October 1 - Playoffs round 2, Game 2
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
Topic: October 1 - Playoffs round 2, Game 2 (Read 3202 times)
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