Salem over New York (4-1):
Hero: In season 10, New York upended #1 seed Salem 3-0. In Season 11, New York upended #1 seed Salem 4-1. Finally, in season 12, Salem gets a measure of revenge, upending #1 seed New York 4-1. Salem's redemption is in large part owed to season 11's ROY Ronald Redmond. A year after opening the eyes of Ripken, Jr with 40+ homers and 140+ rbi, Redmond came back down to earth, struggling to knock out 15 long balls and 52 rbi w/ a sub .800 OPS. However, with a trip to the world series on the line, Redmond flashed the skills that made him a household name last year. Redmond hit safely in all 5 games (.421) with a homer run and 7 rbi. In game 2, Ronald drove in the game winning run in the top of the 9th to push Salem out to a 2-0 lead in the series. In game 5, Redmond's 3 run blast in the 8th, gave Salem their first lead of the game and help pave the way to a series clinching win and a chance at October Glory.
Chump: Deivi Escobar. The hall of fame hopeful, Deivi had arguably the best season of his career at the ripe age of 35. A 1.2 WHIP, 3.22 era, 18 wins vs 5 losses all look great, but history's fame is created in the postseason and Deivi came up well short in this series. Handed the ball twice in 5 games, Deivi surrendored 5 runs on 11 hits in 6 innings in game 2, and 3 runs on 6 hits over 7.1 innings in game 5. While the game 5 start was nothing to be ashamed about, on a night when New York needed him to be great, Deivi came up a third of an inning short.
Pittsburgh over Fresno (4-3)
Hero: Clyde Valent. Clyde came up big at the biggest moments each time Pittsburgh found their backs against the wall. Dispite not attempting a stolen base all season, his pressence on the base paths in game 4 caused enough distraction to allow Arthur Roberts to crush a meatball over the fences for the Pittsburgh only scoring in an important, series tying win. Several nights later, with Pittsburgh down 3-2 and facing elimination Valent cranked a walk off 2-run homer to deep RCF. One night later, Valent once again found himself at the plate with the game and series on the line. Down 1-0 entering the 7th, Pittsburgh loaded the bases with 2 outs, brining Valent to the plate. Once again Valent would crush a pitch over the RCF fence for a grand slam helping to send Pittsburgh to their first ever World Series.
Chump(s): Enrique Miro, Leon Patrick, and Jimmy Hammond. Three different times Fresno headed into the 7th inning with the lead in this series. All 3 times they'd blow a save. Hammond allowed back to back homers (a 3 run shot and a solo shot) after comming into the 8th w/ a 1 run lead. Patrick gave up 3 runs in the 9th of game #6, including Valent's walk off homer. Miro gave up Valent's granslam in the 7th of game #7. In total, this wasn't a game for either bullpen, the winning team scored late to take the game in every game of this series with the exception of Pittsburgh's 4-1 win in game #4.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Season 12, Round 2: Heros and Chumps
New York over Burlington (3-0)
Hero: After Burlington's shocking upset of St Louis, New York took advantage of the rest obtained over their bye and quickly dispatched Burlington in 3 games. Norberto Santos paced the offense for the Moose Knuckles from the top of the order. In addition to his steady play at the hot corner, Norberto batted .357 in the series (5-14) with scoring 3 runs and driving in 3 runs. Santos doubled to lead off game 1, and scored to give Omar Vargas all the run support he'd need in a 2-0 victory. He followed that up by launching a bases clearing 3-run double in the bottom of the 2nd to lead New York to an early 3-0 lead, a game eventually won in thrilling fashion with a walk off single in the bottom of the 9th. Finally, in the clinching game 3, Santos lead off the game again with a double, crossing home plate a few batters later, setting the pace for an easy 7-3 victory.
Chump: Delino Rodriquez. Following a long and grueling season, and a tough 5 game set vs St Louis, its obvious Delino is ready for the postseason. New York's tough pitching staff did Delino no favors, constantly pounding him inside, leading to many weak grounders, pop ups and a handful of strikeouts. Just 1 hit in his 12 appearances, no walks and 11 runners stranded on the bases. A sub standard season, based upon his prior success ends with a sub standard series and a trip back home to freshen up for next year.
Salem over Syracuse (3-2)
Hero: An exciting 5 game set that saw Cy Young hopeful Pablo Bonilla save the day in all 3 of Salem's victories. 2.2 innings of 1 hit relief in game 1 allowed Salem to win on a walk off error in the bottom of 12. 3 nights later, with Salem facing elimination, Bonilla got the ball with a 4 run lead in the 7th. Bonilla shut down the door, save a solo shot to open up the 9th before handing the ball to McCraken for the final out and set the stage for a deciding game 5. With the series on the line, Salem holding on to a slim 3-1 lead, Jesus turned things over to Bonilla to close the door in game #5 and send The Witch Doctors back to the ALCS. For the series, Bonnilla carried a WHIP just a shade north of 1, and an ERA of 1.6, not to mention the two huge 2+ innings of work in game 1 & 3.
Chump: Paul Gibson. the .318 average over the series looks pretty good, however 4 of his 7 hits came in the 11-2 game 2 laugher, leaving him 3-17 in the other 4 games. However, the biggest reason for this award came at the end of game #1. In a tight extra innings affair, Salem got runners on the corners with no body out. However, Tanhill bounced back to strike out Tony Trevino and getting an easy pop out out of George Fossum. When Garcia hit it softly back to Gibson at 2b, Syracuse fans felt certain they were heading for the 13th inning. However, Gibson botched job allowed Garcia to reach 1st safely, scoring pinch runner Terry Lewis and sending Salem home a winner.
Fresno over Austin (3-0)
Hero: Connie Lemaster, the hero of their round 1 series over Boston, returns as hero again in round 2. How does a pitcher top a 1 hitter in the postseason? By throwing 8.1 innings of 6 hit, 3 run (2 earned) ball against the potent Austin lineup. As if that wasn't enough, LeMaster gave himself all the run support he'd need in game 1 with a sacrafice fly to the gap in the 4th and a 3 run homer down the left field line off of eventual hall of famer Chad Lamb. Is a perfect game in grasp for Connie as he keeps attempting to outdo himself each round?
Chump(s): Chad Lamb and Corban Walters. Two aces, once traded for one another in a huge blockbuster, 4 world series rings between them, multiple all star appearances, Cy Young nominations and victories would spell the resume of many a hall of fame inductee. As if Lamb's lack luster game 1, including the 3 run shot to his oppossing pitcher wasn't bad enough, facing elimination Walters couldn't even escape the 2nd inning. A double, single, fly out, walk, fielder's choice to plate a run w/ the bases loaded, another double, then a triple and finally a wild pitch gave Fresno a 6-0 lead from which they'd never look back.
Pittsburgh over Las Vegas (3-1)
Hero: The Killer C's (Carlos Fuentes, Carlos Alveraz, Chet Turner, Clyde Valent). Its hard to differiant b/w the 1st and the last at the top of Pittsburgh order. Certainly Las Vegas wishes they would have stayed home. A combined 24-64 at the plate (.375 avg), 18 runs (75% of the team's runs scored), 17 rbi and 7 home runs.
Chump: Julian Hall. I think its safe to say this is a series Hall would love to forget. Following an outstanding rookie campaign, with the bright lights of the playoffs at full glare, Hall wilted under the pressure and failed to deliever for Las Vegas. That's failed to deliever anything other than a single walk and weak ground out to 1b scoring a runner from 3rd with 1 out. Otherewise, he was 0-16 at the plate despite only 2 strikeouts over the entire series. You'd have thought that a few of those other 14 outs would find a hole somewhere, anywhere, but not with Pittsburgh flashing the leather.
Hero: After Burlington's shocking upset of St Louis, New York took advantage of the rest obtained over their bye and quickly dispatched Burlington in 3 games. Norberto Santos paced the offense for the Moose Knuckles from the top of the order. In addition to his steady play at the hot corner, Norberto batted .357 in the series (5-14) with scoring 3 runs and driving in 3 runs. Santos doubled to lead off game 1, and scored to give Omar Vargas all the run support he'd need in a 2-0 victory. He followed that up by launching a bases clearing 3-run double in the bottom of the 2nd to lead New York to an early 3-0 lead, a game eventually won in thrilling fashion with a walk off single in the bottom of the 9th. Finally, in the clinching game 3, Santos lead off the game again with a double, crossing home plate a few batters later, setting the pace for an easy 7-3 victory.
Chump: Delino Rodriquez. Following a long and grueling season, and a tough 5 game set vs St Louis, its obvious Delino is ready for the postseason. New York's tough pitching staff did Delino no favors, constantly pounding him inside, leading to many weak grounders, pop ups and a handful of strikeouts. Just 1 hit in his 12 appearances, no walks and 11 runners stranded on the bases. A sub standard season, based upon his prior success ends with a sub standard series and a trip back home to freshen up for next year.
Salem over Syracuse (3-2)
Hero: An exciting 5 game set that saw Cy Young hopeful Pablo Bonilla save the day in all 3 of Salem's victories. 2.2 innings of 1 hit relief in game 1 allowed Salem to win on a walk off error in the bottom of 12. 3 nights later, with Salem facing elimination, Bonilla got the ball with a 4 run lead in the 7th. Bonilla shut down the door, save a solo shot to open up the 9th before handing the ball to McCraken for the final out and set the stage for a deciding game 5. With the series on the line, Salem holding on to a slim 3-1 lead, Jesus turned things over to Bonilla to close the door in game #5 and send The Witch Doctors back to the ALCS. For the series, Bonnilla carried a WHIP just a shade north of 1, and an ERA of 1.6, not to mention the two huge 2+ innings of work in game 1 & 3.
Chump: Paul Gibson. the .318 average over the series looks pretty good, however 4 of his 7 hits came in the 11-2 game 2 laugher, leaving him 3-17 in the other 4 games. However, the biggest reason for this award came at the end of game #1. In a tight extra innings affair, Salem got runners on the corners with no body out. However, Tanhill bounced back to strike out Tony Trevino and getting an easy pop out out of George Fossum. When Garcia hit it softly back to Gibson at 2b, Syracuse fans felt certain they were heading for the 13th inning. However, Gibson botched job allowed Garcia to reach 1st safely, scoring pinch runner Terry Lewis and sending Salem home a winner.
Fresno over Austin (3-0)
Hero: Connie Lemaster, the hero of their round 1 series over Boston, returns as hero again in round 2. How does a pitcher top a 1 hitter in the postseason? By throwing 8.1 innings of 6 hit, 3 run (2 earned) ball against the potent Austin lineup. As if that wasn't enough, LeMaster gave himself all the run support he'd need in game 1 with a sacrafice fly to the gap in the 4th and a 3 run homer down the left field line off of eventual hall of famer Chad Lamb. Is a perfect game in grasp for Connie as he keeps attempting to outdo himself each round?
Chump(s): Chad Lamb and Corban Walters. Two aces, once traded for one another in a huge blockbuster, 4 world series rings between them, multiple all star appearances, Cy Young nominations and victories would spell the resume of many a hall of fame inductee. As if Lamb's lack luster game 1, including the 3 run shot to his oppossing pitcher wasn't bad enough, facing elimination Walters couldn't even escape the 2nd inning. A double, single, fly out, walk, fielder's choice to plate a run w/ the bases loaded, another double, then a triple and finally a wild pitch gave Fresno a 6-0 lead from which they'd never look back.
Pittsburgh over Las Vegas (3-1)
Hero: The Killer C's (Carlos Fuentes, Carlos Alveraz, Chet Turner, Clyde Valent). Its hard to differiant b/w the 1st and the last at the top of Pittsburgh order. Certainly Las Vegas wishes they would have stayed home. A combined 24-64 at the plate (.375 avg), 18 runs (75% of the team's runs scored), 17 rbi and 7 home runs.
Chump: Julian Hall. I think its safe to say this is a series Hall would love to forget. Following an outstanding rookie campaign, with the bright lights of the playoffs at full glare, Hall wilted under the pressure and failed to deliever for Las Vegas. That's failed to deliever anything other than a single walk and weak ground out to 1b scoring a runner from 3rd with 1 out. Otherewise, he was 0-16 at the plate despite only 2 strikeouts over the entire series. You'd have thought that a few of those other 14 outs would find a hole somewhere, anywhere, but not with Pittsburgh flashing the leather.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Season 12, round 1: Heros & Chumps
Back by popular demand (ie I actual thought about it and have a little time to squeeze in, don't know if anyone actually cares) its time for the first round of this season's playoff Heros and playoff chumps.
Burlington over St Louis (3-2):
Hero: Charles Tamura. It wasn't all that long ago that Tamura was considered one of the elite center fielders in this world; a 3 time all star and twice silver slugger from seasons 3 thru season 6, Tamura was a solid combination of speed, power, defense the day he entered the majors. What once looked like a promising hall of fame career, started to hit the skids around the same time the Black Lightening franchise started to hit the skids. A late season trade to Burlington last season allowed Tamura to flash signs of his old self, however this season was another dissapointment, until now that is. Despite hitting just .252 and being forced over to RF, Tamura saved his best for the playoffs. A key 2 run homer in the 4th inning lead Burlington to a 3-1 game 2 lead and evened the series. 2 nights later, with the scene shifted back to the arched city, Tamura picked up a key rbi double to help push Burlington out to a 2 run lead. Burlington 2-1 series lead was short lived, as St Louis bounced back to trounce Burlington in game 4. A quick 3-0 St Louis lead in game 5 looked like the death nail, however Tamura help lead the come back by driving in their first run after getting hit with a pitch. During his next trip to the plate, with Burlington now down 5-1, Tamura drove a pitch over the wall to pull Burlington back to w/n 3 runs. During his next trp, Tamura would draw a walk and later scored to tie the game at 5 helping Burlington force extra innings where they'd win the series with a dramatic walk off 2 run homer in the bottom of the 12th.
Chump: Art Conner. With everything going St Louis way in game 5, up 5-2 with 2 outs in the 7th Conner gave up a line drive double to score Tejada from 1st. Conner remained on the mound for the 8th where he promptly loaded the bases before giving up a game tying double and handing the ball off to the next reliever. A had a feeling at the begining of the year, as well as at the begining of the playoffs that this was St Louis' year to take home the big prize. Their time is coming, there is little doubt of that, but thanks to Conner's game 5 performance, like the cubs, they're going to have to wait until next season.
Syracuse over Jacksonville (3-2)
Hero: This is a series that had a bit of eveything. Dominate pitching, offensive explosions, clutch hits, big comebacks and long homers. With so many heros, its hard to pick just one, Hic Hartley jumps to the front of the line by hitting .286 with a homer, 7 rbi and 4 runs scored. Hic drove in the 1st or 2nd run of each Syracuse victory in this series, helping to set an early tone for each win as well as driving in 2 key runs to bring Syracuse to w/n 8-7 in game 5, then later scoring the tying run in the next at bat.
Chump(s): Jacksonville's key sluggers Jolbert Mieses, Frank Donovan & kent Stinnett, all regulars to the mid season classic, hit a respective .167, .100 and .111 on the series. With so many other picking up the slack, just 1 or 2 key hits would from any of these 3 heart of the order batters would have won the series for Jacksonville.
Fresno over Boston (3-0)
Hero: For all the drama in the AL, the NL 1st round was quick and easy for both series winners. Fresno's offense did a fine job of dispatching Boston, but Connie LeMaster's 1 hit 13-0 shut out to open the series gave clear signal that Boston wasn't about to make a cinderella run. LaMaster's 9 ks and 0 walks proved that he wasn't just getting lucky, but clearly outmatching Boston on this early October evening.
Chump: Its not Boston's fault that they made the playoffs a season or two before they were ready. Ridney's made great strides the last couple of season rebuilding the franchise and despite the .500 record the poor division allowed him to sneak in a season or two early. With a roster full of young developing talent, and plenty more coming thru the ranks, I expect to see Boston in the playoffs many times the next 5+ seasons, however since we have to award a goat we'll share the blame to the entire offense that managed just 6 hits, 2 walks in no runs in back to back home shutouts in games 1 & 2.
Pittsburgh over Little Rock (3-0)
Hero: Another quick series highlighted by Alex Pineda's pinch hit grandslam in the top of the 9th to send Pittsburgh to a series clinching 8-6 victory. Limited by low durability, Pineda made the most of his limited action, catching game 2's victory and the key pinch hit to send Little Rock packing.
Chump: If Pineda is your hero, then Jeremy Cintron is your resident chump. The left handed closer was entrusted with a 3 run lead in the top of the 9th. After retiring the first batter, Cintron gave up 3 straight singles, then nearly escaped with a strikeout of Lee for out number 2. However a walk of McPherson brought Pittsburgh to w/n 2 runs, then the pinch hit grand slam by Pineda sealed the deal.
Burlington over St Louis (3-2):
Hero: Charles Tamura. It wasn't all that long ago that Tamura was considered one of the elite center fielders in this world; a 3 time all star and twice silver slugger from seasons 3 thru season 6, Tamura was a solid combination of speed, power, defense the day he entered the majors. What once looked like a promising hall of fame career, started to hit the skids around the same time the Black Lightening franchise started to hit the skids. A late season trade to Burlington last season allowed Tamura to flash signs of his old self, however this season was another dissapointment, until now that is. Despite hitting just .252 and being forced over to RF, Tamura saved his best for the playoffs. A key 2 run homer in the 4th inning lead Burlington to a 3-1 game 2 lead and evened the series. 2 nights later, with the scene shifted back to the arched city, Tamura picked up a key rbi double to help push Burlington out to a 2 run lead. Burlington 2-1 series lead was short lived, as St Louis bounced back to trounce Burlington in game 4. A quick 3-0 St Louis lead in game 5 looked like the death nail, however Tamura help lead the come back by driving in their first run after getting hit with a pitch. During his next trip to the plate, with Burlington now down 5-1, Tamura drove a pitch over the wall to pull Burlington back to w/n 3 runs. During his next trp, Tamura would draw a walk and later scored to tie the game at 5 helping Burlington force extra innings where they'd win the series with a dramatic walk off 2 run homer in the bottom of the 12th.
Chump: Art Conner. With everything going St Louis way in game 5, up 5-2 with 2 outs in the 7th Conner gave up a line drive double to score Tejada from 1st. Conner remained on the mound for the 8th where he promptly loaded the bases before giving up a game tying double and handing the ball off to the next reliever. A had a feeling at the begining of the year, as well as at the begining of the playoffs that this was St Louis' year to take home the big prize. Their time is coming, there is little doubt of that, but thanks to Conner's game 5 performance, like the cubs, they're going to have to wait until next season.
Syracuse over Jacksonville (3-2)
Hero: This is a series that had a bit of eveything. Dominate pitching, offensive explosions, clutch hits, big comebacks and long homers. With so many heros, its hard to pick just one, Hic Hartley jumps to the front of the line by hitting .286 with a homer, 7 rbi and 4 runs scored. Hic drove in the 1st or 2nd run of each Syracuse victory in this series, helping to set an early tone for each win as well as driving in 2 key runs to bring Syracuse to w/n 8-7 in game 5, then later scoring the tying run in the next at bat.
Chump(s): Jacksonville's key sluggers Jolbert Mieses, Frank Donovan & kent Stinnett, all regulars to the mid season classic, hit a respective .167, .100 and .111 on the series. With so many other picking up the slack, just 1 or 2 key hits would from any of these 3 heart of the order batters would have won the series for Jacksonville.
Fresno over Boston (3-0)
Hero: For all the drama in the AL, the NL 1st round was quick and easy for both series winners. Fresno's offense did a fine job of dispatching Boston, but Connie LeMaster's 1 hit 13-0 shut out to open the series gave clear signal that Boston wasn't about to make a cinderella run. LaMaster's 9 ks and 0 walks proved that he wasn't just getting lucky, but clearly outmatching Boston on this early October evening.
Chump: Its not Boston's fault that they made the playoffs a season or two before they were ready. Ridney's made great strides the last couple of season rebuilding the franchise and despite the .500 record the poor division allowed him to sneak in a season or two early. With a roster full of young developing talent, and plenty more coming thru the ranks, I expect to see Boston in the playoffs many times the next 5+ seasons, however since we have to award a goat we'll share the blame to the entire offense that managed just 6 hits, 2 walks in no runs in back to back home shutouts in games 1 & 2.
Pittsburgh over Little Rock (3-0)
Hero: Another quick series highlighted by Alex Pineda's pinch hit grandslam in the top of the 9th to send Pittsburgh to a series clinching 8-6 victory. Limited by low durability, Pineda made the most of his limited action, catching game 2's victory and the key pinch hit to send Little Rock packing.
Chump: If Pineda is your hero, then Jeremy Cintron is your resident chump. The left handed closer was entrusted with a 3 run lead in the top of the 9th. After retiring the first batter, Cintron gave up 3 straight singles, then nearly escaped with a strikeout of Lee for out number 2. However a walk of McPherson brought Pittsburgh to w/n 2 runs, then the pinch hit grand slam by Pineda sealed the deal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
