Sacramento Grizzlies (104-64) vs. Arizona Wrens (121-47)
The first semi-final matchup features last year's runner-up, the Sacramento Grizzlies against the new kid on the block, the Arizona Wrens. The Grizzlies have both the fourth ranked offense and allowed the fourth fewest runs.
George Treadway (.296, 17 HR, 103 RBI) and
Cy Seymour (.323, 2 HR, 73 RBI) lead the offense, with
Jim Buchanan (21-13, 2.19) the ace of the staff featuring a quartet of 20 game winners.
I've already talked a little bit about the Wrens, but as a brief recap - they scored more runs than any other team, allowed the second fewest, and had three 30 game winners (
John Baker,
Jack Chesbro, and
Jesse Tannehill). Their weakness is defense, although their defense is ranked 9th, so they aren't terrible. Arizona won the regular season series 6 games to 2.
Game 1
John Baker made his Spalding Cup debut with a complete game four hit shutout for the Wrens while striking out 9. His dominant performance was supported by 4 runs on 9 hits with
Charlie Hickman picking up a big 2 run double.
Game 2
Jim Duncan had a solid year behind the plate for Arizona, hitting .268 with 9 home runs and driving in 90 runs. In Game 2 Duncan stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and a pair of runners on base with Arizona down 3-2.
Jim Duncan hit the first pitch in the stands to give Arizona a 5-3 walk off victory, and a 2 to 0 series lead.
Game 3
Arizona put eight runs on the board before Sacramento scored on the way to a 14-3 blowout to go up 3 games to none in the series.
Jack Chesbro picked up the win for Arizona with their offense pounding out 22 hits, led by
Dan Larsen and
Charlie Frank picking up four hits apiece.
Game 4
The series started the same way it ended with
John Baker picking up the complete game win as the Wrens completed the sweep of the Grizzlies with a 3-2 win. It was a come from behind win with Arizona scoring two runs in the top of the ninth with RBI singles by
Kip Selbach and
Charlie Hickman.
