)       114     .8
SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2
2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4
P Chandler (39)      144   3.4

Bench:
DH Robinson (32)   118   1.6
3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2
SP2 Reynolds (30)   110   2.3
SP3 Shea (26)           115   2.9

A's go all right handed starters - that means Billy Johnson sits all 3 games, Johnny Lindell can't crack this outfield for the series; Yogi gets the starts behind the plate and Robinson will DH in Oakland.  Yankees are seed favorites, they have WAR advantage at 1B-2B-SS-CF-RF-DH-

1st: It's 39 year old Spud Chandler who starts game one for the Yankees, 9-5 with a 2.46 ERA; he walks Lansford with one out, that's it. 
1st: 29 year old Mike Moore was 19-11 with a 2.61 ERA for the A's, he's on the Yankee Stadium mound, 1-2-3

2nd: Dave Henderson needs to hit the ball to keep Stan Javier on the bench against these RH Yankee starters - he doubles to open the frame and Tony Phillips follows with a walk - but that's it.
2nd: Bobby Brown walks with one out, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: George McQuinn walks with two out, that's all.  

4th: Mark McGwire singles with one out, that's it.
4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3

6th: This would be expected a series with a lot of offense, not yet, still scoreless, Rickey Henderson leads off with a walk and he immediately steals second - after an out, Canseco flies to right - Henderson daringly takes third on the out - and then McGwire singles to right center and the A's are first on the board.  Dave Henderson follows with a single but that's all A's 1 Yankees 0
6th: McQuinn singles with one out, the first Yankee hit of the day, Charlie Keller and Joe DiMaggio follow with singles - New York is in business, bases loaded and just one out.  Moore gets out of it though and we head to the 7th.

7th: 27 year old right hander Karl Drews was not effective in the regular season, but he comes on for the Yanks; he gives up a one out walk to Mike Gallego, that's all.
7th: 1-2-3, great outing by Moore

8th: Lansford opens with a single - is gunned out trying to steal.  Canseco walks - and Berra fires him out trying to steal.  Definitely the first time we've had two caught stealing in the same inning A's 1 Yankees 0
8th: 1-2-3

9th: 29 year old right hander Randy Gumpert was actively bad in '47, he enters, and after an out, Tony Phillips triples -- and he will score on a Steinbach sac fly.  That's your insurance A's 2 Yankees 0
9th: 34 year old right hander Dennis Eckersley comes on for the A's, 33 saves and a 1.56 ERA - 1-2-3.

A's 2
Yankees 0
WP Moore
LP Chandler

Oakland only got 6 hits, but Moore/Eck held the Yankees to 3 - all singles, all in the 6th inning; just a dominant pitching performance.  Offensively, Lansford/McGwire/Dave Henderson and Tony Phillips all reached twice, Phillips tripled. 

For the Yankees, McQuinn reached twice.

Off we go to Oakland, the A's look to close this out.

1B McQuinn (37)  132   4.2  
LF Keller (30)       165    2
CF DiMaggio (32)  154   4.6
RF Henrich (34)    138    4.9
C Berra (22)           115    1.3
DH Robinson (32)   118   1.6
3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2
SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2
2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4
SP2 Reynolds (30)   110   2.3

LF Henderson (30)  148  5
3B Lansford (32)     131  4
RF Canseco (24)      147  2.4
1B McGwire (25)     129  3.2
DH Parker (38)      110  1
CF Henderson (30)  98    3
2B Phillips (30)        99     2.7
C Hassey (36)         77   .8
SS Weiss (25)          77   .6
SP Welch (32)      123   3.5

1st: 32 year old right hander Bob Welch gets the call in Oakland to push the A's forward; 17-8 with a 3.00 ERA; he walks Charlie Keller with one away, after the second out Tommy Henrich doubles him home. Yankees 1 A's 0
1st: 30 year old right hander Allie Reynolds is tasked with keeping the Yankees alive, 19-8 with a 3.20 ERA; he walks Canseco with two out, that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: George McQuinn doubles with one out - and after the second out scores on a DiMaggio base hit. Henrich follows up that run scoring first inning double with a 2 run homer to right field - this is the offense we expected to see in this series. Yankees 4 A's 0
3rd: After two out, Rickey walks and then Lansford doubles him home - Oakland's on the board. Yankees 4 A's 1

4th: Billy Johnson's at third for the Yankees today; he singles with one out, then Stuffy Stirnweiss singles after the second out - but Welch keeps the Yankees from adding to their lead.
4th: The Cobra, Dave Parker, singles with one out, that's it.

5th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3

6th: Aaron Robinson is DHing for the Yankees, he doubles with one out and after the second out, Rizzuto walks.  Can Welch hold the line? He does.
6th: Canseco singles after an out, but thats it.  We head to the 7th.

7th: Keller singles with one out, after the second out, Henrich continues his strong performance with a base hit - Keller goes all the way to third - and then when Walt Weiss boots a Yogi grounder, Keller scores and we look to be headed to the Bronx Yankees 5 A's 1
7th: 1-2-3 - Reynolds has given up just 3 hits. 

8th: Oakland goes to the pen for the right hander Gene Nelson; 1-2-3
8th: 1-2-3

9th: 1-2-3
9th: 1-2-3

Yankees 5
A's 1
WP Reynolds
LP Welch

Mike Moore dominated in game 1 - it's Allie Reynolds in game 2; complete game 3 hitter.  

McQuinn has now reached 3 times for New York; Keller reached twice today, Tommy Henrich homered/doubled/3 RBI today.

For Oakland, Lansford has now reached three times.  

Back we head to the Bronx one game to go to wrap up the top half of the tournament bracket.

LF Henderson (30)  148  5
3B Lansford (32)     131  4
RF Canseco (24)      147  2.4
1B McGwire (25)     129  3.2
CF Henderson (30)  98    3
2B Phillips (30)        99     2.7
C Steinbach (27)      92     1.4
SS Gallego (28)        88     2.4
SP Stewart (32)    112   3.8

CF DiMaggio (32)  154   4.6
LF Keller (30)       165    2
RF Henrich (34)    138    4.9
1B McQuinn (37)  132   4.2
C Berra (22)           115    1.3
3B Brown (22)       114     .8
SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2
2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4
SP Shea (26)           115   2.9

1st: The top half of the Tournament Bracket ends, fittingly, at Yankee Stadium.  26 year old right hander Spec Shea was 14-5 with a 3.07 ERA; 1-2-3
1st: 32 year old right hander Dave Stewart has all the pressure today; on the road, needing a win - 21-9 with a 3.32 ERA.  He hits DiMaggio in the ribs with the first pitch - DiMaggio doesn't react - but the crowd boos vociferously and you do wonder if Stewart wants to send a first inning message.  Charlie Keller walks, DiMaggio moves to third on a ground out and then scores on a McQuinn sac fly. A's 0 Yankees 1

2nd: McGwire leads off with a walk and he comes all the way around on a Dave Henderson double to right center. Tony Phillips walks - after an out, Shea attempts to pick Phillips off first, the ball goes into right field and now the A's have men on second and third -- and when Mike Gallego singles - both will score and the A's have scored 3 runs. After the second out, Rickey walks, but that's all. A's 3 Yankees 1
2nd: Bobby Brown walks, Rizzuto singles - Stirnweiss singles Brown home and it's 3-2. Shea bunts the runners over -- and then DiMaggio just rips a double to right center that clears the bases and the Yankees retake the lead. This is the game we expected much of the series to look like. A's 3 Yankees 4

3rd: McGwire doubles with one out, that's all.  
3rd: Bobby Brown singles with 2 out, that's all.

4th: Dave Stewart didn't swing the bat in 1989 - but he singles with 2 out here, Rickey walks, but that's all.  
4th: Stirnweiss walks, two outs later he's at second and scores on a Keller base hit. Henrich follows with a single, but that's all. A's 3 Yankees 5

5th: After an out, Mark McGwire homers to straightaway center - the A's draw close, A's 4 Yankees 5
5th: 1-2-3

6th: The right handed Karl Drews takes over for the Yankees - 1-2-3
6th:  DiMaggio singles with two out, but that's it.  We head to the 7th.  A's trailing by a run.

7th: Lansford singles with one out, but thats all.
7th: Tommy Henrich hits one that just curls inside the left field foul pole - the Yankees are once again up by 2 and it is getting late for the A's. Gene Nelson comes on for Oakland to end the inning. A's 4 Yankees 6

8th: The Yankees go to their closer, 29 year old lefty Joe Page, dominant with a 2.48 ERA and over 140 innings pitched. 1-2-3
8th Rizzuto walks and Stirnweiss singles - he's reached 3 times; big spot here for the A's, Nelson gets the next two and then he walks Keller.  Bases loaded for Henrich -- and Nelson strikes him out.  We go to the 9th.

9th: Page gets Gallego to ground out.  One away.  Dave Parker comes to the plate to hit for Nelson - A's trail by a run.  Parker flies to center.  Two away.  Rickey Henderson is the last chance for the A's, largely a quiet series for Henderson - he laces a single to center and Oakland lives.  Carney Lansford is next.  Does Rickey look to take second and get into scoring position?  Rickey with the big lead.  Page throws over multiple times.  Lansford grounds to third -- and it ends.

A's 4
Yankees 6
WP Shea
LP Stewart

DiMaggio reaches 3 times in this one; Keller twice in both games the Yankees took in the series - Henrich is the hitting star, he reached twice today - including a homer after homering in game 2; let's say he and Reynolds are co MVPs





So - that wraps up the top half of the bracket - we've played 32 series, 32 teams have moved forward.  Here's what Round 2 will look like when we get there.

Region One
128. 1979 Baltimore Orioles v. 65. 1984 Detroit Tigers
97. 1977 New York Yankees v. 32. 1943 St Louis Cardinals
16. 1975 Cincinnati Reds v. 49. 1941 New York Yankees
17. 1929 Philadelphia A's v. 81. 1943 New York Yankees

Region Two
127. 1967 St Louis Cardinals v. 63. 1948 Cleveland Indians
98. 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers v. 34. 1952 New York Yankees
15. 1937 New York Yankees v. 50. 1912 New York Giants
18. 1944 St Louis Cardinals v. 82. 2019 Washington Nationals

Region Three
126. 2011 Philadelphia Phillies v. 62. 1949 New York Yankees
30. 1904 New York Giants v. 94. 2017 Houston Astros
14. 1909 Chicago Cubs v. 78. 1978 New York Yankees
19. 1953 New York Yankees v. 96. 1971 Baltimore Orioles

Region Four
125. 1909 Philadelphia A's v. 61. 1921 New York Giants
100. 1922 New York Giants v. 93. 1921 New York Yankees
13. 1970 Baltimore Orioles v. 57. 2013 Boston Red Sox
20. 2018 Boston Red Sox v. 45. 2947 New York Yankees


June, 2020 Athlete of the Month

Monday, June 29, 2020

May is here





Robert Lewandowksi.  Runners-up: Amanda Nunes, Tiz the Law, Sergio Ramos.

Theoretically, the last week of July is the start of major US sports, NBA/MLB - so theoretically, the back half of 2020 will look more like the way this has looked for the past 30 years.  We'll see how that eventuates.


January-Joe Burrow
February - Damien Williams
March -Sabrina Ionescu
April- Chu-Yu Hsien
May-Manuel Neuer
June-Robert Lewandowski

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Four Series 5-6

Saturday, June 27, 2020

3-4 is here




13. 1970 Baltimore Orioles v. 116. 1958 New York Yankees
The '71 Orioles have advanced; two of the 50s Yankees squads have advanced; these two organizations battle here, both of these squads won the World Series. 

Yankees-Casey Stengel
LF Siebern (24)  136  4.6
CF Mantle (26)   188  8.1
RF Slaughter (42) 133  1
C Berra (33)        119     3.4
3B Carey (26)     136      3.3
1B Throneberry (24)  106  0
2B McDougald (30)  98  2.6
SS Kubek (22)    72       2.8
P Ford (29)         177     5.5

Bench:
C Howard (29)    130    2.9
1B Skowron (27)  106   1
RF Bauer (35)     106    1.8
SP2: Turley (27)  119    3.4
SP3 Larsen (28)   116   2

3 platoons for Stengel; the game 1 lineup is against the right handed Palmer, when the Yankees face lefties, Howard/Skowron/Bauer will also slide in (that means no Yogi, yup). Ford's the only lefty going for New York.

Orioles-Earl Weaver
LF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3
RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3
1B Powell (28)           163    5.1
CF Blair (26)              114   5.3
3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3
2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8
C Etchebarren (27)    82    .6
SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9
P Palmer (24)            134    6.3

Bench:
C Hendricks (29)      92    1.5
SS Salmon (29)        86     .1
LF Buford (33)        126    4.4
SP2 McNally (27)   113      4.7
SP3 Cuellar (33)      105     3.5

Buford and Hendricks will move into the game 2 lineup against a right handed starter; Salmon has a lot more bat than Belanger and would replace him if needed.  Orioles have the seed advantage and the WAR advantage at 1B-2B-RF and each starting pitcher.  

1st: 24 year old Jim Palmer was 20-10 with a 2.71 ERA; he stands on the Memorial Stadium mound, Norm Siebern opens the game with a base hit and he comes all the way around to score on a Mickey Mantle double. After an out, Yogi Berra doubles home the second Yankees run, Yankees 2 Orioles 0
1st: 29 year old lefty Whitey Ford was 14-7 with a 2.01 ERA; 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Paul Blair doubles down the left field line; Brooks Robinson follows with a walk, 2 outs later Andy Etchebarren singles to put the Orioles on the board. Mark Belanger singles but the inning will end Yankees 2 Orioles 1

3rd: Mantle singles with one out, after the second out, Yogi walks - and then Andy Carey singles home New York's third run.  Yankees 3 Orioles 1
3rd: Frank Robinson singles with one out, Boog Powell follows with a single, after the second out Brooks Robinson singles - the Orioles have the bases loaded with two away - but Ford slips it.  

4th: Gil McDougald opened with a walk and Tony Kubek then singles - after an out, Siebern walks - and man, oh, man - Mantle's coming to the plate with the bases loaded -- Palmer walks him and it's 4-1.  Slaughter hits a sac fly - now it's 5-1; and then Yogi hits his second double, it scores two, it's 7-1 New York and Palmer's out of the game. 26 year old lefty Marcelino Lopez enters and gets out of it.  Yankees 7 Orioles 1
4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3
5th: Merv Rettenmund singles, that's all.  

6th: Mantle singles with two out, he's reached all 4 times, Slaughter and Berra then walk back to back to load them up -- but that's all.
6th: Brooks Robinson singles and then Davey Johnson hits a two run homer; Baltimore cuts the lead to 7-3; Etchebarren doubles and then Belanger reaches on an error.  Don Buford comes off the Orioles bench  and walks.  There's nobody out - and look what we've got the Orioles have loaded the bases and have a shot to get back into this one. Ford walks Rettenmund and it's 7-4 -- but Ford gets both Frank Robinson and Boog Powell and the threat stops there Yankees 7 Orioles 4

7th: 30 year old lefty Pete Richert gets the call for the Orioles, McDougald walks with one out, Kubek follows with a walk, and Moose Skowron walks when he hits for Ford -- loaded, only one out - Yankees looking to extend the lead; 29 year old right hander Eddie Watt comes on - Siebern hits a sac fly, but Watt gets Mantle, so the Orioles are still in this one Yankees 8 Orioles 4
7th: 29 year old right hander Art Ditmar gets the call, he gives up a single to Blair and then a double to Brooks Robinson - Blair comes all the way around and once again the Yankee lead is down to two runs, and out later Etchebarren singles, but that's all.  Yankees 8 Orioles 5

8th: 29 year old right hander Dave Leonhard enters, Carey singles with two out but that's all.
8th: Rettenmund opens with a single, Boog Powell singles an out later -- Paul Blair is in the game primarily for his glove, but he gets his third hit, Rettenmund scores and it's 8-6, that's where it ends Yankees 8 Orioles 6

9th: 1-2-3...we head to the bottom of the 9th, can Baltimore find two runs?
9th: 29 year old right hander Ryne Duren had a strong year as Yankee closer, 19 saves and a 2.02 ERA, he walks Davey Johnson to put the tying run on - two outs later, Curt Motton, who had just 84 at bats on the season, gets the call to hit in the pitchers spot -- and he walks.  

  Rettenmund hits a hard line drive -- right at Kubek and it's over.

Yankees 8
Orioles 6
WP Ford
LP Palmer

The Orioles out hit the Yankees, 16-9, but the Yankees turned their 9 hits into 8 runs. 

For the Yankees - Siebern reached twice, Mantle 4 times, Yogi 4 times with 2 doubles, Carey/McDougald/Kubek all twice

For the Orioles - Rettenmund reached 3 times, Powell twice, Blair 3 times, Brooks Robinson 4 times, Davey Johnson twice with a homer, Etchebarren 3 times

So - we go to Yankees Stadium, the Bombers looking to wrap this up:

LF Buford (33)        126    4.4
1B Powell (28)           163    5.1
RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3
CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3
3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3
2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8
C Hendricks (29)      92    1.5
SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9
SP McNally (27)   113      4.7

3B Carey (26) 136 3.3
CF Mantle (26)   188  8.1
C Howard (29)    130    2.9
LF Siebern (24)  136  4.6
RF Bauer (35)     106    1.8
1B Skowron (27)  106   1
2B McDougald (30)  98  2.6
SS Kubek (22)    72       2.8
SP: Turley (27)  119    3.4

1st: 27 year old right hander Bob Turley went 21-7 with a 2.97 ERA and he's here to advance the Yankees to the next round. 1-2-3
1st: 27 year old lefty Dave McNally needs to shut down the Yankees in the Bronx; 24-9 with a 3.22 ERA. 1-2-3

2nd: Rettenmund walks to open the frame, that's all.
2nd: With one out, Hank Bauer and Moose Skowron, neither of whom was in the game one lineup, single back to back - McDougald grounds out, but it scores a run Orioles 0 Yankees 1

3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: Turley opens with a walk, two outs later, Mantle walks - that's all.  

4th: 1-2-3
4th: Bauer singles with one out  and after the second out, McDougald singles, but thats all.

5th: 1-2-3 - Bob Turley has yet to allow a hit.
5th: Mantle draws a two out walk, that's all.  Pitchers duel here in the Bronx.

6th: Hendricks opens with a walk - and then Mark Belanger gets the Orioles first hit of the day, Baltimore's got two on and no one out. McNally bunts the runners over -- and then Don Buford hits a sac fly and the Orioles have tied the score.  Boog Powell then singles -- that's going to give Baltimore their second run.  Orioles 2 Yankees 1
6th: 1-2-3 -- now it's McNally on top in the pitchers duel.

7th: 1-2-3
7th: Kubek walks with one away, but that's all.  Another tight one in this series.

8th: Turley's allowed just two hits but trails as we hit the 8th, Hendricks doubles to lead off, after an out, Weaver calls on Terry Crowley to hit for McNally - he walks. And then so does Buford -- bases loaded for the Orioles - Boog Powell grounds to first -- but Skowron boots it, and the run will score, that's all - but now it's Orioles 3 Yankees 1
8th: Pete Richert is on for Baltimore; 1-2-3

9th: Brooks Robinson singles with one out - but that's it.  Really strong work by Turley but it may not be enough.
9th: Hank Bauer opens with a single -- that brings the tying run to the plate; Richert gets the next two and Weaver brings in Eddie Watt, he gives up a single to Kubek -- well, here we go, the tying run is on base - 42 year old Enos Slaughter is your pinch hitter -- Watt gets him to ground to third and it's done.

Orioles 3
Yankees 1
WP McNally
LP Turley
Sv Watt

Just ten combined hits in this one; McNally goes 7 for the win.  Complete game 4 hit loss for Turley.  Powell has now reached 3 times, Rettenmund 4, Brooks Robinson 5, Hendricks 2

For New York - Mantle's reached 6 times, Bauer 3, McDougald 3 and Kubek 4. 

Back to Baltimore.  Winner Take All.

3B Carey (26) 136 3.3
CF Mantle (26)   188  8.1
C Howard (29)    130    2.9
LF Siebern (24)  136  4.6
RF Berra (33)        119     3.4
1B Skowron (27)  106   1
2B McDougald (30)  98  2.6
SS Kubek (22)    72       2.8
SP Larsen (28)   116   2

LF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3
1B Powell (28)           163    5.1
RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3
3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3
CF Blair (26)              114   5.3
2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8
C Hendricks (29)      92    1.5
SS Salmon (29)        86     .1
SP Cuellar (33)      105     3.5

1st: It all comes down to this - 33 year old Mike Cuellar, a lefty, on the hometown mound for the Orioles, 24-8 with a 3.48 ERA - with two out, he gives up a single to Elston Howard and a walk to Siebern - but that's all.
1st: 28 year old right hander Don Larsen was 9-6 for the Yankees with a 3.07 ERA; 1-2-3

2nd: McDougald draws a one out walk, that's all.  
2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Mantle singles with one out, but that's all.
3rd: Hendricks opens with a single - that's it.  Scoreless through 3 in Baltimore.

4th: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3

5th: Larsen singles with one out, after a second out - Weaver decides to intentionally walk Mantle in a scoreless game 3 -- it doesn't work out, Elston Howard singles, and then Siebern follows with a single.  Two runs score and we head to the bottom of the 5th Yankees 2 Orioles 0
5th: Davey Johnson singles with two out - but that's it.  We go to the 6th.  Another tight one in this series.

6th: Skowron opens with a base hit - that's it. 
6th: 1-2-3 -- very similar to game 2, this one is a pitchers duel.

7th: With one out - Mantle hits an absolute nightmare to dead center and it's 3-0; Yankees 3 Orioles 0. 
7th: 1-2-3 -- Don Larsen has shut this Oriole club down.

8th: Richert enters for the Orioles. McDougald hits a two out double, but that's all.
8th: Paul Blair opens with a single - do the Orioles have life? Davey Johnson singles - 2 on for the Birds.  Larsen gets one - but then he walks Chico Salmon.  Bases loaded and just one away - this is the shot for the Orioles.  Don Buford comes up in the pitchers spot - he laces a single to left - the Orioles are on the board, still only one away and the bases are still loaded.  Casey goes to the pen - it's Ryne Duren -- he strikes out Rettemund.  That brings up Boog Powell. Tying runs in scoring position.  How about this for a big spot?  3-2 count.....big pitch....Powell walks.  That brings in the second run.  Frank Robinson has had a desperately quiet series - but here he comes in the biggest spot of the series.  Bases loaded.  2 out.  Orioles still down a run.  The tension is palpable -- Robinson singles to left -- that's going to score Salmon -- here comes Buford -- it's going to score Buford!  The Orioles have scored 4 runs and take the lead. Yankees 3 Orioles 4

9th: Eddie Watt comes on to try to close this down. Andy Carey walks.  So - now here's Mantle -- tying run on base.  Mantle hits a bomb -- deep -  deep -- to right center -- but Paul Blair makes a helluva play, tracking the ball down for the first out. Watt then strikes out Howard.  Two away.  Siebern singles to keep the Yankees alive.  First and Second for Yogi - two out -- and Yogi hits a sinking line drive to left center - that's snared by Paul Blair and it's over.

Yankees 3
Orioles 4
WP Richert
LP Larsen

In every game of the series, the team that got more hits lost, the MVP -- it's Eddie Watt, pitches in all 3 games, scoreless - earned saves in games 2 and 3.


The Orioles advance.  They'll take on the winner of this next matchup:




52. 2013 Boston Red Sox v. 77. 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers

World Champion Red Sox looking to become the first Boston team to advance; they meet the NL Champion Dodgers - there's not a Brooklyn team in the next round yet.


Dodgers-Leo Durocher
CF Reiser (22)   164  7.1
1B Camilli (34)  164  6.5
RF Walker (30)   132  4.9
LF Medwick (29) 141 4
3B Riggs (31)     131    1.5
DH Wasdell (27) 110   .8
2B Herman (31)  104   3.5
SS Reese (22)      68     2.7
C Franks (27)      52    .1
P Wyatt (33)       159   7.5

Bench:
C Owen (25)      62        .9
3B Lavagetto (28)  110  3.3
SP2: Davis (37)   125     2.9
SP3: Higbe (26)   118     2.9

Sox throwing a right hander in game one; Owen moves into the lineup in game 2 against a lefty, Lavagetto might as well; he's the regular at third, Riggs has the better bat.

Red Sox-John Farrell
CF Ellsbury (29)  113  4.9
RF Victorino (32)  118  5.5
DH Ortiz (37)       159   4.7
LF Carp (27)         139   1.3
1B Napoli (31)      128   3.4
C Saltalamacchia (28)   118   3.1
SS Drew (30)        111     3.5
2B Pedroia (29)    115     5.6
3B Iglesias (23)    115     1.6
P Buchholz (28)    237    4

Bench:
LF Nava (30)       127    2.8
SP2 Lester (29)    110    3.3
SP3 Lackey (34)  117    3.4

Ortiz plays 1st in game 2; Nava/Carp will be a hot hand decision by Farrell and regular season starters Middlebrooks and Gomes have been benched.  Dodgers have all right handed starters.  Sox are seed favorites, they've got a WAR advantage at C-2B-SS-3B (unless Lavagetto plays) RF-DH-and games 2 and 3 at SP

1st: It takes 100 IP to start a tournament game; 28 year old RH Clay Buchholz had 108, that's good for the Sox, he comes in 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA; Pete Reiser opens with a single but is then gunned down trying to steal second - that means no one is on base when Dolph Camilli tripled off the Monster, and the Dodgers don't score.  
1st: 33 year old RH Whit Wyatt gets the ball for the Dodgers, 22-10 with a 2.34 ERA, Shane Victorino singles with one away, David Ortiz follows with a base hit, but that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Saltalamacchia singles to open the inning, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: Victorino gets hit with two out, but that's all. 

4th: Camilli opens with his second hit, an out later Medwick walks - but that's all.
4th: Matt Carp got the start in LF today; with the Dodgers throwing all right handed starters, Farrell goes with the left handed hitting Carp, and he opens with a double. Two outs later Stephen Drew lines a single to right - Carp scores and the Sox are on the board. Dodgers 0 Sox 1

5th: Pee Wee Reese walks with one out and then swipes second - after a second out, Pete Reiser doubles him home, Camilli walks but that's all.  Dodgers 1 Sox 1
5th: Victorino singles with two out - then steals second - and then scores on an Ortiz single - the Sox regain the lead Dodgers 1 Sox 2

6th: Lew Riggs got the start at third for Durocher facing the right handed Buchholz, he singles with one out, that's all.
6th: 1-2-3

7th: Reiser walks with two out, that's all. 
7th: Pedroia reached on an error - but thats it. Tight one in Fenway.

8th: 32 year old lefty Craig Breslow was tremendous, a 1.81 ERA and he takes over for Boston, 1-2-3.
8th: Ortiz singles again, he's got 3 hits - two outs later Saltalamacchia walks,  but Wyatt gets out of it.  We're headed to the 9th.

9th: The Sox closer is 38 year old right hander Koji Uehara - and good god did he have a good year; 21 saves and a 1.09 ERA. He gives up a one out double to Billy Herman, the Dodgers have the tying run in scoring position -- but they can't push it across.

Dodgers 1
Red Sox 2
WP Buchholz
LP Wyatt

Combined 6 hitter for the Sox and Wyatt went the whole way for Brooklyn in the loss. 

Two hits for Victorino, he reached 3 times; 3 for Ortiz, Saltalamacchia reached twice.

For Brooklyn - Reiser reached three times, so did Camilli, and he tripled.

We head to Ebbets, the Dodgers needing a win to stay alive.

CF Ellsbury (29)  113  4.9
RF Victorino (32)  118  5.5
1B Ortiz (37)       159   4.7
LF Nava (30)       127    2.8
C Saltalamacchia (28)   118   3.1
SS Drew (30)        111     3.5
2B Pedroia (29)    115     5.6
3B Iglesias (23)    115     1.6
 Lester (29)    110    3.3

3B Lavagetto (28)  110  3.3
2B Herman (31)  104   3.5
LF Medwick (29) 141 4
CF Reiser (22)   164  7.1
1B Camilli (34)  164  6.5
RF Walker (30)   132  4.9
SS Reese (22)      68     2.7
C Owen (25)      62        .9
SP: Davis (37)   125     2.9

1st: The Dodgers need 37 year old right hander Curt Davis to extend their tournament, 13-7, 2.97 ERA - he gives up a one out single to Victorino, but that's all.
1st: Boston calls on 29 year old lefty Jon Lester, 15-8, 3.75 ERA - He gives up a double to Cookie Lavagetto, back in the lineup for Durocher - and then a single to Billy Herman, and just like that, the Dodgers have a lead. Ducky Medwick then singles - but Lester limits the damage, Sox 0 Dodgers 1

2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: With one out, Herman walks, and then Medwick gets his second hit - a Reiser groundout scores a run - and then Dolph Camilli doubles - that plates another. Lester walks Dixie Walker, and this inning will end Sox 0 Dodgers 3

4th: Ortiz draws a one out walk, but that's it.  Davis has only given up one hit.
4th: Mickey Owen gets the start today, he singles - two outs later it's Billy Herman again, he doubles and Owen's going to score - its a happy Ebbets crowd, Sox 0 Dodgers 4

5th: Iglesias singles with one out - that's it.
5th: Reiser singles - and he comes all the way around on a second Camilli double; Walker walks again, after an out - Owen drives both men home with his second hit -- this one sure looks to be over; 32 year old right hander Jake Peavy gets the ball and ends the inning, Sox 0 Dodgers 7.

6th: Ellsbury opens with a single and after an out, Ortiz flies out to the deepest part of the yard - that's it for Davis, despite the big lead, Durocher goes to the pen for 26 year old right hander Newt Kimball - Davis gets a huge Brooklyn roar as he exits - this inning ends Sox 0 Dodgers 7
6th: Lavagetto reaches on an error; two outs later, he scores on a Reiser double. Dolph Camilli ends the game with a 2 run bomb -- we are headed to Fenway for game 3 - Sox 0 Dodgers 10

7th: With two out, Pedroia and Iglesias single, that's all.
7th: 30 year old right hander Alfredo Aceves enters, he gives up a one out single to Owen, the Dodgers hit for the pitcher, Durocher calling on 28 year old Alex Kampouris - he only had 51 at bats during the season, but was scalding hot with a 183 OPS+, he walks and so does Lavagetto to load the bases, Herman walks, that's 11 runs, the 12th scores on a Medwick groundout and the 13th on a walk to Reiser.  Sox 0 Dodgers 13

8th: 36 year old right hander Johnny Allen had an excellent year in the Dodger pen with a 2.51 ERA. He gives up a one out Victorino single, but that's it.
8th: Reese walks with one out, that's all.

9th: Saltalamacchia doubles with one out, that's all.

Red Sox 0
Dodgers 13
WP Davis
LP Lester

Game 1 was 2-1 and this was not that.  Brooklyn forces the showdown game with a blowout.

Lavagetto reaches twice, you'll see him in the game 3 lineup, Herman reached 4 times with 3 RBI; Medwick reaches twice, Reiser had 3 RBI and has now reached 6 times - Camilli's also reached six times and in this one he homered, doubled twice, had 4 RBI. And Mickey Owen guaranteed he'll stay behind the Game 3 plate with 3 hits.

For the Sox, Victorino's now reached 5 times, Ortiz 4, Salty 3, and Iglesias had two hits today.

Lets go to Fenway for Game 3.  Winner advances to face the '70 Orioles.

CF Reiser (22)   164  7.1
1B Camilli (34)  164  6.5
RF Walker (30)   132  4.9
LF Medwick (29) 141 4
DH Riggs (31)     131    1.5
3B Lavagetto (28)  110  3.3
2B Herman (31)  104   3.5
SS Reese (22)      68     2.7
C Owen (25)      62        .9
SP: Higbe (26)   118     2.9

CF Ellsbury (29)  113  4.9
RF Victorino (32)  118  5.5
DH Ortiz (37)       159   4.7
LF Carp (27)         139   1.3
1B Napoli (31)      128   3.4
C Saltalamacchia (28)   118   3.1
SS Drew (30)        111     3.5
2B Pedroia (29)    115     5.6
3B Iglesias (23)    115     1.6
SP Lackey (34)  117    3.4

1st: We've almost completed the top half of the bracket in the greatest MLB tournament ever and there isn't a Red Sox team yet moving forward. 34 year old right hander John Lackey stands on the Fenway mount hoping to change that. Below .500 on the season 10-13, with a 3.52 ERA. He gives up a one out walk to Dolph Camilli, but that's all. 
1st: 26 year old Kirby Higbe went 22-9 for the Dodgers with a 3.14 ERA - he walks Ellsbury and then gives up a double to Victorino, that scores Ellsbury - and then gives up doubles to Ortiz and Carp.  It's 3-0 Sox with nobody out. Higbe's able to stop it there - but this Fenway crowd is lit up tonight, they're ready to move this team forward. Dodgers 0 Sox 3

2nd: Lew Riggs is the Dodger DH, he singles, but that's all.  
2nd: Ellsbury doubles with two out, that's 4 Sox doubles, but that's all.

3rd: Reiser doubles with one away, after the second out Dixie Walker singles him home - and then Ducky Medwick ties the game with a homer over the Green Monster.  3-3 -- and on the next pitch Riggs joins him.  Back to Back for the Dodgers and look out now, Dodgers 4 Sox 3
3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Mickey Owen walks with one out, thats all.
4th: Iglesias singles with 2 out, Ellsbury follows with a single -- 2 on, 2 out - tying run on base for the Sox - but that's it.

5th: After an out, Dixie Walker hits the Dodgers third homer, Medwick follows with a single and after the second out Lavagetto singles. Lackey really needs to get out of this - he does, Dodgers 5 Sox 3
5th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3
6th: Salty opens with a single - can Boston get something going; they can't.  

7th: With two away, Medwick and Riggs single back to back, 3 hits today for Medwick, and then Lavagetto doubles both of them home --- well now it's 6-3 Dodgers and this Fenway crowd can barely believe what they're seeing. The lefty Craig Breslow enters, he gives up a Herman double and this one might be out of reach Dodgers 8 Sox 3
7th: Iglesias walks, two outs later Ortiz walks - but that's all.

8th: 1-2-3
8th: Pedroia walks with 2 away, Iglesias follows with a single - and then Ellsbury singles.  So, bases loaded and two out - Sox need to hit the ball loudly. Victorino singles -- that's going to score two runs.  Now it's 8-5 -- Durocher isn't turning to the pen -- David Ortiz to the plate.  And David Ortiz hits a 3 run homer to left center!  Fenway explodes - the Sox have scored 5 in the 8th; Big Papi crosses the plate and the Sox dugout has emptied out - Durocher turns to the pen as the huge celebration takes place. 32 year old right hander Mace Brown enters - all of this has happened with 2 away; he gives up a double to Carp --- and then a double to Napoli -- Carp comes around to score the go ahead run.  The Sox have scored 6 and now it's Dodgers 8 Red Sox 9

9th: Uehara is on the close this series out. He gets an 0-2 count on Dixie Walker - but Walker doubles off the wall.  Medwick then hits a shot - deep into left field -- but Carp makes a nice running grab.  Walker advances and he stands at third base with one out.  Uehara strikes out Riggs.  Now there are two away and Farrell decides to put Lavagetto on base.  Do you put the potential go ahead run on base? Billy Herman runs the count full - and then loops a base hit just out of Drew's reach - it is 9-9; that's where it ends.  Dodgers 9 Sox 9
9th: Hugh Casey enters for Brooklyn, 1-2-3.

We're going to extra innings in this winner take all game.  

10th: 27 year old right hander Junichi Tazawa takes the ball for the Sox; he gives up a two out double to Camilli - Dixie Walker is a triple short of the cycle and Farrell decides to put him on base.  Ducky Medwick comes to the plate - go ahead run at second; two away - Medwick also has 3 hits today - everyone is gripping their seat tight -- Tazawa strikes him out.  Huge roar and we go to the bottom of the 10th.
10th: Casey hits Ellsbury with the first pitch of the inning - and the potential clinching run is on base. On the next pitch, Casey hits Victorino -- Casey bends over at the waist - two pitches, two hit batsmen - and the winning run is in scoring position with no one away. Ortiz flies deep to right - Ellsbury advances to third.  The clinching run is 90 feet away. Matt Carp comes to the plate.  AND HE HITS A 3 RUN HOMER.  Matt Carp has hit the first walk off homer in the tournament - and its a walk off homer to win the series.  Jubilation!  Jubilation at Fenway Park - the Red Sox will move on.

Dodgers 9
Red Sox 12
WP Tazawa
LP Casey

Big game for Ellsbury, he reached 5 times. Big series for Victorino - he reached 8 times with 3 RBI today.  How about Ortiz?  Hit that 3 run homer in the 8th? Also doubled - he reached base 7 times in the series.  Iglesias reached 5 times in the last two games.

But the MVP is Matt Carp - a utilityman for this Sox team; their 5th OF - two doubles today and a walk off 3 run homer to clinch the series.  We're going to co-MVP this with Ortiz, given his tying homer in the 8th.



The 1970 Orioles will meet the 2013 Red Sox.

Two series left to finish the top half of the bracket.  

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