The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[gehrig38]

The Fresno Grizzlies announced that they’d agreed in principle to a 3 year contract extension with 28 year old Catcher Don Thomas. The deal totals 13.8 million with salaries of 3.9/4.6/5.3 and takes him through the 2019 season. Thomas is a career 2.97/.372/.472 hitter in 540 games with 129 doubles, 10 triples and 63 homers. He had 2 outstanding seasons in ’13 and ’14 hitting .318 and .301 with 20 and 25 HR’s. He slumped a bit this year hitting .264 with 11 home runs. He was a 2014 All Star.

(Makes me look at my situation with some elation. Hudson, while a year older, will make 1.8/2.2/2.4 with a team option 3.06. He’s 10x the defensive catcher and while he doesn’t have the pop he holds his own at the plate).

[gehrig38]

WILD CARD GAME 5

Fresno-Vincente Elisary (0-1 10.13)
@
Tulsa-Glen Harvey (1-0 1.00)
Win or go home boys, the best games of your life.

And apparently this one lived up to the hype.
The teams would trade scoring in the 2nd, with Fresno getting 1, and Vegas 2. Vegas would add 2 in the 3rd, and another in the 5th, to make it 5-1 after 5. Fresno would then score 1 in the 6th, 1 in the 7th, 1 in the 8th and a Dave Tyler solo HR off closer Anbar Suhayb would tie it in the 9th at 5-5.
Time stood still for everyone in the stadium as Orlando Rios launched a mile high drive down the right field line, leading off the tenth..Fair or foul?
It would hit the 4th deck façade, ON the foul line, for a tie breaking solo home run.
With 1 out Jorge Gonzales would single. Thomas hood struck out and All Star Jesus Andrales fittingly represented the 51s last hope.
On an 0-2 pitch he lined a shot up the middle..
Where Tyler would dive, stab and flip to SS Antonio Garza for the game ending, and series ending final out!
Fresno came back from down 2-0 to win this series and moves on to face Tulsa.
Fresno 6 Las Vegas 5
W Hanna (1-0) L Suhayb (0-2)
HR FRE Rios (2) Tyler (1)
Fresno wins the series 3-2
Series MVP Orlando Rios .350-2-5 6 Runs 3 2B's .409 OBP

#3 Performance of the Day-Orlando Rios (FRE) 1-4 HR, RBI, 2 R, BB
#2 Performance of the Day-Thomas Hood (LV) 1-2 RBI 4 BB
#1 Performance of the Day-Dave Tyler (FRE) 2-3 HR, 2 RBI, R, BB

[gehrig38]

Word out of Fresno is that 1B/DH Qi-chen Jung was hurt in the post game celebration last night after Fresno's 3-2 come from behind series win. What was thought to be 'nothing serious' has forced a roster move, with Fresno placing Cheng on the 15 day DL, and word has it he's got a strained oblique and will mis the remainder of the 2016 post season. This is his 4th trip to the DL this year (torn quad, 3 weeks setback on recovery from it, strained hip and now this).

[gehrig38]

Two top shelf pitching staffs, and two high powered offenses along with the top 2 defending clubs in the CL.
They are without Josh Hamilton but the meat of this lineup, Helton, Andruw Jones, Scott Rolen and Dan Miller is formidable.
We've managed to get our rotation setup once again, but it only works if they pitch
Our lineup can mash with anyone and I like our chances as long as we can stay away from crooked number innings.

[gehrig38]

I really like this matchup but the Jung injury could be a factor. When he's not hurt he's a force for them. But they're deep and Rowe will slide over to 1B and Lewis will man 3rd.
Fresno is the best defensive team in the league but with the exception of the Pen, and running game, Tulsa outclasses them in every category. If Calhoun is 'Calhoun' Tulsa could have trouble.
I'm picking Tulsa in 6 anyway.

[gehrig38]

DIVISION SERIES GAME 1’s

Chicago- Walt Thompsons (1-0 0.00)
@
Green Bay- Nick Powell (1-0 3.86)

Andruw Jones came in hot, and it’s not over yet. Drilling a solo shot in the bottom of the 2nd to put Green Bay up 1-0. Both guys are throwing well.
After 3 ½ Powell is at 4-1-0-0-0-2 and Thompson 3-3-1-1-0-2, Powell has 40 pitches through his 4th, Thompson at 39 heading into his 4th.
Todd Helton singles leading off the bottom of 4 and Jones drills another homer, this time a 2 run shot to deep left, for a 3-0 Green Bay lead after 4.

Wes Morgan starts the 5th with a walk, and after a lengthy duel (5 straight 2-2 foul balls) Luis Chavez hits a titanic homer to deep right center to make it a 3-2 game.
Later in the inning, after a Riggs single and Hudson walk, with 1 out Eric Coates lines a single to shallow left, Riggs scores to tie the game at 3.
With runners on the corners Chartier and Collins both strike out to end it, 3-3 to the bottom of the 5th.
With 1 out Utley and Helton single, with runners on the corner Jones comes up again, and Thompson nitpicks, as asked, and walks him to load the bases.
Scott Rolen flails at a 1-2 pitch to end the inning, 3-3 after 5 full. Thompson’s pitch count at 69, Powell’s at 79.

With 1 out Wes Morgan makes Luis Chavez’s 449 ft blast look like a pop up. With a monsterous 465 foot home run to straight away right field, making it 4-0.
Later in the inning, after a Chavez single, and stolen base, Paul Riggs stays hot, singling in the hole at short, scoring Chavez for a 5-3 Iron Pig lead. Powell’s day is over (5.1-7-5-5-2-4) and Francisco Herreva comes in, getting the final 2 outs. 5-3 heading to the bottom of 6.
Dave Miller drills a 3-1 pitch to right, for a solo homer, to lead off the inning.
Green Bay goes in order after that, 5-4 after 6 full, Thompson at 80 pitches.

Eric Coates leads off the 7th with another single, Chartier bunts him to 2nd, Collins is walked intentionally and Freddie Frank relieves Herreva. Alexander fails to get a ball past a drawn in infield, and Morgan grounds out, missing another huge opportunity.
A 2 out Helton single is erased after Thompson finally gets Andruw Jones out, on a pop up to 2nd. 5-4 after 7. Walt’s at 96 pitches.


Thompson gives up a Rolen leadoff double, and walks Miller to end his night. Ken Johnson relieves and for the first time in a looooong time, can’t find the plate in a meaningful at bat. He walks Jason Cole to load them up, and then walks Ken Jackson to force in a run, tying it at 5.
Alex Browne relieves him, and it’s looking like a nightmare inning as Rick Williams singles in 1 to give Green Bay a 6-5 lead.
Jose Torres then is asked to get some lefties out.
He punches out Ethan Kirk….
Then punches out Chase Utley….
And gets Todd Helton to ground weakly to 2nd to end it, at least giving us a shot entering the 9th, down 1.

Earl Roberts (7-5 35 Saves 3.00 on the year) is in the game.
Top of the order for Chicago, Coates leading off….
And he starts the 9th by drilling a 2-2 pitch down the right field line for a leadoff double!!!
Jean Chartier follows, and on a 3-2 pitch, NOT BUNTING!, he lines a single to right center, Coates walks home, tie game!!!
OMG! OMG! OMG!
On a 2-2 pitch, Collins and Chartier engage in a little hit and run action…..
And Collins gets hold of the Roberts fastball and crushes it to straight away center for a 448 foot tie breaking home run!!! WOOO FREAKING HOOO!!!
8-6, Alexander coming up, 0 outs!!!
With Alexander walks, Morgan punches out, Chavez singles to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Riggs flies to center and Alexander scoots into 3rd.
Ron Miller pinch hits for Lorenzelli and drills a ground ball single past 2nd, scoring Alexander.
Hudson K’s looking to end it, but we score 4 runs on 5 hits and lead 9-6 heading to the bottom half, Cruz coming in!
Jones flies to center for the 1st out.
Rolen grounds to Lopez at 2nd for out #2….
And Miller punches out to end it!
WOO HOO! What a comeback!

Chicago 9 Green Bay 6
W Torres (1-0) L Roberts (0-1) S Cruz (2)
HR CHI Morgan (1) Collins (2) Chavez (1) GB Miller (1) A. Jones 2(5)
Chicago leads the series 1-0

Fresno- Pepe Artlano (1-0 2.25)
@
Tulsa- Antonio Rodriguez (1-0 7.50)

In the 2nd a Rory Lewis single scores Don Thomas to put Fresno up 1-0, where it stands with the Grizzlies hitting in the top of the 4th.
Fresno extends the lead in the 5th on a Jeff Ball solo HR. 2-0 after 6 full.

Tulsa breaks through in the 7th, an RBI 2B by Arturo Olivo scores Rich Alfred and Ambrose Cox drills a 2 run single, scoring Curt Whimster and Olivo to put Tulsa up 3-2 after 7.
Still 3-2 bottom 8, Tulsa hitting, runner on 1st 0 outs.

The game gets to the top of 9, 3-2 Tulsa when Rich Stone singles in Dennis Hutchinson and Fresno ties it at 3.
Stewart Ward walks Orlando Rios to load the bases with 2 outs, and Joe Rowe grounds to 3rd to end the inning, 3-3.
In the bottom of the 10th Tulsa gets a Young walk, and Rich Alfred single to put runners at 1st and 2nd, 1 out, when All Star Curt Whimster lines a shot up the middle, Glenn Hanna spears it on a hop and turns a 1-6-3 double play on what would have surely been a walk off single…..

In the bottom of the 11th with Carlos Thuiller now on, Dave Ladd drills a leadoff double and on the very next pitch Arturo Olivo hits another, a game winning walk off double….
Antonio Rodriguez went 7.2-6-2-3-5 for Tulsa tonight.

Tulsa 4 Fresno 3
W Fou (1-0) L Thuiller (0-1)
HR FRE Ball (1)
Tulsa leads 1-0

#3 Performance of the Day-Hugh Collins (CHI) 1-4 HR, 2 RBI, R, BB
#2 Performance of the Day-Luis Chavez (CHI) 4-5 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
#1 Performance of the Day-Andruw Jones (GB) 2-4 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

[gehrig38]

Division Series Game 2’s

Chicago Ken Lee (0-0 2.57)
@
Green Bay Grant Thomas (1-0 0.00)
Chicago leads 1-0

Eric Coates starts the game with a line drive single to right, Chartier walks and Collins singles to load the bases…..
A rare, amazingly rare Bill Alexander strike out follows (He punched out a career high 48 times this year, in 570+ ab’s!) and Wes Morgan hits an RBI ground out to score the games 1st run. Chavez flies to left to end it, but an enormous opportunity lost right there. Thomas needed 24 pitches to get through the inning, but man, bases drunk and three of the top 10 power guys in the game coming up, all in all Thomas has to feel momentum out of that.
Ken Lee, and everyone really, even with a 1-0 lead, can feel a potential enormous momentum shift coming after Rick Williams and Helton single with 1 out and the red hot Andruw Jones coming up. But he flies out to medium right, and Ken Jackson lines to center to end the 1st 1-0 good guys…

Both pitchers go 1-2-3 in the 2nd, and Thomas has a 4 pitch 1-2-3 third. Lee goes 3 up 3 down as well, on 14 pitches to keep it 1-0 after 3.

Wes Morgan says hello to Green Bay fans with a line drive down the right field line, just inside the foul pole for a solo homer and a 2-0 lead.
Green Bay tries to get it going in the bottom, Helton lines a leadoff single but Lee gets Jones and Ken Jackson looking, and Jason Cole on a fielders choice to end the 4th, 2-0 us. Lee at 55 pitches, Thomas at 59.

Nothing doing in the top of the 5th.
Joey Johnson reaches on a passed ball 3rd strike and Orlando Diaz makes it matter when he hammer’s Lee’s 0-1 fastball to left for a 2 run shot, tying the game at 2 apiece.
With 1 out, Rolen and Rick Williams single, Helton grounds out to move the runners up and Andruw Jones steps in, base open, 2 outs. A quick meeting and Lee, showing one of the MANY reasons he’s loved by his teammates, and staff, wants no part of pitching around Andruw Jones. And proves to be the wiser when he freezes him on a fastball in with the count 1-2, to end the inning. 2-2 after 5. Lee at 76, Thomas at 72.

Luis Chavez and Paul Riggs open the top of the 7th with back to back singles.
Massi Lorenzelli hits another and Chavez slides in safely ahead of the throw, Riggs and Lorenzelli moving to 2nd and 3rd, 3-2 Iron Pigs.
Eric Hudson singles on the 1st pitch, scoring Riggs to make it 4-2.
Eric Coates can’t get a ball out of the infield, and the runners hold.
Jean Chartier lines another 1st pitch to center, Lorenzelli comes in, Hudson blows by the hold at third and slides in safely for a 6-2 Chicago lead!
Hugh Collins is walked and Francisco Herreva relieves Thomas.
Another Alexander K, and Morgan follows with one of his own to end the top of 7, but the damage is done. 6-2 Chicago.
His shutdown inning in front of him Lee gets Orlando Diaz to start the inning but Marcos Lopez and Scott Rolen single and Rick Williams reaches on a Paul Riggs error. Rather than go to another lefty to face Helton, bases juiced, Lee talks himself in the game, and retires Helton on a shallow pop to left. Alex Browne comes in to face Andruw Jones, 6-2 game, bases drunk….
And walks him on 5 pitches…..Forcing in Lopez.
Randy Pennington is summoned to face Utley, 2 outs bases full, and on a 3-2 pitch he gets him swining to end the inning. 6-3 Chicago after 7.

A Lorenzelli walk and Hudson single with 2 outs end up meaning nothing as Eric Coates flies out. 6-3 into the bottom half of 8 Dave Winston in the game….
Winston goes 3 up 3 down.

Hugh Collins adds an insurance run, drilling a 1st pitch homer to right with 1 out. 7-3 bottom 9.
Ken Johnson enters, and I’m thinking why the hell not just use the closer?
3 hitters later I am still asking. Marcos Lopez singles, Rolen doubles and Rick Williams singles them both in 7-5, runner on 1st, Helton up, Cruz now in the game…
Helton grounds to short, Andrew Jones grounds to 2nd and Cruz faces Dave Miller with 2 outs, runner on 3rd….
And ends it with him taking a 1-2 pitch on the black.

Chicago 7 Green Bay 5
W Lee (1-0) L Thomas (1-1) S Cruz (3)
HR CHI Morgan (2) Collins (3) GB O. Diaz (2)
Chicago leads 2-0





Fresno Howard Crane (0-0 0.00)
@
Tulsa George Perkins (1-0 1.42)
Tulsa leads 1-0

Heading to the bottom of 2, no score in Tulsa…

Ben Brady drills a 1 out triple in the bottom of the 2nd putting Tulsa up 1-0.
In the bottom of the third Rich Alfred hits an RBI single as does Dave Ladd, Arturo Olivo hits a 2 run double and all the sudden it’s 5-0 Drillers.
Don Thomas has just hit an RBI grounder in the top of the 4th, making it 5-1, Fresno seems to have the ‘it’ thing, never completely going away, and always ‘hanging on’….
Ambrose Cox hits a solo homer in the 4th to make it 6-1 Tulsa. Drillers batting bottom of the 5th…

Edward Young’s solo HR in the 7th extends Tulsa’s lead to 7-1….
Orlando Rios’s RBI ground out in the 8th makes it 7-2, runner on third 1 out, still hitting….
Tulsa would add 2 more in the 8th to end it.

Tulsa 9 Fresno 2
W Perkins (2-0) L Crane (0-1)
HR TUL Young (2) Cox (1)
Tulsa leads the series 2-0

#3 Performance of the Day-Wes Morgan (CHI) 2-5 HR, 2 RBI, R
#2 Performance of the Day-George Perkins (TUL) 7.2-8-2-2-2-5 W (2-0)
#1 Performance of the Day-Arturo Olivo (TUL) 3-4 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

STUFF
Heavener took home 2 Gold Gloves in Short Season ball today: SP Victor Galvez (2013 Cuban prospect) OF Juan Dejesus (2015 7 round pick out of Vanderbilt)

[gehrig38]

DIVISION SERIES GAME 3's

Green Bay (Lee Cameron 0-0 4.50)
@
Chicago (Alfredo Alejandrez 0-0 3.60)

A clean first, and top of the 2nd before we open up the scoring in the bottom half….
Alexander leads off with a single, Morgan doubles him to third and Chavez chases him home with an RBI single.
Paul Riggs follows with a 2 run double to make it 3-0.
A wild pitch and deep fly to center from Eric Hudson bring Riggs home to end the 2nd with a 4-0 lead.

Alejandrez gets Cole and Williams to start the 3rd but Kirk walks, Utley singles him to 3rd and Helton drills a 1st pitch RBI single to get Green Bay on the board. Andruw Jones grounds to second to end it, 4-1 Chicago after 2 ½. Where it stays after the bottom half, to the 4th with a 4-1 lead, Alejandrez at 42 pitches, Cameron at 49.

A Chavez leadoff single is erased 1 pitch later when Riggs hits into a SS unassisted double play. Lorenzelli K’s to end it.
Jason Cole doubles to open the 5th, Rick Williams grounds him to 3rd and Ethan Kirk singles him home.
Utley strikes out, and with 2 outs Helton singles….
And Andruw Jones singles, scoring Kirk with 2 outs, Rolen K’s swinging to end the 5th, 4-3 Chicago. Cameron at 67 pitches, Alfredo at 74.

Alejandrez has a 1-2-3 6th, on 11 pitches, and Cameron does the same in the bottom, on 14 pitches, 4-3 to the 7th.
Rick Williams doubles leading it off, and Alejandrez day is over (6-8-4-4-1-6.
Randy Pennington is brought in to get their lefties out. Kirk flies to left, and then Chase Utley drills a 3-2 pitch to deep right center for a 2 run homer and a 5-4 Green Bay lead.
Helton singles, and Pennington is done. Winston comes in and Andruw Jones doubles Helton to 3rd.
Rolen pops to shallow center, keeping the runners on, and Jorge Sanchez relieves Winston.
He opens by drilling Dave Miller to load the bases….
Johnson is just not looking good and his command makes us rethink bringing him in with no room for error, so the lefty is left in to face Ken Jackson.
Sanchez gets him swinging to end the inning. 5-4 Blizzard heading to the bottom of 7.
After a Chavez fly out Paul Riggs singles and Massi Lorenzelli hits a 2-0 pitch down the left field line. Riggs is held at 3rd.
Eric Hudson follows by hitting a seeing eye single in the hole at short, Riggs scores and Lorenzelli scoots home without a throw, 6-5 and Cameron’s day is over (6.1-8-6-6-0-4). Herreva gets the call.
After an Eric Coates grounder moves Hudson to second Chartier singles, but Hudson holds at 3rd, and Collins ends the inning with a soft tapper back to the mound. 7-6 Chicago after 7.

Sanchez opens the 8th with a walk to Cole and the defense misplays the sac, runners on 1st and 2nd 0 outs.
He gets Kirk looking and Utley grounds to third, moving the runners up, bringing Helton to the plate.
And Helton lines a shot to left on the 1st pitch that Chavez snares for the innings final out.
And in the bottom half the big boys announce their presence. Alexander leads off with a full count line drive down the right field line for a solo homer, and Morgan follows, drilling a 1-2 pitch to right for back to back solo shots and a 8-5 lead. Kirby Dean is called on, and sets the side down in order.

Cruz into the game….
Jones grounds the 1st pitch to Morgan at 1st, Rolen takes strike 3 on a full count.
Dave Miller hits a 1-1 pitch to right for a 2 out double….
Ken Jackson lines a single past short, Miller scores, just beating the throw, and Jackson moves to 2nd.
Jason Cole walks…..
And both runners move up on a passed ball…..
On a 1-2 count Williams drills a deep fly to right….
Which Alexander chases onto the warning track….
And hauls in for the final out…

Chicago 8 Green Bay 6
W Sanchez (1-0) L Cameron (0-1) S Cruz (4)
HR GB Utley (3) CHI Alexander (1) Morgan (3)
Chicago leads 3-0 (1 win away from the world series!)

Tulsa (Joel Downs 1-0 3.00)
@
Fresno (Shawn Calhoun 0-1 7.27)
Tulsa leads 2-0

A pitcher’s duel in every sense of the word. 0-0 into the 7th when Shawn Calhoun would tire, going 6-3-0-0-3-10, and Carlos Thuiller would get the call. With Wally Reed on 1st and 1 out, Rich Alfred would drill a deep fly to right, that would just make it out, and put Tulsa up 2-0. Joel Downs would get to the 9th (8-4-0-0-2-5) and closer Stewart Ward would get the call.
After a Rich Stone ground out, Orlando Rios tripled up the gap in right center and Joe Rowe followed with a double down the line at 3rd to make it 2-1, runner on 2nd, 1 out.
The 25 year old closer (9-3 36 Saves 2.54) would find ‘it’, punching out Don Thomas on a 3-2 split, and getting Dave Tyler to chase a 3-2 heater for the games final out.

Tulsa 2 Fresno 1
W Downs (2-0) L Thuiller (0-2) S Ward (3)
HR TUL Alfred (2)
Tulsa leads 3-0

#3 Performance of the Day-Rich Alfred (TUL) 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB
#2 Performance of the Day-Shawn Calhoun (FRE) 6.2-3-0-0-3-10
#1 Performance of the Day-Joel Downs (TUL) 8-4-0-0-2-5 W (2-0)

ORG NEWS
Former West Michigan Pitching Coach Luis Lucero, whom we courted last winter, must have been put off by his year away from the game. We made him what we thought was a very good offer (from our perspective) to manage our AA Bakersfield club for the next 3 years, and he was very quick to accept. He’s an outstanding communicator, always has been, and will help with the pitching duties there as well.

[gehrig38]

DIVISION SERIES GAME 4’s (someone’s going home? Or not?

Green Bay Nick Powell (1-0 5.84)
@
Chicago Gerardo Zamora (0-0 0.00)

Yep, the rookie in a clincher, feeling like this could be over in the blink of an eye with the lineup he’s facing, or he shocks the world….

The kid ends the 1st with strike outs of Utley and Helton, guessing the nerves are working for him.
Coates pops a single to lead off, steals 2nd with 1 out and Bill Alexander drives him home with 2 outs on an RBI single. 1-0 after 1.

Zamora k’s his 3rd in a row in Andruw Jones but Rolen and Miller single with 1 out. Ken Jackson then hits a 3-2 pitch on a hop to short for the 6-4-3 inning ending DP. Powell at 26 pitches, Zamora 33 after 2.

Cole goes down swinging, Williams 6-3 and Kirk flies to center to end the top of the 3rd.
Powell goes in order in the bottom half.

Utley F7 followed by a Helton single.
Jones hits a ball up the middle that Chartier fields, steps on second and throws to Morgan at first for another inning ending DP. 1-0 after 3 ½.
Alexander reaches on an error, moves to second on a ground out by Morgan. Chavez walks and Riggs and Lorenzelli both ground into FC’s to end it. 1-0 after 4. Powell is at 52 pitches, Zamora at 53.

With 2 outs in the 5th Hudson guns down Dave Miller stealing 2nd to end the inning.
With 1 out in the bottom, Chartier doubles down the line in left, bringing home Eric Coates to make it 2-0 after 5.

Cole singles off Zamora in the 6th but 5 pitches later the innings over when Utley pops out. Powell goes 1-2-3.

Helton hits a bomb to open the 7th, making it 2-1. After a 2 out Hugh Collins error, Zamora gets Ken Jackson to pop to 1st to end it.
A lone 2 out Eric Coates double sees the game move to the 8th 2-1 Chicago. Powell at 98 pitches, Zamora at 95.

Zamora’s day will end, to a thundering ovation from the home town crowd, the rookie going 7-5-1-1-1-5. Dave Winston will come in to get at least the 2 righties starting the 8th out.

Winston punches out the side, in order.

And Keith Best gets the heart of our order out in perfection. Onto the 9th with Utley, Helton and Jones due up.

Mike Moore in to get Utley and Helton…
Utley goes down swinging, Helton taps to second, Ernesto Cruz in to try and get Andruw Jones, end the game and send Chicago to it’s first World Series appearance.

“Swung on, topped to third, Lorenzelli up with it, fires across to Morgan and there it is folks! The Chicago Iron Pigs have swept the Green Bay Blizzard to win the Frontier League Pennant and advance to their first ever IBL World Series!!!

Chicago 2 Green Bay 1
W Zamora (1-0) L Powell (1-1) S Cruz (5)
HR GB Helton (1)
Chicago wins the series 4-0

Series MVP Ernesto Cruz 4 Saves 3.1 IP 2 H 3 K’s 2.70 ERA

Tulsa Esteban Valdez (0-0 0.00)
@
Fresno Vincente Elisary (0-1 8.71)

It’s back against the wall time for the Grizzlies. It’s been a closer series than 3-0 might seem, but they need something magical to happen to keep playing.

Wally Reed got things started with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the third to put the Drillers in front 2-0.
German Valdez would hit a solo shot in the 5th to make it 3-0, and later in the inning Rich Alfred’s Sac fly would bring home Reed for a 4-0 lead.
In the 6th Ambrose Cox would hit an RBI single to score Troy Becker and make it 5-0.
Jeff Ball tripled home Dennis Hutchinson in the bottom of the 6th to get Fresno on the board, but he’d stay at 3rd as Esteban Valdez punched out Orlando Rios and Joe Rowe to end the threat and the inning.
Alfred would answer with a solo homer in the top of the 7th, making it 6-1.

In the top of the 7th a Don Thomas walk, and Dave Tyler single would be semi-erased by an Alonso Garza DP, which would come back to haunt them as Rory Lewis would then double, and Dennis Hutchinson tripled to make it 6-3.

Stewart Ward would come in, and get Garza to hit into another DP with a runner on 1st and no outs in the 9th, and then Rory Lewis would ground softly to third, with Dale Mitchell tossing to Curt Whimster at first to complete the 4 game sweep and give Tulsa their first IBL World Series berth.

Tulsa 6 Fresno 3
W Valdez (1-0) L Elisary (0-2) S Ward (4)
HR TUL Alfred (3) Valdez (1) Reed (2)
Tulsa wins the series 4-0

Series MVP Rich Alfred (TUL) 9-15 .600 4 Runs, 1 2B 2 HR’s 5 RBI’s

#3 Performance of the Day-Wally Reed (TUL) 1-3 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB
#2 Performance of the Day-Rich Alfred (TUL) 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, R
#1 Performance of the Day-Gerardo Zamora (CH) 7-5-1-1-1-5 W (1-0)

[gehrig38]

Gonna have some fun with this!

[tacklesspoem8]

And finally the promise land good luck to you and the pigs.

[Orcin]

You have the momentum. The team is playing really well at the right time. Good luck!

[MizzouRah]

This should be a good one!

[CarolinaSoxfan]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

Two top shelf pitching staffs, and two high powered offenses along with the top 2 defending clubs in the CL.
They are without Josh Hamilton but the meat of this lineup, Helton, Andruw Jones, Scott Rolen and Dan Miller is formidable.
We've managed to get our rotation setup once again, but it only works if they pitch
Our lineup can mash with anyone and I like our chances as long as we can stay away from crooked number innings.

I want to see some urine samples. These Iron Pigs seem juiced lol

[gehrig38]

Making their 4th consecutive playoff appearance this year, the Drillers have broken through, as we have, to the promised land. Winners of their division all 4 years, with an owner basically demanding it in Gene Jackson, their insanely loyal fans are finally being rewarded. Managed to 4 straight pennants by 40 year old Joanthan Wood, the offense revolves around 28 year old 2 time all star and 2014 Hank Aaron award winner Curt Whimster and two former Rookies of the Year. Playing in every game but 5 over the past 5 seasons he’s as durable as he is good, and is their leader on and off the field. A career .312/.414/.582 hitter he’s amassed 214 doubles (3rd all time) 193 HR’s (4th all time) and 597 RBI’s (3rd all time). His .5823 career slugging % is 6th all time. A career .247-4-17 hitter in the post season (23) games. Whimster sits in the cleanup spot behind a solid front 3 of Wally Reed (.298-21-84) Edward Young (.317-28-93) and catcher Rich Alfred (.315-27-92). Their lineup was top 3 in Runs, Avg, OBP and HR’s. Reed was the 2013 Frontier League Rookie of the Year, and 2014 Gold Glove winner in Left Field. Young is a 2016 All Star and a career .277/.321/.447 hitter with 96 homers and 379 runs scored. This was his best season by far, setting career highs in homers and Avg. Alfred was the 2015 Coastal League Rookie of the Year and a 2016 All Star as well. In his 2+ seasons in the IBL he’s combined for 55 HR’s and 60 doubles, while hitting .306 with just 76 strike outs and 203 walks for a career .306/.418/.516 slash line. The rest of their everday lineup features former Patriot and 2014 World Series champion Dave Ladd, a gold glove OF with a career .287 average and 142 career homers. A 2012 World Series champ in OF Arturo Olivo (who won with the Roughriders) OF Troy Becker, acquired from Fresno last year, 3B Ambrose Cox and 27 year old rookie SS, slick fielding German Valdez. Backup IF and OF Dale Mitchell .231/.311/.428 and Ben Brady .265/.335/.393 will see time depending on the SP.



On the mound Tulsa has a three headed monster, and 4 15+ game winners. Led by Antonio Rodriguez this year, who went 15-8 3.31. A 57-46 4.07 lifetime pitcher and 2016 All Star, the 26 year old is entering the upper echelon of IBL pitching. George Perkins sports a 77-39 3.87 lifetime mark after his 16-7 3.77 season. He’s coming off a 20-6 3.73 year in 2015. 2014 Koufax award winner (21-7 3.41) Joel Downs was 16-9 3.79 this season and brings a career 78-45 4.11 record to the series. Esteban Valdez had an ‘off year’ at 15-15 5.08, his peripherals were solid though, and he’s a solid 3 or 4.

Their pen is anchored by 25 year old closer Stewart Ward, coming off his 2nd 30+ save season. He’s a groundball machine who’s control has finally caught up, walking just 15 in 67.1 IP this year and holding opponents to a .197 average with a 0.92 WHIP. Former ’51 Wu-shin Fou sets up from the left side and right Arturo Ramirez from the right.

[gehrig38]

Wizards ink Ace to mega deal:
The LA Wizards announced the signing of Ace Tommy Hobbs to a 5 year 80 million dollar deal. Hobbs, 14-10 3.42 last season, will make 16 million per year for 4 years and holds a player option for 16 million, for the 2020 season. He was the 1st ever, 1st pick, for the Wizards in the 2012 draft (20th overall) and is 60-48 3.66 lifetime in 154 career starts over 1056 innings.

Pittsburgh signs SP:
The Bulldogs have announced the signing of 31 year old Gonzalo Casisas to a 4 year 28 million dollar contract extension. Salaries of 3.7/5.9/8.1 and 10.3 had many folks outside the 'Burgh wondering about the return at 35, on the 10.3 million salary. Casisas was 12-12 4.55 last season and is 61-60 4.46 lifetime, in 161 career starts.

[gehrig38]

GAME 1
Tulsa Drillers-Antonio Rodriguez (1-0 4.61)
@
Chicago Iron Pigs-Walt Thompson (1-0 4.15)

This is the start we traded for Walt Thompson to pitch. The Tulsa pitching is going to be the hurdle, and I would imagine they’re saying the same thing about our offense. If my starters can get through the 7th I feel I can mix and match the pen to get Cruz the ball. I’ll need to keep Whimster from beating me, pitching around him when the situation calls for it. That’s going to mean keeping Reed and Young from being on, running around and creating problems. With these defenses, and pitching, it could be that runs will be at a premium.

1st Inning
TOP-Reed tries to bunt his way on, 1st pitch, and fouls it off. He pops to center on the next pitch. Thompson gets Young looking on a 1-2 pitch and Alfred grounds a 3-1 fastball to third to end it. 11 pitch 1st for Thompson.
BOTTOM-Rodriguez drills Coates with the games 1st pitch and the crowd, and dugouts, are silent for about a second… Our bench erupts as it almost looks intentional? Is he trying to send some sort of message? We’re in the World Series, you don’t send messages, you play to win? Chartir hits into a FC and Collins lines to center for 2 outs. Bill Alexander lines a single to right, bringing Wes Morgan up.
And Morgan sends his own message, sending a 431 foot blast to right center for a no doubter, and 3-0 Chicago lead. Chavez grounds to 2nd to end the inning. 11 pitches for Rodriguez.
3-0 Chicago after 1.

2nd Inning
TOP-Whimster flies to shallow right on the innings 1st pitch, Ladd pops to center and Olivo grounds to Chartier to end it. 9 pitches, 20 after 2.
BOTTOM-Rodriguez walks Lorenzelli with 1 out, Coates with 2 outs, and with runners on 1st and 2nd Chartier taps in front of the plate to end it. Rodriguez tosses 27 to get through the inning, 38 after 2.
3-0 after 2.

3rd Inning
TOP-Troy Becker singles to lead it off. Ambrose Cox goes down swinging, Valdez hits a FC to 2nd and Reed grounds to 1st. Another 11 pitch inning for 31 total after 3.
BOTTOM-Collins singles leading off. After an Alexnder FC Morgan singles. Luis Chavez then drills a double down the 1st base line, scoring Alexander. With runners at 2nd and 3rd Paul Riggs hits an RBI grounder and Rodriguez’s day ends (2.2-5-5-5-2-1). Albert Camp is on. Lorenzelli grounds out to end the inning.
5-0 after 3

4th Inning
TOP-A Young K, Alfred 6-3 and Whimster pop up end the inning on 9 pitches, Thompson at 40 after 4.
BOTTOM- Hudson singles leading off, after 2 fly outs Collins singles, Alexander walks to lead the bases.
Wes Morgan grounds to 2nd on the 2nd pitch to end the inning.
5-0 after 4

5th Inning
TOP-Dave Ladd lines a single past Morgan at 1st to lead off the 5th. Thompson balks him to 2nd with Olivo up, and Olivo moves him to third with a grounder. Thompson get’s Becker swinging on a 2-2 pitch and Cox pops to 2nd to end it. 16 pitches for Thompson, 56 after 5.
BOTTOM-Luis Chavez drills a 1-0 fastball to deep right, for a solo homer, leading off the inning. Riggs K’s and Lorenzelli doubles to end Camp’s day, Richard Groves in. Hudson goes F-8 Coates goes 4-3 to end it.
6-0 Chicago after 5.

6th Inning
TOP-Valdez singles leading off. 2 pitches later Thompson erases him, getting Wally Reed to hit into a 4-6-3 DP. Young taps back to the mound to end it. Just 8 pitches, bringing him to 64 after 6.
BOTTOM- Groves clanks Chartier’s bouncer leading off. Collins hits into a FC, and Alexander pops to 3rd. With 2 outs Collins steals 2nd, and 3 pitches later Wes Morgan singles him in. Chavez ends the inning with a fly ball to center.
7-0 after 6.

7th Inning
TOP-Thompson gets Alfred and Whimster on 5 pitches to start the inning, but Dave Ladd helps Tulsa get on the board with a 1st pitch homer down the left field line.
Olivo hits the next pitch down the 3rd base line for a stand up double, and Troy Becker follows by doubling, driving in Olivo. Thompson settles down and gets Ambrose Cox swining to end it. 18 pitches, 82 after 7.
BOTTOM-Ed Sisson is on for the Drillers. Riggs K’s looking, Lorenzelli singles, and steals when Hudson takes a 3-2 pitch for strike 3.
Coates taps a grounder to 2nd to end the inning.
7-2 Chicago after 7

8th Inning
TOP-Valdez K’s and Wally Reed singles on a liner to center. Young goes F-8 and Alfred lines to 3rd to end it.
BOTTOM-Vincente Guzman takes the ball from Sisson, and works around a 1 out walk to Collins for a scoreless 8th.
7-2 after 8 and Thompson is taking the mound…..

9th Inning
TOP-54,940 fans are on their feet as the Iron Pig ace strolls out for the 9th inning.
Curt Whimster flies to center for the innings 1st out, and the crowd gets louder….
And even louder when Dave Ladd chases a 1-2 fastball for Thompson’s 7th strike out.
And the place erupts as Arturo Olivo hits a 2 hopper to short, Chartier fires across to Morgan and Chicago has it’s first World Series win, and a 1-0 series lead.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by gehrig38

BOTTOM-Rodriguez drills Coates with the games 1st pitch and the crowd, and dugouts, are silent for about a second… Our bench erupts as it almost looks intentional? Is he trying to send some sort of message? We’re in the World Series, you don’t send messages, you play to win? Chartir hits into a FC and Collins lines to center for 2 outs. Bill Alexander lines a single to right, bringing Wes Morgan up.
And Morgan sends his own message, sending a 431 foot blast to right center for a no doubter, and 3-0 Chicago lead. Chavez grounds to 2nd to end the inning. 11 pitches for Rodriguez.
3-0 Chicago after 1.

The game was won right here. I love it when stuff like this happens.

[gehrig38]

GAME 2
Tulsa Drillers-George Perkins (2-0 1.93)
@
Chicago Iron Pigs-Ken Lee (1-0 2.63)

Expecting a game here, much more so than the 1st. I wasn’t expecting Thompson to dominate to that degree, but it wasn’t surprising. I was pleased the Tulsa AI didn’t mess around and leave the SP in, but I was pleased the Chicago offense came out swinging.

1st Inning
TOP-Becker leads off with a 6-3 and Edward Young serves notice that Tulsa is going to hit, by driving a bomb to deep left center on a 2-2 change up.
Alfred punches out and Lee gets Whimster on a 4-3.
BOTTOM-But with 2 outs Hugh Collins answers the challenge, sending a solo shot to deep right center for a game tying solo homer. Lee at 16 pitches, Perkins at 15.
1-1 after 1

2nd Inning
TOP-After a Ladd K and Olivo ground out on a 1st pitch, Ben Brady hits the 3rd solo homer of the game, a 395 foot shot to left. Cooper Patton k’s to end the inning.
BOTTOM-Chavez singles but Lorenzelli grounds into a 6-4-3 to end the inning. Perkins with just 26 through 2, Lee at 32.
2-1 Tulsa after 2

3rd Inning
TOP-3rd inning, 3rd solo homer. Troy Becker hits the innings first pitch to deep left center for a solo shot, Tulsa’s 3rd. Young, Alfred and Whimster are retired on 5 pitches total.
BOTTOM-Chartier doubles with 2 outs but Perkins gets Collins to ground out to 3rd to end it. Both pitchers at 38 after 3.
3-1 after 3.

4th Inning
TOP-Finally a 1-2-3. Ladd goes 5-3, Olivo 4-3 and Brady K’s swinging, all on 8 pitches.
BOTTOM-Chavez hits another 2 out double but Riggs fouls out to end it. Lee 46, Perkins 47.
3-1 end of 4.

5th Inning
TOP-Lee spins a little magic in the 5th. A 1 out Cooper Patton triple, and Lee gets Becker to hit a comebacker, holding Patton at 3rd and then punches out Edward Young to end the inning.
BOTTOM-2 quick outs when Coates works a walk. Chartier does the same, bringing Collins to the plate. A 1-2 single to right and Coates scores standing up. Alexander grounds to second to end it. 60 for Perkins, 60 for Lee after 5.
3-2 Tulsa after 5.

6th Inning
TOP-Lee walks Alfred leading off but gets Whimster to hit into a 4-6-3 DP. Ladd flies to left on 1 pitch to end it.
BOTTOM-Perkins has a 7 pitch 3 up 3 down 6th.
3-2 Tulsa

7th Inning
TOP-Olivo singles leading off. Brady botches the sac bunt attempt, popping to Hudson. They attempt another bunt (why???) and move Olivo to 2nd. Patton pops to 2nd to end it. (NO team on the planet sacs with 1 out, ever)
BOTTOM-Perkins hits Hudson with 1 out, on a 1-1 pitch but gets Coates to hit into a 6-4-3 inning ending DP. Pitch counts after 7: Perkins 88, Lee 87. Double barreled action in the Chicago pen.
3-2 after 7.

8th Inning
TOP-Lee walks Becker to start the inning and Young follows with a single to right that Alexander kicks, allowing Young and Becker to move up. Lee’s day ends () and Johnson comes in to face Alfred, who’s stronger side is the left, but we want a K here.
Alfred fails to bring the runner in after a grounder to Chartier. Whimster is intentionally walked. And there’s a debate in the dugout. Leave Johnson, who’s command is NOT good, in? Or make a move to bring in Winston for 1 hitter? Johnson stays….
And Ladd draws a full count walk…..Damn.
Pennington on to face Olivo, 1 out bases loaded…
And Olivo is frozen on a 1-2 slider, 2 outs. Winston on to try and get Brady.
And he does, punching him out on an 0-2 chase. 4-2 Tulsa bottom 8.
BOTTOM-With 2 outs Perkins drills Alexander, but Morgan grounds the 1st pitch to 2nd to end the inning.
4-2 Tulsa after 8 full.

9th Inning
TOP-Mike Moore comes in to get the switch hitting Valdez, but walks him. He gets lefty Dale Mitchell on a pop fly to right. Alex Browne, who’s been pretty dominant this post season, to get Becker and Young, and he k’s them both to end it. On to the 9th down 2.
BOTTOM-Luis Chavez opens the 9th facing Driller closer Stewart Ward and nails the 1st pitch to right center, up the gap for a double.
Ward isn’t even close, walking Riggs on 4 pitches! Fans are on their feet….
Massi Lorenzelli drops down a perfect sac, runners on 2nd and 3rd 1 out.
Ward misses badly with 2 pitches and Hudson gets it to 3-1, and Ward walks him! Bases loaded and the top of the Chicago lineup is coming up!
Coates hits a 1-2 pitch to right center, into the gap…..
Olivo runs it down but Chavez walks home, 4-3….2 outs, runners at 1st and 2nd, Jean Chartier up….
Chartier hits a high chopper down third, Mitchell charges, Alfred out….
They let it roll…….
And it stays fair for an infield hit, bases juiced, 2 outs, bottom of the 9th, Hugh Collins coming up!!! HOLY CRAP!....
Collins gets a strike, and then hits a routine grounder down to first, Whimster picks it up, and steps on the bag, game over, series tied.

[gehrig38]

Top 5 IBL hitters in home runs, innings 7-9:
Wes Morgan (CHI) 17
Angelo Gomez (COL) 16
Christian Schall (COL) 16
Travis Bryant (SI) 15
Bill Alexander (CHI) 14

El Paso signs Barron:
The Diablos inked starting catcher Cesar Barron to a 2 year 6.8 million dollar contract extension today. Baron is a career .285 hitter and the 2012 and 2013 FL Gold Glove Winner at Catcher. The contract is actually a 1 year 2.85 million dollar guarantee, with Barron holding a 3.95 million dollar option for the 2018 season.