[stevem810]

The highly anticipated showdown in Paris did not disappoint as the first place Artists entered the series with a two game lead over the up and coming Orchids. Nice was coming off a successful three game series where they swept the Herons in closely contested games.

Paris SP Dave Cornonado shut down the Orchid offense in game one allowing just two hits as the Artists won it 2-0. Henri and Kobayashi each had a run batted in. Julien went 2 for 4.

Alix Billiard was a difference maker as he upped his record to 5-0. Billiard completely befuddled the Paris batters in six innings of work. The bullpen was in lock down mode as three relievers combined to keep Paris off the board and just like that Nice won 1-0 and evened the series.

The third game had Julien Henri on the mound so Paris had to like their chances. But, for Henri, he did not have his best stuff and labored through 7 innings tossing over 130 pitches. Journeyman, 37 year old William Mangin, made it all look so easy. In his only appearance of the seasons the crafty vet through 145 pitches and a complete game leading Nice to a 5-2 win.

With these last two wins Nice is just 1 game back of Paris. Henri sees his record slip to 1-4. We are still in April and Julien gave up just 7 losses in all of last season. The 18-7 record is but a distant memory as Paris is struggling to gain some separation from their first real competition for the pennant in a number of years.

edit note: Henri in the write up of game 3 is actually 1-4, not 4-1.