18. 1944 St Louis Cardinals v. 111. 1914 Boston Braves
The '43 Cards are already safely in the next round; this is our initial look at a Boston Braves club. Both teams won the Series; one will move forward and claim the second to the last Region 2 slot.
Game One
Braves-George Stallings
2B Evers (32) 113 4.4
LF Connolly (30) 158 3.9
3B Smith (24) 148 2.7
RF Gilbert (22) 110 .6
1B Schmidt (27) 106 1.3
CF Cather (25) 115 .1
C Gowdy (24) 100 2.8
SS Maranville (22) 85 5.1
P James (22) 150 7.1
Bench:
RF Whitted (24) 105 1
CF Mann (21) 95 1.5
Game 2 SP: Rudolph (26) 121 6.3
Game 3 SP: Tyler (24) 106 2.4
Here's the Braves lineup against the right hander Cooper; they'll platoon in RF if the Cards throw a lefty in game 3; CF is up for grabs, they're benching their regular starter Mann to get a little more bat in game 1, but that's a decision to be revisited. The Braves rotation is set for all games in the series.
Cardinals-Billy Southworth
CF Hopp (27) 150 5.2
RF Musial (23) 174 7.9
1B Sanders (27) 125 2.6
C Cooper (29) 136 4.3
LF Bergamo (27) 117 1
3B Kurowski (26) 118 3.8
SS Marion (27) 90 4
2B Verban (28) 62 1.1
P Cooper (31) 145 5.4
Bench: LF Litwhiler (27) 109 2
Game 2 SP: Munger (25) 268 3.3
Game 3 SP: Lanier (28) 135 4
Wilks (28) 135 3.3
Here's the Cards lineup against the right hander James; they'll platoon in left, Litwhiler getting the start if the series goes 3 games. 40 year old Pepper Martin is on the bench; he won't get a start, but is a pinch hitting threat. They've got a lot of starting pitching on this Cardinal club; probably they go Munger/Lanier in games 2-3, but Wilks is here and I didn't even list Brecheen, who went 16-5 with a 2.85 ERA as a possibility. Favored Cards have the WAR advantage at C-1B-3B-CF-RF
1st: 31 year old right hander Mort Cooper takes a 22-7 record with a 2.46 ERA into this one; he gets the first two, then Red Smith singles -- Larry Gilbert hit five homers on the season - but he gets ahold of one here; it goes to dead center and the Braves end the top of the first leading Braves 2 Cards 0
1st: 22 year old right hander Bill James takes a 26-7 record with a 1.90 ERA to the hill for Boston; Johnny Hopp leads off with a base hit - and then the great Stan Musial doubles to center - Hopp comes all the way around to score and now it's 2-1; Musial takes third on an errant throw and then scores the tying run on a Ray Sanders base knock. A groundout moves Sanders up a base - and then Augie Bergamo singles him home - the inning will end Braves 2 Cardinals 3
2nd: 3 up, 3 down.
2nd: With two out, Hopp doubles - George Stallings isn't messing around with Musial again; they put him on intentionally - and it works out when James gets Sanders to line to first.
3rd: Johnny Evers is in his first year as a Brave and he doubles with one out - Joe Connolly then singles to right - Evers scores and we're all knotted at 3. Red Smith singles - they're on the corners - Gilbert adds his third RBI of the day with a groundout. Braves 4 Cards 3
3rd: Whitey Kurowksi walks with two out - that's followed by a Marty Marion single, but James keeps the Cards there.
4th: Ted Cather is a reserve outfielder for the Braves, but he got the start in center today with a little extra bat against a right hander - that pays off here, he singles to center and then steals second; Hank Gowdy drives a single to right - Cather's going to score and now it's 5-3; Maranville grounds to the right side - that moves Gowdy up a base and then Bill James helps himself with a base hit to score him, goodness gracious the Braves have brought their bats to this one and it's 6-3. Connolly is going to draw a walk but the inning ends Braves 6 Cardinals 3
4th: With one out, Hopp gets his third hit of the day - Musial's also aboard for the third time - he singles to right, there are men on the corners with one out; I don't know if a slugfest was anticipated today. Sanders walks. Bases loaded. One out. Walker Cooper singles hard to center - now it's 6-4, still nobody out. An out later - James walks Kurowski and it's 6-5 but that's as far as it goes. Braves 6 Cardinals 5
5th: 3 up, 3 down.
5th: Light hitting Emil Verban opens up with a base hit - Mort Cooper stays in the game, attempts to bunt him over, but Sanders crashes down, makes a helluva play to scoop up the bunt, fire on to second and get the lead runner. Johnny Hopp gets his 4th hit of the day - punching a ball to left; two on, one out and Musial comes to the plate. James is super careful here - he walks Musial again, Stan's aboard 4 times today. But now it's loaded with just one out. Sanders grounds to second - they flip to short to get one...but can't make the turn, Cooper scores the tying run and it's 6-6 --- that brings Walker Cooper to the plate -- and he hits a 3 run jack -- the bats today - the bats today -- it is 9-6 Cardinals through 5 innings. Finally James's day comes to an end, the Braves best pen arm is a 20 year old right hander Paul Strand and he ends the inning. Braves 6 Cardinals 9
6th: Don't look now, but Cooper has settled in.
6th: After two out - it's Verban again, tripling into the right field corner; but he's stranded (pun intended)
7th: With one out, Connolly's aboard on an error, Smith singles and then Gilbert walks. So much for settling on - the Braves are in business, bases loaded with just one out. Do the Cards go to the pen? Nah. And Cooper gets out of it. Gets Schmidt and Cather and it's still 9-6
7th: Sanders gets a two out single but that's all. 2 innings to go.
8th: With two out, Possum Whitted hits for Strand, he singles, but that's it.
8th: 24 year old right hander Dick Crutcher is on for the Braves, he gives up a one out single to Kurowski, but that's all. We head to the 9th.
9th: There are a couple of strong bullpen arms for the Cards; one is a 30 year old right hander Blix Donnelly and he gets the ball with 3 outs to get; he gives up a leadoff walk to Donnelly, then gets the next two - just one out to go - Schmidt hits a ground ruled double - and now the tying run comes to the plate; Cather squirts a ball through the infield, Donnelly scores -- now it's 9-7 with runners on the corners -- but Donnelly gets Gowdy and it's done.
Braves 7
Cards 9
WP Cooper
LP James
For the Cards:
Hopp - 4 hits, with a double
Musial - on base 4 times with a double
Sanders - 2 hits
Cooper had that big 3 run home run; 4 RBI
Kurowski reached 3 times
Verban had two hits including a triple
For the Braves:
Connolly reached 3 times
Smith had 3 hits
Gilbert hit a 2 run homer and had 3 RBI
Cather had two hits
We're heading to Boston for game 2; right handers on the mound again, Munger for the Cards and Rudolph, needing a win, for the Braves.
CF Hopp (27) 150 5.2
RF Musial (23) 174 7.9
1B Sanders (27) 125 2.6
C Cooper (29) 136 4.3
LF Bergamo (27) 117 1
3B Kurowski (26) 118 3.8
SS Marion (27) 90 4
2B Verban (28) 62 1.1
P Munger (25) 268 3.3
2B Evers (32) 113 4.4
LF Connolly (30) 158 3.9
3B Smith (24) 148 2.7
RF Gilbert (22) 110 .6
1B Schmidt (27) 106 1.3
CF Cather (25) 115 .1
C Gowdy (24) 100 2.8
SS Maranville (22) 85 5.1
P Rudolph (26) 121 6.3
No lineup changes at all, makes sense given how both teams hit the ball in game 1 - must win for the Braves back home.
1st: Dick Rudolph went 26-10 with a 2.35 ERA for the Braves and he's needed to keep their hopes alive; Johnny Hopp had four hits in game one and he keeps it rolling with a leadoff double; Musial is next - he reached four times as well and also continues - singling to right, scoring Hopp - the Cards just keep pounding away. Sanders walks - Walker Cooper had the big blow in game one, the 3 run homer - and he gets a base hit, Musial scores - it's 2-0 and there still aren't any outs, Rudolph gets the next 3 - but the Cards, just needing today to move on, are up Cards 2 Braves 0
1st: All the Cards rotation options are good ones; they go with 25 year old Red Munger today; 11-3 with a 1.34 ERA; he has an easy time of it and we head to the second.
2nd: Rudolph matches Munger.
2nd: With one out, Butch Schmidt doubles, but he can't advance.
3rd: Sanders singles with one out, but that's it.
3rd: 3 up, 3 down. After three it remains Cards 2 Braves 0
4th: Whitey Kurowski reached three times in game one, he singles to open the 4th, Marty Marion follows with a single, Emil Verban tripled back in game one - he singles here, Kurowski scores, it's now 3-0 with nobody out and there's a pall cast over the South End Grounds. After an out - Johnny Hopp maybe wraps up the MVP Award - he hits a 3 run bomb - that's six hits for Hopp - it's now 6-0 and the champagne is on ice in the visitor's clubhouse. Musial follows with a single. but we head to the bottom of the 4th, Cards 6 Braves 0
4th: Connolly opens with a walk and after an out Gilbert singles - but nothing else.
5th: After an out, Kurowski singles again, but that's all.
5th: Easy 5th for Munger and it's 6-0 as we go to the 6th.
6th: After an out - Johnny Hopp singles, his 7th hit of the series, and then Musial singles for the 7th time he's reached base in the series. The Cardinals are killin' suckers today. A Sanders groundout scores Hopp, it's 7-0. Paul Strand comes on now for the Braves, he gives up a single to Cooper but that's all. Cards 7 Braves 0
6th: 3 up, 3 down.
7th: Verban singles with 2 out, but that's all.
7th: Schmidt walks with 2 out, but the Braves can't get anything going against Munger today.
8th: 3 up, 3 down.
8th: That's it for Munger, terrific start - 24 year old Bud Byerly gets the call; after an out, he gives up a single to Maranville, Whitted hits in the pitchers spot - he grounds to third - Kurowski throws to second -- but throws it into right field for a 2 base error -- Evers then singles to right, Maranville scores and it's 7-1; that's it - we are going to the 9th, Cards 7 Braves 1
9th: 24 year old right hander Iron Davis takes the hill for the Braves - he walks Cooper, walks Bergamo, throws a wild pitch and the Cards have two in scoring position - Kurowski lines out, Marion grounds out - but that scores Cooper. Verban comes through again - he singles - they'll be headed to the exits now in Boston, it's 9-1. Dick Crutcher gets the call from the pen - Pepper Martin, Cardinal hero, is sent to pinch hit, he flies to left, Cards 9 Braves 1
9th: 22 year old Al Jursich takes over to get the last 3 outs, he does.
Cardinals 9
Braves 1
WP Munger
LP Rudolph
Great outing for Munger, 7 innings, 2 hits. Musial reached base 7 times in the series; Cooper had 5 RBI in the series; Verban hit - Kurowski hit. But the MVP is Hippity Hopp - 7 hits including 2 doubles and that 3 run homer today that was the knockout blow.
The '44 Cards move on - there's one spot remaining in Region 1.
47. 1956 New York Yankees v. 82. 2019 Washington Nationals
The '52 Yankees are already through - the '56 World Series Champs meet, at the time of this writing, the most recent World Series Champions.
Nationals-Davey Martinez
1B Kendrick (35) 142 2.8
3B Rendon (29) 153 6.6
SS Turner (26) 113 3.6
LF Soto (20) 138 5.4
C Suzuki (35) 102 .9
2B Dozier (32) 95 1.1
RF Eaton (30) 101 2.5
CF Robles (22) 88 3.1
P Scherzer (34) 157 6.2
Bench:
C Gomes (31) 78 1.4
1B Adams (30) 83 -.1
2B Cabrera (33) 143 1
Game 2 SP: Strasburg (30) 138 6.6
Game 3 SP: Corbin (29) 141 6.5
Probably, Adams/Cabrera are platooning at first and second and they'll face right handed Yankee starters the rest of the series (Adams is not going to play; if I don't have to, I'm not playing a negative WAR player in this tournament) Gomes/Suzuki will be a play the hot bat situation for Martinez.
Yankees-Casey Stengel
LF Cerv (31) 146 .6
C Berra (31) 142 6.1
CF Mantle (24) 210 10.8
1B Skowron (25) 142 4
SS McDougald (28) 127 5
RF Bauer (33) 102 1.2
2B Martin (28) 89 1.2
3B Carey (24) 74 .6
P Ford (27) 157 6.1
Bench
LF Howard (27) 80 -.1
Game 2 SP: Sturdivant (26) 118 3.5
Game 3 SP: Larsen (26) 119 2.6
Howard plays left if we get to game 3 (nope) and the Nats throw the lefty Corbin; not likely to see much change before then. The Favored Yanks have the advantage at C-1B-2B-SS-CF; the Nats have the starting pitching advantage in each game
1st: Whitey Ford is a 27 year old lefty; 19-6 with a 2.46 ERA; he has an easy first.
1st: Max Scherzer is a 34 year old right hander, 11-7 with a 2.92 ERA; after two out, Mickey Mantle singles to left center, but that's all.
2nd: Juan Soto leads off with a walk but that's it.
2nd: Gil McDougald opens the Yankee second by hitting a ball that just barely clears the left field wall - the Yankee Stadium faithful let him know about it - the Bombers are up 1. 2 outs later, Andy Carey doubles, but it ends there. Nationals 0 Yankees 1
3rd: After two out, Howie Kendrick gets the Nats their first hit of the day, a single to right center; Anthony Rendon then rips a base hit to right center - Kendrick's running on the pitch and he slides into third. Trea Turner gets behind 0-2, fights off a couple of foul balls- and then hits a line drive right down the right field line --- everyone is going to score..the inning will end Nationals 2 Yankees 1
3rd: Yogi draws a one out walk, he's replaced on the bases by Mantle after a fielder's choice - and then Moose Skowron ties the game with a double over Robles' head in center - the Mick trucks all the way around to score the inning ends Nationals 2 Yankees 2
4th: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3
5th: Victor Robles singles to open the frame and moves over on a Scherzer sacrifice; Howie Kendrick singles again, driving a ball to right -- Robles never stops, sliding in under the tag after Bauer's throw to the plate, the inning will end Nationals 3 Yankees 2
5th: Whitey could swing the bat a little and he opens up with a single - Bob Cerv, who took Elston Howard's left field job for the tournament, then doubles to the right field corner -- New York takes a shot and sends Ford - challenging Adam Eaton - Eaton hits Dozier -- who throws home - and Suzuki swipe tags Ford, preventing the tying run and the Yankees won't score at all
6th: Soto opens with a single, after an out, Brian Dozier singles, runners on the corners, but Ford gets an Adam Eaton double play to hold the Nats lead to one.
6th: Scherzer rolls through them.
7th: Robles opens with a walk, Martinez decides to leave Scherzer in, his bunt attempt is unsuccessful and there's one away. An out later Rendon singles - the Nats have runners on the corners for Turner, who doubled home the Nats first two runs back in the third. Ford gets him. It remains 3-2.
7th: After an out, Stengel leaves Ford to hit for himself and he works a walk, he's replaced on the basepaths by Cerv after a fielders choice and with 2 away, Yogi singles. So, here's the spot. 2 on 2 out. Yankees down by a run. Mickey Mantle comes to the plate. And he hits a moon shot. Deep into the right field seats -- a 3 run bomb - Mantle has brought the Yankees back and now they lead 5-3. 26 year old right hander Tanner Rainey comes on for Scherzer, who just went one batter two long today, he gives up a walk to Skowron and a single to McDougald, but that's it. Nationals 3 Yankees 5
8th: With 2 out, Ford gives up a single to Dozier, but that's all.
8th: Andy Carey doubles with two out, Casey calls on 35 year old Eddie Robinson to hit for Ford -- Robinson's an interesting choice, he only hit .222 - but he had 5 homers in just 62 plate appearances and maybe Casey thinks he has a chance to catch one here. And by god he does. Eddie Robinson lines one into the right field seats -- pandemonium at Yankee Stadium, it's a two run that makes it 7-3 and probably ends this one. Cerv follows with a double, that forces Martinez back to the pen, 27 year old right hander Wander Suero gets the call, he gives up a double to Berra - it's 8-3; Mantle walks and Suero's able to end it, but it sure looks ended; Nationals 3 Yankees 8
9th: 36 year old Tommy Byrne gets the call to nail it down, he gives up a pinch triple to Asdrubal Cabrera, but it doesn't change the scoreboard.
Nationals 3
Yankees 8
WP Ford
LP Scherzer
For the Yankees -
Cerv had 2 doubles
Yogi reached base 3 times including a double
Mantle reached base 4 times including that 3 run homer than won the game
McDougald homers, Robinson homered
Carey doubled twice and Whitey Ford went 8, giving up 3
For the Nats-
2 hits each for Kendrick/Rendon/Dozier.
We're heading to DC for Game 2 - Stephen Strasburg in the must win game for the Nats; Tom Sturdivant for the Yanks, both right handed.
Yankees-Casey Stengel
LF Cerv (31) 146 .6
C Berra (31) 142 6.1
CF Mantle (24) 210 10.8
1B Skowron (25) 142 4
SS McDougald (28) 127 5
RF Bauer (33) 102 1.2
2B Martin (28) 89 1.2
3B Carey (24) 74 .6
P Sturdivant (26) 118 3.5
Nationals-Davey Martinez
2B Cabrera (33) 143 1
LF Soto (20) 138 5.4
3B Rendon (29) 153 6.6
1B Kendrick (35) 142 2.8
RF Eaton (30) 101 2.5
SS Turner (26) 113 3.6
CF Robles (22) 88 3.1
C Gomes (31) 78 1.4
P Strasburg (30) 138 6.6
Yankees roll out the same lineup; Cabrera and Gomes slide in for the Nats in the must win game 2 at Nationals Park. One Region 2 spot remains.
1st: Must win game for the Nats and Stephen Strasburg, 18-6, 3.32 ERA, takes the ball. Bob Cerv reaches on an error, but that's all.
1st: Tom Sturdivant is 16-6, 3.30 ERA and looks to send the Yankees into the next round; he walks Asdrubal Cabrera to open the game and then gives up a base hit to Juan Soto putting men on the corners. After an out - Howie Kendrick singles and the Nats are on the board in the first. Adam Eaton follows with a single - Soto will score - and after the second out, Victor Robles hits one high off the left field foul pole - a majestic 3 run homer -- that's 5 runs; Sturdivant then hits Gomes - almost certainly out of frustration, that's all but the Nationals open up a must win game by batting around; Yankees 0 Nationals 5
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Better inning for Sturdivant.
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: Eaton draws a one out walk and goes all the way to third on a Trea Turner single - Turner then swipes second and the Nats have two in scoring position. Victor Robles then comes through again - lacing a single to right center -- everyone scores. Washington's up 7-0 and it sure looks like we'll be headed to Yankee Stadium for a showdown. Yankees 0 Nationals 7
4th: With one out, Yogi gets the Yankees first hit, but that's it.
4th: 1-2-3
5th: Gil McDougald opens with a double - and after groundouts by Bauer and Martin, he crosses the plate. Strasburg then walks Carey - and Casey turns to the bench, bringing in Eddie Robinson to hit for Sturdivant - and Strasburg strikes him out. Yankees 1 Nationals 7
5th: 27 year old lefty Mickey McDermott gets the call; he has an easy inning.
6th: Yogi singles again with one out but that's it.
6th: Robles singles again - but he's cut down attempting to steal (with a 6 run lead, that might get some attention) and they're down in order.
7th: McDougald opens up with a single - but nothing else.
7th: Rendon singles with two out - Kendrick gets his 4th hit of the series with a single - and then Eaton drives Rendon home with a base hit. This inning ends Yankees 1 Nationals 8
8th: 28 year old Billy Hunter hits in the pitchers spot - and he triples to right -- Bob Cerv follows by dumping a ball into the left field seats - New York makes loud contact for the first time all day and it's 8-3. Two outs later, Moose Skowron singles but the inning ends there. Yankees 3 Nationals 8
8th: 24 year old lefty Rip Coleman takes the mound, he gives up Robles' fourth hit of the day - and again Robles is looking to run, but again he's gunned down - Coleman throws up and in to Gomes, brushing him back, perhaps as a response to young Robles continuing to look to swipe bags - but Gomes was hit earlier in the day; and now he's jawing at Coleman -- and on the next pitch, Gomes lines a homer to left center -- and now the entire Nationals dugout is out - they are in full celebration; this stadium is rocking - it is 9-3 Washington and we are almost certainly going back to New York and this series has some real edge to it now. The veteran Ryan Zimmerman gets the call to hit for Strasburg - he singles - and an out later, Juan Soto drives a double to the wall -- Zimmerman rumbles all the way around - slides in under the tag - Washington's 10-3, they are in full fist pumping mode right now in feels like all of DC is celebrating. The Yankees best bullpen arm is 26 year old right hander Bob Grim, he comes on, Rendon singles -- Soto scores and it's 11-3. Kendrick then singles - but the damage ends there, Yankees 3 Nationals 11
9th: 32 year old Daniel Hudson only threw 25 innings for the Nats this season, but they were exceptional, he had a 1.44 ERA, he comes on to finish this one, he gives up a single to Bauer - but that it.
Yankees 3
Nationals 11
WP Strasburg
LP Sturdivant
For the Nats:
Soto had two hits, including a double
Rendon had two hits and now has four on the series
Kendrick had 3 hits and he's got 5 on the series
Eaton had two hits and two RBI
The big day belonged to Robles; 4 hits, including that HR, and 5 RBI
Gomes added a HR
And Strasburg came up strong, 8 innings, 3 runs.
For New York:
Cerv followed up his 2 double game with a HR
Yogi had two hits and has reached base 5 times
McDougald followed his HR in game one with two hits including a double.
Mantle went 0-4
We head to Yankee Stadium for our last round 1 game in Region 2. The Nationals will go to a lefty, Patrick Corbin - and the Yankees counter with a man who threw a perfect game in the '56 Series - the right handed Don Larsen.
Nationals-Davey Martinez
2B Cabrera (33) 143 1
LF Soto (20) 138 5.4
3B Rendon (29) 153 6.6
1B Kendrick (35) 142 2.8
RF Eaton (30) 101 2.5
SS Turner (26) 113 3.6
CF Robles (22) 88 3.1
C Gomes (31) 78 1.4
P Corbin (29) 141 6.5
Yankees-Casey Stengel
LF Cerv (31) 146 .6
SS McDougald (28) 127 5
CF Mantle (24) 210 10.8
1B Skowron (25) 142 4
C Berra (31) 142 6.1
RF Bauer (33) 102 1.2
2B Martin (28) 89 1.2
3B Carey (24) 74 .6
P Larsen (26) 119 2.6
Winner take all. One spot left in Region One. Nats/Yanks. Let's go
1st: 26 year old right hander Don Larsen takes the hill for the Yankees. He was 11-5 with a 3.26 ERA; he gives up a 1 out walk to Juan Soto, there will not be a perfect game today, but that's all.
1st: 29 year old lefty Patrick Corbin was 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA and he's on the mound for the Nats; he sets the Yanks down in order.
2nd: Trea Turner draws a two out walk and then steals second, giving the Nats a runner in scoring position, but that's it.
2nd: Moose Skowron leads off with a walk and moves to second on a ground ball; and out later Billy Martin draws a walk. 2 on - 2 out - and that's it.
3rd: Yan Gomes earns a leadoff walk, Corbin bunts him over - but that's as far as it goes. Larsen's yet to give up a hit.
3rd: After an out, Bob Cerv's aboard with a walk, but that's all. We are through 3 innings in this winner take all game - Nats 0 Yankees 0
4th: Anthony Rendon drives the first pitch of the 4th inning down the left field line and it sneaks over the wall - the Nats take the lead. Howie Kendrick follows with a single and that's all. Nats 1 Yankees 0
4th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3
5th: Andy Carey walks, but that's it. Don't look now - the Yankees don't have a hit.
6th: After an out, Larsen walks Rendon - Casey isn't waiting a second, he goes to the pen, despite Larsen throwing a two hitter - 36 year old lefty Tommy Byrne takes the ball; he gives up a single to Kendrick, runners on the corners, just one out, one run game -- Adam Eaton hits a fly ball to Cerv...it's too shallow for Rendon to take a shot. And there are 2 outs. Trea Turner is next...and he doubles to center...Rendon scores...Kendrick scores...man, oh man, the Nats are up 3-0 and the Yanks still don't have a hit. Robles is next - he had 5 RBI in game two and he triples home Turner! Now it's 4-0 Nats in this winner take all matchup. Intentional walk to Gomes to pitch to Corbin and that's it. Big, big inning. Nationals 4 Yankees 0
6th: McDougald flies out. Mantle strikes out. Skowron grounds out. The Yankees do not have a hit.
7th: Cabrera and Soto open with singles - man, you have to think even one more run and this series is over; Rendon walks. Bases loaded. Nobody out. And Howie Kendrick ends the series with a GRAND SLAM home run; I believe that to be the first of the tournament; it's 8-0 Nationals and folks, you can send them onto the next round. McDermott comes on to pitch; he gives up a single to Robles but that's all. Nationals 8 Yankees 0
7th: Berra grounds out. Bauer strikes out. And Billy Martin breaks it up with a double. Helluva outing for Corbin - he goes 6 2/3 before allowing a base hit; Andy Carey follows with a run scoring double, this inning will end Nationals 8 Yankees 1
8th: Juan Soto singles with two outs, that's all.
8th: Mantle gets his first hit since game one, a two out single, but that's it. We head to the 9th.
9th: Kendrick and Eaton open with singles, an out later Robles walks to load them up - an out later Ryan Zimmerman comes on to hit for Corbin - he singles home two runs; there's a huge party back in DC as Yankee stadium starts to clear out, Nats 10 Yankees 1
9th: Daniel Hudson comes on - 1-2-3.
Nationals 10
Yankees 1
WP Corbin
LP Larsen
Soto had a couple hits today; Rendon homered, Robles followed up a 4 hit game 2 with two more hits, including a triple - and you can't forget the great Patrick Corbin outing - just totally shutting the Yankees down on the road in a winner take all spot.
But the MVP is Howie Kendrick; 9 hits in the series; which I think is the tournament high to date. And he hit the grand slam today that wrapped this whole thing up.
Here's how it will look when we come back to Region 2 for Round 2 (5 game series)
1967 St Louis Cardinals v. 1948 Cleveland Indians
2017 Los Angeles Dodgers v. 1952 New York Yankees
1937 New York Yankees v. 1912 New York Giants
1944 St Louis Cardinals v. 2019 Washington Nationals
When we come back - it's off to Region 3, for the current remaining top overall seed, the 1906 Chicago Cubs.
