[Westheim]

2044 FLCS

While the Raccoons swept the Bayhawks on their way to the World Series, there was of course also action in the Federal League. There, the 104-58 Gold Sox had won home field advantage throughout the playoffs with the fifth-most runs scored and the fewest runs allowed in the league. They had piled up a +195 run differential, but had also lost two pitchers, Bill Quintero and Ryan Kinner to injury along the way. Infielder Ronnie Thompson was also out for the team, which had only one double-digit home run hitter in Sandy Castillo (.274, 20 HR, 115 RBI), but was stealing more than one base per game, second in the FL (they were 11th in homers!). Their rotation had been the best, as had been their defense. They had the third-best pen by ERA. Their lineup laned to the left side, and they also had an array of lefty pitching.

Opposite them were the 86-76 Cyclones, who didn’t have any major injuries, but had also won 18 fewer games to begin with. That was a treacherous stat, though – they had a +119 run differential and had been in the top four in both runs scored and runs allowed. Their major weakness was a crummy bullpen and a terrible 13-26 record in one-run games. In the rotation and on defense, they were second in the FL to the Gold Sox only. They also carried four .300 hitters, and five guys with 14+ homers, all led by Dan Mathes (.315, 26 HR, 114 RBI). They also had a number of lefty hitters, but had only one lefty starter in Bill McMichael (15-12, 3.63 ERA), worst of the bunch by ERA.

This was the Cyclones’ 13th playoff appearance, and their third in four years. They hadn’t won the World Series since beating the Raccoons in 2010.

The Gold Sox had ended a *40-year drought*, going to the postseason for the first time since *2003*. This was only their fifth playoff appearance ever, but they also had two championships, same as the Cyclones, last winning in 2003. The two teams had never met in the FLCS.

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CIN @ DEN … 6-9 … (Gold Sox lead 1-0) … CIN Jesus Burgos 3-4, BB, RBI; DEN Eric Miller 2-4, 2 RBI; DEN Tim Turner 2-4, 2 RBI;

The Gold Sox fire off a 7-run rally in the bottom 8th to stave off a Game 1 loss, tearing up three pitchers in the process.

CIN @ DEN … 7-5 … (series tied 1-1) … CIN Jesus Burgos 2-4, BB, 2B, RBI; DEN Eric Miller 2-4, 2 RBI; DEN Jason Robinson 3-4;

DEN @ CIN … 6-12 … (Cyclones lead 2-1) … DEN Ryan Cox 2-4, BB, 2B, RBI; DEN Ricky Rodriguez 3-5, RBI; DEN Tim Turner 2-4, BB, 2B; CIN Valentino Sicco 4-5, 2 2B, 4 RBI; CIN Celio Umbreiro 2-3, 2 BB;

DEN @ CIN … 1-3 … (Cyclones lead 3-1) … DEN Ryan Cox 3-3, BB, 3B; CIN Chris Delgado 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI; CIN Willie Gallardo 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, W (1-0);

DEN @ CIN … 8-2 … (Cyclones lead 3-2) … DEN Dan Harroun (PH) 1-1, RBI; DEN Sandy Castillo 3-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI; DEN Tim Turner 2-4, RBI; DEN Jeremy Hornig 2-4, 2B, RBI; DEN Michael Donovan 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, W (1-0); CIN Jesus Burgos 2-4, RBI; CIN Carson Jarvinen 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K;

Cincy has another 7-run blowup, this time in the top of the ninth inning.

CIN @ DEN … 1-5 … (series tied 3-3) … CIN Victor Chavez 2-4, HR, 2B, RBI; DEN David Pinedo (PH) 2-2, 2 RBI; DEN Jeremy Hornig 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI; DEN Lopo Malfati (PH) 1-1, RBI; DEN John Kennedy 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, W (1-1);

CIN @ DEN … 6-4 … (Cyclones win 4-3) … CIN Chris Strohm 2-5, RBI; CIN Victor Chavez 2-5, 2 2B, RBI; CIN Celio Umbreiro 1-2, 2 RBI; DEN Jason Robinson 2-4, HR, 2 RBI;

So the Raccoons will have a rematch of the 2010 World Series with the Cyclones…!