One team would celebrate a trip to the World Series
October 7: In a rematch of Game 1, Felix Hernandez and Justin
Verlander squared off with an immediate goal: get their team to the 2013 BARB
World Series.
In the first matchup, Hernandez
outdueled Verlander, allowing three runs in 7 1/3 innings while striking out
11. Verlander had a shutout into the seventh inning in that game, but he
recorded only one out in that frame and was charged with four runs.
The wild card Frostbite Falls Flying
Squirrels took that first game and the second in Yuma. Chris Melkonian’s
Firebirds came back to overwhelm the Squirrels twice in northern Minnesota, all
of which set up the rubber match back in the desert.
Frostbite Falls manager Mike Noakes,
after his offense scored a total of two runs in the two home games, shook up
his lineup and was rewarded in the top of the first when Kendrys Morales lined
a two-out, bases-empty double and Mike Trout followed with an RBI single.
FROSTBITE FALLS 1, YUMA 0
Yuma came right back in the bottom half.
Nick Markakis and Andrew McCutchen singled, and Ben Zobrist completed
manufacturing the run by lifting a sacrifice fly to right.
YUMA
1, FROSTBITE FALLS 1
Over the next few innings, it was all
Hernandez could do to keep Yuma from scoring more. With first and third
occupied and one out in the second, Andrelton Simmons smashed a line drive to
Evan Longoria’s right. “Longo” dove and stabbed the ball before scrambling to
the bag and doubling up Denard Span, who had strayed too far down the line!
In the third, the Firebirds worked into
the same situation: first and third, one away. Zobrist again stepped up.
Another fly ball would put Yuma in the lead. This time, however, he grounded it
right at Yonder Alonso. The Frostbite first baseman had a choice: go to second
and attempt a double play—taking the risk that Zobrist’s speed would beat out
the back end and allow the run to score—or see if Joey Votto broke for home and
try for the tag play at the plate. Votto went, and so did Alonso. His throw was
JUST in time for Wilson Ramos to
swipe the tag and keep the game tied! Buster Posey, up next, cut under a curve
for a harmless can of corn to end the frame.
The Flying Squirrels, buoyed by good
bounces and great defense, swung the bats with more confidence in the top of
the fourth. Trout led off with a single but was forced at second on a poor bunt
attempt by Bryce Harper. Austin Jackson walked, and Jose Reyes took advantage
of the runner in scoring position with an RBI double down the left field line.
FROSTBITE FALLS 2, YUMA 1
After Hernandez set down the Firebirds
in order, Kendrys Morales added breathing room. After a double play off the bat
of Longoria, Morales pulled a drive deep down the right field line—and gone!
Just a solo shot, but any extra runs off Verlander are highly valued.
FROSTBITE FALLS 3, YUMA 1
It appeared that run would be extra
valuable as Yuma put two on with two out in the bottom of the fifth. Zobrist
had another chance, but he failed to make contact and was retired on three
pitches.
The repeated failures to put the ball
safely in the outfield seemed to deflate Yuma. Verlander went back out for the
seventh inning and induced a groundout, but he hung an 0-2 slider to Jason
Kipnis. The second baseman was all over it and ended up on second with a
double. The first pitch to Longoria was another hanger, and this time it was
blasted OVER the wall in left, a two-run shot!
FROSTBITE FALLS 5, YUMA 1
Against many bullpens a four-run lead
with three innings to play would be almost insurmountable. Facing Frostbite’s
‘pen, and with Yuma’s vaunted offense, well…anything is possible. The best hope
for the visitors was for Hernandez to remain in the game and continue holding
off the Firebirds.
Hernandez was up to the challenge,
sandwiching a strikeout, flyout and groundout around a Votto five-hopper
through the left side. He was given more breathing room in the eighth, when
Alonso dumped a soft line drive into center and Harper and Jackson sped around
to score.
FROSTBITE FALLS 7, YUMA 1
The single drove many of the home fans
to rush toward the exits, but their team had one last gasp. With Hernandez over
100 pitches in the bottom half of the eighth inning, Zobrist and Posey singled
and doubled, respectively, to lead off. Span fouled off three pitches but then
flailed away for the first out. Zimmerman also fouled a few but then froze on a
2-2 curve. Rookie Anthony Rendon showed his youth and inexperience and helped
Hernandez finish his night with a first-pitch pop-up at the plate.
Three outs remained for each side.
Frostbite went 1-2-3 and sent out Antonio Bastardo to seal the victory. No base
runners and 13 pitches later, the Squirrels were flying on the field to
celebrate a return to the BARB World Series.
FINAL: FROSTBITE FALLS 7,
YUMA 1
There was quite a dichotomy in the
post-game celebrations among certain players. In the winning clubhouse,
long-time Flying Squirrels Hernandez, Tim Lincecum and injured Albert Pujols
shared knowing nods as they sprayed champagne once again. Markakis, Votto and
Zimmerman, among others, sat in the dugout and watched the jubilant party on
the field with blank stares. Falling at the hands of Frostbite in the playoffs
has become a regular occurrence for the powerhouse deftly handled by Melkonian:
2004 first round: Frostbite 3, Yuma 2
2005 World Series: Frostbite 4, Yuma 2
2006 World Series: Frostbite 4, Yuma 3
2010 first round: Frostbite 3, Yuma 1
2011 World Series: Frostbite 4, Yuma 1
MVP: FELIX HERNANDEZ
“The King” ruled this series. He started
Games 1 and 5 on the road, winning both and allowing four runs while striking
out 17 and walking one over 15 1/3 innings. He did benefit from some balls
scorched right at his defense, but he also made the right pitches in stressful
situations. Hernandez kept the game in his hands, averaging 127 pitches in the
two outings. Unfortunately for his team, his Game 5 start means he is unable to
throw until Game 3 of the World Series. The Squirrels would have to rely on
their other starting pitchers to get off on the right foot.
Special mention for the MVP can be made
for Zobrist. Had the Firebirds won the series, he may have taken home the
trophy. The super utility man hit .444 with three home runs, five RBI and six
runs scored, but he came up short in pressure situations in the final game.
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