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reds1 · 04-29-2021, 06:23 PM

Stratford Barons (86-68) vs. Braeland City Monarchs (84-71)
Season Matchup: 9-6 in favor of Stratford

Stratford: Runs scored – 771 (3rd in East); runs against – 671 (1st)
Braeland City: Runs scored – 875 (1st); runs against – 846 (8th)

The Stratford Barons and Braeland City Monarchs meet for the fourth time in the Eastern League Pennant Series. In the previous three matchups, the Barons defeated the Monarchs in 1940-41 (4 games to 2) and most recently in 1948-49 (4 games to 1). Braeland City defeated Stratford in 1947-48 (4 games to 3).

So neither team are strangers to each other in the Battle of the East. Stratford enters the playoffs boasting a balanced attack, while the Monarchs will be relying on their high-powered offense to try and carry them through.

Braeland City enters the Series minus their top two starters: 33-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (11-5, 4.01 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 105 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Pei Ming (10-9, 3.77 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 112 ERA+). Taking their place in the four-man rotation will be 32-year old LHP Mo Goldstraw (7-8, 4.64 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 91 ERA+) and 29-year old RHP Trevor Canfield (3-4, 5.21 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 81 ERA+).

The Barons meanwhile will be without the starting centerfielder: 24-year old CF Sherwin Carasig (.353/.424/.559, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 33 BB, 8 SB, 4.0 WAR). Carasig, who was enjoying his most productive season when he was healthy, lost more than 4 months to various injuries. 30-year old Ramón Corona (.238/.283/.325, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 19 BB, 5 SB, -0.5 WAR) will be getting his starts.

The Barons’ 60-year old Xavier Ahernfeld returns to his second consecutive playoff appearance, after losing to the Cobourg Red Stockings last season. Braeland City’s 56-year old Toby Reakes meanwhile, leads his club back to the playoffs for the first time in 4 seasons, after 3 consecutive appearances from 1947 to 1949. Its been a long season for all involved, but the playoffs are finally here. Play ball!

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Game 1 – March 31

Stratford’s Bosworth Field plays host to the first two games. Under beautiful blue skies, the Barons go with their ace, RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco. He is 1-2, 2 SV, 1.59 ERA in 12 playoff games and 3 starts. Braeland City’s RHP Lee Corp gets the assignment for Game 1. He is 0-2, 6.75 ERA in 5 playoff games. This will be his second playoff start.

Bottom of the 2nd:
Stratford strikes first when RF Andy Faulkner leads off with a solo home run that travels 393 ft. into the cheering rightfield bleachers. With one out, 1B Bob Goodyear and 3B Walter Beauvais bang out back-to-back doubles, scoring another run.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 5th:
Magtanggol Jaojoco leads off with a first-pitch single and reaches second when LF Roberto Ríos draws a walk. CF Ramón Corona fouls off three straight pitches before lining a single into leftfield. Jaojoco is waved home and beats out LF Jake Stunt’s throw to the plate. However, Jaojoco injures his hand while sliding into C Hayden Billyard at home plate and is forced to leave the game. Meanwhile, the Monarch’s Lee Corp is relieved by RHP Samuel Hollier in a double switch before the inning is over.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 3

Top of the 6th:
LHP Tony Wheeler takes over from Jaojoco and immediately gives up a single to SS Natsu Sakei. After Sakei reaches 2B on a Jake Stunt ground out, RF Aidan Trembath hits a two-out single just past a diving 3B Walter Beauvais. Sakei gets the Monarchs on the board when he beats out LF Roberto Ríos’ throw home.
Braeland City 1 – Stratford 3

Bottom of the 8th:
Stopper RHP Rizal Doctolero takes over in the 7th inning, but in the 8th the wheels fall apart. 2B Matthew Channing leads off with solo home run into the rightfield bleachers. C Aaron Skidmore then lines a double into rightfield. After Andy Faulkner is intentionally walked, SS Callum Spalton doubles home Skidmore. Bob Goodyear is intentionally walked to load the bases. With one out, PH Ronald Hollinshed singles and Roberto Ríos doubles, scoring three more runs. That ends Doctolero’s day.
RHP Corey Timothy takes over, but with two out, Matthew Channing, who led off the inning, doubles into left-centerfield, scoring both Hollinshed and Ríos to extend the lead.

In the top of the 9th, RHP Harold Barr takes over from Wheeler. Barr strikes out PH Simon Flat, then induces back-to-back groundouts from Hayden Billyard and PH Roland Binns to end the game. The Barons win big-time to take Game 1.
FINAL: Braeland City 1 – Stratford 10

Update: Magtanggol Jaojoco suffered hand soreness and is diagnosed as Day-to-Day for the next 10-11 days.

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Game 2 – April 1

The two teams reconvene at Bosworth field for Game 2. Once again, the skies are clear with little relief from the scorching sun.

RHP Bill Wolf takes the mound for Stratford for his 5th career start in the playoffs. He is 2-2, 3.98 ERA in five games. Braeland City taps RHP Bobby Hogg, who will be making his first career playoff start.

Bottom of the 7th:
Through seven and half innings, Hogg surrenders only two hits to Wolf’s six, but it’s the Barons that finally break the scoreless tie. C Aaron Skidmore and RF Andy Faulkner lead off with a walk and single. After SS Callum Spalton grounds out to advance the runners, 1B Bob Goodyear is intentionally walked to load the bases. Manager Toby Reakes then elects to replace Hogg with RHP Rizal Doctolero after 93 pitches. 3B Walter Beauvais then flies out to LF Jake Stunt. Skidmore tags up and scores without a throw.

In the top of the 9th, Wolf strikes out 2B Patrick Lidgate, throws out 1B Dean Witherden at first base, then strikes out C Hayden Billyard to end the game. After a Game 1 blowout, the Barons eke out their second victory in Game 2.
Final: Braeland City 0 – Stratford 1

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Game 3 – April 3

The Eastern Pennant Series heads to the nation’s capital, with the Monarchs hoping that the hometown crowd at Kings Park will spur them on to their first victory in the Series.

LHP Mo Goldstraw gets the start for Braeland City, the fourth of his career and first for the Monarchs. With the Fort Richmond Generals, he went 1-2, 10.38 ERA in three starts. RHP Ted Smith makes his second career playoff start, after going 1-0, 3.86 ERA last year against the Cobourg Red Stockings.

Top of the 3rd:
CF Ramón Corona opens the scoring with lead off home run that travels 376 ft. down the rightfield line into the bleachers.
Stratford 1 – Braeland City 0

Top of the 4th:
Goldstraw runs into some trouble when he loads the bases with one out. With two out, he throws a wild pitch during Ramón Corona’s at-bat that scores Aaron Skidmore. Corona is then intentionally walked in order to face RHP Ted Smith. But Smith singles just over the head of SS Natsu Sakei. Callum Spalton scores easily on the play while Walter Beauvais beats out the throw home from CF Hayden Goodale.
Stratford 4 – Braeland City 0

Top of the 7th:
With RHP Clive Howard taking over from Goldstraw in the 6th, the Barons load the bases once again with one out. SS Callum Spalton hits one deep to rightfield, where it is caught by Aidan Trembath. 2B Matthew Channing tags up and scores easily, beating out Trembath’s throw.
Stratford 5 – Braeland City 0

Top of the 9th:
Aaron Skidmore extends the Barons’ lead with a two-out solo home run off RHP Samuel Hollier.
Stratford 6 – Braeland City 0

Bottom of the 9th:
Facing RHP Kai Torr, 3B Danny Silk lines a double into left-centerfield to lead off. After Hayden Goodale flies out, Natsu Sakei doubles into centerfield to finally get Braeland City on the board. But back-to-back groundouts by PH Danny Seath and LF Jake Stunt snuff out any potential rally. Stratford takes a commanding 3 games to none lead in the Series.
FINAL: Stratford 6 – Braeland City 1

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Game 4 – April 4

With their backs against the wall and unable to gain any sort of traction against the Barons, Braeland City looks to make their last stand at Kings Park to try and avoid a sweep. The Monarchs’ mighty offense has been limited to less than a run a game, having been outscored 17-2 so far in the Series.

RHP Trevor Canfield, who was toiling in Triple-A until he was called up in February, gets the start. This will be his first taste of playoff action. RHP Edward Skerrett also spent much of the season in Triple-A until being promoted back to the majors in January. He previously appeared in one playoff game where he blanked the Cobourg Red Stockings 3-0 in a complete game effort in Game 4 of last season’s Pennant Series.

Top of the 1st:
Canfield is given a rude welcome to the playoffs. In fact, he is unable to escape the inning. LF Roberto Ríos lines a double into rightfield to lead off, then advances to 3B when CF Ramón Corona grounds out. Mathew Channing then doubles to score Ríos.
Aaron Skidmore draws a four-pitch walk while Andy Faulkner follows with a single. Channing beats out the throw home from CF Hayden Goodale to score. Callum Spalton lines a single past SS Natsu Sakei scoring Skidmore. After Bob Goodyear draws a walk to load the bases, Walter Beauvais lines a single into shallow left-centerfield. That scores Faulkner for the inning’s fourth run.
Adding insult to injury, Edward Skerrett lines a first-pitch single into right-centerfield, scoring Spalton. Canfield is then sent to the showers as he is replaced by RHP Dara Eaddy. But with the bases still loaded, Eaddy walks Roberto Ríos who started the inning, forcing in Goodyear for Stratford’s sixth run.
Stratford 6 – Braeland City 0

Bottom of the 1st:
But Skerrett doesn’t fare much better. LF Jake Stunt leads off with a first-pitch single. During RF Aidan Trembath’s subsequent at-bat, Stunt steals second. But C Aaron Skidmore’s throw is off target and 2B Matthew Channing is unable to corral it, allowing Stunt to reach 3B.
Trembath then fouls of six pitches before grounding out to Matthew Channing, allowing Stunt to score.
Braeland City then loads the bases, as 2B Patrick Lidgate is hit by a pitch, 1B Dean Witherden singles into leftfield and C Hayden Billyard draws a walk. 3B Danny Silk then cranks out a line drive single into left-centerfield, scoring both Lidgate and Witherden.
Still with one out, CF Hayden Goodale walks to re-load the bases. SS Natsu Sakei then doubles off a 1-1 pitch into deep rightfield, clearing the bases and tying up the game.
Stratford 6 – Braeland City 6

Bottom of the 2nd:
Edward Skerrett starts the inning but fails to finish it. Patrick Lidgate leads off with a walk. Although he gets the next two batters out, Skerrett surrenders back-to-back singles to Danny Silk and Hayden Goodale, allowing Lidgate to score. RHP Kai Torr is then called from the bullpen to get out of the inning.
Stratford 6 – Braeland City 7

Top of the 3rd:
Bob Goodyear quickly ties things up, leading off with solo home run off Dara Eaddy that lands 417 ft. into the left-centerfield seats.
Stratford 7 – Braeland City 7

Bottom of the 3rd:
Braeland City retakes the lead when Jake Stunt and Aidan Trembath lead off with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. RHP Kai Torr then uncorks a wild pitch during Patrick Lidgate’s at-bat, scoring Stunt.
Stratford 7 – Braeland City 8

Top of the 4th:
But the Barons come right back. Ramón Corona battles Eaddy for nine pitches for a lead off walk but is thrown out at 2B when Matthew Channing hits into a fielder’s choice. Channing ties the game when Aaron Skidmore and Andy Faulkner follow with back-to-back singles. Callum Spalton then singles to load the bases.
With two out, Eaddy gives up a walk to Walter Beauvais, forcing in Skidmore for the go-ahead run.
Stratford 9 – Braeland City 8

Top of the 9th
The hitters are held in check until they erupt again in the 9th.
RHP Rizal Doctolero, who took over in the 8th, gives up a lead off single to Callum Spalton. With one out, Walter Beauvais doubles down into the leftfield corner, allowing Spalton to score without a throw. After Beauvais advances to 3B on a groundout, Roberto Ríos is given a free pass. That move backfires, as Ramón Corona gets all of a 0-1 pitch, sending it 403 ft. into the left-centerfield stands for a three-run home run. RHP Danilio Narvaez then takes over in relief.
But Narvaez fares no better, as he gives up a single to Matthew Channing and a walk to Aaron Skidmore. Up next is Andy Faulkner, who crushes a 1-1 pitch 435 ft. into the disheartened right-centerfield bleachers for the inning’s second three-run homer.
Stratford 16 – Braeland City 8

Bottom of the 9th:
Down by eight, the Monarchs look to make something happen against LHP Robin Wadsworth, who entered the game in the 7th. Hayden Billyard flies out to RF Andy Faulkner to lead off. Danny Silk then draws a walk, but Hayden Goodale strikes out looking. Down to the last out, Natsu Sakei keeps the inning alive when he cranks out a two-run home run that lands just fair, 365 ft. into the leftfield stands.
PH Andy Mack follows and beats out the throw from 3B Walter Beauvais for an infield hit. But Jake Stunt flies out to RF Andy Faulkner to end the game and Series. The Stratford Barons win their fourth Eastern League Pennant in impressive fashion and move on to the United Cup.
FINAL: Stratford 16 – Braeland City 10

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04-29-2021, 06:23 PM	#646
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	Stratford Barons (86-68) vs. Braeland City Monarchs (84-71) Season Matchup: 9-6 in favor of Stratford Stratford: Runs scored – 771 (3rd in East); runs against – 671 (1st) Braeland City: Runs scored – 875 (1st); runs against – 846 (8th) The Stratford Barons and Braeland City Monarchs meet for the fourth time in the Eastern League Pennant Series. In the previous three matchups, the Barons defeated the Monarchs in 1940-41 (4 games to 2) and most recently in 1948-49 (4 games to 1). Braeland City defeated Stratford in 1947-48 (4 games to 3). So neither team are strangers to each other in the Battle of the East. Stratford enters the playoffs boasting a balanced attack, while the Monarchs will be relying on their high-powered offense to try and carry them through. Braeland City enters the Series minus their top two starters: 33-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (11-5, 4.01 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 105 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Pei Ming (10-9, 3.77 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 112 ERA+). Taking their place in the four-man rotation will be 32-year old LHP Mo Goldstraw (7-8, 4.64 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 91 ERA+) and 29-year old RHP Trevor Canfield (3-4, 5.21 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 81 ERA+). The Barons meanwhile will be without the starting centerfielder: 24-year old CF Sherwin Carasig (.353/.424/.559, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 33 BB, 8 SB, 4.0 WAR). Carasig, who was enjoying his most productive season when he was healthy, lost more than 4 months to various injuries. 30-year old Ramón Corona (.238/.283/.325, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 19 BB, 5 SB, -0.5 WAR) will be getting his starts. The Barons’ 60-year old Xavier Ahernfeld returns to his second consecutive playoff appearance, after losing to the Cobourg Red Stockings last season. Braeland City’s 56-year old Toby Reakes meanwhile, leads his club back to the playoffs for the first time in 4 seasons, after 3 consecutive appearances from 1947 to 1949. Its been a long season for all involved, but the playoffs are finally here. Play ball! -------- Game 1 – March 31 Stratford’s Bosworth Field plays host to the first two games. Under beautiful blue skies, the Barons go with their ace, RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco. He is 1-2, 2 SV, 1.59 ERA in 12 playoff games and 3 starts. Braeland City’s RHP Lee Corp gets the assignment for Game 1. He is 0-2, 6.75 ERA in 5 playoff games. This will be his second playoff start. Bottom of the 2nd: Stratford strikes first when RF Andy Faulkner leads off with a solo home run that travels 393 ft. into the cheering rightfield bleachers. With one out, 1B Bob Goodyear and 3B Walter Beauvais bang out back-to-back doubles, scoring another run. Braeland City 0 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 5th: Magtanggol Jaojoco leads off with a first-pitch single and reaches second when LF Roberto Ríos draws a walk. CF Ramón Corona fouls off three straight pitches before lining a single into leftfield. Jaojoco is waved home and beats out LF Jake Stunt’s throw to the plate. However, Jaojoco injures his hand while sliding into C Hayden Billyard at home plate and is forced to leave the game. Meanwhile, the Monarch’s Lee Corp is relieved by RHP Samuel Hollier in a double switch before the inning is over. Braeland City 0 – Stratford 3 Top of the 6th: LHP Tony Wheeler takes over from Jaojoco and immediately gives up a single to SS Natsu Sakei. After Sakei reaches 2B on a Jake Stunt ground out, RF Aidan Trembath hits a two-out single just past a diving 3B Walter Beauvais. Sakei gets the Monarchs on the board when he beats out LF Roberto Ríos’ throw home. Braeland City 1 – Stratford 3 Bottom of the 8th: Stopper RHP Rizal Doctolero takes over in the 7th inning, but in the 8th the wheels fall apart. 2B Matthew Channing leads off with solo home run into the rightfield bleachers. C Aaron Skidmore then lines a double into rightfield. After Andy Faulkner is intentionally walked, SS Callum Spalton doubles home Skidmore. Bob Goodyear is intentionally walked to load the bases. With one out, PH Ronald Hollinshed singles and Roberto Ríos doubles, scoring three more runs. That ends Doctolero’s day. RHP Corey Timothy takes over, but with two out, Matthew Channing, who led off the inning, doubles into left-centerfield, scoring both Hollinshed and Ríos to extend the lead. In the top of the 9th, RHP Harold Barr takes over from Wheeler. Barr strikes out PH Simon Flat, then induces back-to-back groundouts from Hayden Billyard and PH Roland Binns to end the game. The Barons win big-time to take Game 1. FINAL: Braeland City 1 – Stratford 10 Update: Magtanggol Jaojoco suffered hand soreness and is diagnosed as Day-to-Day for the next 10-11 days. -------- Game 2 – April 1 The two teams reconvene at Bosworth field for Game 2. Once again, the skies are clear with little relief from the scorching sun. RHP Bill Wolf takes the mound for Stratford for his 5th career start in the playoffs. He is 2-2, 3.98 ERA in five games. Braeland City taps RHP Bobby Hogg, who will be making his first career playoff start. Bottom of the 7th: Through seven and half innings, Hogg surrenders only two hits to Wolf’s six, but it’s the Barons that finally break the scoreless tie. C Aaron Skidmore and RF Andy Faulkner lead off with a walk and single. After SS Callum Spalton grounds out to advance the runners, 1B Bob Goodyear is intentionally walked to load the bases. Manager Toby Reakes then elects to replace Hogg with RHP Rizal Doctolero after 93 pitches. 3B Walter Beauvais then flies out to LF Jake Stunt. Skidmore tags up and scores without a throw. In the top of the 9th, Wolf strikes out 2B Patrick Lidgate, throws out 1B Dean Witherden at first base, then strikes out C Hayden Billyard to end the game. After a Game 1 blowout, the Barons eke out their second victory in Game 2. Final: Braeland City 0 – Stratford 1 -------- Game 3 – April 3 The Eastern Pennant Series heads to the nation’s capital, with the Monarchs hoping that the hometown crowd at Kings Park will spur them on to their first victory in the Series. LHP Mo Goldstraw gets the start for Braeland City, the fourth of his career and first for the Monarchs. With the Fort Richmond Generals, he went 1-2, 10.38 ERA in three starts. RHP Ted Smith makes his second career playoff start, after going 1-0, 3.86 ERA last year against the Cobourg Red Stockings. Top of the 3rd: CF Ramón Corona opens the scoring with lead off home run that travels 376 ft. down the rightfield line into the bleachers. Stratford 1 – Braeland City 0 Top of the 4th: Goldstraw runs into some trouble when he loads the bases with one out. With two out, he throws a wild pitch during Ramón Corona’s at-bat that scores Aaron Skidmore. Corona is then intentionally walked in order to face RHP Ted Smith. But Smith singles just over the head of SS Natsu Sakei. Callum Spalton scores easily on the play while Walter Beauvais beats out the throw home from CF Hayden Goodale. Stratford 4 – Braeland City 0 Top of the 7th: With RHP Clive Howard taking over from Goldstraw in the 6th, the Barons load the bases once again with one out. SS Callum Spalton hits one deep to rightfield, where it is caught by Aidan Trembath. 2B Matthew Channing tags up and scores easily, beating out Trembath’s throw. Stratford 5 – Braeland City 0 Top of the 9th: Aaron Skidmore extends the Barons’ lead with a two-out solo home run off RHP Samuel Hollier. Stratford 6 – Braeland City 0 Bottom of the 9th: Facing RHP Kai Torr, 3B Danny Silk lines a double into left-centerfield to lead off. After Hayden Goodale flies out, Natsu Sakei doubles into centerfield to finally get Braeland City on the board. But back-to-back groundouts by PH Danny Seath and LF Jake Stunt snuff out any potential rally. Stratford takes a commanding 3 games to none lead in the Series. FINAL: Stratford 6 – Braeland City 1 -------- Game 4 – April 4 With their backs against the wall and unable to gain any sort of traction against the Barons, Braeland City looks to make their last stand at Kings Park to try and avoid a sweep. The Monarchs’ mighty offense has been limited to less than a run a game, having been outscored 17-2 so far in the Series. RHP Trevor Canfield, who was toiling in Triple-A until he was called up in February, gets the start. This will be his first taste of playoff action. RHP Edward Skerrett also spent much of the season in Triple-A until being promoted back to the majors in January. He previously appeared in one playoff game where he blanked the Cobourg Red Stockings 3-0 in a complete game effort in Game 4 of last season’s Pennant Series. Top of the 1st: Canfield is given a rude welcome to the playoffs. In fact, he is unable to escape the inning. LF Roberto Ríos lines a double into rightfield to lead off, then advances to 3B when CF Ramón Corona grounds out. Mathew Channing then doubles to score Ríos. Aaron Skidmore draws a four-pitch walk while Andy Faulkner follows with a single. Channing beats out the throw home from CF Hayden Goodale to score. Callum Spalton lines a single past SS Natsu Sakei scoring Skidmore. After Bob Goodyear draws a walk to load the bases, Walter Beauvais lines a single into shallow left-centerfield. That scores Faulkner for the inning’s fourth run. Adding insult to injury, Edward Skerrett lines a first-pitch single into right-centerfield, scoring Spalton. Canfield is then sent to the showers as he is replaced by RHP Dara Eaddy. But with the bases still loaded, Eaddy walks Roberto Ríos who started the inning, forcing in Goodyear for Stratford’s sixth run. Stratford 6 – Braeland City 0 Bottom of the 1st: But Skerrett doesn’t fare much better. LF Jake Stunt leads off with a first-pitch single. During RF Aidan Trembath’s subsequent at-bat, Stunt steals second. But C Aaron Skidmore’s throw is off target and 2B Matthew Channing is unable to corral it, allowing Stunt to reach 3B. Trembath then fouls of six pitches before grounding out to Matthew Channing, allowing Stunt to score. Braeland City then loads the bases, as 2B Patrick Lidgate is hit by a pitch, 1B Dean Witherden singles into leftfield and C Hayden Billyard draws a walk. 3B Danny Silk then cranks out a line drive single into left-centerfield, scoring both Lidgate and Witherden. Still with one out, CF Hayden Goodale walks to re-load the bases. SS Natsu Sakei then doubles off a 1-1 pitch into deep rightfield, clearing the bases and tying up the game. Stratford 6 – Braeland City 6 Bottom of the 2nd: Edward Skerrett starts the inning but fails to finish it. Patrick Lidgate leads off with a walk. Although he gets the next two batters out, Skerrett surrenders back-to-back singles to Danny Silk and Hayden Goodale, allowing Lidgate to score. RHP Kai Torr is then called from the bullpen to get out of the inning. Stratford 6 – Braeland City 7 Top of the 3rd: Bob Goodyear quickly ties things up, leading off with solo home run off Dara Eaddy that lands 417 ft. into the left-centerfield seats. Stratford 7 – Braeland City 7 Bottom of the 3rd: Braeland City retakes the lead when Jake Stunt and Aidan Trembath lead off with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. RHP Kai Torr then uncorks a wild pitch during Patrick Lidgate’s at-bat, scoring Stunt. Stratford 7 – Braeland City 8 Top of the 4th: But the Barons come right back. Ramón Corona battles Eaddy for nine pitches for a lead off walk but is thrown out at 2B when Matthew Channing hits into a fielder’s choice. Channing ties the game when Aaron Skidmore and Andy Faulkner follow with back-to-back singles. Callum Spalton then singles to load the bases. With two out, Eaddy gives up a walk to Walter Beauvais, forcing in Skidmore for the go-ahead run. Stratford 9 – Braeland City 8 Top of the 9th The hitters are held in check until they erupt again in the 9th. RHP Rizal Doctolero, who took over in the 8th, gives up a lead off single to Callum Spalton. With one out, Walter Beauvais doubles down into the leftfield corner, allowing Spalton to score without a throw. After Beauvais advances to 3B on a groundout, Roberto Ríos is given a free pass. That move backfires, as Ramón Corona gets all of a 0-1 pitch, sending it 403 ft. into the left-centerfield stands for a three-run home run. RHP Danilio Narvaez then takes over in relief. But Narvaez fares no better, as he gives up a single to Matthew Channing and a walk to Aaron Skidmore. Up next is Andy Faulkner, who crushes a 1-1 pitch 435 ft. into the disheartened right-centerfield bleachers for the inning’s second three-run homer. Stratford 16 – Braeland City 8 Bottom of the 9th: Down by eight, the Monarchs look to make something happen against LHP Robin Wadsworth, who entered the game in the 7th. Hayden Billyard flies out to RF Andy Faulkner to lead off. Danny Silk then draws a walk, but Hayden Goodale strikes out looking. Down to the last out, Natsu Sakei keeps the inning alive when he cranks out a two-run home run that lands just fair, 365 ft. into the leftfield stands. PH Andy Mack follows and beats out the throw from 3B Walter Beauvais for an infield hit. But Jake Stunt flies out to RF Andy Faulkner to end the game and Series. The Stratford Barons win their fourth Eastern League Pennant in impressive fashion and move on to the United Cup. FINAL: Stratford 16 – Braeland City 10 -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland