Beer League

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 1

#4 Toboggan Lunatic Fridge (82-80; 8th post season) vs #4 WC Rabid Dwarves of Doom (82-80; 3rd post season)

Some players only get one shot in a game to make a difference, and in the post season that's all it takes to create a hero for the fans to remember. That was the case for Rabid backup center fielder Josh Gullickson, who came in to replace Alex Avellaneda after he was pinch hit for late in the game. The game would be 4-4 after 9 innings and extend to extras. Gullickson came up to bat with a runner aboard in the top of the 10th and stroked a 1 out double to score the go ahead run. Rabid would tack on one more run before the frame was done to make it 6-4, which is where it would end as the Dwarves of Doom grabbed a 1-0 series lead

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 2

#2 WC Tree House Tornado (88-74; 9th post season) vs #3 WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (88-74; 7th post season)

The home crowd was seated and silent as Scorched Earth pushed across another run in the top of the 6th to extend their lead to 6-1. While they knew it was a best of 7 series, it would be a difficult task to dig out from an 0-2 hole after two home games.

Then the bottom of the sixth began...

The Giant Killer manager pulled his starter, Marco Figueroa, and sent in reliever Kyle Parks. Tree House batters:
-Chris Becher worked the count full before earning a free pass
-Mike Park worked the count full and also earned a free pass, Becher to second
-Lorenzo Martinez worked a 3-1 count and was walked, Becher to third, Park to second
-Danny Sanchez singled up the middle, Becher scored, Park to third, Martinez to second (6-2)
-Jeremy Racine singled to right advanced to second on throw home, Park scored, Martinez scored, Sanchez to third. (6-4)
(Scorched Earth sends in Jerry de la Rosa to pitch)
-Tony Perez grounded out to short. Sanchez scored (6-5)
-John Riola walked on four straight pitches.
-Andy Jenkins singles to right. Racine scores from second. Riola to second (6-6)
-Jason Cooper hit a 3 run home run (9-6)
(Scorched Earth sends in Justin Sheridan to pitch)
-Chris Becher comes to bat for the second time in the inning and strikes out
-Mike Park singles up the middle
-Lorenzo Martinez grounds into a fielders choice. 8 runs on 5 hits for the Tornado

The Tree House bullpen would hold the line from there as they secured the 9-6 win to even the series 1-1

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 2

#1 WC Texas Leaguer Chin Music (90-72; 5th post season) vs #4 WC Laughing Sun Red Dwarf (87-75; 4th post season)

10 runs on 8 hits and no errors. It reads like a team's final line score for a strong offensive game. For Texas Leaguer in game 2, that was called the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 6th, the Chin Music sent up 15 batters, cranked out 8 hits and 10 runs to stake themselves to a 10-0 lead. They would tack on 2 more runs in the 6th for good measure as the walloped Laughing Sun 12-0 to even the series 1-1

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 2

#3 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (92-70; 6th post season) vs #3 WC Russian River Blind Pig (89-73; 11th post season)

Game 2 was over before many fans even got to their seats. Russian River burst out of the gates with 7 runs in the top of the first for a 7-0 lead before Three Floyds had a chance to bat. They would coast from there as they doubled their first inning output over the rest of the game for a 14-2 blow out. The series is now tied 1-1

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 2

#4 Toboggan Lunatic Fridge (82-80; 8th post season) vs #4 WC Rabid Dwarves of Doom (82-80; 3rd post season)

Hoping to avoid an 0-2 hole after 2 games at home, Toboggan leaned on first baseman Jason Carter (1-for-3, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 1 run scored) and veteran catcher Alex Arias (3-for-4, 1 home run 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored) to power their offense in game 2. The home run and RBIs for Arias added to his legendary post season numbers as he leads the all-time list with 23 home runs and 77 RBIs in the playoffs. The Lunatic Fridge would claim an 8-6 victory in game 2 to even the series at 1 each

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 3

#1 WC Texas Leaguer Chin Music (90-72; 5th post season) vs #4 WC Laughing Sun Red Dwarf (87-75; 4th post season)

After scoring a combined 23 runs in the first two games, fans on both sides would be forgiven for thinking they came to the wrong ballpark for game 3 as they were treated to a pitching duel. Laughing Sun starter Danny Hooper tossed a solid 7 innings, giving up just 2 hits and 1 run with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts; while his counterpart for Texas Leaguer, Elia Bacca, went 6.1 innings, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. Relievers on both sides would hold the offense down as the Red Dwarf came away with a 2-1 victory to match their 2-1 series lead

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 3

#2 WC Tree House Tornado (88-74; 9th post season) vs #3 WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (88-74; 7th post season)

After the epic meltdown in game 2, Scorched Earth looked to bounce back in game 3 in front of the home crowd. A little home cooking was just what the doctor ordered for the Giant Killer as, other than third baseman Ryan Vance (0-for-3), every starter registered at least one hit, and 7 of the 9 picked up at least one RBI. Scorched Earth would cruise to an 11-5 victory for a 2 games to 1 lead in the series

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 2

#4 Toboggan Lunatic Fridge (82-80; 8th post season) vs #4 WC Rabid Dwarves of Doom (82-80; 3rd post season)

In a back-n-forth game, Toboggan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after the first inning. They would add another run in the second, and one more in the fifth to extend the lead to 3-0. Rabid would break the ice in the 6th with a run to cut the lead to 3-1. Three more runs in the 6th would swing the game in favor of the Dwarves of Doom 4-3. Toboggan would even the game up in the 8th with a run to make it 4-4. Neither team would score in the 9th, so extra frames would be on the menu. Rabid would get the win with a run in the 10th to claim a 5-4 win and a 2-1 series lead

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 3

#3 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (92-70; 6th post season) vs #3 WC Russian River Blind Pig (89-73; 11th post season)

Russian River proved once again why they are always a dangerous team that has never missed a post season. After the rout they put on in game 2, their offense came out of the gates without missing a step in game 3. The crowd at the Pig Pen didn't bother taking their seats when they arrived in the first inning as the Blind Pig put up a 4 spot to grab a 4-0 lead after 1 inning. That would be more than enough for their pitching staff as Jaime Kreps (4.2 innings, 2 hits, no runs), John Meurer (2.2 innings, 2 hits, no runs), and R.J. Ayala (1.2 innings, no hits/runs) baffled the Apocalypse Cow offense for an easy 7-0 victory and 2 games to 1 series lead

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 4

#1 WC Texas Leaguer Chin Music (90-72; 5th post season) vs #4 WC Laughing Sun Red Dwarf (87-75; 4th post season)

Fans at the Stellar Nursery were once again treated to a pitcher's duel, at least for 6 innings, as their Red Dwarf and the visiting Chin Music only managed to push across 1 run between them after 6 innings, with Laughing Sun holding the 1-0 lead. That all fell apart once Texas Leaguer went to their bullpen, as the Red Dwarf picked up 2 runs in the 7th, and 5 more in the 8th to put the game out of reach. Laughing Sun defeated Texas Leaguer 8-2 to grab a 3 games to 1 lead in the series.

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 4

#2 WC Tree House Tornado (88-74; 9th post season) vs #3 WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (88-74; 7th post season)

Scorched Earth continued their strong play at home, giving up no ground to the Tornado as they rolled to a 9-0 victory in game 4 to take a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. The Giant Killer pitchers (Parrent, Renner, Parks, and Stevens) had no trouble shutting down the Tree House offense; while the Scorched Earth lineup again divided up the work with 7 of the 9 starters picking up at least 1 RBI

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 4

#4 Toboggan Lunatic Fridge (82-80; 8th post season) vs #4 WC Rabid Dwarves of Doom (82-80; 3rd post season)

Looking to avoid a 3-1 deficit in their series, Toboggan came out swinging in game 4 and grabbed a 5-0 lead, thanks in large part to a grand slam from Justin Bahr, before Rabid had a chance to bat. Two more runs in the second made it a 7-1 game. While Rabid tried to battle back, they only managed 3 runs in the 7th to make the score 7-4. The series is now tied 2 games each

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 4

#3 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (92-70; 6th post season) vs #3 WC Russian River Blind Pig (89-73; 11th post season)

Russian River third baseman Chad Freeman continued his strong post season play at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored to help lead his club to a 7-4 victory in game 4. The Blind Pig now lead the series 3 games to 1

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 5

#1 WC Texas Leaguer Chin Music (90-72; 5th post season) vs #4 WC Laughing Sun Red Dwarf (87-75; 4th post season)

In game 5, Laughing Sun looked to close out the series at home, while Texas Leaguer hoped to extend their season to take the series home. The Chin Music stuck first in the second inning with 2 runs. Laughing Sun would answer back in the bottom half with 2 runs of their own. The Red Dwarf grabbed a 3-2 lead with a run in the 5th; but Texas Leaguer evened it back up in the 6th. In the bottom of the 7th, Laughing Sun retook the lead 4-3. The home crowd was on their feet as the game headed to the top of the 9th, with just three outs separating Laughing Sun from a spot in the Fermentation Series. Unfortunately for the home crowd, Texas Leaguer first baseman Mark Bohannon blasted a 2 run homer to give Texas Leaguer their first lead since the 2nd inning. Chin Music closer Greg Burkel would shut down the Red Dwarf in the bottom of the 9th to secure the 5-4 win and extend their season for at least one more game

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 5

#2 WC Tree House Tornado (88-74; 9th post season) vs #3 WC Scorched Earth Giant Killer (88-74; 7th post season)

Scorched Earth starter Bob Damron did everything he could to hold down the Tree House offense, going 7 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts before turning the game over to the bullpen. Relievers Skyler Stevens (1 inning, 1 hit, no runs) and Jerry de La Rosa (1 innings, no hits or runs) would shut down the Tornado in the final 2 innings. On the offensive side, it was a one man show as right fielder Seth Barnes went 3-for-4, scoring 1 run and driving in 3 as the Giant Killer won 4-1 to clinch the series and advance to the Fermentation Series

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 5

#4 Toboggan Lunatic Fridge (82-80; 8th post season) vs #4 WC Rabid Dwarves of Doom (82-80; 3rd post season)

The Ballpark under the Mountain saw a game 5 with an ebb and flow that toyed with fans emotions from the start. The Dwarves of Doom struck first in the bottom of the 1st with a quick run to make it 1-0 to get the fans into the game immediately. That thrill quickly reversed itself as Toboggan catcher and playoff legend Alex Arias cranked a 2 run homer to give his club a 2-1 lead. Rabid would respond in the bottom half of the frame with a run to make it 2-2. Another run in the bottom of the fourth would get the crowd back in the game as Rabid reclaimed the lead 3-2. The Lunatic Fridge would answer in the 7th with a run to make it 3-3; and then a groan would wash over the crowd in the top of the 8th as Alex Arias once again played the part of Dwarf killer by blasting another 2 run homer to make it 5-3. The crowd would only despair for a half inning, as Rabid shortstop Justin Morrison would come in to pinch hit with 2 aboard and drive them both in to tie the game 5-5. In the bottom of the 9th, Rabid second baseman Jack Graham would send the crowd home ecstatic with a walk-off 2 run homer to give Rabid a 7-5 win and a 3 games to 2 lead

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 5

#3 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (92-70; 6th post season) vs #3 WC Russian River Blind Pig (89-73; 11th post season)

Fans at the Pig Pen hoped to see a series clinching victory from their boys in game 5, but instead were treated to a pitching performance that displayed why Three Floyds young starter Ben Troyer is one of the top up-and-coming players in the league. Troyer would toss 7.1 solid innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run, with no walks and 7 strikeouts before handing the ball to reliever Chris Rowney. He would finish out the final 1.2 innings, giving up no hits or runs and striking out 2; as Three Floyds claimed a 4-1 victory to cut Russian River's series lead to 3-2

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 6

#1 WC Texas Leaguer Chin Music (90-72; 5th post season) vs #4 WC Laughing Sun Red Dwarf (87-75; 4th post season)

The Chin Music fans were at the park early and ready to cheer their boys to victory so their season wouldn't end today. Unfortunately for Texas Leaguer, they had to contend with Laughing Sun right fielder Ken Lammers and the rest of the Red Dwarf offense, who came out blasting from the start. The Chin Music found themselves already down 5-0 before they came to bat in the bottom of the first; and 8-0 before they batted in the second. Lammers would lead the charge for Laughing Sun, going 4-for-5 with 3 home runs, 6 RBIs and 3 runs scored as the Red Dwarf ran away with the game 12-4 to clinch the series 4-2

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 6

#4 Toboggan Lunatic Fridge (82-80; 8th post season) vs #4 WC Rabid Dwarves of Doom (82-80; 3rd post season)

Rabid second baseman Jack Graham continued his red hot play at the plate in game 6, going 2-for-4 with a home run, 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored to lead the offensive charge. On the flip side, Dwarves of Doom fans would be forgiven if they gave up on this game early on; as starter Ben Gonyea only faced one batter before being pulled due to an injury; so the game turned into a merry-go-round of bullpen pitchers for Rabid. Todd Ogden went 2 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run. David Giacalone went 2 innings as well, giving up 2 hits and 1 run. Mike Ashby and Rick Farland would each clear a third of an inning with no hits or runs. Cody Gregory covered 1 inning, with 1 hit and no runs. Erik Schapker also tossed an inning with 1 hit and no runs; and closer Juan Patino finished out the final 2 innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 run. When it was all over, Rabid celebrated a 7-3 win to clinch the series 4-2. Now they await the diagnosis for Gonyea to see if he is done for the season, or if he can come back for the Fermentation Series

[stl jason]

2030 Beer League Playoffs: Mashing Series - Game 6

#3 Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow (92-70; 6th post season) vs #3 WC Russian River Blind Pig (89-73; 11th post season)

Apocalypse Cow fans were treated to a pitcher's duel in game 6 as Russian River starter Jonathan Doyle (5 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts) and Three Floyds starter Theo Jackson (5.1 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, no walks, 3 strikeouts) went toe-to-toe with each giving up the bare minimum. The game would extend to extra innings, and in the bottom of the 10th, Three Floyds first baseman Nate Stevens sent the crowd home happy as he hit a walk off homer to win the game 2-1 and even up the series at 3-3