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42
Press Clippings / Re: October 1 - Playoffs round 2, Game 2
Last post by Bob Miller -
In real life I don't know why the Seattle manager pulled Bryce Miller in the 5th    That Mariner bullpen imploded after that,   

Mutiny playoffs now go to the lower seed for three games.    Dogs and Auk held serve at home for the first two games.   We shall see.

In a best of five series the 2-2-1 format is a huge advantage to the higher seed.    Best of seven 2-3-2 however makes me wonder how strong the higher seed is as three of the first five games are at the lower seed.    2-2-1-1-1 just would be too much travel and off days to make realistic in implementation .  

Back in 1919 (Black Sox vs Cincinnati they played best of nine.   I wonder how that was set up ?   
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Press Clippings / Re: October 1 - Playoffs round 2, Game 2
Last post by Kyle -
Dangit, the Auk should hire Ryan Yarbrough to be their whipping boy. Blew the game yesterday, and blew it again today. Time for a benching.

Not that it would change anything. My offense is on a lunch break.
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Press Clippings / October 1 - Playoffs round 2, Game 2
Last post by David Johnson -
MSB Playoff Results – Game 2, Second Round
Home teams sweep to take commanding 2-0 series leads

🏆 **GAME OF THE DAY:** Gil Tosses Near-Perfect Gem as Dogs Blank Rum Runners 2-0

FENWAY PARK - Luis Gil delivered one of the most dominant playoff performances in recent memory, scattering just one hit over seven scoreless innings as the Dogs shut out the Rum Runners 2-0 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in their Second Round matchup. The right-hander was masterful from the opening pitch, retiring the first nine batters he faced and allowing only a fourth-inning single to Hoerner through his seven-frame outing. Gil struck out five and walked just two while inducing weak contact throughout the night, keeping the Rum Runners completely off balance. Ohtani provided all the offense the Dogs would need with a two-run double in the third inning that scored Kwan and Seager, both of whom reached base after singles.

The Rum Runners mounted their only serious threat in the ninth inning when Schwarber and Lowe singled to put runners on first and second with one out, but Joyce induced a flyout from Realmuto and a groundout from Palacios to preserve the shutout and earn his first save of the postseason. Tarik Skubal pitched brilliantly in a losing effort for the Rum Runners, working 7.1 innings while allowing seven hits and striking out nine, but the two runs in the third proved insurmountable against Gil's dominance. "That's as good as I've ever seen Gil throw," said Dogs manager after the victory. "When he's commanding all his pitches like that, he's virtually unhittable." Kwan reached base three times and scored both runs, while the Dogs stranded a bases-loaded opportunity in the ninth that could have provided additional insurance. The Dogs now carry a 2-0 series advantage as the series shifts to the Rum Runners' home park for Games 3 and 4.

Final: Dogs 2, Rum Runners 0
Series: Dogs lead 2-0

📊 Full Box Score


Nootbaar's 3-Run Blast Powers Auk to 6-1 Victory Over Thunder

ORACLE PARK - Lars Nootbaar crushed a decisive three-run homer in the seventh inning to break open a tight game and propel the Auk to a 6-1 victory over the Thunder in Game 2, giving the home team a commanding 2-0 series lead in their Second Round playoff matchup. Playing in frigid 45-degree temperatures with gusty winds at Oracle Park, the Auk struck first when Ozuna and Bohm singled in the opening frame before Albies doubled down the right field line to score Ozuna and give the home team an early 1-0 advantage. The Thunder answered immediately in the second when McNeil launched a solo homer to right field, tying the game at 1-1 and setting up a tense pitcher's duel that would last five more innings.

Seth Lugo was outstanding for the Auk, working seven innings while scattering four hits and allowing just McNeil's solo shot. The right-hander struck out five and walked two while keeping the Thunder lineup off balance throughout his outing. With the game still deadlocked at 1-1 in the seventh, Bohm was hit by a pitch and Olson drew a walk to put two runners aboard with two outs. Nootbaar then delivered the knockout blow, launching a towering drive to right center that cleared the wall and gave the Auk a 4-1 lead they would not relinquish. "That's what playoff heroes are made of," said Auk manager after Nootbaar's clutch performance. "In that moment, against their best relievers, he came through big." The Auk added insurance runs in the eighth when Correa doubled and Smith walked before Ozuna singled to score Correa, and Bohm followed with a groundout that plated Smith to extend the advantage to 6-1. Holton earned his second save of the series with two scoreless innings of relief. The Auk now head to the Thunder's home park needing just one victory to advance to the next round.

Final: Auk 6, Thunder 1
Series: Auk lead 2-0

📊 Full Box Score


📈 Statistical Highlights

Home Run Leaders:
• McNeil (solo, 2nd inning), Nootbaar (3-run, 7th inning - game-winner)

Multi-Hit Performances:
• Ohtani (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Kwan (2-for-3, 2 R, HBP, SB), Correa (3-for-4, 2B, R), Ozuna (2-for-5), Albies (2-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Gonzalez,R (1-for-1 pinch-hit)

Pitching Gems:
• Gil (W, 7 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 2 BB) - Near-perfect performance dominates Game 2
• Lugo (W, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 K) - Auk's ace delivers in critical Game 2
• Skubal (L, 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 9 K) - Excellent outing wasted in shutout loss
• Joyce (S, 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) - Shut the door with runners on base in ninth
• Holton (S, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER) - Second consecutive save to close out series games

Clutch Performances:
• Gil allowed only one hit through seven innings - fourth-inning single to Hoerner
• Ohtani's third-inning double provided all scoring for Dogs in shutout victory
• Nootbaar's three-run homer broke 1-1 tie and decided Game 2
• Joyce stranded two runners in ninth to preserve Dogs' shutout

Defensive Excellence:
• Dogs turned critical double play to escape fourth-inning jam
• Auk defense held Thunder to just five hits in dominant victory
• Both winning teams committed zero errors in Game 2

Weather Conditions:
• Partly cloudy, 73 degrees with 4 mph winds at Fenway Park - perfect conditions
• Cloudy and frigid 45 degrees with 8 mph winds at Oracle Park - challenging conditions

Series Situations:
• Dogs take 2-0 stranglehold over Rum Runners with consecutive home victories
• Auk dominate Thunder in back-to-back wins to seize commanding series lead
• Both road teams face elimination pressure as series shift to their home parks
• Dogs and Auk each need just one victory in next three games to advance

Notable Achievements:
• Gil's one-hit gem through seven innings ranks among best playoff performances
• Both home teams sweep opening games to take 2-0 leads
• Nootbaar's clutch home run continues playoff heroics for Auk
• Skubal's nine strikeouts wasted in losing effort despite quality start
• Dogs have allowed just two runs total in first two playoff games
• Auk outscore Thunder 10-3 through first two games of series
47
Press Clippings / September 30 - Playoffs round 2, Game 1
Last post by David Johnson -
MSB Playoff Results – Game 1, Second Round
Best-of-Seven Series open with dramatic statements

🏆 **GAME OF THE DAY:** Dogs Demolish Rum Runners 11-2 in Playoff Statement Game

FENWAY PARK - The Dogs came out swinging in Game 1 of their Second Round playoff series, overwhelming the Rum Runners 11-2 behind a dominant performance from ace Chris Sale and an explosive 16-hit attack that left no doubt about their championship aspirations. Varsho led the offensive onslaught with a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a towering home run, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base that showcased the Dogs' aggressive playoff mentality. The visiting Dogs jumped on Rum Runners starter Luis Castillo early, plating two runs in the first inning on consecutive hits by Arraez and Devers, followed by Harper's sacrifice fly. They never looked back, adding two more in the fourth, two in the fifth, and a decisive two-run blast by Chourio in the seventh that broke the game wide open at 9-2.

Kwan matched Varsho's three-hit performance, reaching base four times and scoring three runs from the leadoff spot. Sale was masterful for seven innings, scattering eight hits while allowing just two runs – a solo homer by Fry in the sixth and an earlier run in the fourth. The veteran left-hander struck out five and kept the Rum Runners off balance throughout his outing. Castillo lasted just 4.2 innings for the Rum Runners, surrendering nine hits and six earned runs in a performance that put his team in an early series hole. "This is playoff baseball at its finest," said Dogs manager after the dominant victory. "Sale set the tone on the mound, and our offense backed him up all night long." Chapman locked down the final two frames with three strikeouts to preserve the blowout victory. With a commanding 1-0 series lead, the Dogs have seized home-field advantage heading into Game 2.

Final: Dogs 11, Rum Runners 2
Series: Dogs lead 1-0

📊 Full Box Score


Auk Edge Thunder 4-2 Behind Miller's Gem, Take Series Lead

ORACLE PARK - Bobby Miller worked seven strong innings and the Auk capitalized on a wild fourth inning to defeat the Thunder 4-2 in Game 1 of their Second Round series, played in frigid 48-degree conditions with winds gusting to 17 mph at Oracle Park. The home team seized control when McCarthy reached on an error and Smith drew a walk to put two runners aboard with one out in the fourth. McCarthy promptly stole third base, and when Smith followed suit by stealing second, catcher Smith made an errant throw that allowed McCarthy to score the game's first run. Correa's walk loaded the bases before Olson walked to force in another run, and Contreras delivered a clutch RBI single to give the Auk a 2-0 advantage they would never relinquish.

The Thunder struck back in the sixth when Nimmo crushed a solo homer to right field, temporarily cutting the deficit to 2-1, but the Auk added insurance runs in the bottom half when Smith singled, Correa walked, and Olson lined an RBI single to right center before Rojas followed with an infield single that plated another run, extending the lead to 4-1. Miller scattered eight hits while allowing just two runs to earn the victory, striking out seven Thunder batters and consistently working out of trouble to strand five runners on base throughout his dominant outing. Thunder starter Tyler Glasnow struck out nine batters but lasted just five innings, surrendering four runs in the critical fourth frame. "Miller was outstanding tonight," said Auk manager after the win. "In these conditions, against their lineup, that's the kind of pitching that wins championships." Holton and Mason Miller combined for two scoreless innings of relief to lock down the victory, with Miller earning his first save of the postseason. The Auk will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in Game 2.

Final: Auk 4, Thunder 2
Series: Auk lead 1-0

📊 Full Box Score


📈 Statistical Highlights

Home Run Leaders:
• Varsho (solo, 7th inning), Chourio (2-run, 7th inning), Fry (solo, 6th inning), Nimmo (solo, 6th inning)

Multi-Hit Performances:
• Varsho (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB), Kwan (3-for-4, 3 R), Devers (2-for-5, 2 2B), Diaz,Yai (2-for-5, RBI), Seager (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Harper (1-for-4, 2 RBI, SF), Pederson (2-for-4, 2B), Olson (2-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB)

Pitching Gems:
• Sale (W, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 5 K) - Dogs dominant in Game 1
• Miller,Br (W, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 7 K) - Auk takes series lead
• Glasnow (L, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 9 K) - Strong strikeout numbers in losing effort

Playoff Intensity:
• Dogs exploded for 16 hits in Game 1 blowout victory
• Auk capitalized on fourth-inning chaos with stolen bases and defensive miscues
• Both home teams won their Game 1 openers to seize series advantage

Weather Conditions:
• Cloudy, 61 degrees with 4 mph winds at Fenway Park
• Clear but frigid 48 degrees with 17 mph winds at Oracle Park created challenging conditions

Save Situations:
• Miller,M (1st playoff save) shut down Thunder in ninth inning

Notable Achievements:
• Sale's playoff dominance continues with another seven-inning gem
• Varsho's perfect 3-for-4 night powers Dogs offensive explosion
• Dogs' 16-hit attack sets aggressive tone for playoff series
• McCarthy and Smith executed double steal in pivotal fourth inning for Auk
• Both series 1-0 after opening games, setting up crucial Game 2 matchups