September 24 - Playoffs round 1, Game 3
MSB Playoff Results – Game 3
First Round Best-of-Seven Series
🏆 **GAME OF THE DAY:** Dogs Move to Brink of Sweep with 4-3 Thriller Over Landlubbers
KAUFFMAN STADIUM - Ohtani crushed a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the 11th inning to lift the Dogs to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Landlubbers in Game 3, moving within one win of completing a first-round sweep. The dramatic extra-inning battle featured multiple momentum swings and clutch defensive plays that had the sellout crowd on edge throughout the night.
The Landlubbers struck first with Bell's two-run blast in the opening frame, but the Dogs battled back with a two-run fourth inning sparked by Harper's walk and Diaz's single. Varsho's RBI single gave them their first lead at 2-1. The game remained tight until Fitzgerald's solo homer in the sixth tied it at 3-3, setting up the dramatic extra-innings finish.
Devers launched a game-tying homer in the ninth off closer Iglesias to force extras at 3-3. After both teams went scoreless in the 10th despite opportunities, Ohtani delivered the knockout blow in the 11th, driving a 1-0 pitch deep down the right field line. "That's what superstars do in playoff moments," said Dogs manager after the victory. "He came through when we needed him most."
Joyce earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, while Megill secured his second save with a perfect 11th. The Dogs now lead the series 3-0 and can complete the sweep in Game 4 tomorrow night. The Landlubbers face elimination as their season hangs by a thread.
Final: Dogs 4, Landlubbers 3 (11 innings)
Series: Dogs lead 3-0
📊 Full Box Score
Rum Runners Dominate Kraken 5-1 to Take Series Lead
AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD - The Rum Runners seized control of their playoff series with a commanding 5-1 victory over the Kraken in Game 3, powered by Schwarber's two-run homer and a dominant pitching performance from Lodolo. The left-hander was nearly unhittable through 5.1 innings, striking out eight while allowing just one run to silence a hostile road crowd.
The Kraken grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second on Meyers' solo blast, but the Rum Runners responded with patience and power. After scratching two runs across in the sixth, they broke the game open with a three-run seventh inning that featured timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. Hoerner's two-run double to left center proved to be the crushing blow, extending the lead to 5-1.
"Lodolo set the tone early and our offense capitalized when we had chances," said Rum Runners manager after the game. The bullpen combined for 3.2 scoreless innings to seal the victory, with Brown pitching two perfect frames to close it out. The Kraken managed just five hits and left five runners on base in the deflating loss.
The series now shifts back to the Kraken's home park with the Rum Runners holding a 2-1 advantage and momentum firmly on their side.
Final: Rum Runners 5, Kraken 1
Series: Rum Runners lead 2-1
📊 Full Box Score
Auk Batter Argonauts 7-2, Move Within One Win of Sweep
PNC PARK - The Auk pounded out 17 hits and cruised to a 7-2 victory over the reeling Argonauts in Game 3, moving to the brink of a first-round sweep. Pages led the offensive onslaught by going 3-for-6 while reaching base in all five plate appearances, while Correa delivered three RBIs including a crucial two-run single in the fourth inning that extended the lead.
Musgrove was masterful through six shutout innings, scattering four hits while striking out seven to completely stymie the Argonauts' offense. "We're clicking on all cylinders right now," said Auk manager. "When your starter gives you six zeros and the offense scores in four different innings, that's a recipe for playoff success."
The Argonauts showed brief life in the late innings with Alvarez's solo homer in the seventh and eighth, but it was far too little against the relentless Auk attack. The visitors added insurance runs in the ninth on back-to-back doubles by Correa and Contreras, followed by Smith's RBI single that made it 7-2.
Crochet struggled mightily for the Argonauts, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in just four innings of work. Four errors by the home team compounded their misery on a night where nothing went right. The Argonauts face elimination in Game 4.
Final: Auk 7, Argonauts 2
Series: Auk lead 3-0
📊 Full Box Score
Brewers Rally for 9-5 Win, Avoid Sweep Against Thunder
BUSCH STADIUM - The Brewers kept their playoff hopes alive with a crucial 9-5 victory over the Thunder in Game 3, avoiding elimination behind Perez's four-RBI performance and Santana's go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning. The home team overcame sloppy defense and an early deficit to force at least one more game in the series.
The Thunder jumped ahead 1-0 in the first and appeared poised to close out the sweep when they erupted for four runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-4 lead. However, the Brewers' offense proved unstoppable, pounding out 15 hits including eight for extra bases. "We knew we had to score runs tonight and our guys responded," said Brewers manager.
After Perez's two-run blast in the second tied the game, the Brewers continued their assault. With the score tied 5-5 entering the seventh, Lowe singled and Perez delivered again with an RBI single before Santana's towering three-run shot gave them an 8-5 cushion. They added an insurance run in the eighth as Chapman stole second and scored on an error.
Despite committing four errors, the Brewers got strong relief work from their bullpen after Imanaga's gutsy 6.2-inning start. The Thunder now lead the series 2-1 but lost their chance to complete the sweep on their home field.
Final: Brewers 9, Thunder 5
Series: Thunder lead 2-1
📊 Full Box Score
📈 Game 3 Playoff Highlights
Series Standings:
• Thunder lead Brewers 2-1
• Rum Runners lead Kraken 2-1
• Dogs lead Landlubbers 3-0
• Auk lead Argonauts 3-0
Offensive Stars:
• Pages (3-for-6, 3 runs), Correa (4-for-5, 3 RBIs), Perez (3-for-5, 4 RBIs, HR), Santana (3-for-5, 3 RBIs, HR), Schwarber (HR, 2 RBIs), Hoerner (double, 2 RBIs), Ohtani (game-winning HR in 11th)
Pitching Dominance:
• Lodolo (5.1 IP, 1 ER, 8 K), Musgrove (6 IP, 0 ER, 7 K), Joyce (2 IP, 0 ER, 1 K, Win), Cortes (7 IP, 2 ER, 9 K)
Extra-Inning Thriller:
• Dogs rally to defeat Landlubbers 4-3 in 11 innings on Ohtani's clutch homer
On the Brink:
• Both Argonauts and Landlubbers face elimination after falling behind 0-3
• Auk's 17-hit attack puts them one win away from advancing
• Dogs' 11-inning thriller moves them within one win of sweep
Series Momentum:
• Rum Runners take 2-1 lead with dominant road victory
• Brewers avoid sweep with 9-5 win, force Game 4
Topic: September 24 - Playoffs round 1, Game 3 (Read 1396 times)
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