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2044 Playoffs
World Series
The World Series saw Indianapolis, making a record eighth appearance, take on Sanfrancisco whose only other appearance was way back in 2017. Both teams possessed top-notch pitching but just middle of the road offenses meaning runs would be at a premium. On the eve of the series Indianapolis received a boost welcoming star LF Allen Hood back from injury. Against all expectations, game one was a shootout from start to finish, from the moment C Kent Blanton clubbed a first inning homerun Sanfrancisco never trailed, although Indianapolis tied the game on several occasions, they could not find a way to get ahead, eventually falling to a narrow 8-7 defeat. Game two started in much the same way as the series opener, with Sanfrancisco hitting the front in the second inning courtesy of 2B Tom Carter’s 2-RBI double and just as the previous evening Indianapolis could not find a way to take the lead. Star LF Allen Hood made his first big contribution of the series for Indianapolis in the seventh inning, belting a massive 3-run HR to tie the game, but next inning Sanfrancisco edged ahead once again on RF Francisco Perez’s RBI-single. Indianapolis looked to be in prime position to tie the series in the ninth, loading the bases with star LF Allen hood at the plate, but Sanfrancisco closer Remi Moreau had other ideas enticing Hood to hit into a game-ending double play to preserve the Sanfrancisco win and collect his second save of the series. Two nights later in Sanfrancisco the teams resumed battle, both starters, Sanfrancisco’s Bryan Marburg (8.0, 3H, 1ER, 0BB 12K) and Racers ace Cristobal Chapa (7.0IP, 2H, 1ER, 2BB, 11K) were superb, but a sloppy outing from Indianapolis reliever Juan Cuesta allowed Sanfrancisco to forge ahead. An equally messy performance from Sanfrancisco’s Alex Stevens allowed Indianapolis to cut the lead to 4-3 before closer Remi Moreau was called upon to save the day, again Moreau proved equal to the task taking just seven pitches to collect his third save of the series as Sanfrancisco took a commanding 3-0 lead. The teams took the field the following evening with Indianapolis needing to win to keep their season alive, knowing there were no second chances veteran catcher Eduardo Moreno, playing in his seventh World Series (1x for Chicago and 5x for Boston) got the Racers off to a dream start, clubbing a loose Sean O’Lannigan pitch deep into the stands to give Indianapolis an early 2-0 lead. Not to be outdone Sanfrancisco RF Francisco Perez launched a 2-run shot of his own to tie the scores after two innings of play, Indianapolis edged ahead scoring runs in the fifth and sixth innings to lead 4-2 before Jesus Sutton took the mound for the Racers in the seventh. Sutton ran into trouble immediately, surrendering a homerun to Francisco Perez (his second of the night) and three batters later, a 2-RBI double to LF Maximo Macias to turn the game on its head. Leading 5-4 Sanfrancisco turned the game over to closer Remi Moreau and despite putting a man aboard to open the ninth, Moreau came through to claim his fourth save of the series as Sanfrancisco were named World Champions for the second time in their history. With the series sweep Sanfrancisco became the fifth team to win a World Series by blanking their opponents (the first since 2034 when San Jose had blown Chicago away), ironically it was the third sweep that Indianapolis had been involved in, winning against Dallas in 2030 but losing to the same opponents two years later.
2044 Playoff Recap
Divisional Series
EL: Indianapolis 3-1 Philadelphia, Tampa Bay 3-0 Detroit
WL: Omaha 3-2 San Diego, Sanfrancisco 3-0 Phoenix
Championship Series
EL: Indianapolis 4-1 Tampa Bay
WL: Sanfrancisco 4-1 Omaha
World Series
Sanfrancisco 4-0 Indianapolis
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