The Cleveland Steamers have captured the Zotti League championship and earned their first trip to the Cecil Cup with a 4-3 victory over the Sternwheelers.
Cleveland took an early 1-0 lead in the third on a double by William Midkiff, a sacrifice bunt and a sac fly. They added a run in the fifth thanks to a single and another double by Midkiff.
The Sternwheelers started their comeback in the sixth when Timothy Palacio sent an Anthony Koepp pitch over the left-center field wall for a solo home run. Cleveland responded with another run in the eighth on three hits (including a single by Midkiff), making the score 3-1.
River Cities tied it up in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run blast by John Hukill. In the top of the ninth, River Cities brought in John Miller to pitch and his second pitch to lead-off hitter John Grondin went over the fence, giving Cleveland a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the inning, River Cities tried to come back, getting the tying run on second base on a single and an error. However, with one out, John Hukill grounded into a double play, ending the game and clinching the series for Cleveland.
Game 1 -- Cleveland @ Seattle -- Thursday night.
Zev
Wow. Congratulations, Jeremy!
ReplyDeleteI have to say, this is one of the closest series that I have ever seen (it even rivals Braves/Twins in '91).
ReplyDeleteEvery game was a one run game except game one (which was 2 runs).
Game 1 - Cle 2 runs in the top of the 9th, Final 10-8 Cle.
Game 2 - Cle 4 runs in the top of the 9th then RC 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th, Final 6-5 RC.
Game 3 - One run Cle win, but no late inning heroics.
Game 4 - RC 3 runs in the top of the 9th to tie and one in the top of the 11th to win 6-5.
Game 5 - RC 2 in the top of the 9th to tie just to have Cle score 1 in the bottom of the 9th to win 11-10 (Cle also scored 5 runs in the last 3 innings to get back in this game).
Game 6 - RC one in the bottom of the 8th to win 3-2.
Game 7 - Cle 1 top of 8th to take a 2 run lead, RC 2 in the bottom of the 8th to tie it up just to have Cle score a run in the top of the 9th to take the series with a 4-3 win.
This just in, the TV ratings were the highest SDMB ratings of all time. We should all see a jump in revenue because of this and maybe someone can sign Lutz to the $30M a year contract.
I want to say Nate, it was a great series, and I wish we both could win the series, and I do believe that you had a better chance against Mack than I do, but I will try to win the best I can. Watch out Mack it is brought!!!!!
Tough break, Nate. Congrats to Jeremy. Go Cleveland!!
ReplyDeleteOne hell of a series. I would agree that the TV ratings had to be the highest ever, but are we really to believe that the River Cities market carried the series to new heights? Aren't there only like 10 televisions there? And it's not like Cleveland has a massive TV market either.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my sympathies to Nate, my congratulations to Jeremy, and it's now time to kick some Zotti League butt. After 12 seasons of SDMB OOTP League play, the Adams and Zotti Leagues are tied at six championships each. Time for the Adams League to reclaim its rightful spot atop the mountain.
I don't know, Jeremy, I think the 2006 Cecil Cup was equally suspenseful (due to the larger stage) and more dramatic (Seattle blowing a 3-1 series lead, and being eight outs away from a championship).
ReplyDeletePlus Miami and Seattle are larger TV markets than Cleveland and River Cities. :)
Mack, I like how you are channeling the help of your league to win this championship. The worst to first story will be written when little David smites (is that a word) not only one Goliath, but two.
ReplyDeleteI was not around in 2006, so I cannot comment, but looking at the box scores, I can't say that each game was as hang on the edge of your seat, don't want to miss a single out, good as anything could happen as this series was
ReplyDeleteConsidering the Adams League once trailed five titles to two, after a five-year winning streak by the Zotti League, it will be sweet when the Adams League claims the lead.
ReplyDeleteEspecially since I'll have won the five titles to put it there.
Gotta admit, that's tight. Painfully so.
ReplyDeleteCareful with this one, Mack. He's crafty. Might even be a lefty.
Now I need to deal either Scull or Okane or even possibly Valdes. Who needs an all star starter or a slugger? Anyone?
Um, I need just about everything.
ReplyDeleteSo ready for game one...is it time to sim it yet?
ReplyDelete