128 Team MLB Tournament - Region 4 Semi-Final: 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 45. 1947 World Champion New York Yankees

 Giants v. A's

13. 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 45. 1947 World Champion New York Yankees

Two Orioles clubs remain in the field; this team and the '69 squad.  8 Yankees teams are still to come, 7 teams in the bottom 4 regions in the bracket, we are about to get bombarded, pun intended, with Yankees.  

Orioles 108-54 (Pythag 104-58) Mgr Earl Weaver

1st in AL East

d. Twins 3-0 in ALCS

d. Reds 4-1 in World Series (MVP-Brooks Robinson)

d. #116 1958 Yankees 2-1 (MVP-Eddie Watt)

d. #57   2013 Red Sox 3-1 (MVP-Boog Powell)

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

Baltimore scored 60 runs in their 8 postseason games, they won 19 of their last 22 in the regular season. Baltimore pitchers threw 60 complete games.  They were 33-15, 52-18, won the AL East by 15 games.  

Yankees 97-57 (Pythag 100-54) Bucky Harris

Won AL Pennant

d. Dodgers 4-3 in World Series 

d. #84 1989 A's 2-1 (MVP-Tommy Henrich/Allie Reynolds)

d. #20 2018 Red Sox 3-1 (MVP-Yogi Berra)

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

(Yogi, Scooter, Allie Reynolds are on this team and the '53 team that made this round, Charlie Keller, Billy Johnson, Johnny Lindell, Stuff Stirnweiss, Spud Chandler are on the '43 team that made this round. They won the AL by a dozen games; they had a 19 game winning streak.

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 Brown (22) (LH)      114     .8

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

P Chandler (39)      144   3.4

Bench:

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2

C Robinson (32) (LH)  118   1.6

OF Lindell (30)       104

SP2 Shea (26)           115   2.9

SP3 Reynolds (30)   110   2.3

Strict platoon at third; Bobo Newsom is the 4th starter if the Yanks advance. 

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (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

SP2 McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

SP3 Cuellar (33)   (LH)   105     3.5

Orioles would platoon at C, but all the Yanks starters are RH; Weaver will give Belanger a chance to hit the ball at all at short to get his glove in the lineup, but Salmon's the better bat.  Same decision, opposite selection in center, where Rettennmund's bat gets priority to start series over Blair's glove.  Phoebus will get the ball in game 4 if the Orioles move on.  

Lineups:

C-Push, Yogi played in fewer games, he's got the better bat, Hendricks has a little more WAR

1B-Powell

2B-push

SS-Rizzuto

3B-Robinson

LF-Buford

CF-push, DiMaggio has a little more WAR than Rettenmund, Blair has more than either

RF-Henrich, Orioles the slight position player advantage overall, the player with the most WAR is Blair and he starts on the bench.

SP1-Palmer

SP2-McNally

SP3-Cuellar, Orioles sweep starting pitching

Pen-Orioles

WAR: Orioles 6 Yankees 3, the pitching advantage puts Baltimore over the top and as they're also the better seed, giving them home field, the Orioles are favored in this one.

GAME ONE

1st: The 1909 A's await the winners of this series; 24 year old RH Jim Palmer on the Memorial Stadium mound. 20-10, 2.71. It's already Palmer's 5th year in the bigs. He was 5th in the Cy Young this year.  1-2-3

1st: Spud Chandler is a 39 year old RH, 9-5, 2.46. It's his final big league season, all with the Yankees. He led the league in ERA and made the All Star team. Boog Powell singles and that's all.

2nd: Yogi Berra draws a one out walk. Yogi came up last year, but this is his rookie season. Next year he'll start a run of 16 straight All Star appearances. Bobby Brown follows with a single. That's all.  

2nd: Davey Johnson walks with one out. The Oriole second baseman is 27, made his third straight All Star team this year and won his second Gold Glove. Elrod Hendricks walks, after the second out Palmer reaches by error, and then Don Buford singles home a run. Powell follows with his second hit of the day, a single that scores two. Frank Robinson works a walk, the inning ends.  Yankees 0 Orioles 3

3rd: Charlie Keller singles with 2 out, nothing results.  

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Joe DiMaggio doubles.  The Yankee Clipper is 32, he just returned last season after 3 years in the military. He won the MVP this year, his third win.  Palmer gets the next 3.

4th: 1-2-3, 7 straight from Chandler. 

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Merv Rettenmund walks with 2 out. Rettenmund is the 4th OF for this club, but that bat is just too strong to keep out of the lineup; he hit .322 this year, his career high. That's all - just 3 hits for each club.

6th: After an out, Tommy Henrich homers to left center and the Yanks are on the board.  The Yanke RF is 34, like DiMaggio, he returned in '46 after 3 years in the service.  He made his second All Star team this season; also like DiMaggio, he will spend his entire career in pinstripes.  DiMaggio follows with another double; that's all.  Yankees 1 Orioles 3

6th: 27 year old RH Karl Drews is the new Yankee pitcher; 4.91. He walks Johnson. An out later Mark Belanger singles.  The Orioles shortstop is 26, he hit .218 this year.  Palmer hit .150 this year - he singles in this spot to score a run.  Buford walks - and then Powell clears the bases with a double and that probably shuts this one down.  31 year old RH Butch Wensloff enters for New York, 2.61. After the second out Rettenmund singles and Brooks Robinson walks. It ends here Yankees 1 Orioles 7

7th: 1-2-3

7th: The 4th Yankee pitcher is Vic Raschi, 28 year old RH, 3.87. Belanger singles with one away, that's all.  

8th: Raschi hits for himself, singles.  That's it.

8th: Boog Powell walks.  The Oriole first baseman is 28 and like DiMaggio, he is the AL MVP this season.  Frank Robinson walks, that's all.

9th: George McQuinn walks. The Yankee first baseman is 37, he was 6th in the AL MVP this year in his second to last year in the bigs.  Palmer gets the next 3 and it all over.

Yankees 1

Orioles 7

WP Palmer

LP Chandler

Complete game 6 hitter for Palmer; Powell drives in 5 and it's an easy game one for Baltimore.

Buford 2x

Powell 4x/double

F Robinson 2x

Rettenmund 2x

B Robinson 1x

Johnson 2x

Hendricks 1x

Belanger 2x

Keller 1x

Henrich 1x

DiMaggio 2x/ 2 doubles

McQuinn 1x

Berra 1x

Brown 1x

Yankees

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

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2

C Berra (22)    (LH)       115    1.3

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

SP2 Shea (26)           115   2.9

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP2 McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

GAME TWO

1st: Easy game one for the Orioles; 27 year old lefty Dave McNally gets the ball today. 24-9, 3.22.  McNally was second in the Cy Young, led the league in wins. Charlie Keller doubles with one away, the Yankee left fielder is 30, just played in 45 games this year, made the All Star team. Tommy Henrich follows with a run scoring single. Yankees 1 Orioles 0

1st: New York counters with Spec Shea, 26 year old RH, 14-5, 3.07. Shea was third in the Rookie of the Year this year, led the league in winning percentage and H/9. He hits Don Buford, that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Shea singles. The Yankees don't plate him.

3rd: McNally walks with 2 away, that's all.

4th: George McQuinn walks, Yogi walks an out later. That's it.

4th: 1-2-3, Shea has yet to allow a hit.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Davey Johnson singles with one away, Baltimore's first hit. Elrod Hendricks follows with a hit; Hendricks is 29, in a catching platoon. It's his 3rd season in the bigs, he's already in the Elite 8 on the bench for the '77 Yankees, perhaps next to Yogi.  Mark Belanger grounds out, the tying run scores. Yankees 1 Orioles 1

6th: George McQuinn singles with one out, McNally gets the second and then Yogi hits a two run homer to left center and the Bombers are back out in front.  Berra was MVP for New York last round and puts them in front today. Weaver goes to the pen for Pete Richert, 30 year old lefty, 1.98. He walks Phil Rizzuto, that's all.  Yankees 3 Orioles 1

6th: Frank Robinson hits a 2 out double. Robinson's 34, he made his 10th All Star team this year, finished 10th in the MVP. But that's it.  

7th: Shea singles again, he had 11 hits all year and has 2 today. Joe DiMaggio follows with his 3rd double of the series. Weaver goes back to the pen, gets Eddie Watt, MVP of the Orioles round 1 win. 29 year old RH, 3.25. He gets 2 - but then McQuinn singles everyone home, the Yanks have a good sized lead and are looking at knotting up the series. Yankees 5 Orioles 1

7th: Brooks Robinson walks - Orioles need some thunder.  An out later Hendricks singles, after the second out Terry Crowley comes up to hit.  Crowley's a 23 year old lefty bat who will spend his career pinch hitting. He singles and it scores a run. Yankees 5 Orioles 2

8th: The Next Oriole pitcher is Dave Leonhard, 29 year old RH, 5.08. Yogi singles.  Phil Rizzuto singles. Scooter's 29, like Henrich and DiMaggio he missed 3 years for the War, came back last season. He led the league in being hit by pitches.  Stuffy Stirnweiss doubles home a run. The 5th Oriole arm of the day belongs to Marcelino Lopez, a 26 year old lefty, 2.08. He gives up a sac fly to Allie Clark, a 24 year old backup outfielder hitting for Shea. After the second out Keller singles home a run, this one is done.  Yankees 8 Orioles 2

8th: Butch Wensloff comes on for Bucky Harris. 1-2-3

9th: McQuinn doubles, two outs later Rizzuto walks, that's all.

9th: 1-2-3

Yankees 8

Orioles 2

WP Shea

LP McNally

Just 5 Oriole hits and the Yankees come to Baltimore and get the split. 

Keller 3x/double

Henrich 2x

DiMaggio 3x/ 3 doubles

McQuinn 5x/double

Berra 4x/HR

Brown 1x

Rizzuo 3x

Stirnweiss 1x/double

Buford 2x

Powell 4x/double

F Robinson 3x/double

Rettenmund 2x

B Robinson 2x

Johnson 3x

Hendricks 3x

Belanger 2x

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP3 Cuellar (33)   (LH)   105     3.5

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

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2

C Berra (22)    (LH)       115    1.3

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

SP3 Reynolds (30)   110   2.3

GAME THREE

1st: Yankee Stadium for Game 3 - 30 year old RH Allie Reynolds on the mound; 19-8, 3.20. It's Reynolds first year in New York after 5 in Cleveland. He gave up 23 homers this year, most in the league. Boog Powell walks with one away. Frank Robinson walks.  Reynolds gets the second, but then a Brooks Robinson singles scores a run. Davey Johnson walks and that's all. Orioles 1 Yankees 0

1st: Mike Cuellar, the third 20 game winner on the Orioles staff, gets the ball. 33 year old lefty, 24-8, 3.48. It's Cuellar's 2nd year in Baltimore; he won the Cy Young last year and was 4th this year. He led the league in wins, winning %, complete games, and like Reynolds, he also gave up more homers than anyone in the league.  Joe DiMaggio hits his 4th double of the series. 2 outs later George McQuinn singles and it scores a run.  Orioles 1 Yankees 1

2nd: Don Buford walks with 2 away, Buford's 33, in his 3rd season in Baltimore. That's all.

2nd: Stuffy Stirnweiss singles with 2 away. The Yankees second baseman is 28, made his only All Star team last year. That's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Davey Johnson homers to left center and Baltimore takes the lead. Mark Belanger singles with one out, that's it.  Orioles 2 Yankees 1

4th: George McQuinn singles. That's it.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Allie Reynolds singles with 2 out. That's all.  Looks like our first tight game of the series.

6th: Brooks Robinson walks. The Oriole third baseman is 33, he's been an Oriole since he was 18 and will retire an Oriole at 40. He made his 11th straight All Star team this year, finished 7th in the MVP, won his 11th straight Gold Glove. He was World Series MVP. 2 out later Reynolds walks Ellie Hendricks, that's all.

6th: McQuinn walks with 2 out, that's it.  Tight, tight, tight.  

7th: 1-2-3, just 3 hits today for Baltimore.

7th: 1-2-3, just 5 hits for the Yanks.   

8th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Reynolds.

8th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Cuellar.  Tight, tight tight.

9th: 27 year old RH Karl Drews enters for the Yanks - he gives up a one out double to Hendricks, but that's all.

9th: Pete Richert for the Orioles. Henrich lines out to Powell.  McQuinn pop foul -- Powell in front of the first base dugout.  Billy Johnson laces a ball down the left field - no - it's snared by Robinson on the diving stop at the third base bag - he throws on to first to end the game.

Orioles 2

Yankees 1

WP Cuellar

LP Reynolds

Sv Richert

Only 4 hits today for Baltimore, but one was a Davey Johnson homer that provided the difference.  Cuellar beats Reynolds in the pitchers duel and the Orioles are a game from advancing.

Buford 3x

Powell 5x/double

F Robinson 4x/double

Rettenmund 2x

B Robinson 4x

Johnson 5x/HR

Hendricks 5x/double

Belanger 3x

Keller 3x/double

Henrich 2x

DiMaggio 4x/ 4 doubles

McQuinn 8x/double

Berra 4x/HR

Brown 1x

Rizzuo 3x

Stirnweiss 2x/double

Orioles-Earl Weaver

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

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

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 Brown (22) (LH)      114     .8

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

P Chandler (39)      144   3.4

GAME FOUR

1st: The Orioles are a win away from moving to the Regional Final to take on the 1909 A's; standing in their way is Spud Chandler, game one's losing pitcher. Chandler just pitched 2 bullpen innings in the '47 Series, gave up 2 earned.  He walks Don Buford, that's it.  

1st: Jim Palmer cruised through game one; if he does it again this series is over. Palmer started twice in the '70 Series, went 1-0, 4.60. Charlie Keller hits his first pitch over the wall in left center and the Yanks are up just like that. George McQuinn walks with 2 out and Yogi singles. Bobby Brown walks and the bases are loaded. Rizzuto drives home 2 with a base hit and it's 3-0 Yanks, Palmer walks Stuffy Stirnweiss, it ends here but the Yankees bat around in the first inning and stake a big lead. Orioles 0 Yankees 3

2nd: Davey Johnson walks with 2 out, Ellie Hendricks walks, that's the end.

2nd: Tommy Henrich singles with one out, that's all.  

3rd: After an out, Buford walks again, but that's it.  

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, the Orioles do not have a hit.  

4th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Palmer

5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Chandler, still no hits allowed.

5th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Palmer - we head to the 6th

6th: Don Buford singles - and that ends Chandler's day; Karl Drews enters for the Yankees, the 39 year old Chandler holding Baltimore to 1 hit in a must win start. Drews gets the next 3.

6th: Yogi singles. That's all.  

7th: 1-2-3, Drews comes on and sets down 6 straight, big move from Harris to yank Chandler after he gave up his first hit, but it works.

7th: Allie Clark comes on to pinch hit and he singles. 2 outs later DiMaggio singles, but Palmer holds the Yanks here.  Onto the 8th.  

8th: 29 year old lefty Joe Page makes his first apperance of the series, 2.48 and 17 saves. He walks Belanger and then gives up a pinch single to Rettenmund. Orioles in business. Page gets one but then a Boog Powell sac fly plates a run for Baltimore. Frank Robinson walks, Paul Blair is seeing his first start today and he singles to load them up.  Bases loaded, 2 out, Orioles trail by 2 -- but Page escapes further harm.  Orioles 1 Yankees 3

8th: Pete Richert is on for the third straight game, after two outs Rizzuto single but that's all.

9th: Page is 3 outs from sending this series back to Baltimore for a showdown game

He strikes out Johnson.

He strikes out Hendricks

Belanger grounds right back to the mound -- Page is going to sprint to the bag himself and it's done.

Orioles 1

Yankees 3

WP Chandler

LP Palmer

Sv Page

Another complete game for Palmer, but this time it's a loss and the Yankees force a game 5 back in Baltimore  3 Yankee pitchers combine on a 3 hitter.  

Keller 4x/double, HR

Henrich 3x

DiMaggio 5x/ 4 doubles

McQuinn 9x/double

Berra 6x/HR

Brown 2x

Rizzuo 5x

Stirnweiss 3x/double

Buford 5x

Powell 5x/double

F Robinson 5x/double

Rettenmund 3x

Blair 1x

B Robinson 4x

Johnson 6x/HR

Hendricks 6x/double

Belanger 4x

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

3B Johnson (28)      114   2.2

C Berra (22)    (LH)       115    1.3

SS Rizzuto (29)      100    4.2

2B Stirnweiss (28)  96     3.4

SP2 Shea (26)           115   2.9

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

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

SP2 McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

GAME FIVE

1st: An Oriole win means we will stay in Baltimore for Game 1 of the Regional Final - a Yankee win and we go to New York. The 1909 A's await. Dave McNally lost game 2 and he is back today for Baltimore. McNally got 1 start in the '70 Series, complete game win, 3 earned. He walks Charlie Keller with one out and that's all.

1st: Spec Shea for the Yanks - the only postseason action he'd ever see was this year, 2 World Series starts, 2 World Series wins, 2.35. Frank Robinson singles with 2 away. That's all.

2nd: Orioles came in solid favorites; but we are scoreless in game 5.  1-2-3

2nd: Davey Johnson draws a one out walk. That's it.

3rd: DiMaggio doubles with 2 out, his 5th double of the series. That's it.

3rd: McNally walks, but the inning ends here - we remain scoreless.

4th: Henrich and McQuinn single back to back - a Johnson groundout scores the game's first run. Yankees 1 Orioles 0

4th: Frank Robinson walks. Paul Blair singles. Shea gets 2 - then intentionally walks Hendricks, it doesn't work as Shea hits Belanger to tie the score. Yankees 1 Orioles 1

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Buford and Powell walk.  And then the big shot - Frank Robinson just crushes a 3 run bomb to right center and all the tension in Maryland just explodes in a roar; the legendary Oriole right fielder makes his way around the bases. Blair singles, that's all.  Yankees 1 Orioles 4

6th: McQuinn gets hit with 2 out, Billy Johnson singles - that's all.

6th: 1-2-3

7th: McNally just 9 outs away from moving the Orioles forward. 1-2-3

7th: Karl Drews for New York - Buford singles and an out later Frank Robinson follows with a single. Drews gets the second - but then back to back run scoring singles from Brooks Robinson and Davey Johnson - it's 6-1 andthat sure looks like its the ballgame. Yankees 1 Orioles 6

8th: DiMaggio triples.  Keller singles and the Yankees get a run. Henrich singles and that's it for McNally - Pete Richert is on for the 4th straight game. McQuinn singles; he's reached a doen times in the series leading both teams.  That loads the bases with nobody out. Richert walks Johnson and now it's 6-3 and still - still nobody out.  Richert gets one - but then throws a wild pitch to score a run.  And now it's 6-4.  Rizzuto grounds out to score a run - it ends here but its a huge inning for the Yankees, they're back in the game.  Yankees 5 Orioles 6

8th: Rettenmund pinch walks with 1 away, 29 year old Randy Gumpert, a RH with an ERA of 5.43 comes on - gets the next 2 and we head to the 9th.

9th: Here we go.  Eddie Watt for Baltimore  3 outs from the win.

Bobby Brown comes on to pinch hit - and he singles.  

DiMaggio follows with a single.  Tying run in scoring position.

Keller grounds to Powell - he throws to second to get the force; leaving runners on the corners with one away.

Henrich grounds to Johnson - he flips to Belanger, who steps on the bag for one - throw onto first...Henrich is safe by an eyelash - Brown scores the tying run.  Weaver explodes - that was a really, really close call and would have ended the series.  Weaver is all over the first base umpire - and Weaver is ejected from the game.  Weaver throws the first base bag - Weaver totally loses his mind.

Dave Leonhard comes on - he gets McQuinn to ground to Robinson and that's it - but the Yanks tie it up.  Yankees 6 Orioles 6

9th: Don Johnson, a 20 year old RH, makes his first appearance.  3.64.  He gets one and then walks Blair; the home plate umpire is hearing it from the Yankee dugout - and Chuck Dressen, coaching for the Yankees-  gets ejected.  Johnson gets out of this and we head to extras.

10th: 1-2-3, Leonard's retired all 4 batters he's faced.

10th: Vic Raschi on for the Yanks.  He gives up back to back singles to Johnson and Hendricks. Here we go - Winning run in scoring position and nobody out.  

Belanger singles to left -- Johnson sticks at third.  Bases loaded.  Nobody out.  Orioles need one run to win the series  

Terry Crowley off the bench to hit.  Yankee infield in.  Crowley grounds sharply to Rizzuto - he throws to Berra to get one -- Berra throws to first -- Double Play.  

Huge double play and now there are 2nd and 3rd with two outs.

Buford hits a sinking line drive to center -- DiMaggio fully lays out -- and makes the catch!  Raschi loaded the bases and then got out of it.  We head to the 11th inning.  

11th: Marcelino Lopez comes on for Baltimore. He walks Stirnweiss.  

2 outs later he walks Keller. Go ahead run at second - but that's all.  

11th: Butch Wensloff for New York.  1-2-3

12th: We head to the 12th - game 5, winner moves on, loser goes home.  Wensloff gets one - but then Billy Johnson homers to right!  Billy Johnson, platooning at third base, 10 homers on the season - homers here and it's the Yankees who move out in front. Yankees 7 Orioles 6

12th: Joe Page got the save in game 4.  He enters now.

Brooks Robinson walks.

Davey Johnson singles.  Tying run at second  Winning run at first.  

Ellie Hendricks grounds to Stirnweiss - flip to Rizzuto - onto first -- Double Play!

Tying run at third.  2 outs.  Yankees up a run.  Light hitting shortstop Mark Belanger comes to the plate.  He's got a 56 OPS+, but isn't getting taken down.  Page gets two quick strikes.  Orioles down to their last strike.

Belanger singles to center to tie the score.  Huge, huge, huge hit for Mark Belanger, the unlikeliest possible batting hero - he ties the game.

29 year old Curt Motton, a right handed bat who hit .226 comes off the bench to hit.

Flies out.  It's the 13th inning.  Yankees 7 Orioles 7

13th: Dick Hall makes his first apperance of the series, 39 year old RH, 10 wins, 3.08 ERA. 1-2-3

13th: Buford walks.  Powell walks.  Winning run on second - nobody out.

Frank Robinson walks.  Bases loaded.  Nobody out.  Joe Page has walked the bases loaded. 

Paul Blair rips a base hit to right center and its done - Buford easily scores -- and after 13 innings in game 5 it is the Baltimore Orioles who advance.

Yankees 7

Orioles 8

WP Hall

LP Page

   

The Yanks come back from  6-1 down - take the lead in the 12th, down to their final strike, Belanger singles to tie the score and then Paul Blair singles home the winning run to end it.

Buford 8x

Powell 7x/double

F Robinson 10x/double, HR

Blair 5x

Johnson 10x/HR

Hendricks 8x/double

Belanger 6x

Robinson and Johnson led the way in the series; each had big home runs - but the MVP is Belanger, he kept this team alive with an enormous 2 out, 2 strike game tying single.

October, 2020 Athlete of the Month

 September is here.

Corey Seager (Runners-up: Breanna Stewart, LeBron James, Randy Arozarena)

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

September - Anthony Davis

October- Corey Seager

2 action packed months to go in the race for 2020's Athlete of the Year.  

128 Team MLB Tournament - Region 4 Semi-Final: 1922 World Champion New York Giants v. 1909 Philadelphia Athletics

 Cubs v. Phils

100. 1922 World Champion New York Giants v. 125. 1909 Philadelphia Athletics

This series should seem familiar; in the last round, the A's knocked off the '21 Giants.  This is it for the Giants; if they lose here they are out of the tournament.  It's the last Philadelphia team in the field as well. 

Giants 93-61 (Pythag 95-59) Mgr. John McGraw

Won NL Pennant

d. Yankees 4-0-1 in World Series

d. #29 1954 Indians 2-1 (MVP-Earl Smith)

d. #93 1921 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Casey Stengel/Earl Smith)

Hall of Famers: Dave Bancroft, Frankie Frisch, Travis Jackson, High Pockets Kelly, Casey Stengel, Ross Youngs, John McGraw

The '22 Giants went back to back, beating the Yankees the season before as well.  It's McGraw's last World Champion.  

A's 95-58 (Pythag 102-51) Mgr. Connie Mack

d. #4 1942 Cardinals 2-1 (MVP-Harry Krause/Eddie Plank)

d. #61 1921 Giants 3-1 (MVP Jack Barry/Simon Nicholls)

Hall of Famers: Home Run Baker, Chief Bender, Eddie Collins, Eddie Plank, Connie Mack

The A's had a 102-51 pythag and finished 3 1/2 behind the Tigers. 

Athletics

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

P Krause (LH) (20)        174   4.8

Bench:

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

C Thomas (28)         79

CF Ganley (34) (LH) 55

SP2 Bender (25)      147   5.5

SP3 Plank (LH) (33)         138   5.3

Platoon in Left.  Mack rides the hot bat behind the plate. Morgan's the 4th starter if the A's advance.  

Giants

2B Frisch (24)  (SH)     110   4.4

SS Bancroft (31) (SH)  109  6.6

CF Stengel (31)  (LH)   154  2.6

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

C Snyder (28)  122

RF Youngs (25) (LH)    120  3.4

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

P Douglas (32)      153   2.6

Bench:

C Smith (25)     (LH)     118  1.3 

2B Rawlings (29)  86

OF Cunningham (27)   100

OF Shinners (26)          59

SP2 Nehf (25)  (LH)     122  3

SP3 Barnes (29)   115  1.5

Giants have a catching platoon and will start with Groh at third, but if he doesn't hit, Rawlings moves into the lineup and Frisch shifts to third.  The RH McQuillan gets tabbed as the 4th starter if the Giants make the Regional Final.

Lineups:

C-Push, we might see 4 catchers in this series.

1B-Kelly, by a tick over Davis

2B-Collins, easily the best player in the series

SS-Bancroft, top Giants player in the series

3B-Baker, not close

LF-Push, the A's platoon matching Meusel

CF-Stengel

RF-Push, Giants have slight position player advantage overall

SP1-Krause

SP2-Bender

SP3-Plank, A's have dramatic advantage in starting pitching

Pen-Giants

A's 5 Giants 4, A's have WAR advantage, driven by the real edge they have in starting pitching; they also have top position player.  Giants have minor seed advantage giving them home field...we'll say the A's are favored to advance.  Either team is likely an underdog in the Regional Final.  

GAME ONE

1st: The proud Giants organization, playing baseball since the 1870s, is down to one team in the tournament. 32 year old RH Phil Douglas stands on the Polo Grounds mound. 11-4, 2.63. It's his last year in the bigs; he led the league in ERA, ERA+, WHIP and H/9. He gives up a 2 out single to Home Run Baker and nothing else.

1st: 20 year old lefty Harry Krause gets the call for the A's. 18-8, 1.39. Krause broke in last year but he's in his rookie season. He led the league in both ERA and ERA+.  The two top ERAs in their respective seasons going at it in game one.  He walks Frankie Frisch; then gets the next 3.

2nd: Paddy Livingston singles with one out. Livingston's 99 OPS+ is 27 points north of his career average. After the second out Jack Barry doubles and the A's are on the board.  A's 1 Giants 0

2nd: Frank Snyder singles with one out.  Snyder's catching against the lefties in this series; his lifetime batting average was .265 - this year, he hit .343. After the second out Heinie Groh singles.  That's all.

3rd: Home Run Baker doubles with 2 away. Baker broke in last year but this is his rookie season. He led the league in triples, despite the nickname.  Danny Murphy walks, that's all.

3rd: With one out, Dave Bancroft doubles. Bancroft will be at home when the series shifts to Philadelphia - he spent the first 5+ years of his career with the Phillies, coming to the Giants in '20.  Brancroft hit .321 this year, the high mark for his 16 year career.  Casey Stengel singles, Irish Meusel singles and the score is tied.  A's 1 Giants 1

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Eddie Collins singles with 2 away; it's the 22 year old second baseman's second full big league season, he had a 170 OPS+. Douglas stops it here.

5th: Krause was co-MVP of the A's round one win and he and Douglas are in a good one here in game one.  Frankie Frisch singles with one away. He and Collins matchup future Hall of Fame second basemen; Frisch is 24, in this third full year.  Frisch led the league in steals last year and hit .327 this year - from '21-'31, Frisch hit at least .300 each season.  After the second out, Casey singles again.  Meusel then singles home his second run of the day to give the Giants the lead.  A's 1 Giants 2

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Ross Youngs singles with one away, Youngs is in the middle of a 10 year big league career, all spent with the Giants.  He hit .331 this year; 9 of those 10 seasons, Young hit over .300.  That's it and we head to the 7th.

7th: 24 year old RH Rosy Ryan enters for McGraw as he turns the game over to his pen; 17 wins and a 3.02 ERA. Rube Oldring greets him with a base hit.  Thats all.

7th: Mack also goes to his pen to get Jimmy Dygert, 24 year old RH, 9 wins, 2.42. Frisch singles with one out, after the second out Bancroft walks, that's all.  

8th: Super tight game one at the Polo Grounds, Region 4 Semi-Finals.  Collins singles with one away and swipes second -- he comes around to score on a Baker base hit and it's tied.  McGraw to the pen for 24 year old RH Claude Jonnard, 6 wins and a 3.84 ERA. He gets through it.  A's 2 Giants 2

8th: Irish Meusel's driven home both Giants runs and he singles here.  Like Bancroft, Meusel came to the Giants from the Phillies, so he'll be familiar with Philadelphia when the series shifts.  This is his first full Giants season, he hit .331.  Dygert gets the next 3 and we head to the 9th.

9th: Jonnard gets one - and then Rube Oldring homers to left center!  Oldring breaks the 2-2 tie with a 9th inning home run - huge celebration in the A's dugout as Mack's boys are now just 3 outs from taking game one.  Jonnard hits Jack Barry, that brings McGraw out, the next Giants pitcher is 25 year old RH Virgil Barnes, 3.48. He ends it.  A's 3 Giants 2

9th: Dygert stays on for his third inning of relief.  

Groh is first - grounds to Collins.

Earl Smith comes off the bench to hit - grounds to Collins.

With 2 out - Frankie Frisch singles sharply to right -

Mack goes to the pen, 30 year old RH Rube Vickers, 3.40. 

And Vickers gets Bancroft to ground to Collins, onto first - ballgame.  

A's 3

Giants 2

WP Dygert

LP Jonnard

Sv Vickers

Tight game one at the Polo Grounds goes to the A's on Oldring's homer in the 9th.

Collins 2x

Baker 3x/double

Murphy 1x

Livingston 1x

Oldring 2x/HR

Barry 2x/double

Frisch 4x

Bancroft 2x/double

Stengel 2x

Meusel 3x

Snyder 1x

Youngs 1x

Groh 1x

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP2 Bender (25)      147   5.5

CF Stengel (31)  (LH)   154  2.6

RF Youngs (25) (LH)    120  3.4

C Smith (25)     (LH)     118  1.3 

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

2B Frisch (24)  (SH)     110   4.4

SS Bancroft (31) (SH)  109  6.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

SP2 Nehf (25)  (LH)     122  3

GAME TWO

1st: Tough game one loss for the Giants; they look to rebound with 29 year old lefty Art Nehf. 19-13, 3.29. Good World Series this year for Nehf, 1-0, 2.25 in two starts.  He walks Danny Murphy; two outs later Home Run Baker singles, that's all.

1st: Chief Bender gets the ball for the A's, 18-8, 1.66. Bender led the league in FIP and K/BB. Casey Stengel singles, Earl Smith is catching against the RH today and after an out, he singles. Irish Meusel grounds out, it scores a run. Frankie Frisch singles, that's all.  A's 0 Giants 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Bender walks with one away. Murphy singles, Nehf escapes.  

3rd: Stengel singles again. Casey played in just 83 games this season, but had a 154 OPS+, the best on the club, in that time.  .368/.436/.564 is his slashline. Bender holds them.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, another taut game at the Polo Grounds, two evenly matched clubs.

5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Nehf.

5th: Nehf walks after an out, here's Stengel again, his third hit of the day, Ross Youngs walks and the bases are loaded with Giants.  Bender gets out of it.  

6th: Every inning, every at bat in this series a cliffhanger.  Eddie Collins singles with one away, steals second -- and he comes around to score on a Baker double.  A's 1 Giants 1

6th: Frankie Frisch walks and steals second, his battle with Collins continues, two outs later Heinie Groh singles home Frisch and the Giants take the lead.  McGraw goes to his bench, Bill Cunningham pinch singles -- and here's Stengel again - another hit, 4 singles on the day for Casey and it scores another run.  A's 1 Giants 3

7th: Rosy Ryan again from the pen for the Giants. He gets 2 then Jack Barry singles. That's all.

7th: Jimmy Dygert again from the pen for the A's, he walks Earl Smith - and then Irish Meusel bombs a two run shot to right center.  That might even up this series. Frankie Frisch follows with a homer to right and it's 6-1. Dave Bancroft walks. 2 outs later Heinie Groh walks. That's all -- big inning for the Giants A's 1 Giants 6

8th: Murphy singles. That's all.  

8th: Rube Vickers again from the Philly pen. He walks Earl Smith and then it's Meusel one more time, doubles to right center -- Smith chugs all the way around and it's another Giants run. A's 1 Giants 7

9th: Topsy Hartsel singles, an injury to Heitmuller kept Hartsel in the lineup today against a lefty, Hartsel's 35, led the league in walks the previous 4 seasons. Ryan finishes it up.

A's 1

Giants 7

WP Nehf

LP Bender

Sv Ryan

Back to back homers from Meusel and Frisch put this one out of reach and we head to Philly all tied at 1.

Frisch 7x/HR

Bancroft 3x/double

Stengel 6x

Meusel 5x/HR, double

Snyder 1x

Youngs 2x

Groh 3x

Smith 3x

Collins 3x

Baker 5x/ 2 doubles

Murphy 4x

Hartsel 1x

Barry 1x

Livingston 1x

Oldring 2x/HR

Barry 2x/double

2B Frisch (24)  (SH)     110   4.4

SS Bancroft (31) (SH)  109  6.6

CF Stengel (31)  (LH)   154  2.6

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

C Snyder (28)  122

RF Youngs (25) (LH)    120  3.4

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

SP3 Barnes (29)   115  1.5

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

C Thomas (28)         79

SP3 Plank (LH) (33)         138   5.3

GAME THREE

1st The series shifts to Philadelphia for games 3 and 4.  The A's send Eddie Plank to the mound. 33 year old lefty. 19-10, 1.76. With a 133 ERA+, 1909 was Plank's top season to that date.  1-2-3

1st: 29 year old RH Jesse Barnes gets the ball for the Giants. 13-8, 3.51. Barnes went 10 innings in the '22 Series, 1.80 ERA. Topsy Hartsel singles. Eddie Collins singles. An out later a Danny Murphy sac fly gives the A's the lead. Giants 0 A's 1

2nd: Frank Snyder is back behind the plate today and he singles with 2 away. That's it.

2nd: Ira Thomas is behind the plate for the A's today for the first time in the series and he singles with 2 out. That's it.

3rd: Frankie Frisch singles with 2 away, he's reached 8 times, leading both teams. That's it.

3rd: Collins singles with one away, that's all.

4th: Casey Stengel singles, he's reached 7 times. After an out, High Pockets Kelly doubles him home to tie the game. Kelly hit .328 this year, his career high. Giants 1 A's 1

4th: Rube Oldring singles with one away, that's it.

5th: Heinie Groh walks. This is Groh's first year back in New York after spending the fat end of his career with the Reds. It's probably the worst season of his career where he actually got playing time. An out later Frisch singles him home and the Giants take the lead.  Frisch steals second, then scores on a Dave Bancroft single. Stengel singles again, the Giants have it going in the 5th -- Meusel grounds out and it scores a run.  The Giants pull in front. Giants 4 A's 1

5th: Hartsel singles with 2 away, that's it. 

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Danny Murphy doubles with one away; that's all. Strong outing for Barnes, the Giants up 3 headed to the 7th.

7th: Bancroft singles with 2 out, steals second - and scores on a Stengel base hit.  3 more hits today for Stengel, he and Frisch just keep getting on base.  Giants 5 A's 1

7th: 1-2-3

8th: Kelly walks, that's it. 

8th: Collins singles with one away - that's it - Barnes outpitching Plank today and the Giants are 3 outs away from the win.

9th: Groh singles. McGraw leaves Barnes in to bunt him over -- and here's Frankie Frisch again, singling home Groh and it's 6-1. Bancroft follows with a run scoring double, the Giants are about to go up 2-1. Stengel follows with a triple - Stengel and Frisch just keep doing it.  Plank's day is finally over.  Rube Vickers comes on. Meusel doubles to score another run. Kelly singles to score another run.  Floodgates, open. Snyder singles - Youngs grounds out to score one more run - the Giants send 10 to the plate and tore this game totally open. Giants 11 A's 1

9th: 1-2-3, wooosh.

Giants 11

A's 1

WP Barnes

LP Plank

Complete game win for Barnes, the Giants pound out 16 hits and are now a game from advancing.

Frisch 10x/HR

Bancroft 6x/ 2 doubles

Stengel 10x/triple

Meusel 6x/HR, 2 doubles

Kelly 3x/double

Snyder 3x

Youngs 2x

Groh 5x

Smith 3x

Collins 6x

Baker 5x/ 2 doubles

Murphy 5x/double

Hartsel 3x

Barry 1x

Livingston 1x

Oldring 3x/HR

Barry 2x/double

Thomas 1x

2B Frisch (24)  (SH)     110   4.4

SS Bancroft (31) (SH)  109  6.6

CF Stengel (31)  (LH)   154  2.6

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

C Snyder (28)  122

RF Youngs (25) (LH)    120  3.4

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

P Douglas (32)      153   2.6

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

P Krause (LH) (20)        174   4.8

GAME FOUR

1st The game one starters return; Harry Krause trying to send this series back to New York. Dave Bancroft reaches on a one out error, Casey Stengel singles - he has reached 11 times - Irish Meusel grounds out and the Giants score a run.  Giants 1 A's 0

1st: Can Phil Douglas end this series for McGraw and the Giants?  1-2-3

2nd: Ross Youngs triples with one out - his first extra base hit. But he dies at third.

2nd: Danny Murphy reaches on an error, Harry Davis draws a walk, Paddy Livingston draws a walk and the A's have them loaded with nobody out.  Douglas gets 2 -- but then Harry Krause, who did not hit a home run in his 5 year big league career -- hits a Grand Slam off Douglas.  That wakes this crowd up - the A's have life here in game 4.  Giants 1 A's 4

3rd: After pulling away in games 2 and 3 this was looking like the Giants series - but the unlikely Krause grand slam maybe changes this entire situation.  Stengel singles with 2 away, that's 12 times on base.  That's it.  Giants 1 A's 4

3rd: Eddie Collins singles and steals second, the A's don't score.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Bancroft walks with one away, but that's all.

5th: Krause reaches on an error, Douglas gets the next two - but then Home Run Baker bombs a two run homer to right center - they are dancing in the aisles here at Shibe Park, it sure looks like we're headed back to New York for the showdown.  Giants 1 A's 6

6th: Youngs singles with 2 out, that's all.  

6th: 26 year old RH Carmen Hill for the Giants; 4.76. Harry Davis singles, that's all.

7th: 1-2-3, Krause cruising.  

7th: 20 year old RH Jack Scott takes the ball for the Giants, 8 wins and a 4.42 ERA. Hartsel singles with one away, that's it.  

8th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Krause - the crowd roaring as he comes off the mound

8th: Danny Murphy homers - that's the cherry, we will see you for Game 5.  Giants 1 A's 7

9th: Rube Vickers to finish.  He walks Snyder, Youngs singles, Groh walks.  Bases full of Giants and nobody out here in the 9th. Earl Smith comes on to hit --- he grounds out to score a run.  Frisch grounds out to score a run - but that means there are now 2 out.  Jimmy Dygert gets the call from Mack - he gives up a Bancroft double.  2 on, 2 out, 2 in - Giants trail 7-3, Stengel flies out to the track and its done.

Giants 3

A's 7

WP Krause

LP Douglas

The A;s get just 5 hits but 3 were homers and one of them is a grand slam from winning pitcher Krause and we head back to the Polo Grounds for the showdown game.  

Collins 7x

Baker 6x/ 2 doubles, HR

Murphy 6x/double, HR

Hartsel 4x

Davis 2x

Barry 1x

Livingston 2x

Oldring 3x/HR

Barry 2x/double

Thomas 1x

Krause grand slam

Frisch 10x/HR

Bancroft 8x/ 3 doubles

Stengel 12x/triple

Meusel 7x/HR, 2 doubles

Kelly 3x/double

Snyder 4x

Youngs 5x/triple

Groh 6x

Smith 3x

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

C Thomas (28)         79

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP2 Bender (25)      147   5.5

CF Stengel (31)  (LH)   154  2.6

RF Youngs (25) (LH)    120  3.4

C Smith (25)     (LH)     118  1.3 

LF Meusel (29)     122   2.6

2B Frisch (24)  (SH)     110   4.4

SS Bancroft (31) (SH)  109  6.6

1B Kelly (26)         118   3.8

3B Groh (32)         80    1.9

SP2 Nehf (25)  (LH)     122  3

GAME FIVE

1st: It all comes down to this; the final John McGraw team in the tournament agains the final Connie Mack team, winner moves on, loser goes home.  Game 2 starter Art Nehf for the Giants. Danny Murphy reaches on an error, swipes second, scores on an Eddie Collins base hit and it's the A's who jump out on top.  Home Run Baker follows with a one out single and that's all.  A's 1 Giants 0

1st: Chief Bender for the A's - 1-2-3

2nd: Harry Davis singles; steals second and after an out scores on an Ira Thomas base hit.  Philadelphia is running and scoring here in game 5. Jack Barry walks. That's all. A's 2 Giants 0

2nd: Irish Meusel singles, he's now reached 8 times.  After an out, Dave Bancroft walks. High Pockets Kelly comes through with a base hit to score a run. A's 2 Giants 1

3rd: Eddie Collins triples - the best player in the series stepping up in the big spot. Nehf gets one and then Harry Heitmuller, making his first start, doubles and the A's get that run back. Harry Davis singles again and it's 4-1 and the A's are threatening to end it early. A's 4 Giants 1

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, Bender sets down 8 straight Giants.

5th: Murphy singles, 2 outs later Baker singles - but Nehf gets out of it.

5th: Nehf singles with 2 out, Stengel walks - but that's all.  And the Giants are running out of outs.  

6th: Davis singles. An out later Thomas walks. Nehf gets through it.

6th: The Giants have 3 hits today.  Earl Smith reaches on an error - after an out, he comes around to score on a Frankie Frisch triple - Frisch rolled through the first 3 games but hadn't reached since, and the second A's error of the inning scores Frisch and the deficit is cut to a run.  A's 4 Giants 3

7th: With one out, Collins walks and then steals second - Eddie Collins doing all he can today; Home Run Baker doubles him home and the A's get a run back. Rosy Ryan comes in from the pen for McGraw -- he gives up a Heitmuller double and it's 6-3 A's. Athletics 6 Giants 3

7th: 1-2-3, that might do it 

8th: Claude Jonnard for the Giants - Barry singles with 1 away. That's it.

8th: The A's are 6 outs away, Meusel singles with 2 out, but that's it.

9th: Jonnard hits Collins - who then steals second and scores on another Baker base hit and that's your ballgame.  Heitmuller singles - it ends here  A's 7 Giants 3

9th: 1-2-3

A's 7

Giants 3

WP Bender

LP Nehf

Complete game 5 hitter for Chief Bender ends the series.

Collins 11x/triple

Baker 10x/ 3 doubles, HR

Murphy 7x/double, HR

Three hitting stars in the series; Baker and Collins pulling out in front in game 5, but the MVP is Krause, both for the pitching in games 1 and 4 but also the big blow of the series, his grand slam that turned it all around.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Regional Final: 1909 Chicago Cubs v. 2011 Philadelphia Phillies

  Cubs v. Yankees

14. 1909 Chicago Cubs v. 126. 2011 NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies 

There's a universe with a poem that begins "these are the saddest of all possible words, Rollins to Utley to Howard."

Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker played together in the Cub infield for nearly the entire first decade of the 10th century. They're the cornerstone of a team that won titles in '07 and '08. 

Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins played together in the Phillies infield even longer than that.  

In 1909 - the Cubs strength is starting pitching - two 8 WAR pitchers right at the top of the rotation.

In 2011 - the Phillies strength is starting pitching - two 8 WAR pitchers right at the top of the rotation.  

Separated by over a hundred years - but mirror images - it's the Cubs and Phillies, 7 games, winner advanced to the Elite 8 to join the '77 Yankees and 2017 Dodgers. 

Cubs 104-49 (Pythag: 109-44)  Mgr. Frank Chance

d. #115 2004 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Ed Reulbach)

d. #78  1978 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Orvall Overall)

d. #19  1953 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Pat Moran)

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

This Cub team had a 109-44 pythagorean record and finished in 2nd in the NL, 6 1/2 behind the Pirates. The Cubs won the pennant in '06, '07, '08, '10.  The pitching staff had a 1.75 ERA. This team was looking to three-peat, the Cubs having won the World Series in '07 and '08. 

Phillies 102-60 (Pythag 103-59) Mgr. Charlie Manuel (4th in NL Mgr of Year)

1st in NL East

Lost NLDS 3-2 to Cardinals

d. #3 1906 Cubs 2-0 (MVP-Roy Halladay)

d. #62 1999 Yankees 3-0 (MVP-Hunter Pence)

d. #30 1904 Giants 3-0 (MVP-Shane Victorino)

All-Stars: SP Roy Halladay (2nd in NL Cy Young) SP Cole Hamels (5th in NL Cy Young) SP Cliff Lee (3rd in NL Cy Young) 3B Placido Polanco, OF Shane Victorino

Hall of Famers: Roy Halladay

This was the Phillies 5th straight NL East title and the second straight year they had the best record in MLB. They won the division by 13 games. They lost game 5 of the NLDS 1-0 at home to St Louis. 

Phillies

CF Victorino (30) (SH)  130  5.4

2B Utley (32)    (LH)      110  3.5

1B Howard (31)  (LH)    126  1.9

RF Pence (28)         159   2.1

LF Mayberry (27)   131  2

SS Rollins (32)  (SH)      101  3.5

C Ruiz (32)             108  2.6

3B Polanco (35)      86    2.3

P Halladay (34)       163 7.8

Bench

LF Ibanez (39) (LH) 91

RF Brown (23) (LH) 98

3B Valdez (33) 74

RF Francisco (29) 94

3B Martinez (28) (SH) 48

C Schneider (34) (LH) 38

1B Gload (35) (LH) 65

Game 2 SP: Lee (LH) (32)  160  8.1

Game 3 SP: Hamels (LH) (27)  137  6.1

Game 4: Worley (23)  127

Cubs

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

P Overall (28) 179   8.5

Bench:

C Archer (26)   71   .7

2B Zimmerman (22)  93  .1

1B Howard (31) (LH) 63

Game 2: Reulbach (26)  143  5

Game 3 Brown (32)     193      8.5 

Game 4: Kroh (22) (LH) 155

Lineups:

C-Ruiz, Moran had the big semi-final, but you have to take Ruiz here

1B-Push, Chance/Howard nearly identical at this point in their careers

2B-Evers, he and Tinker a few years younger than their Phillies counterparts

SS-Tinker

3B-Steinfeldt

LF-push

CF-Victorino

RF-Pence, the position players are tied

SP1-Overall

SP2-Lee

SP3-Brown

SP4-Kroh, the Cubs have the starting pitching advantage

Pen-Phils

WAR: Cubs 6 Phils 5, Cubs have the much, much better seed giving them home field, they edge the Phils in WAR, it's Victorino who is the best position player and the Phils, it must be stated - are undefeated in this tournament, a remarkable 8-0.  Cubs are your favorite, but you have to expect some tough, taut pitchers duels.

GAME ONE

1st: The 1977 Yankees and 2017 Dodgers are safely into the Elite 8 - one of these two squads will join them. 28 year old RH Orval Overall was MVP of the Cubs round 2 win over the '78 Yankees, 20-11, 1.42. Overall went to Cal, played football and baseball, signed with the Reds in '05 and had a 2.86 ERA (and lost 23 games). They sold him to the Cubs the following year; in '07 he won 23 games with a 1.68 ERA. In '08, Orvall's ERA was 1.92. Orvall was third in ERA this season. With one out, he hits Chase Utley - that's all.

1st: The Phillies have already beaten a version of this Cubs team - back, back, back in Round 1 the Phillies took out the third overall seed in the tournament, the 1906 Cubs and the MVP of that series was Roy Halladay. 34 yer old RH, 19-6, 2.35.  Halladay's from Denver; went 17th overall in '95 by the Jays after high school.  At the end of the '98 season, he came up, came within an out of a no hitter in his second start.  It wasnt until '02 that he broke out, 19-7, 2.93, made the All Star team.  Halladay won the Cy Young the next year, winning 15 games in a row at one point and finishing 22-7. He was an All Star in '05 and '06, finished 2nd in the Cy Young in '08 to Cliff Lee (who will be pitching for the Phils in game 2).  Before the '10 season he was shipped to the Phillies - pitched a perfect game against the Marlins - won 21 games and another Cy Young.  In Game 1 of the NLDS, Halladay no hit the Reds.  This year he was second in the Cy Young, his 7th top 5 finish.  1-2-3

2nd: Jimmy Rollins singles with one away. The Phils shortstop is 32, grew up in Oakland, drafted by the Phils in the second round in '96 after high school, got called up late in '00. In '01 and '02 he led the NL in triples and steals. In '05-'06 Rollins had a 38 game hit streak; in '07 he hit 30 homers and was named NL MVP and in '08 the Phillies won the World Series (the Cubs won it a hundred years before). Rollins had 9 hits in this year's NLDS.  Carlos Ruiz reaches on an error and then Placido Polanco clears the bases with a double down the right field line. After the second out Shane Victorino singles home the third run.  Utley singles - it ends here.  Phillies 3 Cubs 0

2nd: 32 year old Frank Chance singles.  Lot of California in this game - Chance is from Fresno, went to Washington College and signed with the Cubs in 1898. Chance was a backup catcher for his first few years in the league, moving to first in '03 and leading the league in steals. Chance added the managerial role in '05 in '06 the Cubs won 116 games (and got swept by these Phillies in the tournament) and then won the World Series in '07 and '08. Chance steals second, moves to third on the first out of the inning and scores on a Harry Steinfeldt sac fly. Joe Tinker doubles.  Pat Moran singles.  Men on the corners - but that's all.  Phillies 3 Cubs 1

3rd: 28 year old Hunter Pence singles.  Pence is from Texas, went to U-T Arlington, Houston took him in the second round in '04, debuted with the big club in 2007, made the All Star team in '08.  The Phils got him at the break this year, in 54 games with the Phillies Pence hit .324 and was MVP in their round 2 win over the '99 Yankees.  Overall gets the next 3.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 33 year old Harry Steinfeldt singles with 2 out.  Steinfeldt grew up in Ft Worth; signed with Detroit in the Western League in 1896, then with the Reds in '98, traded to the Cubs after the '05 season.  In '06 he led the league in RBI, in the '07 World Series Steinfeldt hit .471. That's all Halladay allows. 

5th: 1-2-3, Overall sets down 9 straight.

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Carlos Ruiz reaches on a 2 out error; Placido Polanco walks -- and then Halladay comes through with a run scoring single.  Victorino walks to load the bases - and then an Overall wild pitch scores another run.  The Phils are 8-0 in this tournament and now rolling through game 1.  Phillies 5 Cubs 1

6th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Halladay

7th: With one out, Pence and John Maybery walk.  After the second out, Ruiz reaches on a run scoring error. This one looks done.  Phillies 6 Cubs 1

7th: 1-2-3, 10 in a row for Halladay, the Cubs have just 4 hits.

8th: 1-2-3, just 6 hits for the Phillies today, but they've made them count.

8th: Pat Moran singles - Overall hit 2 homers during the season - but he stays in the game, hits for himself - and hits a 2 run homer to cut the deficit to 6-3. Halladay shakes it off.  Phillies 6 Cubs 3

9th: Pence walks with one out - Rollins singles after the second out - and Ruiz provides the safety, a run scoring single. Polanco follows with a run scoring single. Halladay and Victorino each hit run scoring singles and it is a route.  Irv Higginbotham comes on for the Cubs, 27 year old RH, 2.19. That's the end of the inning.  Too late for the Cubs.  Phillies 10 Cubs 3

9th: Chance singles, 2 outs later Tinker singles him home.  And that's the end.

Phillies 10

Cubs 4

WP Halladay

LP Overall

Complete game win for Halladay and the Phillies are now 9-0. 

Victorino 3x

Utley 1x

Pence 3x

Mayberry 1x

Rollins 2x

Ruiz 1x

Polanco 3x/double

Halladay 2x

Chance 2x

Steinfeldt 1x

Tinker 2x/double

Moran 2x

Overall 1x/HR

CF Victorino (30) (SH)  130  5.4

2B Utley (32)    (LH)      110  3.5

1B Howard (31)  (LH)    126  1.9

RF Pence (28)         159   2.1

LF Mayberry (27)   131  2

SS Rollins (32)  (SH)      101  3.5

C Ruiz (32)             108  2.6

3B Polanco (35)      86    2.3

P: Lee (LH) (32)  160  8.1

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

Game 2: Reulbach (26)  143  5

GAME TWO

1st: The 2011 Phillies entered as the 126th overall seed - they've won all 9 games they've played in the tournament and are now 3 wins short of taking Region 3.  26 year old RH Ed Reulbach is tasked with stopping them.  19-10, 1.78. Reulbach's from Detroit, went to Notre Dame and then to medical school at Vermont, where he continued to play baseball (he wasn't there long, signing with the Cubs in '05). He had a 1.42 ERA as a rookie in 1905, over '06-07 Reulbach won 17 consecutive games and in '08 had a 44 consecutive scoreless inning streak. He gives up a Shane Victorino single, that's all.

1st: If 32 year old lefty Cliff Lee can match Roy Halladay's game one performance, the Phillies will head home up 2-0.  17-8, 2.40. Lee went to Arkansas; the Expos took him in the 4th round in 2000 and two years later dealt him, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore to Cleveland with Bartolo Colon headed back.  Late that year, he made his debut.  In '05, Lee was 4th in the Cy Young; in '08, he went 22-3 and won the Cy Young. At the '09 deadline, he went to the Phillies, with Carlos Carrasco and Jason Donald among those headed back. Lee went 2-0 in the '09 World Series, throwing a complete game. At the end of the year, he was onto the Mariners and in mid-2010 was dealt to the Rangers.  Lee struck out 21 in the '10 ALDS; in the offseason, he headed back to Philadelphia and finished third in the Cy Young. 1-2-3

2nd: John Mayberry doubles; Mayberry's from Kansas City, his dad was an All Star first baseman in the 70s; he went to Stanford, the Rangers took him 19th overall in '05 and he was sent to the Phillies organization before the '09 season. Maybery was up and down the next two seasons - this year he played in 104 games and hit .273. An out later, Carlos Ruiz doubles him home.  Reulbach hits Polanco - that's all.  Phillies 1 Cubs 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Chase Utley singles with one out.  A win in this series would give Utley 2 spots in the Elite 8; six years from now he'll be platooning at second for LA. Utley's from the city they call Long Beach, went to UCLA. The Phils took him 15th in 2000. Utley came up in '03, had a 35 game hit streak in '06, hit 33 homers in 2008, and hit 5 homers in the 2009 World Series. Ryan Howard singles - men on the corners. That's all.  

3rd: 1-2-3, 9 up, 9 down.  

4th: Carlos Ruiz has the game's only RBI and he singles with 1 away. The 32 year old catcher is Panamanian, signed with the Phils in '98 and made his debut 8 years later.  Ruiz got the starting job in '07, this year he started 113 games.  Polanco follows with a single, he's reached 5 times.  That's it.

4th: Frank Chance singles with one away, the Cubs have a baserunner.  27 year old Johnny Evers then walks.  Evers is 125 pounds - this is a very different time to be a human.  He signed with the Cubs out of Troy, New York in '02, he came up at the end of the season and joined Joe Tinker in the middle of the Cub diamond.  They didn't speak off the field.  Evers hit .350 in the '08 Series. After the second out Jimmy Sheckard walks, and then Joe Tinker singles home 2 runs and the Cubs have the lead.  Frank Schulte singles to load them again, that's all.  Phillies 1 Cubs 2

5th: Pence is hit with one out -- that's two Phillies hit today and now that needs to be on the radar; you get a team like the Phillies winning 9 straight in this tournament, eventually an old school team might decide to go get some scalps.  It ends here.  

5th: Reulbach helps himself with a double.  26 year old Solly Hofman singles him to third.  Hofman's from St Louis; signed with the Pirates in '03, acquired by the Cubs in '04. He was the Cub utility man until this year, when he became the regular center fielder. Lee gets Chance to ground into a double play - but it scores another run.  Phils 1 Cubs 3

6th: Ruiz singles, his third hit of the day, but that's all - and now the Cubs are 9 outs away from handing the Phillies their first loss.  

6th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, Reulbach 6 outs from evening this series.

7th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Lee, but is it too little?

8th: 1-2-3, and now Reulbach's retired 9 in a row and the Phils are about to go down for the first time in the tournament.  

8th: Hofman singles. Lee gets two - but Hofman steals second and scores the insurance run on a Steinfeldt single.  It's about to end.  Phils 1 Cubs 4

9th: Domonic Brown comes on to hit for Lee - and he gets hit.  3 hit batsmen today by the Cubs.  

Victorino flies to left.

And Utley grounds to Tinker -- onto Evers -- onto Chance.  Ballgame.

Phils 1

Cubs 4

WP Reulbach

LP Lee

Complete game win for Reulbach and the Cubs have handed the Phillies their first loss of the tournament.  We head to Philly for 3.

Chance 3x

Hofman 2x

Evers 1x

Steinfeldt 2x

Sheckard 1x

Tinker 3x/double

Schulte 1x

Moran 2x

Overall 1x/HR

Victorino 4x

Utley 2x

Pence 4x

Howard 1x

Mayberry 2x/double

Rollins 2x

Ruiz 4x/double

Polanco 5x/double

Halladay 2x

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

2B Zimmerman (22)  93  .1

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

C Archer (26)   71   .7

Game 3 Brown (32)     193      8.5 

CF Victorino (30) (SH)  130  5.4

2B Utley (32)    (LH)      110  3.5

1B Howard (31)  (LH)    126  1.9

RF Pence (28)         159   2.1

SS Rollins (32)  (SH)      101  3.5

C Ruiz (32)             108  2.6

LF Ibanez (39) (LH) 91

3B Polanco (35)      86    2.3

Game 3 SP: Hamels (LH) (27)  137  6.1

GAME THREE

1st:  Citizen's Bank Park is the venue for the next 3 games of the series - and it's 27 year old lefty Cole Hamels who is standing on the mound. 14-9, 2.79. Hamels is from San Diego, scored 1510 on his SAT. Phillies took him 17th overall in '02, came up in '06. All-Star in '07, MVP of both the 2008 NLCS and the 2008 World Series.  Hamels was 5th in the Cy Young this year, behind teammates Lee (3rd) and Halladay (2nd).  Solly Hofman doubles.  Frank Chance doubles and before the seats are even filled its 1-0.  After the first out, Jimmy Sheckard singles -- has the spell been broken?  Has the slipper fallen off?  Cubs 2 Phillies 0

1st: Three Finger Brown goes for the Cubs.  32 year old RH, 27-9, 1.31. Brown's from Indiana, he lost his right index finger as a child and had a second hand injury impacting two other fingers.  He pitched semi-pro, then in the Western League, and signed with the Cardinals in '03 who dealt him to the Cubs in the offseason.  In '04, his ERA was 1.86, in '06 it was 1.04. In '07 it was 1.39. Brown won 29 games in '08, pitched in 11 of the Cubs last 14 regular season games and came out of the pen to beat the Giants in a one game playoff for the pennant. 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Hunter Pence triples.  He scores on a Jimmy Rollins groundout.  Cubs 2 Phillies 1

3rd: Hofman walks with one away, Chance then doubles again - and Harry Steinfeldt drives both men home with a base hit - the Cubs are all over Hamels.  Cubs 4 Phillies 1

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 26 year old Wildfire Frank Schulte singles with 2 away. Schulte's from upstate New York, played in Syracuse in the New York State League, signed with the Cubs in '04. Schilte hit in each World Series game in '07-'08. Hamels stops it here.

4th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Brown, the Phils have one baserunner.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Rollins leads off with a single - 2 outs later Placido Polanco singles. Polanco's 35; he's Dominican, drafted by the Cards in the 19th round in '94, called up in '98, dealt to the Phillies for Scott Rolen at the '02 deadline.  3 years later he was sent to the Tigers for Ugeth Urbina, he was MVP in the 2006 ALCS; in '07, Polanco didn't commit an error as the Tigers regular second baseman and in 2010 he returned to Philadelphia. Polanco made the All Star team this year.  Brown keeps the Phils from the scoreboard.

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

6th: 1-2-3, Brown's 9 outs from the Cubs taking game 3.

7th: Heinie Zimmerman doubles; Chance inserted the 22 year old Zimmerman in at second today against the lefty Hamels. He's from the Bronx; the Cubs signed him out of the New York State League in '06. He's a utilityman. 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Brown - he's given up just 3 hits and the Cubs are rolling toward this series lead.

8th: Steinfeldt singles with 2 away, that's all.

8th: Polanco singles with one away; he's reached 7 times, leading both squads. But thats it.

9th: 24 year old RH Michael Stutes takes over for the Phils; 3.63. He walks Tinker who steals second. Zimmerman and Schulte single back to back; it's now 5-1 and this one is done. Cubs 5 Phillies 1

9th: Utley singles - Brown gets a double play from Howard and he's an out away.

Pence singles.

Rollins singles.

Ruiz pops to Steinfeldt and that's all

Cubs 5

Phillies 1

WP Brown

LP Hamels

An easy one for Brown and it's the Cubs who now have command of the series - 4th starters go next; can the Phils get back into this?

Chance 6x/2 doubles

Hofman 4x/double

Evers 1x

Steinfeldt 4x

Sheckard 2x

Tinker 4x/double

Schulte 3x

Moran 2x

Zimmerman 2x/double

Overall 1x/HR

Victorino 4x

Utley 3x

Pence 6x/triple

Howard 1x

Mayberry 2x/double

Rollins 3x

Ruiz 4x/double

Polanco 7x/double

Halladay 2x

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

Game 4: Kroh (22) (LH) 155

CF Victorino (30) (SH)  130  5.4

C Ruiz (32)             108  2.6

RF Pence (28)         159   2.1

LF Mayberry (27)   131  2

1B Howard (31)  (LH)    126  1.9

SS Rollins (32)  (SH)      101  3.5

2B Utley (32)    (LH)      110  3.5

3B Polanco (35)      86    2.3

Game 4: Worley (23)  127

GAME FOUR

1st: The Phils won 9 straight - but have lost games 2 and 3 and are now looking up at the Cubs and relying on their 4th starter, 23 year old RH Vance Worley. 11-3, 3.01. Worley's from Sacramento, went to Cal St Long Beach, the Phils took him in the third round in '08. He pitched in 5 games last year, and this is officially his rookie year.  Worley was third in the Rookie of the Year. Jimmy Sheckard singles with one away, after the second out Frank Chance walks - the Cubs manager has reached 7 times, pacing his squad.  That's all.

1st: 22 year old lefty Rube Kroh 9-4, 1.65. Kroh's from Friendship, NY - dropped out of high school to sign with Boston in '06, released in '08, picked up by the Cubs. 1909 is his career best year. Shane Victorino singles. The 30 year old CF is Hawaiian, drafted by the Dodgers in the 6th round in '99. The Padres scooped him up and he made his big league debut in '02, they let him go, he was back in the LA organization and eventually on to the Phillies in '04, getting called up in '05. In '09, Victorino made the All Star team.  Carlos Ruiz singles. Hunter Pence grounds out, scoring the game's first run.  After the second out, Ryan Howard singles, that's it.  Cubs 0 Phillies 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: With 2 outs, Worley helps himself with a single and Victorino walks.  Ruiz and Pence each hit run scoring singles.  The Phils are off and running.  Cubs 0 Phillies 3

3rd: Sheckard singles again with 2 away, nothing results.  

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Chance walks again, steals second, scores on a Frank Schulte double.  2 outs later 33 year old catcher Pat Moran singles.  Moran's from Mass, played semi-pro, signed with Boston in '01, send to the Cubs before the '06 season, largely serving as the backup catcher.  That's all.  Cubs 1 Phillies 3

4th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Kroh.

5th: Johnny Evers is back in the lineup today, he singles. That's all.

5th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Kroh

6th: Steinfeldt walks with 2 away, that's all.  Nice outing for Worley in a big spot.  

6th: Ryan Howard walks.  The 31 year old first baseman is from Missouri, went to Missouri St, taken by the Phillies in the fifth round in '01. Howard came up late in '04 and was Rookie of the Year in '05, hitting 22 homers. In 2006 Howard hit 58 homers and won the NL MVP. He was 2nd in '08 and hit 3 homers in the World Series. Howard was NLCS MVP in '09, and in this year's NLDS he tore his achilles.  Rollins singles, Utley walks - and the Phils have the bases loaded with nobody out and a chance to end this one.  Polanco sac fly scores a run.  That's all Kroh allows.  Cubs 1 Philies 4

7th: Michael Stutes comes on for the Phils - bullpen time for Charlie Manuel. 1-2-3

7th: Irv Higginbotham enters for the Cubs - 1-2-3

8th: Stutes his Sheckard. Walks Hofman.  Chance singles and here we go, bases loaded and nobody out.  Schulte walks and it's 4-2. Schulte gets 1 -- but then Joe Tinker singles..one run scores...two run scores and this game is tied.  David Herndon now enters for the Phillies - he gives up a Moran single -- and the Cubs have come all the way back and taken the lead.  Cubs 5 Phillies 4

8th: Well, this one turned around in a hurry - Cubs now 6 outs away from going up 3 games to 1 in this Regional Final.  Phils really up against it now.  The 23 year old RH Rip Hagerman enters for Chicago. Howard singles. But that's all.

9th: Evers reaches on an error, steals second, and Jimmy Sheckard singles to make it 6-4 and this Philly crowd is shocked.  Hofman triples - and now it's 7-4 and this one sure looks done.  Herndon gets one - but Schulte then doubles and another scores. 33 year old RH Danys Baez comes on to end it.  Cubs 8 Phillies 4

9th: Raul Ibanez comes off the bench and pinch singles but nothing else.

Cubs 8

Phillies 4

WP Higginbotham

LP Stutes

Sv Hagerman

It turns fans, the Phils were positioned to even up the series, but the Cubs ripped apart the Philly bullpen and now are a game away from advancing.

Chance 9x/2 doubles

Hofman 6x/double, triple

Evers 2x

Steinfeldt 5x

Sheckard 6x

Tinker 5x/double

Schulte 6x/2 doubles

Moran 4x

Zimmerman 2x/double

Overall 1x/HR

Victorino 6x

Utley 4x

Pence 7x/triple

Howard 4x

Mayberry 2x/double

Rollins 4x

Ruiz 6x/double

Polanco 7x/double

Halladay 2x

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

P Overall (28) 179   8.5

CF Victorino (30) (SH)  130  5.4

2B Utley (32)    (LH)      110  3.5

1B Howard (31)  (LH)    126  1.9

RF Pence (28)         159   2.1

SS Rollins (32)  (SH)      101  3.5

C Ruiz (32)             108  2.6

LF Ibanez (39) (LH) 91

3B Polanco (35)      86    2.3

P Halladay (34)       163 7.8

GAME FIVE

1st: Down 3 games to 1, every day is do or die for these Phillies; they've got the guy they want on the mound in this spot, Roy Halladay, winner of game 1.  Halladay started 2 games in the 2011 NLDS, 1-1, 2.25. 1-2-3

1st: Orval Overall, game 1 loser, comes back out for the Cubs today. In 51 career World Series innings Overall had a 1.58 ERA. Shane Victorino greets him with a single. He's now reached 7 times. Victorino comes all the way around to score on a Chase Utley triple that fires up this home crowd. It's Utley's first extra base hit of the series.  Overall gets the next 3.  Cubs 0 Phils 1

2nd: After 2 out, Halladay hits Steinfeldt - that draws a roar from the crowd which is looking for a receipt for their own batters getting hit earlier in the series.  That's all.  

2nd: Carlos Ruiz singles. Chooch has reached 7 times. That's it.

3rd: Pat Moran singles with one away - he's reached 5 times in the series and sat out a game. That's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Jimmy Sheckard singles.  The 30 year old LF is from Pennsylvania, signed with Brooklyn in 1897, sent to the Orioles and played for John McGraw in '99, he'd have two more stints in Brooklyn, sandwiching another stint in Baltimore and after the '05 season he was dealt to the Cubs.  Sheckard went 0-21 in the '06 World Series and nearly lost an eye in a fight with Heinie Zimmerman in '08. Halladay gets the next 3.

4th: 1-2-3, Overall's retired 9 in a row.  

5th: Joe Tinker singles with one out, Halladay maintains the shutout. 

5th: Overall gets two, the Polanco singles.  That's all.

6th: Johnny Evers singles. Halladay gets the next 3 - the crowd roars its approval and it remains 1-0.

6th: 1-2-3, each team has just 4 hits.  

7th: Frank Chance singles and steals second.  Tying run in scoring position with no outs.  Halladay strands him at third.  

7th: Pence and Rollins single - are the Phils about to get a little insurance?  Ruiz singles and there it is.  2-0 Phils.  Raul Ibanez is in the lineup today, 39 year old left fielder -- Ibanez went to Miami Dade CC and was drafted in the 36th round by the Mariners in '92. He got his first call up in '96 and went up and down until leaving for Kansas City in '00. In 2004 Ibanez went back to Seattle and had a 24 game hit streak.  In '05 he hit 33 homers. Prior to the '08 season he signed with the Phillies.  Ibanez made the All Star team in '09 and hit .304 in the World Series.  He doubles here -- it scores 2 more and that might do it.  Overall gets the next 3.  Cubs 0 Phillies 4

8th: Moran singles.  Overall homered in game 1, hits for himself here and he singles.  Manuel decides to stick with Halladay - it pays off.  

8th: Utley reaches by error, moves to second on an out, scores on a Pence single.  After the second out, Ruiz singles - Ibanez and Polanco follow with run scoring singles - this one's a rout - we are headed back to Chicago for Game 6.  Cubs 0 Phillies 7

9th: 3 more outs for Halladay.  Schulte singles with 1 out - after the second out Tinker doubles - Charlie Manuel doesn't move from the dugout - Halladay stays in and shuts out the Cubs.  

Cubs 0

Phillies 7

WP Halladay

LP Overall

Must win game - Doc Halladay shuts the Cubs out.  There will be a game 6.

Victorino 7x

Utley 5x/triple

Pence 9x/triple

Howard 4x

Mayberry 2x/double

Rollins 5x

Ruiz 9x/double

Polanco 9x/double

Ibanez 3x/double

Chance 10x/2 doubles

Hofman 6x/double, triple

Evers 3x

Steinfeldt 6x

Sheckard 7x

Tinker 7x/double

Schulte 7x/2 doubles

Moran 6x

Zimmerman 2x/double

Overall 1x/HR

CF Victorino (30) (SH)  130  5.4

2B Utley (32)    (LH)      110  3.5

1B Howard (31)  (LH)    126  1.9

RF Pence (28)         159   2.1

SS Rollins (32)  (SH)      101  3.5

C Ruiz (32)             108  2.6

LF Ibanez (39) (LH) 91

3B Polanco (35)      86    2.3

P: Lee (LH) (32)  160  8.1

CF Hofman (26)  115    4.1

1B Chance (32)  110     1.9

2B Evers (27)  (LH) 116   4.2

3B Steinfeldt (33) 105  3.2

LF Sheckard (30) (LH) 109  2

SS Tinker (28)    99      4.6

RF Schulte (26) (LH) 100     .1

C Moran (33)     72       1.1

Game 2: Reulbach (26)  143  5

GAME SIX

1st: Back to Chicago for Game 6 - Ed Reulbach beat the Phillies in game 2, if he can do it again the Cubs will have won Region 3.  In 32 career World Series innings his ERA was 3.03. 1-2-3

1st: Halladay came up big in game 5 - can Cliff Lee do the same? Lee got one start in the 2011 NLDS, lost, gave up 5 earned. Frank Chance singles with one out.  He's reached 11 times in the series, leading both squads. Chance steals second.  Lee gets the second out - but can't get Harry Steinfeldt, he singles home Chance and the Cubs are in front.  Steinfeldt steals second - the Cubs have come out running - and Jimmy Sheckard singles him home and now it's 2-0. Sheckard steals second -- the Cubs just pounding the basepaths - Joe Tinker singles him home.  Big first inning for the Cubs.  Phillies 0 Cubs 3

2nd: Hunter Pence walks, he's reached 10 times.  An out later Carlos Ruiz singles -- Raul Ibanez is in the lineup again today -- and he stays hot, singling home a run - but Ruiz gets gunned down at third on a big throw by Frank Schulte.  Placido Polanco singles.  Cliff Lee walks to load the bases.  But that's it.  Phillies 1 Cubs 3

2nd: Solly Hofman singles with one away, then steals second - 4 stolen bases already today for the Cubs - Chance singles again and it's 4-1 and the Cubs are threatening to run away with game 6.  Phillies 1 Cubs 4

3rd: Chase Utley singles.  The Phils do not have a homer all series against this Cub staff and man do they need one now.  Overall gets the next 3.  Phillies 1 Cubs 4

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Lee

5th: Lee gets hit - and the Cub fans approve.  Tensions rise. Phillies got hit early in the series, a Cub hit yesterday and this sure feels like a possible reply.  An out later Utley singles again and then Ryan Howard singles home a run.  Phillies 2 Cubs 4

5th: Evers walks with one away, that's all.  

6th: Rollins leads off with a double - he slaps his hands together - let's go - let's go - Ruiz singles him home and the Phils draw closer.  Two outs later Polanco doubles - but that's all.  Phillies 3 Cubs 4

6th: Michael Stutes, who lost game 2, comes on.  Sheckard singles. That's all.  We are heading to the 7th inning.

7th: Utley's aboard again - he walks with one out.  Howard singles again - Pence grounds out - but that scores the tying run.  Phillies 4 Cubs 4

7th: Hofman singles with one out - and then Ruiz guns him down trying to steal - that's a big out for the Phils - we head to the 8th.

8th: Irv Higginbogtham enters.  Tie score.  Game 6.  Cubs can clinch today, Phils trying to force game 7.  1-2-3

8th: David Herndon for the Phils.  1-2-3.  Let's go to the 9th.

9th: 1-2-3 - 6 up and 6 down for Higginbotham.

9th: Ryan Madson for the Phils, 30 year old RH, 2.37, 32 saves. He gets one AND THEN FRANK SCHULTE HOMERS TO DEAD CENTER TO END IT!

The Cubs pour out of the dugout - Schulte hit 4 homers this season but has hit a walk off to win Region 3 - it is the biggest home run of the tournament so far -- a mob scene - a mob scene at home plate -- it feels like all of Chicago is pounding away at Frank Schulte - he hits one of the biggest home runs in Cub history and the 1909 Cubs advance to the Elite 8.

Phillies 4

Cubs 5

WP Higginbotham

LP Madson

Frank Chance reached a dozen times - Schulte 8, but even if he had just reached once, he's the MVP.