NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES #2

National League Division Series – Clovis Wheat Kings vs. Tempe Tempers

Series Preview:   Clovis Wheat Kings (99-63) and Tempe Tempers (129-33) squared of in a best of seven series over JoinMe. The two teams previously faced each other in the 2003 Divisional playoffs. This time around the Wheat Kings came into the series with the fatigue of the Wild Card while Tempe was well rested.

Game #1: Tempe jumped out to a one run lead on Liriano in the first on three consecutive two out singles by Braun, Beltre and Cuddyer. Tempe added a second run in the third when the same three hitters each hit consecutive singles. Those six singles were the only offense Tempe managed, but Clovis was held to only two hits. Iwakuma went five shutout innings for the win and Howel, Crain, and Holland pitched four perfect innings.
Tempe 2-0 W – Iwakuma, L – Liriano, S – Holland

Game #2: Cano led off the bottom of the 1st with a solo Hr against Griffin. The score remained 1-0 until Cruz connected on a Buccholz fastball in the 5th to put Clovis up 2-1. Tempe responded in the bottom of the 6th with a solo homerun by Cuddyer that tied the game and a go ahead homerun by Chris Davis. Howell, Crain, and Holland again pitched four perfect innings to lock down the win.
Tempe 3-2 W-Howell, L-Griffin, S-Holland

Game #3: Matt Harvey just didn’t have it in this one and Iwakuma showed why he’s the top Cy-young candidate. Cano led off with another solo homerun and Tulo also hit a three run hr in the first to give Tempe a 4-0 lead. Chris Davis hit a solo in the 3rd to make it 5-0 and chase Harvey. Iwakuma took a no-hitter to the 6th and left the game midway in the 8th when he surrendered his second hit of the game. Prince Fielder hit a pinch hit two run hr as Tempe added three more runs in the 9th.
Tempe 8-0 W-Iwakuma L-Harvey

Game #4: A double, a bunt and an infield fielders choice put Tempe up 1-0 after three innings. A Cuddyer solo shot off Liriano made it 2-0. A Tulo bloop single made it 3-0 in the 6th. Buchholtz went 5.2 innings and the pen did the rest. Holland picked up his 3rd save of the series.
Tempe 3-0 W-Buhholtz, L-Liriano, S-Holland

Series Summary:  The Wheat Kings where a very good team, but for what ever reason, Tempe had their number all season. Tempe was a combined 14-2 in the regular season and posteason. Clovis only managed six hits during the first three games and only scored two runs (Cruz HR) over the four games. Tempe scored 16 runs, but half of them came in one game.

Cano, Cuddyer and Davis each hit two home runs, but the series MVP went to Iwakuma 2-0 0.00, ERA 12.1, H 4, SO 11

Quick Stats –  Tempe 0.50 ERA, .477 SLG, 1.000 FLD  / Clovis 4.24 ERA, .162 SLG, .985 FLD