September 28 - Playoffs round 1, Game 6

October 06, 2025, 08:17:49 AM

MSB Playoff Results – Game 6
First Round Best-of-Seven Series – Series Clincher

🏆 **SERIES CLINCHER:** Thunder Shut Out Brewers 2-0, Advance to Second Round

TRUIST PARK - Wheeler pitched seven brilliant shutout innings and the Thunder eliminated the Brewers with a tense 2-0 victory in Game 6, closing out the series 4-2 and advancing to the second round. After watching their 3-1 series lead evaporate with a devastating Game 5 loss, the Thunder responded with a dominant pitching performance that silenced the Brewers' late-series momentum.

The Thunder scratched out single runs in the second and third innings, which proved to be all Wheeler would need. Arcia delivered the game-winning RBI in the second, lacing a single to right that scored McNeil and gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead. The margin doubled in the third when Nimmo hit a sacrifice fly to right that plated Ramirez, who had reached on a fielder's choice.

"After what happened in Game 5, we knew we had to come out focused and locked in," said Thunder manager after clinching the series. "Zack Wheeler was absolutely phenomenal tonight." The veteran right-hander was masterful, allowing just two hits while striking out nine batters over seven dominant innings. The Brewers managed baserunners in multiple innings but couldn't push across a single run against the suffocating Thunder pitching.

Gilbert matched Wheeler through six innings, keeping the Brewers within striking distance, but the Thunder bullpen slammed the door shut. Turnbull and Jax combined for two perfect innings, with Jax striking out the side in the ninth to secure his third save of the series. The Brewers stranded seven runners and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, their bats falling silent when they needed them most.

The Thunder advance to face the Rum Runners in the second round after overcoming the scare of nearly blowing a 3-1 series lead. The Brewers' season ends in heartbreak after forcing Game 6 with Henderson's walk-off homer but failing to complete the comeback.

Final: Thunder 2, Brewers 0
Series: Thunder win 4-2 (ADVANCE)

📊 Full Box Score

📈 Game 6 Highlights

All First Round Series Complete:
• Dogs defeated Landlubbers 4-0
• Rum Runners defeated Kraken 4-1
• Auk defeated Argonauts 4-1
• Thunder defeated Brewers 4-2

Second Round Matchups:
• Dogs vs. Auk
• Rum Runners vs. Thunder

Dominant Pitching Performance:
• Wheeler: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 9 K in series-clinching victory
• Thunder pitching staff combined for 2-hit shutout
• Jax strikes out the side in 9th to seal series win

Offensive Standouts:
• Arcia delivers game-winning RBI single in 2nd inning
• Nimmo adds insurance run with sacrifice fly in 3rd
• Thunder manufactured just enough offense with small-ball approach

Series Turning Point:[/b>
• Thunder recovered from devastating Game 5 walk-off loss
• Responded with complete-game shutout to close out series
• Brewers stranded 7 runners, went 0-for-5 with RISP

Notable:[/b>
• Thunder advance to second round to face Rum Runners
• Brewers' comeback attempt falls short after forcing Game 6
• All four series winners advance with strong pitching performances

Re: September 28 - Playoffs round 1, Game 6

Reply #1 – October 06, 2025, 08:33:06 AM

Brandon, great series. I had you winning it all at the beginning of the year, so I'm very surprised to get past you. Wheeler has to be the MVP, but who'da thunk I'd be praising Arcia and McNeil for a deciding, most-important win of the year so far? The playoffs are somethin' else. Great season, Brandon.

Re: September 28 - Playoffs round 1, Game 6

Reply #2 – October 06, 2025, 10:02:27 AM

Congrats, Kyle. I definitely felt I had the team to beat coming into this season too. To not even get out of the first round is extremely disappointing. Good luck going forward.

Re: September 28 - Playoffs round 1, Game 6

Reply #3 – October 06, 2025, 10:06:28 AM

Quote from: BrewOR – on October 06, 2025, 10:02:27 AM

Congrats, Kyle. I definitely felt I had the team to beat coming into this season too. To not even get out of the first round is extremely disappointing. Good luck going forward.

I feel you. I blame the Auk and the Dogs for being so stinking competitive they made us the 4th and 5th seed.

Re: September 28 - Playoffs round 1, Game 6

Reply #4 – October 06, 2025, 11:53:40 AM

Congrats to Matt and the Argonauts for their season. My Auk continues to play better than expected and was able to handle Crochet and company.

All season long I vexed that the Brewers were going to steamroll to the championship. The Thunder held serve and won the series. Now the Thunder is looking like the top dog. (top not Scurvy) Looking forward to mixing it up with the Thunder.

Re: September 28 - Playoffs round 1, Game 6

Reply #5 – October 06, 2025, 02:02:32 PM

Gotta beat the best to be the best, and right now, that's the Auk! Good luck to you as well, Bob.