The IBL's Chicago Iron Pigs

[CatKnight]

Those were some monster races to end the season. I love it when they're that close.

[gehrig38]

WC Match ups

[gehrig38]

Brooklyn-Dale Hickman (19-9 3.68)
@
Green Bay-Grant Thomas (11-9 5.18)

Rolen (GB) slams a solo shot in the bottom of the 1st, 1-0 after 1.
Same score at the end of 2.
Rolen drives in Crawford in the bottom of the 3rd, 2-0 after 3.
Carlos Andrade (BRO) hits a solo shot leading off the 4th, 2-1 after 3.5.
Arthur Fick (GB) singles in a run, 3-1 after 7.
Herreva enters in the 9th and ends it 3-1.

Green Bay 3
Brooklyn 1
W:Thomas (1-0) L:Hickman (0-1) S:Herreva (1)
HR-BRO: Andrade (1) GB: Rolen (1)

Green Bay advances

Pittsburgh-Glen Harvey (17-15 3.42)
@
Tulsa-Bryan Thomas (18-6 3.54)

Scorelss after 1.
Still no score, and no hits, through 2 innings.
Through 3 innings, 0 runs and 0 hits on the board.
Same through 4, no runs, no hits for either team.
Haqverdi Hamidov singles in the bottom of the 5th for the games 1st hit. Later,Edgardo Chavez singles in Chris Gray, 1-0 Tulsa after 5.
Pittsburgh through 6, 0 runs, 0 hits.
Thomas line through 7, 7-0-0-0-4-7.
Manuel Cantu (PIT) gets the Bulldogs 1st hit, leading off the 8th. Jon Weaver then reaches on an error. Miguel Gomez relieves Bryant Thomas, final line 7.1-1-2-0-4-7.....
Mario Orosco bunts, and makes the 2nd out.
Jeff Ball (PIT) battles to 3-2 and lines a 2 out 2 run triple to put Pittsburgh up.
Curt Whimster flies to deep left to end Tulsa's 8th, with runners on 1st and 2nd.
Jamie Vance (TUL) leads off the 9th with a single off Bulldog closer Joe Boswell. 2 hitters later he moves to 2nd on a passed ball. Edgardo Chavez grounds out to end the 9th, and the game.

Pittsburgh 2
Tulsa 1
W: Harvey (1-0) L: Thomas (0-1) S: Boswell (1)
HR: None

Pittsburgh advances

[gehrig38]

I am unsure of how or why this is happening, I am the #1 seed and should be playing the WC winner, but am not. Happened last year, and I had the settings set right.
No biggie, here are the Division Series Matchups.

[gehrig38]

I am going with a rotation of Lee, Martinez, Hall and Rogers. Zamora, I don't believe his stuff translates to post season wins. Winning in October is about power pitching, and outside of Lee those are my 3 best power arms. Both he and Andy Morgan will pitch out of the pen, with Morgan's stuff being insane in the relief role, and him able to jump in and possibly bail out an early bad start if we have one.
El Paso runs, and runs. 1st in the FL with 160 bags, and they're going to throw 2 lefties at me (Zito 11-6 3.60 and Lopez 8-7 4.08) with Ray Anderson (15-10 3.73) in the middle. I am inclined to make them go with 4 starters, as no one does 3, but their 4th and 5th options have 5.4+ ERA's.

Their offense runs around Ichiro leading off, with FL HR Champion Rafael Cuesta (45) hitting in the 5 hole. They've got thump (4th in HR's, 206) but their achilles heel looks to be their pen. It was ranked 13th at 4.74. Cuesta rides a 12 game hot streak (.295-6-14) coming in.

Collins is our hottest bat, hitting .433-6-14 in the last 19. Them tossing 2 lefties is an issue, meaning Alexander will sit, and Chavez (whom I think is the league MVP this year) and Collins, will be at a disadvantage. It's going to be about SP, it always is.

DIVISIONAL ROUND
Pittsburgh vs San Antonio

Every year there's 'the team', and this year it feels like it's Pittsburgh. They went 10-18 and actually lost the division in the final month, then were no-hit through 7 of the WC game, but still find themselves in the divisional, and likely the team NO ONE wants to face with Ramon Roa (20-7 2.60 276 K's) and Glen Harvey (17-15 3.42) as their 1-2. 1st in runs against, 1st in SP ERA and 3rd in Defense. Their pen was their weak spot, finishing 12th. They had issues scoring runs, but the biggest news is Joe Boswell getting hurt on the final pitch of their WC win, and as of now it's unclear if he's going to be available for this round, or at all. Orosco (.314-4-39) leads it off and Gomez (.279-25-80) Villanueva (.277-32-100) and Torres (.189-27-84) are the middle of the order thump.

A mid season trade pushed San Antonio to the top of the Keystone. Even with 3 of their 5 SP on the DL, and 3 position players, they're playing great. Wes Morgan (.267-15-44 in 49 games) and Mike Hamilton (10-4 3.72 in 15 starts) lead them into the divisionals. Hamilton gets the ball game 1. They were an offensive juggernaut, 2nd in runs (938) Avg (.281) 1st in OBP (.362) and 2nd in SB (165). Michael Moran (.261-26-108) is hitting leadoff. Cliff Edwards (.310-37-146) is in the MVP talk, Morgan (.278-38-104) hits behind him. 23 year old Closer Shimei Ikarashi (5-7 40 Saves 2.51) is their ace on the back end.

PREDICTION: Bulldogs in 5

Philadelphia vs Las Vegas

The 2002 California Angels, reborn. 1st in runs (939) 1st in AVG (.282) 2nd in OBP (.353) the Patriots club people to death. Their pitching ranked 13th in RA, SP ERA and DEF EFF. Their pen was 11th. They need to beat you 13-10. Carr (.348/.421) leads off, Quinn (.325-48-140) Helton (.333-22-105) and Castro (.338-23-126) bring the thunder. Octavio Vasquez (18-14 5.19) gets the game 1 nod, Millman (4-7 5.83) and Luis Acosta (9-14 5.75) are the other starters.


Back in the playoffs after 3 years out, Vegas limps in without batting champion Jesus Andrales who will miss the post season. Upper third across the board, both offensively and defensively, the 51's are a well rounded club with good SP, and a solid pen. Ross Tunstall (.250-32-102) Bob White (.279-29-104) and Pat Piercey (.282-21-99) are going to need to pick up the pace with Andrales out and Bryan Hopper (.214-3-23) leading off. Salvador Guzman (17-9 3.66) goes game 1, Robert Jensen (11-9 4.01) game 2 and Bruce Thomas (11-16 5.51) game 3. Bill Barlow (1.94, 34 Saves) gets the 9th and enters the post season hotter than any closer in the game (0.48 6 SV last 16)

PREDICTION: Philadelphia in 4

Green Bay vs New York

I think, by a long shot, this is the best 1st round series. Green Bay is a division champ many times over if they were not in our division. Upper echelon offensive club, led by SB champ Carl Crawford (.280-18-70) they have as potent a middle three as any in the game. Josh Hamilton (.323-34-109) Scott Rolen (.342-33-108 and the ONLY possible MVP if Chavez doesn't win it) and Chase Utley (.310-26-80) are the bangers (oh btw, they're without Andruw Jones (.303-21-65 in 95 games). Grant Thomas (11-9 5.18) Matt Freestone (17-11 4.87) and Kirby Dean (11-10 5.23) and Ruben Lopez (13-9 4.28) get the starts.

In my opinion the Knights are the 2nd best club in the FL. They were 2nd in RA, SP ERA and BP ERA, and 1st in Defense. 2nd in Runs scored, OBP, 5th in AVG. Led by Jesus Romano (17-10 3.70) Tim Hudson (14-5 3.71) and Millard Brown (19-8 3.81) and their pen is led by closer Stanton Snyder (6-1 2.44 41 Saves). Leadoff hitter Rusty Davey (.301-33-80) sets the table for Jose Ibarra (.307-14-79) Norm Crawford (.313-15-78) Troy Glaus (.290-36-127) and Albert Pujols (.236-9-51).

PREDICTION: New York in 4

[gehrig38]

Chicago-Ken Lee (20-8 3.48)
@
El Paso-Barry Zito (11-6 3.60)

Game was over before it started. Ken Lee (0-1) surrenders 4 HR's in the first 3.2 IP and we're in a 7-2 hole. Zito (1-0) was certainly hittable (5.2-9-2-2-4-8) but we never had a chance. Allen 2(2) Bernada (1) a leadoff shot and Haynes (1) all homered. Riggs 3-5 and Lorenzelli 3-5 were most of the Iron Pig offense.
El Paso 10 Chicago 3
W: Zito (1-0) L: Lee (0-1)
HR: EP-Allen 2(2) Bernarda (1) Haynes (1) CHI-Riggs (1)

El Paso leads the series 1-0

New York-Tim Hudson (14-5 3.71)
@
Green Bay-Matt Freestone (17-11 4.87)

Freestone and Hudson took the game to the 9th, New York up 1-0. Green Bay sent up PH Chris Thornton to face LHP Stanton Snyder, for Chase Utley (a huge question mark on the move) and Thornton responded by hitting a game tying PH homer to lead off the 9th. Green Bay sent up another PH, this time Eden Romero. Romero reached 2nd on a 2 base error by SS Tom Johnson. After an Arthur Fick K, Snyder wild pitched Romero to 3rd , Jorge Sanchez was walked to setup the double play. Snyder managed to punch John Porter out, bringing up Carl Crawford. On a 1-1 count Snyder uncorked his 2nd wild pitch of the inning, and Romero crossed home with the walk off, game winning run.
Green Bay 2 New York 1
W: Herreva (1-0) L: Snyder (0-1)
HR- GB: Thornton (1)

Green Bay leads the series 1-0

Las Vegas-Salvador Guzman (17-9 3.66)
@
Philadelphia-Octavio Vasquez (18-14 5.19)

Taking a 3-1 lead into the bottom of 5, the Patriots scored 6 times to put the game away. Jesus Castro (PHI) was 3-5 with a 2B, HR (1) and 6 RBI's. Todd Helton was 3-5 with a HR (1) and 2 RBI's.
Philadelphia 13 Las Vegas 4
W: Vasquez (1-0) L: Guzman (0-1)
HR-LV: Hooper (1) PHI: Castro (1) Helton (1)

Philadelphia leads the series 1-0

San Antonio-Mike Hamilton (19-8 4.64)
@
Pittsburgh-Vincente Elisary (10-14 3.88)

Leading 6-4 heading to the 8th San Antonio scored 4 times in the final 2 frames to win game 1. Dean Russell was 4-5 scoring 3 times, Lando Jongmans was 3-5 and Landon Walker drove in 3. Manuel Cantu was 4-4 in the loss.
San Antonio 10 Pittsburgh 5
W: Hamilton (1-0) L: Elisary (0-1)
HR-PIT: Villanueva (1) Cantu (1)

San Antonio leads the series 1-0

[gehrig38]

Pittsburgh learned they'll be without Joe Boswell, their closer, for the post season. A strained triceps will keep him on the DL at least 3 weeks.

[gehrig38]

Chicago-Roberto Martinez (19-7 3.35)
@
El Paso-Ray Anderson (15-10 3.73)

Hugh Collins jump starts Chicago in a must win game with a 1st inning 3 run homer. Roberto Martinez and 6 relievers managed to keep the game 4-3 entering the 9th when Pedro Salinas lined a 2 out 3 run homer off Diablo Closer Julio Baez. Salinas went 3-5 with 4 RBI's, Collins drove in 3 in a 2-5 day.
Chicago 8 El Paso 4
W: Martinez (1-0) L: Anderson (0-1)
HR-CHI: Collins (1) Salinas (1) EP: Peck (1) Gaskin (1)

Series tied 1-1

New York-Jesus Romano (17-10 3.70)
@
Green Bay-Ruben Lopez (13-9 4.28)

John Porters 3 run homer in the 4th turned a 1-0 game into a 4-0 game and Green Bay went on to score 8 more times in a rout of the Knights. Carl Crawford hit a 7th inning Grand Slam and Scott Rolen went 3-4. Kevin Corfield was 3-4 with a HR in the loss. Green Bay tagged New York ace Jesus Romano with 10 hits and 6 earned runs in 4 IP.
Green Bay 12 New York 1
W: Lopez (1-0) L: Romano (0-1)
HR- NY: Corfield (1) GB: Porter (1) Crawford (1)

Green Bay leads the series 2-0

Las Vegas-Robert Jensen (11-9 4.01)
@
Philadelphia-Luis Acosta (9-14 5.75)

Up 4-2 entering the 7th former Iron Pig prospect Jorge Trujillo hit a grand slam to blow open the game, and tie the series.
Las Vegas 9 Philadelphia 3
W: Jensen (1-0) L: Acosta (0-1)
HR-LV: Trujillo (1)

Series tied 1-1

San Antonio-Bill Shook (8-4 4.04)
@
Pittsburgh-Vincente Castillo (12-14 4.37)

Bulldog outfielder Jeff Ball had to come out of the game after being hit in the 1st inning. Why did that matter? In the 8th inning San Antonio's Bill Shook (who won Rookie of the Year with Pittsburgh) was leading 1-0 when Ball's replacement, Jeff Weaver, lined a 2 strike 2 out gapper, plating 2 runs and giving the Bulldogs a HUGE win. There were 9 total hits in the game. Weaver's double was the only extra base hit in the contest.
Pittsburgh 2 San Antonio 1
W: Clark (1-0) L: Shook (0-1) S: Martin (1)
HR- NONE

Series tied 1-1

[gehrig38]

El Paso-Jose Lopez (8-7 4.08)
@
Chicago-Stan Hall (5-2 2.75)

Not sure if starting the rookie is going to be the smart move. He's probably my best pitcher, stuff wise, already, but this is asking a lot. Find out if he's the ace I think he is real quick. With Lopez, and likely Zito in game 4, back to back lefties which certainly hinders my offense.

What a game. Leading 3-2 in the top of the 8th, Hall allowed a leadoff 2B to Chris Harvey, and was pulled for lefty Jake Ellison to face Caden Haynes. Haynes lined a 1st pitch double to tie the game. Chance Holt relieved him. 2 outs later Holt intentionally walks Cuesta, and I sat, for a good 5 minutes, debating. I had 1 lefty (Pennington) in the pen, and the game was tied. I likely could not use him for more than 1-2 hitters and then I'd need to get a right in, do I spend him? I didn't, at final call I didn't, and lefty Richard Harper lines an 0-1 pitch for an RBI single to left, Haynes scores the go ahead run.

They bring in Romano to close and Lorenzelli leads off. Again a multi-minute debate. Do I go with another RHH, who has a better eye and better shot at getting on? I debate, Alexander? Webb? I might need Alexander in Millers spot in the 9th? I let Lorenzelli hit, and he gets hit. HBP to start the inning. Rivera sacs him over, Riggs then flies out for the 2nd out. LHP Quincy Gallagher comes in to face Chavez. Chavez laces an 0-1 pitch to left for a game tying single! They leave the lefty in! And on a 2-1 pitch Pedro Salinas drills a 449ft bomb to deep left center for a 6-4 lead!

Cruz walks Chris Harvey with 2 outs, and retires Cesar Barron for the final out. Huge win. Great game.

Chicago 6 El Paso 4
W: Holt (1-0) L Gallagher (0-1) SV Cruz (1)
HR-EP: Cuesta (1) CHI:Salinas (2)

Chicago leads the series 2-1

Green Bay-Grant Thomas (11-9 5.18)
@
New York-Millard Brown (19-8 3.81)

Trailing 2-0 entering the 8th Carl Crawford drills a 1 out game tying homer off Knights starter Millard Brown. Brown punched out 12 in 8.1 sterling innings. The game stayed 2-2 into the 13th, when New York got a leadoff single from Jose Ibarra and a 1 out single from Troy Glaus to put runners on the corners. With 1 out Albert Pujols hit a grounder to short with a drawn in infield and Ibarra beat the throw home to give New York a must win.

New York 3 Green bay 2 (13)
W: Snyder (1-1) L Frank (0-1)
HR-GB:Crawford (2)

Green Bay leads the series 2-1

Pittsburgh-Ramon Roa (20-7 2.60)
@
San Antonio-Howard Crane (12-7 4.72)

Manuel Cantu's 2 run homer in the 1st helped Pittsburgh jump to a 2-0 lead. San Antonio made it 4-3 after 5 but single runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th won it for the Bulldogs. Mario Orosco was 3-5, scoring twice, Jeff Weeks went 4-4 and scored twice as well. Louis Martin went the final 2.2 IP for the save in a shortened Pittsburgh pen. Howard Crane gave up a playoff record 14 hits in 6.1 IP.
Pittsburgh 7 San Antonio 3
W: Roa (1-0) L: Crane (0-1) S:Martin (2)
HR-PIT: Cantu (2) Villanueva (2) SAN: Correa (1)

Pittsburgh leads the series 2-1

Philadelphia-Dan Millman (4-7 5.83)
@
Las Vegas-Bruce Thomas (11-16 5.51)

Up 2-0 entering the 6th Philly would score 12 runs over the final 4 innings to rout Las Vegas in game 3. Todd Helton was 5-6 with a 2B, HR and 2 RBI's. Pete Merrit drove in 4 with 2 home runs and Doug Fleming went 3-5.
Philadelphia 14 Las Vegas 2
W: Millman (1-0) L: Thomas (0-1)
HR-PHI: Hardin (1) Helton (2) Merritt 2(2) LV: Trujillo (2)

Philadelphia leads the series 2-1

[gehrig38]

El Paso-Barry Zito (1-0 3.18)
@
Chicago-Bryan Rogers (16-2 3.90)

Luis Chavez went 4-4 drilling a HR, stealing a base and driving in 2 and Bryan Rogers went the distance on a 5-hitter as we took 3 straight after being pummeled in the opener.
Chicago 4 El Paso 1
W: Rogers (1-0) L: Zito (1-1)
HR-EP: Cuesta (2) CHI: Chavez (1)

Chicago wins series 3-1
SERIES MVP-Luis Chavez 10-17 4 Runs 2B HR 4 RBI's 2 SB .588/.632/1.455

Green Bay-Matt Freestone (0-0 1.13)
@
New York-Tim Hudson (0-0 0.00)

Albert Pujols 1st inning 3 run homer backed by 7 strong from Tim Hudson pushed the series to a 5th game tomorrow. The Knights scored 5 in the 1st 3 and held on for the win. Rusty Davey went 2-4 with a HR, SB and 2 runs scored.
New York 5 Green Bay 3
W: Hudson (1-0) L: Freestone (0-1) S: Snyder (1)
HR-GB: Rolen (2) NY: Davey (1) Pujols (1)

Series tied 2-2

Pittsburgh-Glen Harvey (1-0 0.00)
@
San Antonio-Mike Hamilton (1-0 4.70)

The Bulldogs jumped to a 4-0 lead after 3 but San Antonio scored 1 in the 4th and 4 in the 5th to take a 5-4 lead. Dale Mitchell then put Pittsburgh ahead with a 2 out 2 run homer in the 7th and SP Vincente Castillo came out of the pen to get the final 4 outs, and the series win for the Bulldogs.
Pittsburgh 7 San Antonio 5
W: Harvey (2-0) L Hamilton (1-1) S: Castillo (1)
HR- PIT: Mitchell (1) Gomez (1) SAN: Morgan (1)

Pittsburgh wins the series 3-1
SERIES MVP Glen Harvey 2-0 2.25 16 IP 10 H 11 K's

Philadelphia-Octavio Vasquez (1-0 3.86)
@
Las Vegas-Salvador Guzman (0-1 9.64)

Vegas jumped out 1-0 after 2. Philly answered with 5 in the 3rd. Vegas then scored 5 over the next 3 before Philly put another 5 spot on the board in the 6th to take a 10-7 lead. 3 Patriot relievers got the final 9 outs without allowing a hit and Philly put Las Vegas away 3 games to 1.
Philadelphia 10 Las Vegas 7
W: Quinones (1-0) L: Benjamin (0-1) S Gibbons (1)
HR- PHIL: Helton (3) LV: Piercey 2(2) Tunstall (1) Trujillo (3)

Philadelphia wins the series 3-1
SERIES MVP Todd Helton 10-17 5 Runs 2 2B's 3 HR's 8 RBI's .588/.650/1.235

[gehrig38]

Green Bay-Kirby Dean (0-0 0.00)
@
New York-Jesus Romano (0-1 13.50)

Playing this in real time sim mode, updating as it happens...

Ibara (NY) singles and is caught stealing to end the 1st 0-0.
Chris Thornton drills a 1 out solo shot in the 2nd, 1-0 heading to the bottom of 2.
1-0 after 2 full.
1-0 after 3, Romano has 4K's Dean 3-1-0-0-0-0.
In the top of the 4th Chris Thornton hits his 2nd HR of the game, a 2 run shot to make it 3-0 Green Bay.
Glaus and Pujols pop up with runners at 1st and 2nd in the 4th, 3-0 after 4 full.
3-0 after 5.
Arthur Fick hits a bases loaded sac fly, 4-0 after 6 ½.
Jose Ibarra homers to get the Knights on the board, 4-1 after 6.
Romano through 7, (7-5-4-4-2-10) losing 4-1.
Dean through 7, (7-4-1-1-2-4)
Dean through 8 (8-4-1-1-4-4)
Lee Cameron comes in to get the final 2 outs, Dean dominates and Green Bay moves on.
Green Bay 5 New York 1
W: Dean (1-0) L: Romano (0-2)
HR- GB: Thornton 2 (3) NY: Ibarra (1)

Green Bay wins the series 3-2
SERIES MVP- Chris Thornton 6-7 6 Runs 2 2B's 3 HR's 5 RBI's 2 GW HR's

[gehrig38]

FRONTIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Green Bay vs Chicago
I expected New York to beat the Blizzard but that wasn't an upset by any means. This is our second post season meeting, having met in 2016 on our way to being beaten by Tulsa in the 2016 World Series (about as unforgettable a 9th inning as there could ever be). I feel ok, not cocky, but confident for 1 reason. They're potent offense is run by Crawford, Calhoun, Hamilton and Utley, all left handed. I have Lee and Hall. If Lee doesn't pitch better it doesn't matter, but I don't expect to stinkers like that. Also, they're throwing all righties at us, which means our full offense will be out there. Francicso Herreva, their closer, is day to day for the next few with a mild ab strain, so that could be something to watch.

PREDICTION-Chicago in 6

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia
The Keystone division representing the Keystone state. Pittsburgh will be shooting for their 3rd World Series, (0 wins) while Philly shoots to win their 2nd world series (2014 champs over San Antonio). This series seems to be 100% about Pittsburgh's pitching and Philly's offense. If the Bulldogs get any pitching at all, and their offense hits the Philly starters like everyone else, this could be a blowout.

PREDICTION-Pittsburgh in 5

[gehrig38]

Green Bay-Ruben Lopez (1-0 1.04)
@
Chicago-Ken Lee (0-1 17.18)

Green Bay jumps out to a 1-0 lead after 3 but Pedro Salinas hits a game tying solo shot in the 4th. Carl Crawfords leadoff HR in the 6th puts them back on top 2-1 but Hugh Collins hits his own solo shot in the 7th to tie it again, 2-2. They stick with Lopez in the 8th after Rivera singles to start it. Riggs moves him up and Chavez punches out. With 2 outs Salinas laces a single to left scoring Rivera with what would be the game winning run. Lee and Lopez dueled into the 8th with Lee getting a huge hand from Winston and Elllison before Cruz gets the final 2 outs.
Chicago 3 Green Bay 2
W: Winston (1-0) L: Lopez (1-1) S: Cruz (2)
HR-GB: Crawford (3) CHI: Collins (2) Salinas (3)

Chicago leads the series 1-0

Pittsburgh-Vincente Elisary (0-1 14.73)
@
Philadelphia-Luis Acosta (0-1 10.50)

Mario Orosco hit the games 1st pitch out, and after a 1st inning that saw 4 runs on 6 hits, and a 2-2 tie, the Bulldogs scored 4 unanswered runs to take a 6-2 lead. Greg McCain's 2 out RBI double made it 6-4 but Pittsburgh's pen, minus their closer, clutched up again, getting the final 4 outs with hitless ball.
Pittsburgh 6 Philadelphia 4
W: Elisary (1-1) L: Acosta (0-2) S: Clark (1)
HR-PIT: Orosco (1) Mitchell (2) Villanueva (3)

Pittsburgh leads the series 1-0

[gehrig38]

Green Bay-Grant Thomas (1-0 1.72)
@
Chicago-Roberto Martinez (1-0 5.40)

Scott Rolen drilled a 3 run shot in the 1st. Alexanders solo shot in the 2nd and Salinas' 2 run shot in the 3rd tied it. Martinez walked a tight rope, getting out of huge jams in the 2nd and 3rd before caving. Carl Crawfords 4th playoff HR, a 2 run shot in the 4th, made it 5-3 and after another run in the 6th it was the end of his day. Down 6-3, Hugh Collins drilled a 3 run game tying shot in the 5th to tie it, and then leading off the 7th, hit his 2nd homer of the game to plate what would be the game winner. Randy Pennington was sensational, coming in with 1 out in the 5th and tossing 3.1 perfect innings, striking out 6 to get the win. Ernest Cruz got the games final 4 outs.
Chicago 7 Green Bay 6
W: Pennington (1-0) L: Becker (0-1) S: Cruz (3)
HR- GB: Rolen (3) Crawford (4) CHI: Alexander (1) Collins 2 (4) Salinas (4)

Chicago leads the series 2-0

Pittsburgh-Ramon Roa (1-0 4.26)
@
Philadelphia-Dan Millman (1-0 0.00)

Never a game. Pittsburgh pounded Philly for 12 runs and 17 hits lead by Villanueva (3-4 2B, HR) Cantu (3-4 2B) and Snyder (3-5). Orosco got things started again, leading off with a double and scoring on a Villanueva 2B with 1 out. Roa tossed 8 strong, punching out 7.
Pittsburgh 12 Philadelphia 3
W: Roa (2-0) L: Millman (1-1)
HR- PIT: Mitchell (3) Villanueva (4) PHI: Quinn 2 (2)

Pittsburgh leads the series 2-0

[gehrig38]

Chicago-Stan Hall (0-0 3.86)
@
Green Bay-Matt Freestone (0-1 5.06)

Hall going again. If he can stay composed, being lefty against this lineup with his power stuff, we could be in a fantastic position after this one. BTW He's 3-0 0.98 27.2 IP 17 K's in his last 4 starts.

Massi Lorenzelli boots a ball in the 1st, 2 hitters later it's 3-0 on 0 earned runs. That's when Stan Hall took a huge step in what could be a pivotal day in his career. The big lefty proceeded to go the next 6 innings giving up next to nothing. Finishing the day with a line of 7-7-3-0-1-6. On the flip side the Iron Pig Offense, after a 3 up 3 down 1st, managed to mash 17 hits and score 14 times in the next 8 innings. Chavez went 3-5 driving in 2, Coates 2-6 2 RBI's, Collins 3-5 2B, HR, 3 runs and 4 RBI's and Paul Riggs was 4-5 with a 2B, SB 2 runs and 2 RBI's.
Chicago 14 Green Bay 4
W: Hall (1-0) L Freestone (0-2)
HR- CHI-Collins (5)

Chicago leads the series 3-0

Philadelphia-Octavio Vasquez (1-0 6.94)
@
Pittsburgh-Glen Harvey (2-0 2.25)

Vasquez yields a 2 out RBI double to Villanueva in the 1st, and then shuts down the Bulldog offense over the next 8. A CG 6-hitter while the offense jumps on the Bulldog staff after Glen Harvey has to come out in the 2nd. Valentin goes 3-4, Hardin 1-2 with a 3 run homer and Helton and Quinn hit 2B's.
Philadelphia 6 Pittsburgh 1
W: Vasquez (2-0) L: Castro (0-1)
HR- PHI: Hardin (2)

Pittsburgh leads the series 2-1

Deja Vu all over again. Our only WS title came at the Bulldogs expense and in that post season they were racked with injuries. Boswell is out and Glen Harvey has a serious ab strain that will sideline him for the remainder of the post season. Boswell, their closer, is out another week before being able to return and CF Juan Torres was hurt on the 5th of this month and is out for the post season as well.

On the other side, the Patriots have lost OF Jesus Castro (.338-23-126) for at least the next 6 months after he broke his kneecap in yesterdays game.

[gehrig38]

Chicago-Bryan Rogers (1-0 1.00)
@
Green Bay-Kirby Dean (1-0 1.08)

Bill Alexander's solo shot in the 2nd opened the scoring. Josh Hamilton knotted it up with his own homer in the 3rd. Massi Lorenzelli broke the tie in the 4th and Pedro Salinas opened it up in the 5th with his 5th playoff homer. Rogers would hold the Blizzard to a single run through 6, and Ellison, Winston and Moore did the same before our 4 run 9th ended any doubt.
Chicago 10 Green Bay 1
W-Rogers (2-0) L-Dean (1-1)
HR- CHI: Alexander (2) Salinas (5) GB: Hamilton (1)

Chicago wins the series 4-0
Series Co-MVPs-Pedro Salinas 10-14 5 Runs 3 HR's 6 RBI's, Hugh Collins 8-16 8 Runs, 2 2B's 4 HR's 9 RBI's

Philadelphia-Sergio Carrillo (0-0 13.50)
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Pittsburgh-Vincente Castillo (0-0 1.08)

Down 5-1 after 3, 6-2 after 4 the Patriots fought back before David Flemings 2nd homer of the night, with 1 out in the 9th and 1 on, off temp closer Will Clark, gave them an 8-7 win and a series tie. Jose Valentin went 4-5 with a HR and Fleming drove in 4 for Philly. Alejandro Villanueva went 2-5 with a 3 run homer and 4 RBI's in the loss. Philly battled early on after losing SP Sergio Carrillo to an undisclosed injury in the 3rd inning. Clark was the 6th of 7 Bulldog relievers as they continue to make due without closer Joe Boswell.
Philadelphia 8 Pittsburgh 7
W-Escalante (1-0) L: Clark (1-1) SV: Gibbons (2)
HR- PHI: Valentin (1) McCain (1) Fleming 2 (2) PIT: Villanueva (5)

Series tied 2-2

[gehrig38]

Philadelphia-Luis Acosta (0-2 9.49)
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Pittsburgh-Vincente Elisary (1-1 7.15)

Tied 3-3 in the 8th, with 2 outs and the bases loaded, Bulldog reliever Antonio Castro walks in 2 runs to give the Patriots a 5-3 win.
Philadelphia 5 Pittsburgh 3
W-Acosta (1-2) L-Martin (0-1) S-Gibbons (3)
HR- PHI: Quinn (3) PIT: Villanueva (6) Ball (1)

Philadelphia leads the series 3-2

[gehrig38]

Pittsburgh-Ramon Roa (2-0 3.77)
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Philadelphia-Dan Millman (1-1 5.87)

Tied 2-2 in the 3rd, Pittsburgh rattles off 7 runs over the next 3 frames to punish Philly 10-5 and force a 7th game. Alejandro Villanueva hit his 7th post season homer this year and Ramon Roa went 7.1, punching out 7 to win his 3rd.
Pittsburgh 10 Philadelphia 5
W-Roa (3-0) L-Millman (1-2)
HR- PIT: Mitchell (4) Villanueva (7) PHI: Hardin (3)

Series tied 3-3

[gehrig38]

Word came down that Philly SP Sergio Carrillo will miss the next 4 months. The 25 year old was being counted on to get the Patriots to their 2nd world series. He was 6-1 3.00 in 9 regular season starts.

[gehrig38]

Pittsburgh-Vincente Castillo (0-0 3.38)
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Philadelphia-Octavio Vasquez (2-0 4.35)

Down 3-2 in the 4th Philly got a 2 run homer from Todd Helton to take the lead, and Vasquez, Escalante and Gibbons managed to hold on over the final 5 for a Philly win, and their 2nd World Series berth. Alejandro Villanueva set records left and right, in a losing effort. Going 14-30, hitting in all 7 games, scoring 8 runs, with 3 2B's and an LCS record 6 HR's and 15 RBI's. He's the 1st IBL player to win a post season series MVP with a losing team.
Philadelphia 7 Pittsburgh 4
W: Vasquez (3-0) L Castillo (0-1) S Gibbons (4)
HR- PIT: Villanueva (8) PHI: Helton (4)

Philadelphia wins the series 4-3
SERIES MVP-Alejandro Villanueva 14-30 8 Runs 3 2B's 6 HR's 15 RBI's