#6 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. #54 1969 AL Champion Baltimore Orioles
We've reached the Region 6 Final. If the Cubs win - they'll move on to meet the 1909 Cubs in the Elite 8 in a fun generational battle. If the Orioles win, then essentially the same club will have two squads left stading in the final 8, as the 1970 Orioles won Region 4.
Cubs 103-58 (Pythag 107-54) Mgr. Joe Maddon (2nd NL MoY)
1st in NL Central
d. Giants 3-1 in NLDS
d. Dodgers 4-2 in NLCS (MVP-Javier Baez/Jon Lester)
d. Indians 4-3 in World Series (MVP-Ben Zobrist)
d. #123 1955 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Jorge Soler/Addison Russell)
d. #70 1998 Braves 3-2 (MVP-Kris Bryant)
d. #27 1818 Reds 3-0 (MVP-Jake Arrieta)
All-Stars SP Jake Arrieta, 3B Kris Bryant (NL MVP) OF Dexter Fowler, SP Jon Lester (2nd NL Cy Young) 1B Anthony Rizzo (4th NL MVP) SS Addison Russell, 2B Ben Zobrist,
Won NL Central by 17.5. 103 win most for Cubs since 1910. First team to win World Series games 6-7 on road since ’79.
Orioles 109-53 (Pythag 110-52) Mgr. Earl Weaver
1st in AL East
d. Twins 3-0 in ALCS
lost to Mets 4-1 in World Series
d. #75 1949 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Mike Cuellar/Jim Palmer)
d. #118 1917 Giants 3-1 (MVP-Davey Johnson/Mike Cuellar)
d. #43 1928 Yankees 3-0 (MVP Don Buford)
All-Stars: OF Paul Blair, 2B Davey Johnson, SP Dave McNally (4th AL Cy Young) 1B Boog Powell (2nd AL MVP) 3B Brooks Robinson, OF Frank Robinson (3rd AL MVP)
Cy Young: SP Mike Cuellar
Hall of Famers: Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver
109 wins, 19 games ahead of the Tigers in AL East. Same year – heavily favored Orioles lost to Mets, heavily favored Colts lost to Jets (and best NBA record – Bullets, lost in playoffs to Knicks), 1970 team also in field, this team had best winning % in Orioles history.
Orioles-Earl Weaver
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
P Cuellar (32) 149 (LH) 5.2
Bench
C Etchebarren (26) 96 1.6
OF Rettenmund (26) 104
RF May (25) (LF) 87
SP2 Palmer (23) 152 3.9
SP3 McNally (26) 111 (LH) 3.1
SP4 Phoebus (27) 101
The Orioles platoon at C, but that's the only change they are likely to make.
Cubs-Joe Maddon
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
RF Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
C Contreras (24) 122 2.2
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
2B Baez (23) 94 2.3
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
P Hendricks (26) 196 5.5
Bench
C Montero (32) (LH) 82
C Ross (39) 106
LF Coghlan (31) (LH) 109
LF Szczur (28) 88
3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103
RF Heyward (26) (LH) 68
CF Almora (22) 99
SP2 Lester (32) (LH) 171 5.5
SP3 Arrieta (30) 135 5.1
SP4 Lackey (37) 125
Platoon in LF, and there might be moves made at C and RF as well. Maddon has lots of moving parts.
Lineups:
C -Push
1B-Push
2B-Johnson
SS-Belanger
3B-Bryant
LF-Buford
CF-Blair
RF-Robinson
SP1-Hendricks
SP2-Lester
SP3-Arrieta
SP4-Lackey
Pen-Orioles
WAR: Orioles 6 Cubs 5 - It's Orioles bats against Cubs arms; despite the 3 20 game winners, the Cubs have the SP advantage in every game of the series, but the O's pen is a little stronger and their lineup is much stronger (although Bryant is the best player in the series). The Cubs have the solidly better seed, giving them home field. We'll say...by the narrowest of margins that the Cubs are favored. We haven't had a 7th game yet; this series gives us the best chance we've seen.
GAME ONE
1st: The last Tinker/Evers/Chance team standing, the 1909 Cubs won Region 3 and they will take on the winners of this Region 6 Final. Will it be an all Cubs matchup? Kyle Hendricks is 26, RH, 16-8, 2.13. Hendricks is from Southern California; went to Dartmouth, the Rangers took him in the 8th round in 2011. The Cubs got him for Ryan Dempster at the '12 deadline. Hendricks came up in mid '14 and was 7th in the NL Rookie of the Year. He led all of MLB in ERA this year and won the clincher in the NLCS. 1-2-3
1st: Mike Cuellar was co-MVP in both rounds 1 and 2 and he gets the ball for the Orioles today. 32 year old lefty. 23-11, 2.38 -- we've already had profiles of all of these Oriole players with the 1970 team that won Region 4. Cuellar won the Cy Young in '69 and then was terrific in the postseason. One ALCS start, 8 innings, 2 earned. 2 WS starts, 1-0, 16 innings, 2 earned. He gives up a leadoff single to Dexter Fowler and then strikes out the next 3.
2nd: Davey Johnson walks with 2 out. The Orioles second baseman struggled in the '69 postseason, hitting .231 in the ALCS and .063 in the WS. That's all.
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Don Buford was Oriole MVP in the Regional Semi-Final and he singles with 2 away. The Oriole LF hit .286 in this year's ALCS and .100 in the WS. Boog Powell follows with a single, sending Buford to third - and then Frank Robinson and Paul Blair hit back to back run scoring singles - it's the Orioles who plate the first runs of the series. Orioles 2 Cubs 0
3rd: With one out, Hendricks reaches on an error and after the second out, Ben Zobrist singles him to third. Zobrist was World Series MVP. He's from Eureka, Illinois, went to Olivet Nazarene and Dallas Baptist, and was drafted by the Astros in the 6th round in '04. Tampa acquired him for Aubrey Huff at the '06 deadline and he came up to the big club. Zobrist was an All Star in '09, got his 1000th hit in '14, was dealt to the A's in '15, one of the prospects headed back was an OF named Boog Powell, not related to the Oriole first baseman. Zobrist finished the '15 season in Kansas City and signed in the offseason with the Cubs. This year he led the majors in BB/K. Cuellar escapes.
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Cuellar gets 2 - but then Jorge Soler jolts a homer to right center to cut the deficit in half. Soler was co-MVP in the Cubs round one win. Soler defected from Cuba in '11 and signed with the Cubs in '12. He came up in late '14. Soler played in just 86 games this season; he's platooning in LF in this series with Chris Coghlan. Orioles 2 Cubs 1
5th: Hendricks gets 2 - but then Powell gets the run back for the Orioles with a big blast to dead center. Powell hit .385 in this year's ALCS and .263 in the WS. Orioles 3 Cubs 1
5th: This Oriole club has lost one game in 3 rounds in the tournament and lead this one 3-1. 1-2-3
6th: Paul Blair hits a line drive missle over the wall in left and the Orioles add another. Blair hit .400 in the '69 ALCS and .100 in the WS. Orioles 4 Cubs 1
6th: Zobrist leads off with a single - but that's it - Cuellar steams forward and this Oriole club is 9 outs from taking game one.
7th: Brooks Robinson homers to right center and this Oriole offense that clubbed the '28 Yankees in the semi-final is back; they are 8-1 in the tournament and rolling now in game one. Robinson hit .500 in the '69 ALCS and .053 in the World Series. Cuellar singles and Don Buford ends this one with yet another home run - a 2 run shot to RF and it's 7-1. Hendricks stays on, gets an out, gives up a Frank Robinson single - that's all. Orioles 7 Cubs 1
7th: Soler singles with one away. That's all.
8th: 28 year old RH Adam Warren is the new Cub pitcher; 5.91, he's at the bottom of the staff. Johnson singles with one out, that's all.
8th: Dexter Fowler walks with one out. Fowler's from Atlanta, the Rockies drafted him in the 14th round in '04, he was on the US Olympic Team in '08 and got called up later that year. In '10, Fowler led MLB in triples and was third in '11. After the '13 season, the Rockies sent him to Houston and prior to '15, the Astros dealt him to the Cubs. Fowler was an All Star this year and was the first player in big league history to lead off Game 7 of the World Series with a homer. That's all.
9th: Curt Motton came off the bench and hit a 3 run homer to clinch the Regional semi-final - and he comes off the bench here for another Oriole home run. Motton's from Oakland, went to the same HS that produced Willie Stargell and Jimmy Rollins. He went to Cal and signed with the Orioles in '61. Motton came up in '67 and was a productive pinch hitter this year, hitting .303. Warren then hits Buford -- and that draws everyone's attention; a hit batsman in the 9th inning with the game clearly out of hand. We'll see if there are consequences to that one. Powell then walks, Warren gets an out, and then a Blair sac fly adds the 9th Oriole run. 28 year old RH Trevor Cahill gets the call from the Cub pen, 2.74. He gives up a single to Hendricks, then walks Davey Johnson, it ends here. This one is a beating. Orioles 9 Cubs 1
9th: Dave Leonhard is a a 28 year old RH, 7 wins, 2.49. He walks Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo's from Parkland, Florida, he graduated 11 years prior to an infamous shooting at his HS. The Red Sox took him in the 6th round in '07 and after the '10 season he was sent to the Padres as part of a prospect package for Adrian Gonzalez. Rizzo came up in mid '11 and San Diego sent him to the Cubs in the offseason for Andrew Cashner. Rizzo made the All Star team in '14 and was 10th in the MVP. Rizzo was 4th in '15 and hit his 100th homer. He was 4th again in the MVP this year, won a Gold Glove, started in the All Star game. Willson Contreras singles, but Cuellar gets the next 3 and its over.
Orioles 9
Cubs 1
WP Cuellar
LP Hendricks
Complete game 6 hitter for Cuellar, the Orioles hit 5 homers and they cruise to the game 1 win.
Buford 3x/HR
Powell 3x/HR
FRobinson 2x
Blair 2x/HR
Hendricks 1x
Johnson 3x
BRobinson 1x/HR
Fowler 2x
Zobrist 2x
Rizzo 1x
Contreras 1x
Soler 2x/HR
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
C Etchebarren (26) 96 1.6
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
SP2 Palmer (23) 152 3.9
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
2B Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
LF Coghlan (31) (LH) 109
SS Baez (23) 94 2.3
C Montero (32) (LH) 82
RF Heyward (26) (LH) 68
SP2 Lester (32) (LH) 171 5.5
GAME TWO
1st: The 2016 Cubs entered as very, very narrow favorites to win this Regional Final, but they got blasted in Wrigley in game one and now really need this one to stay within shouting distance. They send Jon Lester to the mound. 32 year old lefty, 19-5, 2.44. Lester's from Tacoma, the Red Sox took him in the second round in '02, he came up in mid-'06 and had treatment for lymphoma following the season. Lester won the clinching game of the World Series in '07. In May, '08, Lester no hit the Royals. In the ALDS that year he threw 14 innings without allowing an earned run. He was 4th in the Cy Young in '10 and won 2 games in the '13 World Series. In May of '14, Lester struck out 15 A's in a game and then was sent to Oakland at the deadline for Yoenis Cespedes. He finished 4th again in the Cy Young. Lester signed with the Cubs in '15, this year he was second in the NL in ERA and was co-MVP of the NLCS. 1-2-3
1st: Lester's opponent is Jim Palmer. Co-MVP in Round one. 23 year old RH, 16-4, 2.34. He had a complete game win in this year's ALCS, giving up 2 earned. He lost his only start in this year's WS. Dexter Fowler walks. That's it.
2nd: Andy Etchebarren is platooning behind the plate and he singles with 2 out. Etchebarren was 0-10 in the postseason this year. That's it.
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Brooks Robinson walks. 2 outs later Frank Robinson does as well, but that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Davey Johnson doubles with one away and then scores on an Etchebarren single, and the Orioles are on the board. Mark Belanger walks and then Brooks Robinson doubles everybody home; its a 3 run inning for the Orioles and this Wrigley Field crowd is super, super, super tense. Orioles 3 Cubs 0
4th: Ben Zobrist walks and goes to third on a Kris Bryant double. Bryant's from Vegas, he went to University of San Diego and hit 31 homers his junior year and won the Golden Spikes Award for player of the year. The Cubs took him second overall in '13; Bryant came up in '15 and was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year. This year, he started in the All Star game, won the NL MVP Award and hit .308 with 3 homers in the postseason. Bryant was MVP in the Cub Round 2 win. Palmer gets one then walks Chris Coghlan. But that's all.
5th: Frank Robinson singles. Robinson hit .333 in the '69 ALCS but just .188 in the WS. Lester gets one -- but the Paul Blair hits a 2 run homer and the Orioles are running away with another one. The 1970 Orioles won Region 4 and the 1969 Orioles look for all the world like they are going to win Region 6. Orioles 5 Cubs 0
5th: Lester stays on and walks with 2 out. That's it - the Cubs have only one hit and are in real, real trouble.
6th: Mark Belanger singles. Belanger hit .267 in the ALCS and .200 in the WS. Palmer singles two outs later and that's all.
6th: Zobrist and Bryant walk. Rizzo singles and the bases are loaded with nobody out. Chris Coghlan grounds out and it scores a run. Coghlan gets the start in left today. He's from North Florida, went to Ole Miss. The Marlins took him in the first round in '06. Coghlan came up in '09 and was NL Rookie of the Year. The Marlins released him after the '13 season. The Cubs signed him before the '14 season, before this season started they sent him to Oakland. In June, he was dealt back. Coghlan played in 48 games with the Cubs this year. That's all Palmer allows, the Cubs just cant get on track. Orioles 5 Cubs 1
7th: Pedro Strop is the next Cub pitcher; 31 year old RH, 2.85. 1-2-3
7th: Weaver goes to his pen for Pete Richert. 29 year old lefty, 2.20. 12 saves, 7 wins. He gets two, then Jorge Soler, who homered in game one - comes off the bench and homers again - a pinch homer to right draws Chicago a little closer. Orioles 5 Cubs 2
8th: Justin Grimm is next for the Cubs. 27 year old RH, 4.10. Davey Johnson singles and that's all.
8th: 1-2-3, the Orioles are 3 outs from taking both in Wrigley.
9th: Brooks Robinson singles and an out later Don Buford doubles. 24 year old Carl Edwards comes on, RH, 3.75. That's it.
9th: Eddie Watt comes on to close. 28 year old RH, 5 wins, 16 saves, 1.65.
Coghlan grounds to second.
Jorge Baez doubles.
Watt strikes out Miguel Montero.
Jason Heyward harmlessly flies out to right - Frank Robinson gathers the ball and thats it.
Orioles 5
Cubs 2
WP Palmer
LP Lester
Sv Watt
Palmer and 2 relievers give up just 4 hits, the Orioles sweep the Cubs at Wrigley, this Oriole team has lost 1 game all tournament and heads home 2 wins from the sweep.
Buford 4x/HR, double
Powell 3x/HR
FRobinson 4x
Blair 3x/ 2 HR
Hendricks 1x
Johnson 5x/double
BRobinson 4x/HR, double
Etchebarren 2x
Belanger 2x
Fowler 3x
Zobrist 4x
Rizzo 2x
Coghlan 1x
Bryant 2x/double
Contreras 1x
Soler 3x/ 2HR
Baez 1x/double
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
RF Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
C Contreras (24) 122 2.2
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
2B Baez (23) 94 2.3
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
SP3 Arrieta (30) 135 5.1
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
SP3 McNally (26) 111 (LH) 3.1
GAME THREE
1st: On paper the Cubs have a real 4th starter's advantage; so if they can get one today, they might have a shot to even this up in game 4. But they do have to win today, no one is coming back from a 3-0 deficit on this Oriole club. Dave McNally takes the ball for Baltimore. 26 year old LH, 20-7, 3.22. McNally had a great '69 ALCS, 11 innings, no earned runs. He got two starts in the WS and was also strong, 16 innings, 2.81. 1-2-3
1st: Jake Arrieta was MVP in the Cubs regional semi-final win. 30 year old RH, 18-8, 3.10. Arrieta's from Plano, went to TCU, pitched for the US National team in '06 and was drafted by the Orioles in the 5th round in '07. The O's called him up in mid '10, so as Arrieta stands on the Memorial Stadium mound today, he once called Baltimore home. In mid '13, Arrieta and Pedro Strop were shipped to the Cubs, in '14 Arrieta was 9th in the Cy Young. In August of '15, Arrieta no hit the Dodgers and for the season was 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA and won the Cy Young. This year Arrieta threw another no hitter, against the Reds in April and was 9th in the Cy Young. Arrieta won two games in the WS. Don Buford opens with a walk. An out later Boog Powell walks and after the second out Paul Blair walks - just a brutal first inning for Arrieta coming back to Baltimore and unable to find the plate. But he escapes.
2nd: Rizzo doubles. Cubs need loud contact today. Willson Contreras singles him home and the Cubs have a lead. Contreras is platooning behind the plate; he's Venezuelan, signed with the Cubs in '09 at 17 years old. The Cubs called him up for the first time this year at midseason. McNally gets two, then hits Addison Russell. Arrieta follows with a single and the Cubs load the bases. Dexter Fowler gets the hit they need - a single that scores two. The Cub offense breaks through. Cubs 3 Orioles 0
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Kris Bryant walks and an out later Jorge Soler hits his 3rd home run of the series - a 2 run shot to left center. Soler was co-MVP in round one and he is carrying this Cub offense in this series. Cubs 5 Orioles 0
3rd: Boog Powell singles with one out. That's it.
4th: McNally gets 2 and then hits Dexter Fowler and that draws some words from the Cub leadoff man. Recall the Oriole leadoff man, Don Buford was hit late in game one and now McNally has hit two Cubs today. Fowler jaws at McNally as he walks to first base - and now the series steps up a level in intensity.
4th: Johnson walks with one out, that's all.
5th: Contreras singles with 2 away, that's all.
5th: 1-2-3, the Cubs desperately needed this from Arrieta, he's given up one hit.
6th: 1-2-3
6th: Frank Robinson walks with one out and Blair singles. Blair hit .400 in the '69 ALCS and .100 in the WS. That's all.
7th: Zobrist singles with one out. After the second out, Rizzo doubles again, it scores the 6th run. This one is just about done. Contreras singles again and that is all for McNally, Dave Leonhard comes on for Baltimore. Cubs 6 Orioles 0
7th: After an out - Arrieta hits Brooks Robinson, and now both teams are out of the dugouts - there's a lot of jawing - Weaver has had enough - Weaver is on the field - Weaver yelling at Arrieta - is Earl Weaver about to charge at Jake Arrieta? He isn't - Weaver is grabbed in a bear hug by Powell - the teams do not go to blows - it's a Regional Final and no one wants to risk ejection or injury - but we for sure are right there on the precipice of this thing getting away from us.
8th: Leonhard gets two, then walks Coghlan, pinch hitting for Arrieta. That's all.
8th: Adam Warren for the Cubs, he gets one and then Frank Robinson hits a bomb to right center to snap the shutout. Blair walks, that's it for Warren and Pedro Strop comes on. Cubs 6 Orioles 1
9th: Zobrist doubles. An out later Rizzo walks and then Contreras does it again, a run scoring single. Soler grounds out - it scores another run. We'll see you for game 4. Cubs 8 Orioles 1
9th: Belanger singles. 2 outs later Buford singles. Maddon isn't taking a chance, he's back to the pen to bring on Trevor Cahill. And he ends it.
Cubs 8
Orioles 1
WP Arrieta
LP McNally
Combined five hitter for the Cubs; Contreras has 4 hits and will be tough to get out of the lineup the rest of the series. Soler is also likely to continue; after hitting his 3rd homer.
Fowler 5x
Zobrist 6x/double
Rizzo 5x/ 2 doubles
Coghlan 1x
Bryant 3x/double
Contreras 5x
Soler 4x/ 3HR
Baez 1x/double
Russell 1x
Buford 6x/HR, double
Powell 5x/HR
FRobinson 6x/HR
Blair 3x/ 2 HR
Hendricks 1x
Johnson 6x/double
BRobinson 5x/HR, double
Etchebarren 2x
Belanger 3x
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
2B Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
RF Bryant (24) 146 7.6
C Contreras (24) 122 2.2
3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
SP4 Lackey (37) 125
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
SP4 Phoebus (27) 101
GAME FOUR
1st: The Cubs lost the first two at home, come to Baltimore, take game 3 and look to even up the series today. 27 year old RH Tom Phoebus makes his first appearance of the tournament, 14-7, 3.52. Phoebus is a Baltimore native, so he's pitching in his hometown today, signed with the Orioles after HS, came up in late '66. In April, '68 Phoebus no hit the Red Sox. He did not pitch in this year's postseason. 1-2-3
1st: John Lackey for the Cubs; 37 year old RH, 11-8, 3.35. Lackey's near the end of the road, after 8 years with the Angels, 4 with the Red Sox, 2 in St Louis he came to the Cubs this season. Next year is his last. Don Buford greets him with a base hit. He's reached 7 times leading both clubs. That's all.
2nd: Willson Contreras had 4 game 3 hits, that earned him a start against a RH today and he singles with 1 out. An out later Soler walks but that's all.
2nd: Ellie Hendricks singles. An out later Belanger singles, the Orioles in business. Brooks Robinson lines a single and Baltimore is out in front. Phoebus then singles home a run to the delight of his hometown friends, a dozen friends and family in attendance for the Baltimore native. Cubs 0 Orioles 2
3rd: Zobrist singles with 2 away, Rizzo singles - but Phoebus escapes and maintains the lead.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Phoebus gets 2 -- and then Jorge Soler, getting a start against a RH due to his performance - comes through again - Soler hits his 4th home run of the series to halve the deficit. Jorge Soler continues to power the Cubs offense in this Regional Final. Cubs 1 Orioles 2
4th: Brooks Robinson walks with 2 out, that's all.
5th: Zobrist draws a two out walk but that's all - strong 5 innings for Phoebus in what is the first close game of the series.
5th: Buford walks and then Boog Powell hits a 2 run shot - it's his second homer of the series and with a 4-1 lead, the Orioles are positioned to take a 3-1 lead in this series. Frank Robinson doubles, Lackey gets an out but then Ellie Hendricks comes through with his own 2 run homer and that might be that - enormous celebration at Memorial Stadium as the Orioles take the huge lead. Cubs 1 Orioles 6
6th: Tommy La Stella gets his first start of the series and he singles with 2 out, Soler follows with a base hit but that's all - Phoebus is through 6 and has a 5 run lead. The Orioles are poised to take game 4.
6th: 1-2-3
7th: 1-2-3, the crowd roars for Phoebus - the Orioles 6 outs from the win.
7th: After one out, Lackey hits Frank Robinson and he points his bat at Lackey -- then points up at the scoreboard and slowly trots to first. Another hit batsman in this series - after an out, Hendricks does it again - his second two run homer of the day and that will be that - the Orioles really celebrate here - they are out of the dugout to greet Hendricks, the catcher gets a curtain call from these fans - Baltimore is about to take a 3-1 series lead. Adam Warren enters for Chicago, gives up a Johnson single and that's all. Cubs 1 Orioles 8
8th: Dave Leonhard for the Orioles - Weaver sent Phoebus out to the mound - then came to take him out so the hometown boy can get the enormous roar from the appreciative crowd. 7 strong innings. 1-2-3
8th: Leonhard stays in the game and singles with 1 out, Buford walks and then Boog Powell hits his second homer of a the day = a 3 run moon rocket to right center - the Orioles have won a laugher today and this series is going to be 3 games to 1. Trevor Cahill comes on, that's it. Cubs 1 Orioles 11
9th: La Stella doubles. La Stella's from Jersey, went to Coastal Carolina, the Braves took him in the 8th in '11, comes up late '14 and after the season is sent to the Cubs. He had one at bat in the '16 postseason. Leonhard gets the next 3.
Cubs 1
Orioles 11
WP Phoebus
LP Lackey
Phoebus goes 7, Powell and Hendricks each homer twice and it leaves the Orioles one game from putting their second team into the Elite 8 - this Baltimore Orioles group making a claim for the best of all time.
Buford 9x/HR, double
Powell 7x/ 3 HR (5 game 4 RBI)
FRobinson 8x/HR, double
Blair 3x/ 2 HR
Hendricks 4x/ 2 HR (4 game 4 RBI)
Johnson 7x/double
BRobinson 7x/HR, double
Etchebarren 2x
Belanger 4x
Fowler 6x
Zobrist 8x/double
Rizzo 6x/ 2 doubles
Coghlan 1x
Bryant 3x/double
Contreras 6x
Soler 7x/ 4HR
Baez 1x/double
Russell 1x
La Stella 2x/double
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
RF Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
3B Bryant (24) 146 7.6
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
C Ross (39) 106
2B Baez (23) 94 2.3
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
P Hendricks (26) 196 5.5
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
P Cuellar (32) 149 (LH) 5.2
GAME FIVE
1st: Mike Cuellar has maybe been the best pitcher in this tournament; co-MVP of the Orioles wins in the first two rounds and won game one of this series. A win today and the Orioles advance to the next round. Can the Cubs send the series back to Wrigley? Dexter Fowler singles. He's reached 7 times. Ben Zobrist singles. He's reached 9 times. Cuellar gets one and then an Anthony Rizzo sac fly scores a run. Jorge Soler walks, he's got 4 homers so far in this series. And then David Ross - the 39 year old catcher making his first start of the tournament, comes through with a base hit that scores a run. Cubs 2 Orioles 0
1st: Kyle Hendricks needs, somehow, to slow this Baltimore attack. He walks Don Buford, Buford was Oriole MVP in the Regional Semi-Final and has reached 10 times in this series. That's all.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Kris Bryant singles with one away. That's it.
3rd: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Hendricks
4th: Javier Baez homers with one away to give the Cubs another run. Baez is Puerto Rican, went to HS in Jacksonville. The Cubs took him 9th overall in '11 and he came up for the first time in late '14. Baez stole home in game 2 of this year's NLCS and was co-MVP of the series. Cubs 3 Orioles 0
4th: 1-2-3, 12 straight for Hendricks
5th: Fowler doubles and out later Bryant singles him home and it is starting to look like we will be headed back to Wrigley. Cubs 4 Orioles 0
5th: 1-2-3, 15 in a row set down for Hendricks and the Orioles do not yet have a hit.
6th: Addison Russell homers with 2 out. Russell's from Pensacola, the A's took him 11th overall in '11. They send him to the Cubs in mid '14 with Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel headed back. Russell came up in '15 and hit two two run homers in this year's NLCS and had 6 RBI in game 6 of the World Series. And then Cuellar hits Kyle Hendricks - and that's it - the Cubs just fly out of the dugout toward the Oriole mound - the Orioles converge; it is a real live baseball brawl - building since late in game one; we've seen both clubs hit batsmen in spots indicative of intent and that for sure is the case here - an absolute wild, wild scene here in Memorial Stadium - when the dust settles Cuellar and both managers are ejected and the game continues. The Orioles 5th starter is Jim Hardin, 25 year old RH, 6-7, 3.60 and he comes on. Fowler singles and then Zobrist doubles everyone home. We are going back to Wrigley. Cubs 7 Orioles 0
6th: The brawl perhaps shakes Hendricks, Belanger and Brooks Robinson single back to back. Curt Motton comes off the bench to hit - he singles to score a run. And then Don Buford doubles to score 2 more -- Hendricks had a no hitter heading to this inning, but he got hit in the top of the inning, leading to the wild, wild brawl - and now he has to really gather himself -- he does. Cubs 7 Orioles 3
7th: Pete Richert is the new pitcher. Soler doubles with one out -- and there's Ross again, singling him home. Cubs 8 Orioles 3
7th: Elrod Hendricks and Johnson walk back to back. After an out, Brooks Robinson sac fly scores a run. Chico Salmon pinch singles, that's all. Cubs 8 Orioles 4
8th: 38 year old RH Dick Hall is the next Oriole pitcher, 1.92. Matt Szczur comes off the bench and reaches on an error, Hall gets 2, Bryant singles - Rizzo walks - And then Jorge MotherTrucking Soler hits a Grand Slam! Jorge Soler hits his 5th - his 5th home run of the series - he puts this game totally out of reach. Cubs 12 Orioles 4
8th: Adam Warren for the Cubs - Boog Powell hits his first over the wall in right center and that's Powell's 4th homer of the series - Soler and Powell batting it out. Frank Robinson singles and that's a quick hook for Warren, Trevor Cahill comes on. That's it. Cubs 12 Orioles 5
9th: Dave Leonhard for the Orioles - Baez walks and Russell doubles him home; Chicago did what they needed to do today. Cubs 13 Orioles 5
9th: Johnson walks and Belanger singles. Brooks Robinson walks - the Cubs are just trying to get these last 3 outs. 26 year old lefty Mike Montgomery is brought on, Merv Rettenmund to hit, Rettenmund and Buford both walk, scoring two. Powell grounds out for the first out in the inning. Scores another. Frank Robinson walks to load the bases again, that beings on the Cubs closer Hector Rondon - it's 13-8, bases loaded -- Blair grounds out thats going to score another run to make it 13-9, now with two outs -
AND ELROD HENDRICKS HITS A 3 RUN HOMER!!!
The Orioles have scores 7 runs! The Baltimore Orioles have scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th and now it's 13-12.
Davey Johnson....grounds to third. Bryant to first. Cubs win. Wow.
Cubs 13
Orioles 12
WP Hendricks
LP Cuellar
Through 8.5 innings, this looked like every other game in their series, a blowout, one team just battering the other. But then the Orioles scores 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th...only to fall a run short. We also saw a full benches clearing brawl, both managers and Mike Cuellar ejected. And now We head to Wrigley, Orioles still up 3 games to 2.
Fowler 9x/double (3 runs scored game 5)
Zobrist 10x/ 2 doubles
Rizzo 7x/ 2 doubles
Coghlan 1x
Bryant 6x/double
Contreras 6x
Soler 10x/ 5 HR, double (4 game 5 RBI)
Baez 3x/double, HR
Russell 3x/HR, double
La Stella 2x/double
Ross 2x
Buford 12x/HR, 2 doubles (3 RBI game 5)
Powell 8x/ 4 HR (5 game 4 RBI)
FRobinson 10x/HR, double
Blair 3x/ 2 HR
Hendricks 6x/ 3 HR (4 game 4 RBI, 3 game 5 RBI)
Johnson 9x/double
BRobinson 9x/HR, double
Etchebarren 2x
Belanger 6x
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
SP2 Palmer (23) 152 3.9
CF Fowler (30) (SH) 123 3.9
2B Zobrist (35) (SH) 121 3.8
1B Rizzo (26) (LH) 143 6.3
RF Bryant (24) 146 7.6
3B LaStella (27) (LH) 103
LF Soler (24) 103 .6
SS Russell (22) 94 3.9
C Montero (32) (LH) 82
SP2 Lester (32) (LH) 171 5.5
GAME SIX
1st: 9 innings from now, probably one of two things will be true - either the Cubs will have forced the second game 7 in this tournament - or the Orioles will have placed their second team in the elite 8. Jon Lester stands on the Wrigley Field mound, just all the pressure in the world on his left arm. He gets the first two then gives up a Boog Powell single; Powell's hit 4 homers in the series, if the Orioles win today, he's the most likely MVP. That's all.
1st: Jim Palmer won Game 2 and if he matches that today this series is over. He walks Ben Zobrist with one out but strikes out the other 3 men he faces.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Jorge Soler walks with one out - Soler has busted through the LF platoon hitting 5 homers in the series. After the second out Weaver calls for Miguel Montero to be intentionally walked to face the pitcher - and it works. Intentional walk in the second inning - Weaver expecting a tight one today.
3rd: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Lester.
3rd: Fowler singles. He's reached 10 times and then Zobrist walks again; that's 12 times on base for Zobrist. Cubs in business. Rizzo singles. Bases loaded. Nobody out - Game 6 - but Palmer escapes unscathed - that's a big missed opportunity in a must win game.
4th: Frank Robinson doubles. He's reached 11 times. Boog Powell follows with a double, Robinson scores and the Orioles are out in front. Orioles 1 Cubs 0
4th: Addison Russell singles with 1 out - but that's it. Is this our first pitcher's duel of the series?
5th: Brooks Robinson singles. But that's all.
5th: 1-2-3
6th: 1-2-3
6th: Tommy La Stella singles with 2 away, but that's all -- Palmer and Lester going at it here in Game 6.
7th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Lester, he's allowed just 4 hits - can the Cubs get him some runs?
7th: 1-2-3, Palmer matches him, he's also allowed just 4 hits and we head to the 8th.
8th: Brooks Robinson singles again, the Oriole third baseman has now reached 11 times and played impeccable defense. Lester gets 2 -- and then Don Buford hits a 2 run homer that just clears the Ivy in LF -- it's Buford's 2nd homer of the series and it may have won this for Baltimore. Orioles 3 Cubs 0
8th: The Cubs are 6 outs from elimination. 1-2-3, Palmer has struck out 6 - the Orioles are 3 outs away now.
9th: Powell singles. That's all Lester allows.
9th: Palmer's day is over - Weaver goes to Eddie Watt.
Watt strikes out Bryant.
Tommy La Stella walks.
Watt strikes out Soler - 5 home runs in the series for Soler, an incredible performance.
Russell grounds to Belanger -- on to Powell.
Ballgame.
Orioles 3
Cubs 0
WP Palmer
LP Lester
Jim Palmer goes 8 scoreless, the Cubs get just 4 hits, just a huge outing for Palmer who also won Game 2. Don Buford homered and the Orioles win Region 6.
Buford 13x/ 2 HR, 2 doubles (3 RBI game 5)
Powell 11x/ 4 HR, double (5 game 4 RBI)
FRobinson 11x/HR, 2 doubles
Hendricks 6x/ 3 HR (4 game 4 RBI, 3 game 5 RBI)
BRobinson 11x/HR, double
A lot of thunder from the Orioles and Palmer also had the big series on the mound - Powell's 4 homers are going to carry the day here, he's MVP.
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