October 3 - Playoffs round 2, Game 3
MSB Playoff Results – Game 3, Second Round
Road teams fight off elimination with stunning victories
🏆 **GAME OF THE DAY:** Thunder Survive Epic 15-Inning Marathon, Stun Auk 5-4
TRUIST PARK - In one of the most dramatic playoff games in recent memory, Santiago Espinal drove in Nimmo with a game-winning single in the bottom of the 15th inning as the Thunder stunned the Auk 5-4 to get back in the series and cut their deficit to 2-1. The marathon contest featured multiple lead changes, clutch home runs, and nearly five hours of playoff baseball that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Nimmo opened the decisive 15th with a single, then stole second base before advancing to third on a throwing error by catcher Contreras. Espinal then delivered the walk-off hit to give the Thunder new life in the series. The game was a back-and-forth affair from the start, with Smith homering in the second inning to give the Thunder an early 1-0 lead before Ozuna answered with a solo shot in the fourth to tie it at 1-1.
The score remained deadlocked through eight innings before Rafaela crushed a solo homer in the ninth to send the game to extras tied at 2-2. After two scoreless frames, Olson delivered what appeared to be the knockout blow with a two-run double in the 11th that scored McCarthy and Smith to give the Auk a 4-2 advantage. But the Thunder refused to go quietly, with Sosa launching a dramatic two-run homer in the bottom half that tied the game at 4-4 and sent the crowd into a frenzy. "This team has shown incredible heart all season," said Thunder manager after the victory. "Down 0-2 in the series, and we find a way to win in 15 innings. That's championship character." Both bullpens were tested to their limits, with the Thunder using six relievers and the Auk burning through seven. Williams earned the victory with two scoreless innings of relief, while Ginkel took the loss after allowing the game-winning run. The series now shifts back to Oracle Park for Game 4 with the Auk leading 2-1.
Final: Thunder 5, Auk 4 (15 innings)
Series: Auk lead 2-1
📊 Full Box Score
Rum Runners Shut Out Dogs 2-0, Cut Series Deficit to 2-1
CITI FIELD - The Rum Runners pitching staff delivered a masterful combined shutout as they blanked the Dogs 2-0 in Game 3 to climb back into the series and cut their deficit to 2-1. Playing on a wet field following a 71-minute rain delay in the fourth inning, the Rum Runners got stellar work from starter Nick Lodolo and a quartet of relievers who held the Dogs scoreless despite allowing seven hits. Fry was the offensive hero for the visitors, going 2-for-4 with a solo homer in the seventh inning that provided crucial insurance after the Rum Runners had taken a 1-0 lead in the fifth. The game's first run came when Fry singled and Turang followed with a hit to put runners on the corners with none out, and Verdugo grounded into a double play that allowed Fry to score and give the Rum Runners a 1-0 advantage.
The Dogs threatened throughout the contest but could never break through against the dominant Rum Runners pitching. In the first inning, the Dogs loaded the bases with Harper singling, Diaz reaching on a hit, and Varsho drawing a walk, but Devers struck out to end the threat. The home team left nine runners on base for the game, including stranding the bases loaded in the ninth when Arraez flied out to end the contest. Lodolo worked four scoreless innings before giving way to Banks, who was followed by Alvarado earning the victory with 1.2 scoreless frames. "Our pitchers were absolutely outstanding tonight," said Rum Runners manager after the shutout. "In a must-win game on the road, they came through big." Diaz and Martinez combined for the final two innings to preserve the victory, with Martinez earning his first save of the series. Pepiot took the loss despite a quality start, allowing just one run over four innings while striking out six. The series now returns to Citi Field for Game 4 with the Dogs still holding a 2-1 series advantage.
Final: Rum Runners 2, Dogs 0
Series: Dogs lead 2-1
📊 Full Box Score
📈 Statistical Highlights
Home Run Leaders:
• Smith,WD (solo, 2nd inning), Ozuna (solo, 4th inning), Rafaela (solo, 9th inning), Sosa,E (2-run, 11th inning - tied game), Fry (solo, 7th inning)
Multi-Hit Performances:
• Olson (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Ramirez,J (2-for-7), Smith,WD (2-for-6, HR, RBI), Nimmo (2-for-7, 3B, R, SB), Rafaela (2-for-6, HR, RBI), Fry (2-for-4, HR, RBI, R), Merrill (1-for-4, SB)
Pitching Gems:
• Lodolo (4 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 5 K) - Strong start in elimination game
• Alvarado (W, 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K) - Earned victory in Game 3 shutout
• Williams,T (W, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER) - Closed out 15-inning marathon
• Wheeler (8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 K) - Quality start wasted in extra-inning loss
• Martinez,J (S, 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K) - First save of series for Rum Runners
• Combined shutout by five Rum Runners pitchers held Dogs scoreless
Extra-Inning Drama:
• Thunder-Auk game went 15 innings in 5-hour marathon
• Multiple lead changes and clutch home runs in extras
• Espinal's walk-off single in 15th ended epic battle
• Sosa's 2-run HR in 11th tied game after Auk took 4-2 lead
• Olson's 2-run double in 11th inning gave Auk brief 4-2 advantage
Clutch Performances:
• Nimmo's triple in 15th set up winning run on stolen base and error
• Espinal delivered game-winning single with Nimmo on third
• Fry's solo homer provided insurance in Rum Runners' shutout victory
• Dogs loaded bases in 1st and 9th innings but couldn't score
Weather Conditions:
• Clear, 72 degrees with 9 mph winds at Truist Park
• Wet field, threatening skies at Citi Field with 71-minute rain delay in 4th inning
• Rain delay affected pitching changes and game flow
Series Situations:
• Both road teams fought back with crucial Game 3 victories
• Thunder cut series deficit to 2-1 after losing first two on the road
• Rum Runners climb back into series at 2-1 after dropping first two at home
• Auk and Dogs still hold series advantages needing one more win to advance
• Both series return to same venues for pivotal Game 4
Notable Achievements:
• Thunder's 15-inning victory ties longest playoff game of season
• Rum Runners' combined shutout features five different pitchers
• Dogs held scoreless for first time in series despite 7 hits
• Sosa's clutch home run in 11th inning kept Thunder in the series
• Both games featured dominant pitching performances in crucial Game 3
• Thunder and Rum Runners showed championship resilience down 0-2
Topic: October 3 - Playoffs round 2, Game 3 (Read 1728 times)
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