[Westheim]

CLCS Roundup

There are a few more notes about the CLCS we have to mention. First of all, there’s the point that the offense was catastrophically bad, and with the greatest pain managed to cough up 16 runs in six games. How the Raccoons made it through the Thunder remains puzzling even the day after.

I mentioned that Nick Brown put up a new CL record with 13 strikeouts in Game 1. This is not correct: it’s an ABL record! The FL record is 11 strikeouts, put up in 2001 by Buffaloes teammates Chris York and Manny Ramos. Well, Nick Brown didn’t win a game, but at least he has THAT!

Then there is a personnel issue I need to announce: the Raccoons will make a replacement on the playoff roster for the World Series. Jon Merritt will come off the DL and provide some much needed offensive competence. He had gone down to a torn ankle ligament on September 21, but he declared himself ready to play. Tape that ****ing ankle and let’s go!

Merritt is one of very few players on the Raccoons that have been to the World Series before, with the 2001 Buffaloes. Javier Cruz was in the World Series with the Blue Sox twice (2002, 2005), and Ron Alston with the 2006 Indians. All of them were defeated.

And of course we still need to throw some light on our opposition in the World Series and here’s a look at the FLCS:

Cyclones @ Pacifics … 1-2 … (Pacifics lead 1-0) … LAP Jesus Rivera 2-3, BB, HR, RBI; LAP Brad Smith 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K;

The Pacifics had the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the 9th, the score tied at one, before CIN Ian Johnson struck out Manuel Valdes and Ryan Milk lined out. On the first pitch to Russell Lewis, Felix Hernandez had the ball escape through his legs, and Stanley Murphy scored on the passed ball.

Cyclones @ Pacifics … 5-3 … (series tied 1-1) … CIN Georg Spinu 2-4, BB, 2 RBI; CIN Felix Hernandez 2-3, BB, 2B, RBI;

Pacifics @ Cyclones … 3-9 … (Cyclones lead 2-1) … CIN Georg Spinu 2-3, HR, 4 RBI; CIN Bob Hall 2-5, 2 RBI; CIN Alfredo Banda 2-4, BB, 2B, 3 RBI;

Pacifics @ Cyclones … 8-2 … (series tied 2-2) … LAP Stanley Murphy 3-5, RBI; LAP Jesus Rivera 4-4, HR, 3 RBI;

Pacifics @ Cyclones … 8-0 … (Pacifics lead 3-2) … LAP Jesus Rivera 4-4, BB, 2B, RBI; LAP Brad Smith 8.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K, W and 2-4, RBI;

Cyclones @ Pacifics … 8-7 … (series tied 3-3) … CIN Georg Spinu 2-4, 2 BB, RBI; CIN Avery Johnson 2-2; LAP Jesus Rivera 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; CIN Jason O’Halloran 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K;

After four innings, the Pacifics were ahead 7-0 and were ready to open the champagne, but Jack Berry got crumpled for four runs in the seventh inning, yet the 7-4 lead still held up through eight innings before Risto Mäkelä not only blew the save, but also took one of the worst ravagings in LCS history, being blasted for four runs and charged the loss.

Cyclones @ Pacifics … 6-2 … (CIN wins 4-3) … CIN Pedro Estrada 3-4, 2 RBI; CIN Salvarado Lourine 1-1, 2B, RBI; LAP Jimmy Roberts 2-4, HR, 2 RBI;

Cincy’s Tony Hamlyn allows two runs in the first, and the Pacifics maintain the lead through seven innings before starter Ernest Green crumples and reliever Manuel Martinez can not save him. The Cyclones come from behind again to advance to the World Series.

The Cyclones will have home field advantage for the following reasons:



The World Series will start in a few hours, because I don't want to be disturbed while the event is in progress, and I have an expected disturbance coming up in about two hours.