Seattle's Ronald Placencia had his stuff on tonight as he threw a complete game shutout in defeating the Hickory Huskers 9-0. The Huskers managed to get five hits, but never more than one in any inning. Placencia also exhibited excellent control, issuing only one walk over the course of the game. The hitting star for the Monarchs was David Kerry, who was 3 for 4 with a grand slam in the fifth inning.
In contrast, the Cleveland-River Cities game came down to the last at bat. The Steamers took an early 1-0 lead in the first on a single, error on a stolen base attempt, and a balk. The Sternwheelers responded in the top of the second with a walk, reached on an error, a triple by Jesse Dubreuil and a single by Gerald Odum. Cleveland re-took the lead in the bottom of the second with a hit batsman, stolen base, two singles and two doubles, making the score 4-3 in Cleveland's favor.
River Cities took the lead back again by producing four runs in the fourth on a three run homer by Gerald Odum, a triple by Ronald Quijada and a groundout. They added an insurance run in the fifth by Timothy Palacio, making the score 8-4 River Cities.
Cleveland answered back with another two runs in the bottom of the fifth when Ronald Aiken hit a 368 foot shot to left, reducing the Steamer's deficit to two runs. Cleveland took the lead back yet again in the seventh with a two run home run by John Grondin and an RBI single by Samuel Santos. After seven innings, the score stood at 9-8, Cleveland. A Monte Goss RBI single in the eighth made it a 10-8 game.
River Cities tied the game up in the top of the ninth with back to back solo homers by Patrick Valdez and John Hukill. However, Cleveland finally secured the win when Ronald Aiken hit his second homer of the game in the bottom of the inning, making the final score 11-10.
Game six on Monday night.
Zev
Lots of interesting stuff here. First, the alternating win structure continues. As Jeremy pointed out after Game Four, it may well be Seattle and Cleveland in seven.
ReplyDeleteIn the less interesting series, I'm glad to see Kerry break out of his funk and Placencia throw a gem. Just need to split the last two games in Seattle to survive. But, in two games, anything can happen.
In the Zotti League though, what a great game and a great series. Back and forth, one topping the other. Who knew the Steamers would hit the hell out of the ball against the vaunted River Cities pitching staff?
Once again, Cleveland is winning going into the River Cities' half of the ninth inning. Is that all five games now? Amazing that they've blown three saves and still lead the series 3-2. Not sure that the back of Jeremy's bullpen is quite ready for primetime, but they keep overcoming it.
Just great, dramatic stuff.
Finally, vindication, thy name is Frank Wooster's Game Five. Nate, you will submit to me!
Hello, is this thing on?
ReplyDeleteNo posts crowing about improbable victories or promising inspiring comebacks?
No posts about how much better your team was in the past and how Seattle and River Cities are clearly weak to struggle so in these opening series?
I am holding back, don't want to jinx anything. I never thought I would be in this situation so I really do not know what to say.
ReplyDeleteI am frankly stunned that River Cities is on the verge of elimination again. Nate is either cursed or has a flair for the dramatic.
ReplyDeleteCould be a combination of both, I assume.
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I lobbied for the wild card?