128 Team Tournament, Round Two, Region Five: 1961 World Champion New York Yankees v. 2002 World Champion Anaheim Angels

 Yankees v. Cubs

28. 1961 World Champion New York Yankees v. 37. 2002 World Champion Anaheim Angels

So far, we have not seen teams from the same organization meet in this tournament; given how many Yankee squads made the field, we'd expect it would happen eventually, and happen with New York.  The '98 Yankees meet the winners of this series in the next round - if seeding holds - that will mean they face the '61 Yankees.  This is the only Angels team in the field.  The Yankees have seen the following teams advance already: 1943, 1947, 1953, 1977, 1998. It'll be a minute before we see another Yankees team in action; the '28 Yankees will be in the last series for Region 6.  

Yankees 109-53 Mgr. Ralph Houk

Won AL Pennant

d. Reds in WS

d. #101 1949 Dodgers (MVP-Roger Maris/Hal Reniff)

All-Stars RP Luis Arroyo, OF Yogi Berra, SP Whitey Ford (AL Cy Young, 5th AL MVP) C Elston Howard, SS Tony Kubek, OF Mickey Mantle (2nd AL MVP) OF Roger Maris (AL MVP) 1B Moose Skowron

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, 

Angels 99-63 Mgr. Mike Scioscia (AL MoY)

2nd in AL West

d. Yankees in ALDS

d. Twins in ALCS

d. Giants in WS

d. #92 1979 Pirates (MVP-Brad Fullmer/Jarrod Washburn)

All-Stars OF Garrett Anderson (4th AL MVP)

Angels-Mike Scioscia 

1B Spiezio (29)  (SH)   115    2.8

LF Anderson (30) (LH)  127  4.1

RF Salmon (33)     133   3.2

2B Kennedy (26) (LH)   110   4.2

3B Glaus (25)        113   4.9

SS Eckstein (27)    101   5.2

CF Erstad (28) (LH)       86   4.9

C Molina (27)         58    .5

P Washburn (27) (LH)   141  4.1

Bench:

2B Gil (29)             94     .7 

DH Fullmer (27) (LH)    133  2.8

DH Wooten (29)    104  .2

OF Palmeiro (33) (LH)  94

IF Nieves (27)                 64

SP2 Ortiz (29)        118   3.1

SP3 Lackey (23)     121  1.5

Maybe we see a platoon at 2nd; Yankees lefty is going in game 2 (and 5 if we see it); Fullmer will DH in Anaheim.

Yankees-Ralph Houk

LF Cerv (36)   124      1

C Howard (32)   153   5.6

CF Mantle (29)  (SH) 206   9.9

RF Maris (26)  (LH)  167   6.2

1B Skowron (30)  113  1.3

SS Kubek (25) (LH)   90    3.3

3B Boyer (24)     79     3.7

2B Richardson (25)  67  -1.2

P Stafford (22)   139   3.6

Bench:

C Blanchard (28) (LH) 168   3

LF Berra (36)   (LH)    115    2.6

LF Lopez (31)                64

3B Gardner (33)            57

SP2 Ford (32)  (LH)     115    6

SP3 Terry (25)      118    3.3

Angels lefty going in game 1 (and 4, if needed) so the Yanks RH platoon lineup is in place.  Yogi and Blanchard will move in for game 2/3 - probably Howard catches in Anaheim with Blanchard as the DH.  

WAR:

C-Yankees

1B-Angels

2B-Angels

SS-Angels

3B-Angels

LF-Angels

CF-Yankees

RF-Yankees

DH-Yankees

SP1-Angels

SP2-Yankees

SP3-Yankees

Bullpen-Angels

WAR: Angels 7 Yankees 6 -- So, Yankees have seed advantage...but Angels have WAR advantage...but Yankees have easily the best player (Mantle).  This is a coin flip series for sure. Let's say it flips for New York.

GAME ONE

1st: Should be a tight, tight series; each pitch matters - Bob Stafford takes the ball for the Yankees. 22 year old RH, 14-9, 2.68. Stafford came up last year, he's dealt to the A's in '66 and '67 is his last season. He gives up a two out single to Tim Salmon but that's all.  

1st: 27 year old lefty Jarrod Washburn goes for the Angels, 18-6, 3.15. He came up in '98, was 4th this year in the Cy Young, leaves for the Mariners in '06, finishes as a Tiger in '09. 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Stafford

3rd: After an out, Bobby Richardson singles. The 25 year old second baseman came up when he was 19, made the All Star team in '57 and '59 and won his first Gold Glove this year.  Next year he'll be second in the AL MVP, 10th in '63, he's a career Yankee, '66 is his last season. Nothing results.

4th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Stafford

4th: Elston Howard doubles. Howard came up in '55, the same year as Richardson, made the All Star team every year from '57-'65, winning the MVP in '63 and finishing 3rd in '64. He's dealt to Boston during the '67 season and stops after '68. 2 outs later Moose Skowron walks and then Tony Kubek doubles home Howard.  Angels 0 Yankees 1

5th: David Eckstein hits a one out single. Eckstein was 2nd in the Rookie of the Year last year as a 26 year old, led the league in getting hit by pitch this season, he signs with the Cards in '05, finishes with the Padres in '10. That's all.

5th: Bob Cerv singles with 2 out - Cerv is platooning with Yogi in left; he's 36, came up with the Yankees back in '51, he's on the bench for that '53 team that already advanced. Cerv's sold to the A's in '54, he'll be 4th in the AL MVP in '58 and come back to the Yankees in '60 in a deal for Andy Carey.  He didn't start this season with the Yankees -- these Angels took Cerv in the expansion draft and then dealt him back to the Yankees during the season. Next year - the Yankees sell him to Houston and it's his final season. That's all.  

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Mickey Mantle walks. The Mick is 29, he was the center fielder on that '53 team that has advanced, he was 2nd to Maris in the MVP this year, leading the league in walks, slugging percentage and OPS+. Mantle played in 12 postseason series in his career (all World Series, Mickey Mantle was in 12 World Series) 230 at bats, he hit 18 homers. He's an All Star 16 out of his 18 seasons.  That's all.

7th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Stafford, he's throwing a 2 hitter. 

7th: 1-2-3, Washburn's matching Stafford - throwing a 4 hitter, can that Yankee lead hold up?

8th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Stafford - Yanks 3 outs away.

8th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Washburn -- we head to the 9th inning and the Yankees cling to that 1-0 lead.

9th: The Yankees go to the pen.  Their closer is 34 year old lefty Luis Arroyo, 15 wins, 29 saves, a 2.19 ERA. Arroyo broke in in '55 with the Cards, came to the Yankees from the Reds in '60 and this is easily his career year, he was 6th in the AL MVP.  His last season is '63. 

Brad Fullmer comes off the bench to hit -- he flies out to the deepest, deepest part of right field.  One away.  

Scott Speizio walks.  Tying run at first.

Garret Anderson singles to right.  Two on, one out -- tying run in scoring position.

Tim Salmon foul pop...Skowron's got it just before the dugout...two away. 

Adam Kennedy grounds to Skowron -- he will take it himself and it's done.

Angels 0

Yankees 1

WP Stafford

LP Washburn

Great, great pitchers duel in game one.  7 hits combined.  This game entirely about the pitching, no member of either side reaches base twice.  

One more at Yankee Stadium - will either offense show up?

1B Spiezio (29)  (SH)   115    2.8

RF Salmon (33)     133   3.2

LF Anderson (30) (LH)  127  4.1

3B Glaus (25)        113   4.9

SS Eckstein (27)    101   5.2

2B Gil (29)             94     .7 

CF Erstad (28) (LH)       86   4.9

C Molina (27)         58    .5

SP2 Ortiz (29)        118   3.1

C Blanchard (28) (LH) 168   3

CF Mantle (29)  (SH) 206   9.9

RF Maris (26)  (LH)  167   6.2

LF Berra (36)   (LH)    115    2.6

1B Skowron (30)  113  1.3

SS Kubek (25) (LH)   90    3.3

3B Boyer (24)     79     3.7

2B Richardson (25)  67  -1.2

SP2 Ford (32)  (LH)     115    6

GAME TWO

1st: Coming off the great pitcher's duel in game one - the Yankees send 32 year old lefty Whitey Ford to the mound in game two. 25-4, 3.21. We've seen Ford, he advanced with the '53 team. Ford won the Cy Young this year. Ford pitched in 11 World Series, 22 starts.  10-8, 2.71. Ford was the MVP of the World Series this year, going 2-0 against the Reds and not giving up a run.  He gives up a 2 out Garret Anderson double but that's all.

1st: Ramon Ortiz is a 29 year old RH, 15-9, 3.77. Ortiz came up in '99, this is his career year, the only ERA he'll ever have below 4.00.  He's dealt to the Reds in '05 and pitches until he's 40, finishing with the Jays in '13. 1-2-3

2nd: Benji Gill gets the start today at second against a lefty - and he singles with one out. He came up with Texas in '93, signs with the Angels in 2000; next year ends his career. After the second out Bengie Molina singles. That's all.

2nd: Moose Skowron triples with one out - Skowron's 30, came up in '54, All Star every year from '57-'61. In '63 he's dealt to the Dodgers for Stan Williams and finishes with the Angels in '67. Kubek drives him home with a base hit.  Angels 0 Yankees 1

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Mantle walks with 2 out, that's all.

4th: Eckstein walks with one out, that's it.

4th: With two out - Kubek and Boyer single.  Kubek's a career Yankee; Rookie of the Year in '57, he was an All Star this year, finishes in '65. Richardson then singles and the Yankees have loaded the bases. But they do not score.

5th: Molina singles. Molina's one of 3 big league catching brothers; broke in in '98, 4th in the Rookie of the Year in '00, won the Gold Glove this year. Signs with the Jays in '06, finishes with the Rangers in '10. Two outs later Tim Salmon walks - but nothing else.

5th: Johnny Blanchard homers to right.  Blanchard's catching today against a right hander; he's a career part timer - broke in in '55, this is easily his best ever season, he slugged .170 points above his career average in '61. He's dealt to the A's in '65 and finishes later that year with the Braves. Mantle then walks - Maris reaches on an error - and Yogi Berra mashes a 3 run homer to right field -- the Angels are really up against it now as the Yankee bats have come alive. Skowron singles, it ends here.  Angels 0 Yankees 5

6th: 1-2-3, the Angels have yet to score this series

6th: One out in, Blanchard singles, Mantle walks. After the second out, Yogi walks. But Ortiz keeps the damage down.

7th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Ford, he's throwing a 4 hitter.

7th: 27 year old RH Mickey Callaway has a 4.19 ERA and is the new Angels pitcher, after an out, Clete Boyer singles. He broke in at 18 in '55 with the A's, he goes to the Yankees during the '57 season in a 12 player deal. A decade later he's sent to the Braves for Bill Robinson and he finishes there in '71. Richardson singles - after the second out, Blanchard singles and now it's 6-0. Mantle singles and now it's 7-0. 26 year old RH Scot Shields comes on and he gives up a two run double to Maris. Angels 0 Yankees 9

8th: Salmon walks with one out and after the second out Troy Glaus homers and the Angels are finally - finally on the scoreboard.  Glaus is 25, came up 4 years ago. Led the league in homers in 2000. Leaves for Arizona in '05, finishes as a Brave in '10. Angels 2 Yankees 9

8th: Skowron singles.  That's it.

9th: 30 year old RH Bob Turley has a 5.75 ERA and is on to mop up, he walks Molina with 2 outs and that's all.

Angels 2

Yankees 9

WP Ford

LP Ortiz

On paper, the Yankees were really narrow favorites - but they win the first two and are now looking at the first sweep in Round 2 as the series shifts to Southern California.

5 hitter for Ford/Turley, Yankee arms dominating the series.  Plus - today, bats:

Yankees:

Blanchard reached 3x w/HR

Mantle reached 4x in game 2

Berra reached 2x in game 2 w/3 run homer

Skowron reached 3x in game 2

Kubek reached twice in game 2

Boyer reached twice in game 2

Richardson reached twice in game 2

Angels:

Salmon reached twice in game 2

Glaus homered

Molina reached 3x in game 2

Let's go to Anaheim.

DH Blanchard (28) (LH) 168   3

CF Mantle (29)  (SH) 206   9.9

RF Maris (26)  (LH)  167   6.2

C Howard (32)   153   5.6

LF Berra (36)   (LH)    115    2.6

1B Skowron (30)  113  1.3

SS Kubek (25) (LH)   90    3.3

3B Boyer (24)     79     3.7

2B Richardson (25)  67  -1.2

SP3 Terry (25)      118    3.3

1B Spiezio (29)  (SH)   115    2.8

DH Fullmer (27) (LH)    133  2.8

LF Anderson (30) (LH)  127  4.1

RF Salmon (33)     133   3.2

2B Kennedy (26) (LH)   110   4.2

3B Glaus (25)        113   4.9

SS Eckstein (27)    101   5.2

CF Erstad (28) (LH)       86   4.9

C Molina (27)         58    .5

SP3 Lackey (23)     121  1.5

GAME THREE

1st: No team has overcome an 0-2 deficit in the tournament.  That's the task facing the Angels and it starts with 23 year old RH John Lackey.  9-4. 3.66. Lackey was 4th in the Rookie of the Year this season. He'll be third in the Cy Young in '07. Sign with Boston in '10. His last season is '17 with the Cubs.  1-2-3

1st: Can the Yankees capture the first Round 2 sweep? Ralph Terry is a 25 year old RH, 16-3, 3.15. Terry was 20 when he came up 5 years ago, he and Billy Martin are dealt to the A's in '57 and the Yankees get him back two years later. Next year will be his only All Star appearance; he's sent to the Indians in '65 and retires with the Mets in '67.  He gives up a base hit to Brad Fullmer; that's it.

2nd: Yogi walks with one out, that's it.

2nd: Adam Kennedy singles.  Kennedy's back at second today; he's at second after an out and then scores on an Eckstein base hit.  It's the Angels first lead and the Rally Monkeys are going wild here in Anaheim.  Yankees 0 Angels 1

3rd: After an out, Richardson singles and Blanchard walks. Maris walks after the second out but the Yankees leave them loaded.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Moose Skowron ties the game with a one out homer.  Yankees 1 Angels 1

4th: Tim Salmon singles. Salmon came up a decade ago, was Rookie of the Year in '93; 7th in the MVP in '95 and '97. He retires as an Angel in '06.  2 outs later Eckstein singles again, That's it.

5th: Mantle singles with 2 out, thats it.

5th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3, just 3 hits given up by Lackey

6th: Kennedy doubles with 2 out, that's it.  Yankee pitching continues to dominate.  

7th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Lackey - the Angels need this one.

7th: Eckstein singles again; Darin Erstad singles. Erstad was 6th in Rookie of the Year in '96, 8th in the MVP in '00, he leaves for the White Sox in '07 and finishes with Houston in '09. Terry keeps the Angels off the board - and we head to the 8th, still knotted at 1.

8th: The Angels have some heavy, heavy bullpen arms.  32 year old RH Ben Weber has a 2.54 ERA, 1-2-3, the Yanks still have just 3 hits.

8th: 22 year old RH Hal Reniff was a co-MVP in round 1; he's got a 2.58 ERA and he enters for the Yanks. After two out - he gives up a Salmon single and then walks Kennedy.  Lead run in scoring position.  Two out.  The Angels do not score.

9th: Yogi singles with one out, that's all.  Bottom.

9th: 1-2-3

Extras.

10th: The Angels closer is Troy Percival. 32 year old RH with a 1.92 ERA and 40 saves. 4th in Rookie of the Year in '95. He's the Angel closer from '96-'04. Heads to Detroit in '05 and finishes with the Rays in '09. He walks Boyer. Then throws a wild pitch.  Boyer's at second with nobody out - white knuckle time in Anaheim.  Percival gets one. Then walks Blanchard.

That means it's Mantle.  2 on.  1 out. Tie score.  10th inning.  And Mantle doubles off the wall to score the tiebreaking run; intentional walk to Maris to load the bases, set up the double play, 34 year old RH Al Levine enters - he gets the second out - then walks Berra and now it's 3-1 and the first sweep of the second round is imminent.  Yankees 3 Angels 1

10th: Luis Arroyo gets the call; three outs from the sweep.

He strikes out Speizio.  One away.

Brad Fullmer singles.  Some hope.

Garret Anderson pops to third...Boyer's got that.  Two away.  

Down to their final strike - Tim Salmon singles to center.  

2 on.  2 out.  Down 2.  Kennedy grounds to Boyer -- onto first.  Sweep.

Yankees 3

Angels 1

WP Reniff

LP Percival

On a day when they got just 5 hits - the Yankees sweep the Angels.

Mantle reached 6 times in the series and had the big hit today, Yogi reached 5 times and hit the big homer in game 2.  But let's say the co-MVPs are the starting pitchers from games one and two.  Stafford and Ford.

In the round of 32 - the 1998 Yankees will meet the 1961 Yankees.  Generations collide.

128 Team Tournament, Round Two, Region Five: 1998 World Champion New York Yankees v. 1910 NL Champion Chicago Cubs

 Region 4

5. 1998 World Champion New York Yankees v. 69. 1910 NL Champion Chicago Cubs

We kick off Region 5 with the top remaining overall seed, the '98 Yankees.  They look to become the 5th Yankees team to advance to the Round of 32. The 1909 Cubs have already advanced. 

Yankees 114-48 Mgr. Joe Torre (AL MoY)

1st in AL East

d. Rangers in ALDS

d. Indians in ALCS

d. Padres in WS

d. #124 2004 Cardinals (MVP: Bernie Williams/Tino Martinez)

All-Stars 3B Scott Brosius, SS Derek Jeter (3rd AL MVP) OF Paul O'Neill, SP David Wells (3rd AL Cy Young) OF Bernie Williams

Hall of Famers: Derek Jeter, Tim Raines, Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre

Cubs 104-50 Mgr. Frank Chance

Won NL Pennant

lost to A's in WS

d. #60 1930 A's (MVP-Orval Overall/Three Finger Brown)

Hall of Famers: Three Finger Brown, Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker

Cubs-Frank Chance

2B Evers (28) (LH)     115      3.5

DH Beaumont (33) (LH) 110

RF Schulte (27) (LH)  137   3.5

CF Hofman (27)  154  5.1

1B Chance (33)   131  2.9

LF Sheckard (31) (LH)  114    3.5

3B Zimmerman (23)  111  1.1

SS Tinker (29)    110      4.2

C Kling (34)       109        2.8

P Brown (33)      153      5.2

Bench:

3B Steinfeldt (34)  88

C Archer (27)        94

SP2 Cole (24)   158          4.1

SP3 Overall (29)  107      2.4

First two Yankee starters are RH, so this is the lefty lineup for the Cubs. Likely the bench players remain on the bench.  

Yankees-Joe Torre

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

DH Strawberry (36) (LH) 132  1.5

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

P Hernandez (32)   132   3.7

Bench: 

LF Curtis (29)   90   2.9

DH Davis (38)   116

C Girardi (33)   85

IF Sojo (33)       37

SP2 Cone (35)    125  5.3

SP3 Wells (35) (LH)    127  5.2

Reducing how many bench players I'm showing now to just those who are eligible to start; so, Shane Spencer, for example, is on the Yankee bench but only as a pinch hitter. Cubs have all RH starters so the lefty heavy Yankee lineup is likely to go every day.  

WAR Advantage:

C-Yankees

1B-Yankees

2B-Yankees

SS-Yankees

3B-Yankees

LF-Cubs

CF-Yankees

RF-Yankees

DH-Yankees

SP1-Cubs

SP2-Yankees

SP3-Yankees

Bullpen-Yankees

WAR: Yankees 11 Cubs 2, so, in the first 16 series of this round the WAR battle has been fairly close - this is a blowout.  The Yanks also have a seed advantage and they have the best player (Jeter).  Yankees are heavy favorites here; this is the biggest disparity thusfar in Round 2 and by a wide margin.  

GAME ONE

1st: Sold out Yankee Stadium crowd is expecting to roll right into the Round of 32. Orlando Hernandez starts it off for New York. 12-4, 3.13.  Hernandez is a 32 year old rookie, he finished 4th in the AL Rookie of the Year. He won't play for another big league club until 2005, when he signs with the White Sox. He finishes his career as a Met in '07. He gives up a one out walk to Ginger Beaumont, that's all.

1st: If the Cubs have any chance, you think they need a big effort from their round one co-MVP Three Finger Brown.  33 years old, 25-14, 1.86. We saw Brown on the 1909 team that has already advanced (they'll meet the '53 Yankees next round). Brown pitched in 9 postseason games with a 2.97 ERA. He struggled this year, giving up 11 earned in 18 innings in the 1910 World Series. Tim Raines singles. That's it.

2nd: Heinie Zimmerman singles with 2 out.  Zimmerman's part of last year's Cub team. He had a rough postseason career, .163 in 43 at bats. That's it.

2nd: Derek Jeter singles with one out.  Jeter's 24, came up in '95, Rookie of the Year in '96, was third in the MVP this year.  He'll have 7 more top 10 MVP finishes in his career; his last season is '14. Scott Brosius singles after the second out, but that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Tim Raines singles again.  Raines is 38 years old; he was just 19 when he broke in with the Expos back in '79. 2nd in NL Rookie of the Year in '81. 5th in the MVP in '83. Led the league in steals from '81-'84. 6th in MVP in '86, 7th in '87. He's dealt to the White Sox for Ivan Calderon before the '91 season and is dealt to the Yankees before the '96 season. This is his last year in New York, he's off to Oakland and will finish his career in Miami in '02. Two outs later, he's standing on third and then scores on a Cub error that allows Strawberry to reach - Tino Martinez then makes the Cubs pay for that mistake with a 2 run bomb to right. Cubs 0 Yankees 3

4th: After two outs, Jimmy Sheckard singles. Sheckard was with the '09 Cubs.  He scuffled in the postseason, hitting .195 in 77 at bats.  This year, however, he was 5-14 in the 1910 World Series.  Zimmerman then singles, but that's all.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Johnny Evers singles with one out. He was the second baseman on last year's team. Strong postseason career, .316 in 76 at bats. The second out later, Beaumont singles - but the Cubs can't capitalize.

5th: Raines walks.  Paul O'Neill singles an out later and they're on the corners.  O'Neill came up with the Reds in '85, the Yanks got him for Roberto Kelly before the '93 season. 5th in the AL MVP in '94. His last year is '01. Strawberry grounds to first, there's only the play at first and Raines scores.  Cubs 0 Yankees 4

6th: Frank Chance, the player- manager, leads off with a walk. Chance spends the last two seasons of his career with the Yankees; strong postseason career - hit .300 in 70 at bats. That's it.

6th: Brosius walks with 2 out, this is Brosius's first year as a Yankee, they got him from Oakland for Kenny Rogers - his last year, like O'Neill's, is '01. Knoblauch singles, that's all.

7th: Torre got all he wanted from Il Duque and goes to the pen.  31 year old lefty Mike Stanton is first, he's the worst arm they have, 5.47. 1-2-3

7th: Bernie Williams doubles. Up in '91, 7th in the AL MVP this year, 10th in '02, finishes in '06. O'Neill singles him home and you'd expect that's it.  An out later Martinez singles and Jeter walks, that's all. Cubs 0 Yankees 5

8th: Solly Hofman walks with one out, that's all.

8th: Chuck Knoblauch walks with one out; Rookie of the Year with the Twins in '91, this is his first year with the Yankees, Christian Guzman/Eric Milton went the other way - his last year in New York is also '01 and he finishes the next season in KC.  Raines singles/Williams walks and the bases are loaded - Cubs bullpen is limited and Brown is still in there- O'Neill singles to score two.  Strawberry singles home a run and it's 8-0 and the Cubs go to the pen for 23 year old lefty Rube Kroh. He gives up a run scoring single to Martinez - Jeter grounds out, it scores another run. It's the game we expected.  Cubs 0 Yankees 10

9th: 26 year old RH Ramiro Mendoza is on to end this one, 1-2-3

Cubs 0

Yankees 10

WP Hernandez

LP Brown

Yikes.  4 hits for the Cubs in a game where they had easily the superior pitcher.  

For New York:

Raines reached 4x

Williams 2x

O'Neill 3x

Martinez 3x w/HR

Jeter 2x

Brosius 2x

Knoblauch 2x

For the Cubs:

Zimmerman reached 2x

One more at Yankee Stadium.  Cubs in trouble.

2B Evers (28) (LH)     115      3.5

DH Beaumont (33) (LH) 110

RF Schulte (27) (LH)  137   3.5

CF Hofman (27)  154  5.1

1B Chance (33)   131  2.9

LF Sheckard (31) (LH)  114    3.5

3B Zimmerman (23)  111  1.1

SS Tinker (29)    110      4.2

C Kling (34)       109        2.8

SP2 Cole (24)   158          4.1

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

DH Strawberry (36) (LH) 132  1.5

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

SP2 Cone (35)    125  5.3

GAME TWO

1st: 35 year old David Cone gets the ball, 20-7, 3.55. Up with the Royals in '86, 3rd in NL Cy Young with the Mets in '88, Cy Young winner in '94 with Kansas City, Yankees got him mid year '95 for prospects and he finished 4th in the Cy Young. He finished 4th again this year, 6th next year which is his last season with the Yankees, he's back with the Mets at the age of 40 in '03 for his final season. 1-2-3

1st: 24 year old RH King Cole has the daunting task of shutting down these Yankees. 20-4, 1.80. Cole came up last year, led the league in ERA this year, heads to the Pirates in '12 and finishes with the Yankees in '15. With one out, Williams singles, O'Neill walks, that's all.

2nd: Chance doubles with one out, that's it.

2nd: Jorge Posada draws a one out walk. Up in '95 he'll be 3rd in the MVP in '03, 6th in '07. He finishes at age 40 in '11. Brosius singles. After the second out, Raines walks and they're loaded...but nothing.

3rd: Joe Tinker doubles.  He was Cub shortstop last year, finished 4th in the MVP in '12, his last year is '16. That's it.

3rd: O'Neill doubles. Strawberry walks.  Yankees putting a ton of men on base.  This time they capitalize, after an out, Jeter doubles both men home. Cubs 0 Yankees 2

4th: Frank Schulte walks. He was with the Cubs last year, he'll be the MVP next year.  Solid postseason career.  .321 in 81 at bats.  Nothing results.

4th: Williams walks with 2 out, that's all.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Darryl Strawberry walks. He's 36. Rookie of the Year in '83 with the Mets, 6th in NL MVP in '87, 2nd in '88. 3rd in '90. Signs with the Dodgers in '91, comes to New York in '95, next year will be his last.  That's all.

6th: Evers singles and an out later Cone hits Schulte. After the second out leaves Evers at third - a Cone wild pitch scores a run. Cone then hits Chance -- wildness suddenly for Cone, the inning ends.  Cubs 1 Yankees 2

6th: Brosius singles, that's it.  

7th: Cubs have just 3 hits, Yankees 5. Zimmerman singles, but that's all.  Tight one here in game two.

7th: Strawberry singles with one out, that's it.

8th: Evers singles - an out later Cone hit Schulte - that's going to knock Schulte out of the series; tough break for a Cubs team that can't afford to lose offense.  Cone's now hit 3 Cubs today.  Hofman singles and now the bases are loaded with just one out.  Cubs only down a run - big spot here in game 2.  Torre decides to leave Cone in the game -- and he gets out of it.  

8th: Jeter walks, that's it.

9th: Mariano Rivera is 28.  1.91 ERA and 36 saves. Up in '95, 3rd in the Cy Young in '96, he'll finish 3rd again next year.  3rd again in '04, 2nd in '05, 5th in '08, 8th at the age of 41 in 2011.  He stops after '13. 

Jimmy Sheckard greets him with a double and the Cubs have the tying run at second.

Zimmerman grounds to first - Sheckard goes to third.  90 feet from the tie.

Tinker lines hard to short - Jeter makes a tremendous leaping stab to snare the ball for the second out.  

And then Kling hits an easy grounder to third -- Brosius to first.  And it's done.

Cubs 1

Yankees 2

WP Cone

LP Cole

They only got 6 hits today, but the Yanks take both games at home.  

For New York:

Raines has reached 5x

Williams 4x

O'Neill 5x

Martinez 3x w/HR

Strawberry 4x

Jeter 4x, winning game 2 with bat and glove. 

Brosius 4x

Knoblauch 2x

For the Cubs:

Zimmerman reached 3x

Evers 2x

We head to Chicago.  Cubs need to win both of them.  

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

SP3 Wells (35) (LH)    127  5.2

CF Hofman (27)  154  5.1 

1B Chance (33)   131  2.9

3B Zimmerman (23)  111  1.1

SS Tinker (29)    110      4.2

2B Evers (28) (LH)     115      3.5

LF Sheckard (31) (LH)  114    3.5

RF Beaumont (33) (LH) 110

C Archer (27)        94

SP3 Overall (29)  107      2.4

GAME THREE

1st: 29 year old RH Orval Overall was co-MVP in the Cubs round one win and they rely on him today to stay alive. 12-6. 2.68. He was on last year's team, led the league in strikeouts. His last year will be '13. He gives up a 2 out single to O'Neill, that's all. 

1st: 35 year old lefty David Wells looks for the sweep.  There hasn't been a sweep yet in Round 2.  18-4, 3.49. Wells came up with the Jays in '87, the Yankees signed him last year as a free agent, he was 3rd in the Cy Young this year and then he's sent to the Jays for Roger Clemens.  He comes back to the Yankees in '02, stays two seaons - he will finish his career in 2007 with the Dodgers.  Hofman singles, an out later so does Zimmerman. That's all.

2nd: Brosius walks with 2 outs, that's it.

2nd: After an out, Beaumont and Archer single -- we've seen a series where Overall hit 3 triples -- he singles home a run here and the Cubs have their first lead of the series. After the second out - Frank Chance hits a 3 run homer and look at this, it's the Cubs who have jumped all over Wells in this one.  Yankees 0 Cubs 4

3rd: Raines singles with one out, that's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Martinez singles with one out, after the second out, Posada walks.  That's it.

4th: Beaumont walks, nothing else.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Zimmerman singles with one out, that's it.

6th: Bernie singles.  Nothing else.

6th: 1-2-3

7th: To the pen Chicago goes for lefty Jack Pfiester, he's got a 1.79 ERA - Posada doubles with one out, that's all.

7th: After an out, Hofman singles and Chance walks - Wells gets the second, but then Tinker ends this one with a double that clears the bases.  There still hasn't been a round 2 sweep, Yankees 0 Cubs 6

8th: Shane Spencer pinch singles. Raines singles. The shutout continues.

8th: Ramiro Mendoza comes on, 1-2-3

9th: Rube Kroh looks to wrap this up.  1-2-3

Yankees 0

Cubs 6

WP Overall

LP Wells

So - the Yankees hit everything in game 1 but nothing since and now the Cubs have a chance to pull even if they can get a big game from Brown.  Nice outing for Overall, who added a base hit. 

For the Cubs:

Zimmerman reached 5x

Evers 2x

Hofman reached twice in game 3

Chance reached twice in game 3 with the big homer

For New York:

Raines has reached 7x

Williams 5x

O'Neill 6x

Martinez 4x w/HR

Strawberry 4x

Jeter 4x, winning game 2 with bat and glove. 

Posada twice in game 3

Brosius 5x

Knoblauch 2x

Game one starters return.  One more in Chicago.

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

P Hernandez (32)   132   3.7

2B Evers (28) (LH)     115      3.5

RF Beaumont (33) (LH) 110

CF Hofman (27)  154  5.1

1B Chance (33)   131  2.9

LF Sheckard (31) (LH)  114    3.5

3B Zimmerman (23)  111  1.1

SS Tinker (29)    110      4.2

C Kling (34)       109        2.8

P Brown (33)      153      5.2

GAME FOUR

1st: Three Finger Brown struggled in game one - but he is the best pitcher in the series and now has a chance to force a game 5. Raines opens with a single - 38 year old future Hall of Famer Raines got the leadoff spot in this series against the RH Cubs rotation and he continues to get on base. The innings ends here. Brown strikes out 2.  

1st: Il Duque was strong in winning game one and he gets the ball here.  He walks Evers, 2 outs later he walks Hofman - that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3, 3 Ks now for Brown.

2nd: Sheckard walks, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3, 5 Ks for Brown.

3rd: Kling doubles, that's the Cubs first hit.  Nothing results.  

4th: Scoreless through 3 here in game 4.  1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, Hernandez matches the future Hall of Famer Brown.

5th: 1-2-3, whew -- Brown retires 15 straight Yankees and has 6 punchouts.  Whew.  

5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Hernandez.  Stride for stride here in game 4.

6th: 1-2-3, Raines opened with a single and then not a single thing since then.  18 straight for Brown.  

6th: 1-2-3, 11 straight - Orlando Hernandez has yet to give up a run in two starts to the Cubs.  We go to the 7th inning.  Game 4.  Each club has just one hit.  

7th: 1-2-3, 21 in a row set down by Three Finger Brown with 7 Ks.

7th: 1-2-3, Hernandez has retired 14 in a row - we are seeing an all time great pitchers duel here in Chicago today.  

8th: Brown strikes out the first two - that's 9 Ks and 23 straight - but then he walks Brosius. And then he walks Knoblauch.  Torre sends Shane Spencer to the plate to hit for Hernandez.  Big spot here.  2 on.  2 out.  Scoreless game.  And Spencer singles to left -- it scores Brosius and the Yankees go up 1-0.  Raines then follows with a run scoring single and it's 2-0. That ends Brown's day - such a great effort for Brown today; Jack Pfiester enters and ends the threat - but now the Yankees are 6 outs away from advancing. Yankees 2 Cubs 0

8th: Mike Stanton gets the call from Torre.  He walks Tinker with one out, then Johnny Kling singles.  Just the second Cub hit.  It ends here.

9th: 26 year old RH Lew Richie has 11 wins and a 2.70 ERA and he enters; he walks O'Neill and an out later Jeter singles. That's all though - we head to the bottom.

9th: Mariano River needs 3 outs to move the Yankees to the next round.

He walks Ginger Beaumont.  Tying run to the plate.

Hofman pops up..Jeter has it.  One away. 

Rivera strikes out Chance.  Two away.  

Sheckard fly ball...left...Raines squeezes it and it's done.

Yankees 2

Cubs 0

WP Hernandez

LP Brown

Yankees really struggled offensively after game 1 - but the pitching held up, Stanton/Mendoza/Rivera from the bullpen and the MVP is Il Duque - he beat Brown twice and didn't allow a run in either game.  The Yankees are the 17th team to advance.

128 Team Tournament, Round Two, Region Four: 2018 World Champion Boston Red Sox v. 1947 World Champion New York Yankees

 

Orioles v. Red Sox

20. 2018 World Champion Boston Red Sox v. 45. 1947 World Champion New York Yankees

The top half of the bracket ends here.  We just saw the Sox from five years prior lose - here's the 2018 version.  Boston does not have a team in the next round; they will have one more shot in the bottom half of the bracket.  3 Yankees teams have advanced, 1943, 1953, 1977.  Losing this round: '41, '21, '52, '37, '49, '78. They've got 8 teams still to come.  

Red Sox 108-54 Mgr. Alex Cora (2nd AL Mgr of Year)

1st in AL East

d. Yankees in ALDS

d. Astros in ALCS

d. Dodgers in WS

d. #109 1934 Tigers (MVP-Brock Holt)

All-Stars OF Mookie Betts (AL MVP) RP Craig Kimbrel, DH JD Martinez (4th AL MVP) 1B Mitch Moreland, SP Chris Sale (4th AL Cy Young)

Yankees 97-57 Bucky Harris

Won AL Pennant

d. Dodgers in WS

d. #84 1989 A's (MVP-Tommy Henrich/Allie Reynolds)

All-Stars SP Spud Chandler, OF Joe DiMaggio (AL MVP) OF Tommy Henrich, 3B Billy Johnson, OF Charlie Keller, 1B George McQuinn, RP Joe Page (4th AL MVP) C Aaron Robinson, SP Spec Shea (3rd MLB RoY)

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizutto, Bucky Harris

Yankees

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2  

CF DiMaggio (32)  154   4.6

LF Keller (30)   (LH)    165    2

RF Henrich (34)  (LH)  138    4.9

1B McQuinn (37)  (LH) 132   4.2

DH Robinson (32) (LH)  118   1.6

C Berra (22)    (LH)       115    1.3

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

P Chandler (39)      144   3.4

Bench:

3B Brown (22) (LH)      114     .8

OF Lindell (30)       104

OF Clark (24)         153

C Houk (27)            91

SP2 Reynolds (30)   110   2.3

SP3 Shea (26)           115   2.9

Lefties going for the Sox in games 1-2, Brown will be in the lineup in game 3.  Probably Robinson sits in New York, but he might catch with Yogi sitting.  

Red Sox

LF Benintendi (23)  (LH) 123  4.2

RF Betts (25)    186          9.8

DH Martinez (30)  173    7

1B Pearce (35)   141        1.2

SS Bogaerts (25)  135      5.1

2B Holt (30)  109    (LH)         1

3B Devers (21) (LH) 94           1.5

CF Bradley (28)  92  (LH)       2.1

C Leon (29)  (SH)  37               .3

P Sale (29) (LH)   209             6.9

Bench:

C Vazquez (27)  46      .3

1B Moreland (32) (LH)   102

2B Nunez (31)         81

2B Kinsler (36)       64

SS T-W Lin (LH) (24)  100

1B Ramirez (34)    90

C Swihart (26) (SH)   65

SP2 Price (32) (LH)   123        3.7

SP3 Porcello (29) 103       3

All the Yankees starters are RH, that probably means the same starting 8 goes out every day; if Pearce doesn't hit, Moreland is ready at first.  Swihart also might get a shot behind the plate.  In New York, the current plan is Martinez to left, Benintendi to center with Bradley on the bench, but that's subject to change.  

WAR Advantage:

C-Yankees

1B-Yankees

2B-Yankees

SS-Sox

3B-Yankees

LF-Sox

CF-Yankees

RF-Sox

DH-Sox

SP1-Sox

SP2-Sox

SP3-Push

Bullpen-Sox

WAR: Sox 7 Yankees 5 --- so, Sox have the seed advantage (but its close) and the WAR advantage (but its close) and the best player (Betts) - that's enough...we'll say Boston is favored to take this one and close out the top half of the bracket.

GAME ONE

1st: The last series of the top half of the bracket starts with Chris Sale.  29 year old lefty, 12-4, 2.11, Up with the White Sox in '10, 6th in the Cy Young in '12, 5th in '13, 3rd in '14, 4th in '15, 5th in '16 -- then dealt to the Red Sox for Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech - Sale was 2nd in the Cy in '17, 4th this year.  He is out with injury in 2020. Billy Johnson singles, Sale gets the next two - but then Tommy Henrich jacks one over the wall in right center -- Henrich was MVP for the Yankees in Round One and gives them a lead here.  Yankees 2 Sox 0

1st: 39 year old Spud Chandler gets the call for the Bombers.  9-5, 2.46. Chandler had already advanced, with the '43 team; he was MVP that season.  This is his final year in the bigs.  Chandler had a good postseason career, a 1.62 ERA in 33 innings.  He only threw 2 innings in the '47 World Series.  Mookie Betts singles with one out, that's it.

2nd: Aaron Robinson and Yogi Berra double back to back and it's 3-0. Robinson's on the bench for the '43 team that has already advanced - it was his rookie season. He's going to finish his career with Boston in '51. Yankees 3 Sox 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Jackie Bradley singles.  Bradley was on the bench for the '13 Sox we saw in the previous series.  That was his rookie season, Bradley made the All Star team in '16 and remains the Sox center fielder in 2020.  An out later Andrew Benintendi walks, that's all.

4th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Sale.

4th: Steve Pearce singles. Pearce is 35 and a backup, but has so much bat that Cora's got him in the lineup even against a RH.  He came up with Pittsburgh in '07, spent 12 games with the Yankees in '12, Boston bought him from the Jays during this season and next season is his last. He's stranded.

5th: Phil Rizzuto walks - he's already advanced as the shortstop for the '53 team; he gets 183 at bats in 52 postseason games in his career and hits .246.  He was better than that this year, 8-26 in the '47 World Series. After an out, Johnson walks and after the second out, Sale hits Charlie Keller to load the bases - but the Yanks don't score.

5th: Bradley singles again, two outs later Betts walks, but that's all - the Sox have yet to score.

6th: George McQuinn singles. McQuinn's 37 years old - came up with the Reds back in '36, most of his career was spent with the Browns - the Yankees picked him up off the street prior to this season and he finished 6th in the AL MVP race and next season is his last.  That's all.

6th: 27 year old RH Karl Drews enters with a 4.91 ERA - he walks Brock Holt with two outs, Holt was the MVP for the Sox round one win. He's a utilityman getting the second base nod for the series against the Yankees all RH staff, broke in with the Pirates in '12, 8th in the AL Rookie of the Year for the Sox in '14, his only All Star selection was '15, in 2020, he's a Brewer.  That's it.

7th: Sale's day is done, 29 year old RH Heath Hembree enters carrying a 4.20 ERA. He gives up a 1 out single to Stuffy Stirnweiss.  He's shares the shortstop job with Frankie Crosetti on that '43 team which advanced and has top 5 AL MVP finishes in '44 and '45. He's dealt to the Browns during the '50 season and finishes in Cleveland in '52. That's all.

7th: Sandy Leon singles with one out, the Sox have multiple catchers who can't hit, Leon came up with the Nats in '12, the Sox bought him in '15, he's an Indian in '20.  That brings on 29 year old RH Randy Gumpert to pitch and he ends the inning.  

8th: After an out - Tommy Henrich homers.  That might wrap up game one - Henrich hits his second homer of the day and the Yanks lead 4-0.  30 year old RH Joe Kelly enters and ends the inning.  Yankees 4 Sox 0 

8th: Pearce singles with one out, but that's all - only 5 hits today for Boston; the favored Sox go quiet in game one.

9th: Rizzuto singles with one out, nothing else.

9th: 20 year old RH Don Johnson gets the call to close this out - he walks Rafael Devers and two outs later walks Andrew Benintendi.  That's enough for Harris - he brings in the hammer, 29 year old lefty Joe Page.  Page was an All Star in his rookie season in '44, he was 4th this year in the AL MVP, two years from now he'll be third.  He ends his career in '54 with the Pirates. He gets Betts to fly out - and the Yanks shut out the Sox to take game one.

Yankees 4

Red Sox 0

WP Chandler

LP Sale

5 Yankee pitchers combine on a 6 hitter and the Yanks take game one.

For the Yanks...

Johnson reached twice

Henrich had 2 HR

Rizzuto reached twice

For the Sox...

Benintendi reached twice

Betts reached twice

Pearce reached twice

Bradley reached twice

One more at Fenway...can the Sox even the series?

Yankees

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2  

CF DiMaggio (32)  154   4.6

LF Keller (30)   (LH)    165    2

RF Henrich (34)  (LH)  138    4.9

1B McQuinn (37)  (LH) 132   4.2

DH Robinson (32) (LH)  118   1.6

C Berra (22)    (LH)       115    1.3

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

SP2 Reynolds (30)   110   2.3

Red Sox

LF Benintendi (23)  (LH) 123  4.2

RF Betts (25)    186          9.8

DH Martinez (30)  173    7

1B Pearce (35)   141        1.2

SS Bogaerts (25)  135      5.1

2B Holt (30)  109    (LH)         1

3B Devers (21) (LH) 94           1.5

CF Bradley (28)  92  (LH)       2.1

C Swihart (26) (SH)   65

SP2 Price (32) (LH)   123        3.7

GAME TWO

1st Has to be some concern at Fenway today - in game one they threw their ace; DiMaggio went 0-4, and they got beat and pretty easily. There hasn't been (I don't think) an 0-2 comeback yet, so the Sox need this game or its almost certainly the end of their run.  32 year old lefty David Price gets the call - 16-7, 3.58. Price was 22 when he came up with the Rays a decade ago. He was second in the AL Cy Young in '10. Won the Cy in '12. 6th in '14.  2nd in '15.  He signs here as a free agent before '16 and leads the league in starts; he and Betts are dealt to the Dodgers prior to the 2020 season.  Price gets two and then walks Keller and Henrich, that's all. 

1st: Allie Reynolds was a co-MVP in round one, 30 year old RH, 19-8, 3.20 -- he's with the '52 team that has already advanced.  Reynolds pitched in 15 postseason games over 6 seasons, went 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA. He started two games against the Dodgers in the '47 Series, went 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA.  He gives up a 2 out single with JD Martinez, that's all.

2nd: Aaron Robinson singles, Yogi Berra doubles. Robinson attempts to score but is gunned down at the plate by Jackie Bradley.  Scooter follows with a double that scores Berra and the Yanks are again up.  Yankees 1 Sox 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Charlie Keller walks with one out and Tommy Henrich singles. Keller's already advanced with the '43 team, Henrich was part of two of the Yankee teams that lost in this round. The inning ends here.

3rd: Andrew Benintendi singles with 2 out. Benintendi was 21 when he came up in '16, was second last year in the Rookie of the Year, he's a part timer for the Sox in 2020.  That's all.

4th: Robinson doubles. Yankees will have an interesting game 3 decision behind the plate when the DH goes away.  That's all.

4th: 1-2-3, Reynolds has just given up two hits.

5th: DiMaggio doubles, the first time he's reached in the series.  DiMaggio has yet to advance, he was on the '37 and '41 teams that lost.  Was in the War in '43 and that team advanced, and then was on the '49 team that lost.  DiMaggio has lost 3 series in this round already - but maybe not this one - Charlie Keller hits a two run homer, the Yanks are now up 3.  Henrich doubles, McQuinn walks - and then after an out -- Yogi hits a 3 run bomb -- that makes this one 6-0, the Yanks already won game 1 - now are up 6-0 and Price is gone. 33 year old RH Steven Wright enters and that's all.  Yankees 6 Sox 0

5th: Rafael Devers homers with one out. Devers is 21, came up last year, he'll lead the league in doubles next year and is still Boston's third baseman in 2020.  Blake Swihart singles after the second out. Benintendi then singles - that's it.  Yankees 6 Sox 1

6th: 1-2-3

6th: After an out, Pearce and Bogaerts walk. Holt singles.  Bases loaded.  Can the Sox crawl back into this?  After the second out - Bradley singles to score two.  Bradley then swipes second, giving the Sox men on second and third -- and they both score on a Swihart single and the Sox have crawled back.  Yankees 6 Sox 5

7th: Tommy Henrich singles and then George McQuinn hits a 2 run homer -- the Sox have their first sign of life in the entire series - and the Yanks just immediately step on their throat.  Heath Hembree enters, ends it.  Yankees 8 Sox 5 

7th: JD Martinez singles with one out - and after another out the Sox follow with singles by Pearce and Bogaerts - and that's where it ends.  

8th: DiMaggio singles with 2 out, that's it.

8th: After an out, Bradley singles and Swihart walks - but Reynolds strands them and we head to the 9th.

9th: Joe Kelly is the new Sox pitcher, Henrich singles, that's it.

9th: Joe Page enters - he closed game one and he looks to do the same here - Bogaerts singles with 2 out, but that's the end of the game.

Yankees 8

Red Sox 5

WP Reynolds

LP Price

Boston's dead.  They drop the first two games of the series at home and now head to Yankee Stadium where they lose their DH and have to win both games to force a return to Fenway.

For the Yanks...

Johnson reached twice

DiMaggio has reached 2x

Keller reached 3x in game 2 w/HR

Henrich has reached 7x w/2 HR

McQuinn reached 2x w/HR

Robinson reached 2x in game 2

Yogi reached 2x in game 2 w/HR

Rizzuto reached 3x

For the Sox...

Benintendi reached 4x

Martinez reached 2x in game 2

Betts reached twice

Pearce reached 4x

Bogaerts reached 3x

Devers homered in game 2

Bradley reached 4x

Swihart reached 3x

GAME THREE

Red Sox

LF Benintendi (23)  (LH) 123  4.2

RF Betts (25)    186          9.8

1B Pearce (35)   141        1.2

SS Bogaerts (25)  135      5.1

3B Devers (21) (LH) 94           1.5

CF Bradley (28)  92  (LH)       2.1

2B Nunez (31)         81

C Swihart (26) (SH)   65

SP3 Porcello (29) 103       3

Yankees

LF Keller (30)   (LH)    165    2

RF Henrich (34)  (LH)  138    4.9

CF DiMaggio (32)  154   4.6

1B McQuinn (37)  (LH) 132   4.2

C Berra (22)    (LH)       115    1.3

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2  

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

SP3 Shea (26)           115   2.9

GAME THREE

1st: Spec Shea is a 26 year old RH, 14-5, 3.07 and he can end this series in a very unexpected Yankee sweep.  Shea was 3rd in the AL Rookie of the Year this year, He's dealt to the Senators in '52, Jackie Jensen is part of that deal headed to Washington and he stops after '55. 1-2-3

1st: The Sox lost the first two at home and are really, really up against it.  They turn to 29 year old RH Rick Porcello 17-7, 4.28. Like Shea, Porcello also finished 3rd in the AL Rookie of the Year, in '09 with the Tigers. He's dealt to the Sox after the '14 season for Yoenis Cespedes and wins the Cy Young in '16. In 2020, he's a Met.  He gives up a two out single to DiMaggio, that's all.

2nd: Devers walks with one out, Eduardo Nunez is a 31 year old second baseman getting his first start of the series - and he doubles into the right field corner -- Devers comes all the way around to score and its the Sox who take the game 3 lead. Nunez spent the first four seasons of his career as a Yankee, he came to Boston from the Giants in '17, Shaun Anderson headed to San Francisco. Like Porcello, in 2020, he's a Met.  Swihart walks, that's all.  Sox 1 Yankees 0

2nd: Yogi ties the score with a first pitch homer to left center.  His second homer of the series - Yogi's already advanced with the '53 Yankees; Yogi will play in 14 postseason series in his career, he hits .274 in 259 at bats with a dozen homers. He struggled in the '47 World Series, hitting .158 against the Dodgers. Bill Johnson follows with a single and an out later Stuffy Stirnweiss walks. That's all.  Sox 1 Yankees 1

3rd: Andrew Benintendi doubles - but nothing results.

3rd: Henrich and DiMaggio single back to back - but Porcello keeps them off the board. 

4th: Bradley walks with one out, after the second out Blake Swihart singles.  Swihart reached 3 times in game 2 and he is now the Boston catcher. Swihart was never an everyday player in his 5 year big league career, his last season, as of 2020, was in Arizona in '19, he was released from the Rangers system last week.  Nothing eventuates.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Benintendi singles - but he's stranded.

5th: Shea walks, that's it.

6th: Bradley's hit with one out - and then Nunez comes through again, doubles to left center and Bradley comes all the way around to score the tiebreaking run. Sox 2 Yankees 1

6th: Alex Cora goes to the pen  for Heath Hembree, he's pitched in each game, 1-2-3

7th: 27 year old RH Karl Drews enters for the Yankees - he gives up a Benintendi single, his third hit of the day, but that's it.

7th: Billy Johnson walks and Rizzuto doubles him to third.  Johnson's already advanced with that '43 team, Rizzuto with the '52 team.  Joe Kelly has pitched in each game - and he comes on now with the potential tying and go ahead runs in scoring position with nobody out -- and he holds the line, Boston keeping that lead.

8th: 29 year old RH Randy Gumpert gets the ball; 1-2-3

8th: Charlie Keller walks - 2 outs later George McQuinn singles - 28 year old RH Matt Barnes comes on - tying run at second - go ahead run at first --- but again the Sox escape and we head to the 9th.

9th: Swihart singles - two outs later Betts walks and that's where it ends.  Bottom.

9th: 30 year old RH Craig Kimbrel is the closer.  42 saves and a 2.74 ERA. Kimbrel came up with the Braves in '10, Rookie of the Year in '11. 5th in the NL Cy Young in '12, 4th in '13, 9th in '14. The Sox got him from the Padres after the '15 season; he was 6th in the AL Cy Young in '17 - this is the end of his Sox career, he signs with the Cubs in '19 and remains there in '20. 

Billy Johnson is first.  Walk.  Winning run to the plate.

Rizzuto pops to second.  One away.

Stirnweiss strikes out.  Two away.

Bobby Brown comes on to hit -- and he flies to right and the Sox are alive.

Sox 2

Yankees 1

WP Porcello

LP Shea

5 Sox pitchers scatter 7 hits and Boston gets their first win.  

For the Sox...

Benintendi has reached 7x

Martinez reached 2x in game 2

Betts has reached 3x

Pearce reached 4x

Bogaerts reached 3x

Devers homered in game 2

Bradley has reached 5x

Nunez has reached 2x and won game 3

Swihart has reached 6x

For the Yanks...

Johnson has reached 5x

DiMaggio has reached 4x

Keller reached 3x in game 2 w/HR

Henrich has reached 8x w/2 HR

McQuinn reached 2x w/HR

Robinson reached 2x in game 2

Yogi has 2 HR

Rizzuto has reached 4x

The Game one starters return - that means Chris Sale - if he can beat the Yankees this series is suddently all tied up and headed back to Boston.  

Red Sox

LF Benintendi (23)  (LH) 123  4.2

RF Betts (25)    186          9.8

SS Bogaerts (25)  135      5.1

1B Moreland (32) (LH)   102

3B Devers (21) (LH) 94           1.5

CF Bradley (28)  92  (LH)       2.1

2B Nunez (31)         81

C Swihart (26) (SH)   65

P Sale (29) (LH)   209             6.9

Yankees

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2  

CF DiMaggio (32)  154   4.6

LF Keller (30)   (LH)    165    2

RF Henrich (34)  (LH)  138    4.9

1B McQuinn (37)  (LH) 132   4.2

C Berra (22)    (LH)       115    1.3

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

P Chandler (39)      144   3.4

GAME FOUR

1st: A little less celebratory, a little more anxious, here at Yankee Stadium for Game 4. Spud Chandler back on the Yankee mound.  1-2-3

1st: Chris Sale is 9 innings away from tying up this series.  He gets 2 - but then gives up a monster bomb to Charlie Keller.  It's his second homer of the series and the Yankees take the lead.  Sox 0 Yankees 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: McQuinn triples.  After an out, Sale hits Rizzuto and they are on the corners - but that's where they stay.

3rd: 1-2-3, 9 up, 9 down for Chandler.

3rd: Keller walks with 2 out, but Sale leaves him at first.

4th: Benintendi doubles and Betts walks.  2 on, nobody out. And then Bogaerts walks.  All loaded up. And Chandler escapes.  Big spot here.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Allie Clark hits for Chandler with one out and singles - but that's all.  

6th: Chandler is pulled after 5 innings, as was he in game one, despite allowing 1 hit. Karl Drews takes over. He gives up a one out Benintendi single  and then walks Betts...but the Sox still do not score.

6th: 1-2-3, Sale's given up just 3 hits but he's on the wrong side of the score as we go to the 7th.

7th: Bradley singles with 2 out, but that's all.  Getting late for the Sox.  

7th: Rizzuto singles with one out and then Sale hits Stirnweiss - but that's as far as it goes.  

8th: The Yankees are 6 outs away from advancing. And they turn to the closer, Joe Page to go pick them up.  He walks Swihart - and JD Martinez comes off the bench to hit for Sale.

He singles.  Men on the corners and nobody out.  Looks like this is the chance for Boston.

Ian Kinsler enters to run for Martinez.  Benintendi grounds to McQuinn...he has no play at the plate, Swihart scores the tying run and now Kinsler's at second with one out.  

Betts walks.  Two on.  1 out.  Tie score.  Bogaerts flies to right -- Kinsler's able to get to third, but now there are two outs.

Page strikes Moreland out to end the inning. Sox 1 Yankees 1

8th: Heath Hembree again. He walks DiMaggio with one out and Keller singles Joe over to third.  Henrich grounds to first -- throw on to get one -- but the throw to first is late and DiMaggio has scored the go ahead run.  And then George McQuinn maybe ends this series with a 2 run shot -- Yankee Stadium explodes - it's 4-1 New York.  Joe Kelly comes on - and Yogi hits his first pitch over the wall and that probably ends this.  Huge roar in the Bronx - the Yankees are about to move their 4th team into the round of 32 - Sox 1 Yankees 5

9th: 1-2-3

And that's it.

Sox 1

Yankees 5

WP Page

LP Hembree

The Sox get only 4 hits in game 4 and are eliminated.  

For the Yanks...

Keller hit 2 homers

Henrich hit 2 HR

McQuinn hit 2 homers

And Yogi hit 3.  

Also, two strong (but short) Chandler outings...let's say it's Yogi who wins this MVP.

Half the field is set for the Round of 32.

Region One

1984 Tigers v. 1977 Yankees

1975 Reds v. 1943 Yankees

Region Two

1948 Indians v. 2017 Dodgers

1944 Cardinals v. 1912 Giants

Region Three

1904 Giants v. 2011 Phillies

1909 Cubs v. 1953 Yankees

Region Four

1922 Giants v. 1909 A's

1970 Orioles v. 1947 Yankees

August, 2020 Athlete of the Month

 July

Mookie Betts.  Runners-up: Collin Morikawa, Stipe Miocic, Takuma Sato

Sports start to look a little more like sports; the best MLB player from the first half of the season is the Athlete of the Month for August.

8 months down.  To say the 2020 Athlete of the Year is still in play is an understatement.  

January-Joe Burrow

February - Damien Williams
March -Sabrina Ionescu
April- Chu-Yu Hsien

May-Manuel Neuer

June-Robert Lewandowski

July-Cristiano Ronaldo

August-Mookie Betts

128 Team Tournament, Round Two, Region Four: 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 2013 World Champion Boston Red Sox

 Giants v. Yankees

13. 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 57. 2013 World Champion Boston Red Sox

The top remaining seed in Region 4 is the '70 Orioles.  Round 2 has not been kind to Baltimore so far, the '71 and '79 teams have been eliminated. This is the first Red Sox team we've seen in this round - and another is coming in the next series.  

14 teams are in.  Who will be #15?

Orioles 108-54 Mgr Earl Weaver

1st in AL East

d. Twins in ALCS

d. Reds in WS

d. #116 1958 Yankees (MVP-Eddie Watt)

All-Stars SP Mike Cuellar (4th AL Cy Young) 2B Davey Johnson, SP Dave McNally (2nd AL Cy Young) SP Jim Palmer, (5th Cy Young) 1B Boog Powell (AL MVP) OF Frank Robinson, 3B Brooks Robinson

Hall of Famers: Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver

Red Sox 97-65 Mgr. John Farrell (2nd AL Mgr of the Year)

1st in AL East

d. Rays in ALDS

d. Tigers in ALCS

d. Cardinals in WS

d. #72. 1941 Dodgers (MVP: David Ortiz, Matt Carp)

All-Stars SP Clay Buchholz, DH David Ortiz, 2B Dustin Pedroia

Red Sox-John Farrell

CF Ellsbury (29)  (LH) 113  4.9

RF Victorino (32) (SH)  118  5.5

LF Carp (27)         139   1.3

1B Nava (30) (SH)      127    2.8

C Saltalamacchia (28) (SH)  118   3.1

SS Drew (30)  (LH)      111     3.5

2B Pedroia (29)    115     5.6

3B Iglesias (23)    115     1.6

P Buchholz (28)    237    4

Bench:

1B Napoli (31)      128   3.4

DH Ortiz (37)  (LH)     159   4.7

C    Ross (36)                 85

3B  Middlebrooks (24)  87

LF Gomes (32)              110

OF Bradley (23)   (LH) 68

IF   Ciriaco (27)             76

3B  Holt (LH) (25)         43

C    Lavarnway (25)      106

IF Snyder (26)               53

SP2 Lester (29) (LH)   110    3.3

SP3 Lackey (34)  117    3.4

RH Palmer going for the Orioles in game 1 so we see Boston's LH heavy lineup, McNally and Cuellar are both lefties going in games 2-3, so Napoli plays first, Ross might catch, Middlebrooks might play third with Iglesias moving to short. Both Gomes and Nava are in play for an OF spot. Ortiz can't play the field at all, so he will only see starts in Boston.  

Orioles-Earl Weaver

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

P Palmer (24)            134    6.3

Bench:

C Etchebarren (27)    82    .6 

SS Salmon (29)        86     .1

CF Blair (26)              114   5.3 

1B  Crowley (23) (LH)    116

2B Grich (21)          55

LF Motton (29)       110

SP2 McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

SP3 Cuellar (33)   (LH)   105     3.5

Orioles have 4 OF for 3 spots - against the RH in game 1 it'll be Buford in and Blair out, that'll switch in game two against a LH, with Blair playing CF.  When the series goes to Boston, Buford will DH.  Probably platoon behind the plate.  Salmon has a better bat than Belanger and might see some action.  

WAR Advtantage

C-Sox

1B-Orioles

2B-Sox

SS-Sox

3B-Orioles

LF-Orioles

CF-Push

RF-Sox

DH-Sox

SP1-Orioles

SP2-Orioles

SP3-Sox

Bullpen-Sox

Sox 7 Orioles 5, so Orioles have seed advantage, Sox have WAR advantage, it's Pedroia, just by a tick, who is the best position player in the series.  Baltimore is the top seed in the Region..this is so, so close...let's say that home field advantage takes Ortiz's bat away just enough to make...by the narrowest of margins, the Orioles are the favorites.  This could be a super competitive series.  One to definitely look forward to.  

GAME ONE

1st: Here's Jim Palmer.  We've talked about him a bunch in this round; this year he's 24 with a 2.71 ERA. He walks Jacoby Ellsbury but that's all.

1st: 28 year old RH Clay Buchholz gets the call for the Sox; 12-1, 1.74 ERA. Buchholz came up in '07, was 6th in the Cy Young in '10, he made his 2nd All Star team this year. He'll stay in Boston through '16, then be sent to the Phillies for a prospect. It appears that '19 is his final season, as a Blue Jay. He gets the first two - then Boog Powell sends the Memorial Stadium crowd into a frenzy with a rocket shot - a bomb to dead center.  Sox 0 Orioles 1

2nd: Stephen Drew draws a two out walk. Drew's 30, up in Arizona in '06, this is his first season in Boston, signing as a free agent, the Sox deal him at next year's deadline to the Yankees for Kelly Johnson. His last season is '17 with Washington. That's all.

2nd: Davey Johnson singles, he will be the second baseman next year as well, so we've discussed him. '72 will be his last season in Baltimore. After an out Mark Belanger walks, that's all.

3rd: Jose Iglesias singles. Iglesias is a 23 year old rookie, he finished 2nd this year in the AL Rookie of the Year - but not with Boston; he was dealt away to the Tigers at the deadline in a deal that also included the White Sox.  Jake Peavy came back to Boston, Peavy is in the bullpen for this series.  In 2020 - Iglesias is playing for these Orioles.  He's standing at second two outs later when Shane Victorino singles him home, tying the score.  Sox 1 Orioles 1

3rd: Frank Robinson singles - he'll be on next year's team and so has been discussed. He's stranded.

4th: Jordan Saltalamacchia singles with one out - Salty came up with the Braves as a 22 year old in '07, he came over from the Rangers in a deadline deal in '10 and he signs as a free agent after this season with the Marlins.  He ends his career as a Tiger in '18. Drew singles and after the second out Pedroia singles, but Palmer leaves it there.

4th: Johnson doubles - but is left.

5th: Jacoby Ellsbury singles with one out, Ellsbury's 29, came up in '07, third in Rookie of the Year in '08, led the league in stolen bases in both '08 and '09, finished second in the MVP in '11. This is his last year in Boston, he signs with the Yankees as a free agent and his final big league season will be '17. That's it.

5th: Boog Powell walks with two outs, he's next year's first baseman as well. Don Buford singles and Brooks Robinson walks.  Bases loaded.  Two out.  And Buchholz escapes.

6th: Salty singles with one out, after the second out, Pedroia doubles -- Salty rounds third -- and is gunned down at the plate with a rifle shot by Don Buford!  The Sox do not score - and the game remains tied.

6th: Ellie Hendricks singles, we've seen him with next year's Orioles and he's already moved forward as the backup for the '77 Yankees.  Two outs later Merv Rettenmund doubles -- and it's Baltimore who is able to take advantage and score the go ahead run.  Frank Robinson then walks and the inning ends.  Sox 1 Orioles 2

7th: After an out - Farrell calls on David Ortiz to hit.  Ortiz is going to the Hall of Fame; he's 37 years old and broke in 16 years prior with the Twins. They release him after the '02 season and he's signed by Boston.  Over the next 5 years he finished in the top 5 in the AL MVP every season. He's an All Star in all of those seasons and then also makes the team in '08, '10, '11, '12. This year he finished 10th in the MVP race, his final season is 2016, when he finishes 6th in the MVP race. Ortiz singles - but that's all Palmer allows.  

7th: Both teams have strong pens, the Sox rolls thick - 32 year old lefty Craig Breslow had a 1.81 ERA, he gets an out, then gives up a Brooks Robinson single - that's all.

8th: Mike Carp singles. Carp, along with Ortiz, were co-MVPs in Round one. Carp's a career part timer, the Sox bought him from Seattle prior to the start of the season and next year is the last of his career.  Daniel Nava walks and Salty gets hit and suddenly the Sox have loaded the bases with no one out. And then there's a passed ball - and it ties the score and there still is no one out.  30 year old lefty Pete Richert enters with a 1.98 ERA - he gives up a Drew sac fly that gives Boston the lead.  After the second out, Iglesias singles and now it's 4-2. Sox 4 Orioles 2

8th: 27 year old RH Junichi Tozawa has a 3.16 ERA and he's next for Boston. With one out Belanger singles. That's it.  

9th: 29 year old RH Eddie Watt was the MVP of the last round and he enters for Baltimore - 1-2-3

9th: 3 left.  Koji Uehara is a 38 year old RH with a 1.09 ERA and 21 saves and he needs 3 outs.

Rettenmund is first.  Strikeout.

Frank Robinson is next.  Flies to right.

Powell is next - flies to center and it's done

Sox 4

Orioles 2

WP Breslow

LP Palmer

The wheels fell off tor the Orioles in the 8th and they've lost their home field advantage.

For Boston...

Ellsbury reached twice

Salty reached twice

Drew reached twice

Pedroia reached twice

Iglesias reached twice

For the Orioles..

Frank reached twice

Powell reached twice w/HR

Buford reached twice

Brooks reached twice

Johnson reached twice

Belanger reached twice

One more in Baltimore - can the O's even this up?

2B Pedroia (29)    115     5.6

SS Iglesias (23)    115     1.6

LF Carp (27)         139   1.3

1B Napoli (31)      128   3.4

RF Nava (30) (SH)      127    2.8

CF Victorino (32) (SH)  118  5.5

3B  Middlebrooks (24)  87

C    Ross (36)                 85

SP2 Lester (29) (LH)   110    3.3

LF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         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

SP2 McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

GAME TWO

1st: 27 year old lefty Dave McNally gets the ball for the Orioles, down a game in this series - 24-9, 3.22, he will also pitch for next year's team, so we've discussed him. McNally is second in the Cy Young this year and 4th next  McNally was an excellent playoff pitcher - 90 innings pitched, a 2.49 ERA. He started twice in the '70 postseason and won both of them.  He gives up a one out single to Jose Iglesias then walks Mike Carp. That's all.

1st: Boston turns to Jon Lester, 29 year old lefty, 15-8, 3.75. Lester came up in '06, was 4th in the Cy Young in '10, he'll be 4th again next year - during which he and Johnny Gomes are sent to Oakland for Yoenis Cespedes. Lester has 2 more top 10 Cy Young finishes as a Cub, for whom he still pitches in 2020.  He gives up a leadoff triple to Rettenmund and a run scoring double to Frank Robinson - Boog Powell then hits a two run homer and Baltimore has bounced to a quick 3-0 lead. Sox 0 Orioles 3

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Andy Etchebarren singles - he's catching today against the lefty Lester, largely a backup catcher throughout his 15 year career, Etchebarren came up when he was 19 in '62, was an All Star in both '66-67, he'll be sold to the Angels during the '75 season and finish with the Brewers in '78. After an out he's on second and then sores on  a McNally single.  Sox 0 Orioles 4

3rd: 1-2-3, 8 straight for McNally

3rd: Powell doubles - man, the Orioles are pounding Lester - Paul Blair then doubles him home.  Blair is the center fielder today against a lefty; he was 20 when he broke in in '64, picks up 8 Gold Glove awards in Baltimore - he's on that '77 Yankee team that already advanced, the Yankees got him for Elliott Maddox. Sox 0 Orioles 5

4th: 1-2-3, 11 straight.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Will Middlebrooks, playing today against the lefty, singles with one out. Middlebrooks is 24, came up last year, he's dealt to the Padres for Ryan Hanigan after next season and his last year in the bigs will be '17 in Texas. David Ross then walks, Lester, hitting for himself - doubles home Boston's first run.  Pedroia follows with a single that clears the bases and just like that it's 5-3 and McNally is out of the game.  Weaver brings in 26 year old lefty Marcelino Lopez, he gives up a run scoring double to Iglesias. It ends here, but the 4 run inning puts the Sox right back in this one.  Sox 4 Orioles 5

5th: Powell singles with one out, Blair singles him to third and a Brooks Robinson sac fly gives Baltimore back a run. That ends the day for Lester - Jake Peavy 32 year old RH gets the call and ends it. Sox 4 Orioles 6

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Belanger doubles with one out, that's all.

7th: Pedroia hits a 2 out single, that's all - nice work by Lopez.

7th: Powell keeps it going with a single - Blair keeps it going with a double -- and then Brooks Robinson ends this one with a 3 run jack -- that gets this Memorial Stadium crowd back up - now they have a five run lead and are about to tie this series.  27 year old lefty Franklin Morales comes on to pitch, he walks Johnson, that's all.  Sox 4 Orioles 9

8th: 1-2-3, Lopez continues his big outing.

8th: Rettenmund walks with one out and Frank Robinson singles -- Boog Powell does it again with a run scoring single. 30 year old RH Alfredo Aceves enters - and gives up a run scoring Paul Blair double. Sox 4 Orioles 11

9th: 34 year old RH Moe Drabowsky looks to end it - gives up a Victorino single, that's all.

Sox 4

Orioles 11

WP Lopez

LP Lester

Oriole bats just open up on this Sox staff - and this series heads to Fenway all tied up.

For the Orioles..

Frank has reached 4x

Rettenmund reached twice in game 2 w/triple

Powell has reached 7x w/2HR

Blair had 4 hits, 3 doubles in game 2

Buford reached twice

Brooks has reached3x w/HR

Johnson has reached 3x

Belanger has reached 3x

For Boston...

Ellsbury reached twice

Salty reached twice

Drew reached twice

Pedroia has reached 4x

Iglesias has reached 4x

The DH will be in play for games 3-4 - let's go to Fenway.

Orioles

LF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

DH Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

CF Blair (26)              114   5.3 

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP3 Cuellar (33)   (LH)   105     3.5

Sox

2B Pedroia (29)    115     5.6

3B Iglesias (23)    115     1.6

DH Ortiz (37)  (LH)     159   4.7

1B Napoli (31)      128   3.4

LF Gomes (32)              110

RF Victorino (32) (SH)  118  5.5

C Saltalamacchia (28) (SH)  118   3.1

CF Ellsbury (29)  (LH) 113  4.9

SS Drew (30)  (LH)      111     3.5

SP3 Lackey (34)  117    3.4

GAME THREE

1st: Fenway Park.  Game 3.  Series tied at one.  On the mound for the Sox - John Lackey.  34, RH.  10-13, so probably the worst record of any pitcher we'll see get a tournament start, 3.52. Lackey was 4th in the AL Rookie of the Year with the Angels back in '02. 3rd in the Cy Young in '07. Signs as a free agent with Boston before '10, this is his last full year with the Sox, they move him at the deadline in '14 to the Cards for Allen Craig and Joe Kelly. His last year is '17 with the Cubs. With two outs, he walks Frank Robinson and gives up a Don Buford base hit - that's it.

1st: 33 year old lefty Mike Cuellar takes the ball for Baltimore; 24-8, 3.48. Cuellar won the Cy Young in '69, 4th this year and makes the All Star team for the '71 club we've already seen.  Strong in the postseason for his career - 85 innings, 2.85 ERA. He wasn't great this year - the Twins banged him around in the ALCS (4 innings, 6 earned) but he went 11 innings with a 3.18 ERA and went 1-0 in the World Series. He hits Iglesias with one out, that's all.

2nd: Brooks Robinson singles. He was 7th in the AL MVP this year; we've discussed him with the '71 team. Good playoff career - hit .303 in 145 at bats with 5 homers. And this year - he was World Series MVP, hitting .429 against the Reds.  That's all.

2nd: Salty hits a 2 out double - he sat in game 2, but catches today and that's likely to continue the rest of the way.  Nothing results.

3rd: Belanger gets hit - probably coincidental that Iglesias got hit a couple innings prior, but something to monitor - Boog Powell stays hot, singling him to third after the first out and when Frank Robinson hits a sac fly - it's the Orioles who break through with the game's first run. Orioles 1 Sox 0

3rd: Pedroia singles and then Iglesias is hit again.  Iglesias will not be able to continue in the series - Middlebrooks will enter.  The crowd is now buzzing - given the circumstances, it doesn't really make sense that any of this is intentional - but 3 hit batsmen in 3 innings is a lot and there's definitely some chirping going on.  Ortiz then singles to load the bases and Mike Napoli singles home two runs and now Boston takes the lead.  Victorino singles home a run.  Saltalamacchia doubles home two -- big, big inning for the Sox - Orioles 1 Sox 5

4th: Blair singles - then steals second - then scores on a Brooks Robinson double to get a run back.  Davey Johnson walks.  Ellie Hendricks singles.  Still no one out -- Belanger the singles and now it's 5-3 and a Rettenmund groundout makes it 5-4.  Book Powell singles home the tying run -- here's where it ends; the Orioles come all the way back and tie this up.  Orioles 5 Sox 5

4th: One out and then- Pedroia singles.  Dustin Pedroia is 29, he'll spend his entire 14 year career in Boston. Rookie of the Year in '07, MVP in '08, Top 10 finishes in both '11 and this year.  His last season is '19. It ends here.  

5th: 1-2-3

5th: David Ortiz hits Cuellar's first pitch off the Pesky pole to give Boston the lead -- thunderous - thunderous roar at Fenway as Ortiz circles the bases.  Napoli then walks, an out later Victorino singles and Salty singles home another run.  Marcelino Lopez was strong in relief in game 2 - he gives up a run scoring groundout to Ellsbury and then a double to Drew - it ends here, Orioles 5 Sox 8

6th: Belanger singles with one out - Belanger hit just .218 this year (his career BA was .228) in ten postseason series for his career he hit .183 and while he was bad in the World Series this season (.105) his best ever playoff series was the '70 ALCS, when he hit .333 against the Twins.  After the second out Lackey walks Powell -- and then Frank Robinson ties it up with one swing - a 3 run homer over the Monster in LF --- huge, huge, huge moment here in game 3 - the Hall of Famer hits a 3 run homer and the score is all tied up.  Craig Breslow enters and ends the inning.  Orioles 8 Sox 8

6th: Lopez gets the first -- and then it's Papi Ortiz - with another home run -- David Ortiz homers to left center - and Boston - Boston is back in front -- a massive curtain call for Ortiz - the hometown crowd ecastic as the Papi chants fill all of New England.  Pete Richert comes on for Baltimore and ends it.  Orioles 8 Sox 9

7th: Paul Blair singles/Brooks Robinson walks and the Orioles are back at it.  An out moves both men up a base - and Ellie Hendricks singles them both home -- and it's Baltimore who has taken the lead.  Belanger then singles - back to the pen Boston goes for Junichi Tazawa to end it.  Orioles 10 Sox 9

7th: Salty singles with one out - but Richert holds the lead.  We head to the 8th in a slugfest at Fenway.

8th: After one out -- Don Buford homers -- Baltimore adds a run to the lead -- Blair then reaches on an error - and Brooks Robinson, who homered back in game 2 -- does it again right here -- a two run shot and now the Orioles have a big lead in the 8th inning.  Davey Johnson doubles and that ends Tazawa's day - 29 year old RH Andrew Bailey enters - Hendricks walks, after the second out Rettenmund walks -- the bases are loaded - that's where it ends.  Orioles 13 Sox 9

8th: Eddie Watt gets the call from Weaver -- can they get 6 more outs.  He gives up a one out single to Middlebrooks, that's all.  

9th: 26 year old RH Alex Wilson is the next Boston arm, After an out, Buford walks, Blair singles, and then Brooks walks and Baltimore has loaded the bases again - after the second out Hendricks ends this game with a bases clearing double.  Baltimore just pounding - just pounding Boston pitching the last two games.  Alfredo Aceves finishes up.  Orioles 16 Sox 9

9th: 1-2-3

Orioles 16

Sox 9

WP Richert

LP Breslow

The Orioles score 27 runs in games 2 and 3 and grab the 2-1 lead.

One more at Fenway.  The game one starters return.  Can the Sox force game 5?

Orioles

LF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

DH Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

CF Blair (26)              114   5.3 

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

P Palmer (24)            134    6.3

Red Sox

CF Ellsbury (29)  (LH) 113  4.9

RF Victorino (32) (SH)  118  5.5

DH Ortiz (37)  (LH)     159   4.7

1B Nava (30) (SH)      127    2.8

LF Carp (27)         139   1.3

C Saltalamacchia (28) (SH)  118   3.1

SS Drew (30)  (LH)      111     3.5

2B Pedroia (29)    115     5.6

3B  Middlebrooks (24)  87

P Buchholz (28)    237    4

GAME FOUR

1st: Clay Buccholz is back, he's okay in his postseason career, 29 innings, 4.25, most of that was in 2013, he got 4 postseason starts.  Rettenmund greets him with a single and then Boog Powell clubs his 3rd homer of the series - a bomb to dead center - the Orioles are at it again.  After an out, Don Buford doubles and Paul Blair walks.  After the second out Brooks Robinson singles home Buford.  Is this the last game of the series?  Orioles 3 Sox 0

1st: In the postseason, Palmer was 8-3, 2.61 in 124 innings. He got 3 postseason starts in '70, went 2-0, 11 earned runs in 24 innings. After an out, Victorino homers - Boston's not going down without a fight.  Orioles 3 Sox 1

2nd: Rettenmund doubles with one out, and after the second out Frank Robinson doubles and that's another Oriole run.  Buford/Blair then walk and the bases are loaded. That's all.  Orioles 4 Sox 1

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Palmer.

4th: Two outs in -- Frank Robinson homers.  His second homer of the series, the MVP race looks to be the only competiton left in this series.  Orioles 5 Sox 1

4th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Palmer.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Carp walks, Salty doubles and Drew drives both home with a double and now it's 5-3. Pedoria singles and they're on the corners and the Fenway crowd is alive - after an out an Ellsbury groundout scores the 4th run. Victorino walks - it ends here but the Sox live.  Orioles 5 Sox 4

6th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Buchholz.

6th: Carp doubles with one out - and after the second out Drew drives him home with a double to tie the score.  Orioles 5 Sox 5

7th: Craig Breslow is the new Sox pitcher.  Tie score.  Game 4.  This series is still up for grabs.  1-2-3

7th: Ellsbury singles.  That's all.  We go to the 8th.

8th: Blair walks - that brings in Junichi Tazawa. Blair steals second.  And Brooks Robinson singles him home.  Baltimore's broken the tie - and just six outs from ending the series. Orioles 6 Sox 5

8th: 1-2-3, Palmer muscles up and we head to the 9th.  

9th: Rettenmund singles.  That's all.  Bottom.

9th: Palmer remains in the game - Weaver trusting his ace to finish this off.

Drew is first - he flies to Blair.  One.

Pedoria is next..foul pop...it's Robinson near the third base dugout...Two.

Middlebrooks grounds to Belanger.  Onto Powell. Ballgame.

Orioles 6

Red Sox 5

WP Palmer

LP Buchholz

The Orioles put their first team through to the next round, the 15th team of 32 to advance.

Just a ton, a ton of Oriole bats throughout the series - let's say Boog Powell's 3 homers make him the MVP.