Crazy playoff game

[Dutch Alexander]

In game 1 of the best-of-seven Holland Series my team, the Pinguins, make an improbable comeback in extra innings against the Pirates. First a game tying HR in the bottom of the ninth, then a disaster inning in the top of the 12th followed by a rally in the bottom half ending with a walk-off. One of the wildest games I've played.

[Pelican]

Wow.

[Dutch Alexander]

This Series is turning into a classic, so I might as well share the rest. In game 2 each of the 4 runs we allowed were assisted by mistakes. The first run scores after a botched run-down, the next 3 runs are all assisted by an error. For the second straight game we lead off the 9th with a HR. The next guy reaches to bring the tying run to the plate, but the next 3 batters are retired and the game ends with Van den Burg waiting on deck. Without the many mistakes it could have been different. The two errors made by the Pirates are erased by a CS and a DP. Series tied 1-1.

[Dutch Alexander]

An baserunning blunder costs us the game. After scoring 2 runs in the first we have their starter on the ropes in the second. But despite 2 walks and 2 hits and only one out recorded by the pitcher we fail to score. After a lead off double De Jong is thrown our trying to steal 3rd. The inning ends with a play at the plate. Without the CS we would have been leading 3-0 with the bases loaded and just one out. My starter pitches a great game but has one bad inning with 3 runs allowed on a walk and 3 hits. In the ninth I bring in my closer (best CL in the game) to keep it close and he gives up a HR to the leadoff hitter. The 3rd straight game a hitter leads off the 9th wth a HR. We are behind in the series 1-2.

[Dutch Alexander]

We are leading 3-0 after 6 1/2 with my starter cruising and facing the bottom of the order. Let's give him one more inning to keep my ace relievers fresh... But a single is followed by a triple and I have to go to the bullpen anyway and all of a sudden it's a one run game. We hang on to take the 1 run lead into the bottom of the 9th and I bring in my closer. For the 4th straight game a leadoff hitter in the ninth homers and we are tied. Second straight game my closer gives up a HR, both times to a hitter with below average power. To his credit he then navigates the dangerous top part of the lineup without giving up any more to keep us in the game.

In the 10th the Pirates bring in their closer Fredrick. He led the league in saves but was mainly responsible for the collapse in game 1. Again he fails and we score 1 off him to take the lead. In the bottom half my setup man retires the side in order and the series is tied 2-2. Both of our wins in extra innings. We narrowly avoid a devastating loss in a must win game.

[Dutch Alexander]

Game 5 is a rematch of game 1 starters. Their starter Wijnkoopman is the greatest pitcher in league history. My starter Matias was this years best starter and has the best pure stuff among all pitchers. Just like in game 1 Matias pitches well but falters near the end. The Pirates take him into deep counts and chase him early. In the meantime Wijnkoopman is cruising and we can't touch him, every ball we put in play finds a glove. After 7 1/2 innings we trail 4-0 and all seems lost having managed only one hit off Wijnkoopman. But at least we have ran his pitch count up to 115 and the Pirates replace him with their closer Fredrick to start the eight. And again Fredrick falters. We load the bases with one out and then Joël Driesse, who's been impotent so far this postseason, clears the bases with a double. That's all we get in the inning and we head into the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-3. Leading off is Mylo van den Burg and he hits a HR to tie the game. For the 5th straight game a leadoff HR in the 9th. And for the second time Van den Burg has done it, both game-tying HR's. That gives him 3 HR's in the series and 4 in the postseason after hitting just 4 in the regular season in an off year.

I the top of the 10th the Pirates load the bases with one out but with a K and a GO we escape the jam. The final out is Davids, the 3 time and back-to-back defending league MVP. In the bottom of the 12th our first two batters are retired and then Driesse on an 0-2 pitch walks it off. Just in time as my closer wasn't fully rested and was probably good for only one more inning. With only one more RP available, an unreliable lefty, time was running out.

For the third time in the series the game is tied in the ninth with a solo HR and for the second time a game ends on a walk off HR. We lead the series 3-2, all our wins coming in extra innings. Game 6 tomorrow.

[Dutch Alexander]

Game 6 is a one sided affair. Pirates win comfortably behind a CG shutout by Akker to force game 7. The first non-competitive game of the series. All things considered I'm lucky to still be playing. Pirates starters are dominating this postseason with a combined ERA of 1.91. Got to get into their bullpen tomorrow. What will it be: another classic or an anti-climax?

[Dutch Alexander]

Anti-climax. Bases loaded with no outs in the 5th while trailing 2-3 we only manage 1 run. Very next inning Pirates take the lead again and never look back. My starter was tiring when gave up the go ahead run by allowing a double. Seems l like every single time I leave a pitcher in who's tiring they get hammered. Pirates closer Fredrick redeems himself. He gets the final out while being exhausted. Seems that every single time opposing pitchers are tiring it has no effect on their performance. Probably just confirmation bias.

[Dutch Alexander]

Ah well, some consolation. First time for me I think.