I hear tell that in those other leagues, there are playoffs going on, but we all know that they aren't really important. The really important action is going on here. :)
The Maui Mashers completed their sweep of the Saskatoon Amigos today after a come-from-behind, 9th inning 4-3 victory. Saskatoon got on the board first with two runs in the bottom of the first on a two-run double off the bat of Santiago Salazar. A third run was tacked on with a solo shot from Gregorio Marzano.
In the fourth inning, Maui began their comeback. An RBI single off the bat of Pedro Martinez narrowed the gap to 3-1. Saskatoon had a chance to add some insurance runs in the fifth when Maui pitcher Kenneth Byers loaded the bases on three walks with only one out. Byers, however, managed to get Marzano to line out to right field (preventing the runner at third from tagging up) and then induced a pop fly to left from Salazar.
Maui put a second run on the board in the seventh pitcher Kenneth Byers drove home a run with an RBI single to right-center. The score stood 3-2 until the ninth inning when Hickory brought in their closer, Manuel Robles, to close out the game. However, after retiring the first batter, he gave up a four-pitch walk to Gabriel Sequerios. After striking out pinch hitter Kareem King, he gave up a first-pitch home run to Ricardo Sanchez to give Maui a 4-3 lead. After that, Maui brought in their closer, Carlos "Toast" Arias, and the Amigos were toast.
The Hickory Huskers are now one win away from their first trip to the Cecil Cup series, after defeating the Monarchs 6-1. 19-game-winner Juan Morrales just didn't have it today, as he gave up four runs to the Huskers in the very first inning.
It all started out when George LaBarre led off the bottom of the first with a single. James Drum followed with an infield single. Jesus Flores hit a 2-1 pitch to short bringing home LaBarre. Christopher Moss flied out to deep center field, allowing Drum to go to third. He was then brought home on a sac fly by Paul Shunk. The next batter, Tyler Thomas, hit a ball over the left field fence to give the Huskers a 4-0 lead. Seattle scratched together a run on a leadoff single by pitcher Juan Morrales, two more singles and a sac fly by John Hukill. Hickory tacked on two more runs in the fourth on a George LaBarre single and a Jesus Flores single, knocking Morrales out of the box. However, by then the damage was done. After that, Seattle never got a runner past second base. Richard Shipp picks up his second lifetime postseason victory with an eight inning, one-run effort.
Game 5 will be tomorrow night.
Congrats to Maui on its first playoff series win ever. And in such impressive fashion! Sweeping the defending champs away!
ReplyDeleteWill Hickory make it two first-time entrants to the Cecil Cup? History says yes. Teams with 3-1 leads in league history have won 15 of the 16 series, with 11 of them taking Game Five to put the losing team out of its misery quickly. The only team to lose a 3-1 lead? My Monarchs in 2006 to Michael's squad, then in Florida. I still remember how bitterly disappointing that was.
Anyway, back to the present. If you're looking for some easy money, put it on the Huskers tonight. Because Dandy Don and the Fat Lady are singing again.
Congratulations on an excellent season and series, Eric. I admit to being surprised by the sweep (especially since I've been crushed by Saskatoon in prior playoff series), but I'll take it!
ReplyDeleteWhile it's not looking good statistically for Seattle, getting a W against Placencia is still a tall order. He's 15-5 with a 2.76 ERA in the playoffs for his career. And if Seattle wins today, Hester comes next, so this isn't over yet.
I'm rooting for Hickory, if for no other reason than I think it would be cool to have two first-time teams in the Cecil Cup.