[illeracula]

Game 4 of the Conference Championships

It is Joe Parker's time to shine. Parker had a slow start to the season, but finished strong, to the point I was trying to resign him, but just didn't have the money. He finished 14-10 4.03, and was rock solid against the Admirals this season, 2-0 1.89. He will go up against Macario Abelaira who was 11-5 in 10 games as a MR and 23 as a starter, posting a 4.85. He had a rough time agains the Cav's this season going 1-1 with a 7.80.

This games lineup will look just like last games, but with Ed Duke back behind the plate.

Inning 1:
Top: Kent Davis gets things started with a double down the left field line. Roberto Perez singles to right, Davis scores. Mauro Candelarai hits a "duck snort" to right, Perez goes to second. Derek Campbell hits into the 6-4 FC, moving Perez to third. Pablo Freitas singles up the middle, Perez scores, Campbell goes to third. King Brock walks to load the bases. Ed Duke fouls out to first. Jesus Rivera flies out to left.
Bottom: Chavez singles to left. Glenn hits into the 6-4-3 DP. Matsuura grounds out to second.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 0

We missed a HUGE opportunity to put this game out of hand in the first.

Inning 2:
Top: Augusto Rodriquez grounds out to short. Kent Davis grounds out to the pitcher. Roberto Perez grounds out to the pitcher.
Bottom: Hughes strikes out looking. Williams flies out to left. Colon flies out to right.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 0

Inning 3:
Top: Mauro Candelaria grounds out to third. Derek Campbell walks. Pablo Freitas strikes out. King Brock gets HBP, Campbell to second. Ed Dukes reaches on an error by Hughes at first. Bases are loaded. Jesus Rivera strikes out.
Bottom: Giles singles to right. Berry singles to left. Giles to second. Payne grounds out weakly to short. Giles to third, Berry to second. Chavez grounds out to second, Giles scores, Berry to third. Glenn fouls out to third.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 1

Inning 4:
Top: Augusto Rodriquez grounds out to third. Kent Davis grounds out to short. Roberto Perez pops out to third.
Bottom: Matsuura grounds out to third. Dave Hughes ties the game with a 436 shot over the CF wall. Williams walks. Colon flies out to right. Giles strikes out.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 5:
Top: Mauro Candelaria walks. Derek Campbell strikes out. Pablo Freitas strikes out. King Brock lines out to short, Chavez makes a juggling play.
Bottom: Berry stikes out. Payne grounds out to third. Chavez grounds out to short.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 6:
Top: Ed Duke grounds out to first. Jesus Rivera grounds out to short. Augusto Rodriquez grounds out second.
Bottom: Glenn grounds out to short. Matsuura doubles to center. Matsuura steals third. Hughes pops out to short. Williams strikes out.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 7:
Top: Kent Davis flies out to right. Roberto Perez flies out to center. Mauro Candelaria singles to left (our first hit since the first). Derek Campbell lines out to second.
Bottom: Colon grounds out to short. Giles grounds out to second. Berry flies out to left.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 8:
Top: Pablo Freitas grounds out to first. King Brock flies out to the warning track. Ed Duke flies out to left.
Bottom: Payne grounds out to second. Chavez pops out to short. Glenn flies out to right.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 9:
Top: Arturo Herrera is now on the hill for the Admirals... Jesus Rivera strikes out... Jose Rodriquez will pinch hit for Augusto Rodriquez... Jose grounds out second. Kent Davis pops out to short.
Bottom: Jose Escamilla comes into play short... Matsuura grounds out to third. Hughes grounds out to second. Mauro Candelaria makes a highlight reel play to retire Williams.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 10:
Top: Roberto Perez grounds out to first. Candelaria grounds out to second. Derek Campbell grounds out to first.
Bottom: Colon reaches on an E5 (Perez)... With 2 of the next 3 Admirals hitting lefty, Will Rose replaces Parker. Parker threw 92 pitches... Giles grounds out 3-1, Colon goes to second. Berry grounds out to second. Colon goes to third... Shawn Bennet pinch hits for Joe Payne, both lefties... Bennet goes down swinging.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 11:
Top: Pablo Freitas grounds out to short. King Brock grounds out to second. Ed Duke strikes out.
Bottom: Ivan Pineda is now on the hill for the Cav's... Chavez flies out to right. Glenn grounds out to third. Matsuura flies out to center.
Norfolk 2, Annapolis 2

Inning 12:
Top: Jesus Rivera walks. With the hit-n-run on, Jose Escamilla grounds out to short. Rivera advances to second. Kent Davis singles to left, Rivera scores... Brent Wagner comes into pitch for Annapolis... Roberto Perez walks, Davis heads to second. Mauro Candelaria pops out to first. Derek Campbell flies out to right.
Bottom: Dalton Whitaker comes into the game... Hughes flies out deep right, the 10 MPH wind blowing in saved a HR. Williams grounds out 3-1. Colon singles to left. Giles singles to right. Colon heads over to third. Berry strikes out swinging!
Norfolk 3, Annapolis 2
Norfolk wins the series 4-0!!!

W: Ivan Pineda (1-0)
L: Arturo Herrera (0-1)
S: Dalton Whitaker (1)

HR: Dave Hughes (1)

POG: Joe Parker 9 IP, 5 H, 2 Runs, 1 BB, 4 K
Attendance: 52358

Key Play: The key play of this game was the leadoff walk in the 12th. Walks kill and this is proof. The walk was the difference in the game... that and the wind-stopped HR in the bottom of the 12th.

Series MVP: Will Rose. Rose pitched in 3 of the 4 games, getting 2 saves. Rose threw 4.1 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, 1 walk and 2 strike outs.

Game Notes: The Cav's had 6 total hits, with Kent Davis and Mauro Candelaria getting 2 each. The combined 0-17!... Bill Giles lead the way with 2 hits for the Admirals... Jesus Rivera who has been red hot this series, left 6 men on in the frist 3 innings!... The games difference? Annapolis walked 1 time, the Cavaliers walked 5.

My Thoughts: I am disappointed that I won't be able to sign Joe Parker to an extension. He proved his worth and was just awesome today. I am pretty sure he could of gone all 12 if I let him, but when you have one of the games best 'pens... These games are the ones that are a) frustrating: when there are innings without hits, and when you have the opportunity its missed and b) nerving: close games going on and on, and one mistake makes the difference... We will have a nice break, for better or worse, before our first game, so our pitchers will be nice and rested. I am still unsure who is going to pitch in game 4, Ho, Reilly or someone else... Javier Janchez is out with a strained muscle, so he will be removed from the roster. We will be playing in at least 2 non-DH games, so I am going to look to bring up a position player. I have some decisions before game 1... This game was a brutal game for the offense, but Parker and the pen kept it close, and it worked on in the end. Fun times.

Delaware Conference Championships Game 4: Dover at Wilmington
As this series has continued the away team continues to win... Tony Garcia dominated for the Generals giving up 4 hits in 5.2 innings, as the bullpen of 3 continued to keep the powerful bats of Wilmington quiet. The walk theory didn't work with this game, as the Iron Pigs walked more 4-2.

Key Play: The Iron Pigs mounted an attack in the bottom of the second, as they loaded the bases thanks to a single and 2 walks. Bases loaded no one out, Tony Morales hit a laser right at the second baseman "" who flipped to short to complete the DP. The next batter grounded out. A missed opportunity and it seemed to give Garcia the confidence he needed, as he dominated the final 3+ innings he pitched.

The series is tied at 2

One more game in Wilmington then the final two in Dover...