A.L. DIVISION SERIES #2

Hollywood Werewolves @ Virginia Sluggers
SERIES PREVIEW – Hollywood and Virginia square off in the Division Series. Hollywood has the big 1-2 punch in Kershaw and May starting pitching wise. Virgina has the depth with 3 solid starters in Castillo, McKenzie and Hernandez. Virginia has a slight edge in hitting led by Jimenez and Springer, along with Merrifield. Hollywood has the edge out of the bullpen with Leibrandt, Castillo, and Rodriguez.All in all I’d give a very slight edge to Virginia going into the series as I lean more towards offense.Let the games begin!
GAME #1 – Clayton Kershaw (4-6 2.82) vs. Luis Castillo (6-4 3.42) Series opens in Virginia VIR draws first blood in the B4 with a Merrifield 1b, he steals 2nd, and Jimenez rbi-2b brings him home. In the HOL T6 Olson ties the game with a solo-HR. In the T7 Finnegan comes on for VIR and promptly walks Chapman, Gordon, and Yelich to load the bases. Alberto then hits a SF for a 2-1 HOL lead. HOL adds an insurance run in the T9 on a Cronenworth solo-HR. HOL Kershaw comes out for the B9 and gets 2 outs before giving way to R.Rodriguez, who gets the last out for the save. HOL WP-C.Kershaw Sv-R.Rodriguez / VIR LP-Finnegan Hollywood 3 – Virginia 1 Hollywood takes a 1-0 lead in the series.
GAME #2 – Charlie Morton (5-8 4.28) vs. Triston McKenzie (2-3 2.51) VIR opens up a can of whoop a on HOL C.Morton in the B2. VIR Springer leads off with a bb, Devers 1bs, Bradley rips an rbi-1b, Segura follows with another rbi-1b, Murphy’s rbi-1b chases Morton bringing on B.Wilson. Rizzo walks to load the bases and Biggio’s rbi-1b makes it 4-0 VIR. HOL Wilson bears down and gets Merrifield to F9 and then gets Jimenez to hit into a DP to slavage the inning. In the HOL T4 Marte is HBP, moves up on a groundout, and scores on a Cronenworth rbi-2b. HOL stays on the attack in the T5 when Gordon bbs and Yelich hits a 2-run HR! In the HOL T6 the ‘Wolves tie it up on back-to-back doubles by Vazquez and Cronenworth. The pitchers take over from there as we got to the bottom of the 9th still tied at 4-4. HOL D.Castillo opens the B9 and Devers leads off with a 2b, Velazquez PRs, and HOL brings in R.Rodriguez. VIR Bradley grounds out moving Velazquez to 3rd. VIR calls on C.Frazier to PH and he drives a ball over the LF wall for a 2-run HR and a Virginia win! VIR WP-T.Webb / HOL LP-D.Castillo Virginia 6 – Hollywood 4 The series is now tied 1-1**
GAME #3 – Elieser Hernandez (2-3 2.36) vs. Dustin May (6-4 3.84) Series shifts to Hollywood HOL out in front in the B2 when Marte 2bs and scores on a Cronenworth rbi-2b. The game is then dominated by the pitching through the 7th as VIR E.Hernandez, Hartlieb, and Borucki give up no more runs. HOL D.May is even better giving up no runs through the 7th and only allowing 2 hits. But the fickle finger of fate points at Hollywood as D.May leaves the game in the T8 with a wrist injury and is gone for 11 days. D.Castillo comes on and gives up a Frazier 2b, a Biggio bb, and then gets Merrifield on a FC moving Frazier to 3rd. Jimenez follows with a SF to tie the game at 1-1! But HOL has the answer in the B8 when Cronenworth 2bs with 2 outs and PH Kirk then doubles him home for a 2-1 HOL lead! HOL R.Rodriguez comes on and tosses a perfect T9 for the save and a HOL win. HOL WP-D.Castillo Sv-R.Rodriguez / VIR LP-R.Borucki Hollywood 2 – Virginia 1 Hollywood up 2-1 in the series.
GAME #4 – Adam Plutko (8-2 1.72) vs. John Lester (4-2 3.39) In the HOL B3 Gordon 1bs, Yelich is HBP, Alberto SAc moves both runners, and Goldschmidt gets an rbi INF-1b. But Marte hits into a DP to end the inning. VIR takes the lead in the T4 when Merrifield 1bs, Jimenez reaches on a FC, Frazier 1bs, a B.Anderson rbi-1b, and a Segura rbi-1b makes it 2-1 VIR. VIR adds another run in the T5 when Rizzo 2bs sending Lester to the showers bringing on W.Harris; Biggio then 1bs, and Merrifield follows with an rbi-1b. HOL W.Harris bears down and Ks Jimenez, gets Springer to F8, and Ks Frazier to end the inning which would prove to be crucial for HOL. HOL ties the game in the B7 when Gordon draws a 2-out bb and Yelich hits a 2-run HR! The VIR and HOL bullpens take over and toss scoreless innings through the 12th inning. In the B13 VIR has to finally go to little used T.Hill with 1 out. Hill gets Goldschmidt, but then Marte 2bs, Gamel bbs, and then Knizner wins the game with an rbi-1b! HOL WP-M.Givens / VIR LP-T.Hill Hollywood 4 – Virginia 3 Hollwood takes a 3-1 lead in the series!
GAME #5 – Luis Castillo (6-4 3.42) vs. Clayton Kershaw (4-6 2.82) Virginia with their backs to the wall facing Hollywood’s ace Kershaw. VIR serves notice right away that they will not go easily as Biggio opens the game with a 2b, Merrifield 1bs, and Jimenez hits a SF for a 1-0 VIR lead. VIR adds another in the T2 on a Segura solo-HR. But HOL comes right back in the B3 when Cronenworth 2bs, Chapman rips an rbi-2b, Gordon 1bs, and with Yelich up VIR catcher Murphy tries to pick off Gordon at 1st and throws the ball into RF allowing Chapman to score as Gordon chugs around to 3rd. But VIR Castillo bears down and Ks Yelich, Alberto hits into a FC as Gordon is caught off 3rd, and after walking Goldschmidt gets Marte to F8 to keep the game tied. It doesn’t take VIR long to regain the lead as in the T4 Segura bbs and Murphy hits a 2-run HR to atone for his error. Kershaw would not allow another run the rest of the way. Unfortunately for Hollywood, Virginia’s Castillo matches Kershaw and closes out the game throwing shutout ball over the last 6 innings. Castillo would finish the game giving up only 4 hits along with 16 strikeouts! VIR WP-L.Castillo / HOL LP-C.Kershaw Virginia 4 – Hollywood 2 Virginia is still alive, Hollywood leads the series 3-2.
GAME #6 – Charlie Morton (5-8 4.28) vs. Triston McKenzie (2-3 2.51) The series goes back to Virginia Virginia still in a do-or-die game. VIR C.Biggio opens the B1 with a solo-HR for an early Cavalier lead. HOL takes the lead away in the T3 on a Gordon bb and a Yelich 2-run HR (#3 in the series). HOL adds another in the T4 qwhen Marte 1bs and Cronenworth 2bs him home with 2 out. In the VIR B6 Leibrandt is on the hill for HOL when Springer 2bs (his 1st hit of the series), Devers follows with an rbi-2b to pull VIR within one. VIR sends out Velazquez to PR and HOL brings in D.Castillo to face Bradley. Bradley promptly 2bs home Velazquez to tie the game 3-3! HOL Castillo closes out the inning to keep things tied. HOL D.Castillo and R.Rodriguez along with VIR T.McKenzie and T.Webb pitch scoreless ball through the Top of the 11th inning. In the VIR B11 Segura 2bs with 1 out bringing Murphy to the plate. Murphy delivers again with a 2-run HR to win the game and send the series to an all or nothing Game 7! VIR WP-T.Webb / HOL LP-R.Rodriguez Virginia 5 – Hollywood 3 The series is tied at 3-Games each!
GAME #7 – John Lester (4-2 3.39) vs. Elieser Hernandez (2-3 2.36) Here we go! One game to decide the series! HOL wastes no time as Alberto 1bs, steals 2nd, Goldschmidt is HBP, and Marte unloads a 3-run HR! VIR starts to chip away in the B2 when Frazier reaches on Cronenworth’s throwing error and B.Anderson hits a 2-run HR. In the VIR B3 C.Biggio ties the game with a solo-HR! HOL bounces right back in the T4 whan Vazquez bbs, Gordon is HBP with 2 outs, and Yelich brings them home with a 2-run 3b! In the VIR B4 Springer 2bs (2nd hit of the series) and Frazier ties the game with a 2-run HR! B.Anderson then reaches 1st on Cronenworth’s 2nd throwing error of the game. HOL goes to the pen and brings in Givens. Givens gets Segura to F7 but then walks Murphy to bring Rizzo to the plate. Rizzo brings the fans to their feet with a 3-run HR and a 8-5 VIR lead! HOL gets one back in the T6 on a Chapman solo-HR. But VIR Hernandez is able to calm down and fan Gordon and pitches around a Alberto 2b in the 7th before giving way to Borucki in the 8th. VIR Borucki pitches a perfect 8th and gives up a 2 out walk to Yelich in the B9 before getting Alberto to F7 to end the game and the series! Somehow, Virginia comes back and wins the series! VIR WP-E.Hernandez Sv-Borucki / HOL LP-B.Wilson Virginia 8, Hollywood 6 Virginia wins the Series 4-3 to move onto the ALCS!
SERIES SUMMARY – The series MVP would have to be S.Murphy, its hard to not give it to him as he hit 2 game winning HRs. Virginia won all 4 games via a clutch Homerun, 2 for Murphy, 1 for Frazier, and 1 for Rizzo. Other items of note during the series (in no particular order of importance) Hollywood losing May for the series (tho Virginia did beat Kershaw with their backs to the wall), so who knows. Certainly as this series played out his loss was crucial. Virginia’s Springer and Jimenez went a combined 3-55 in the series with Zero Homeruns. Springer had no rbis and Jimenez lone hit was his rbi-2b in the 1st game. If either of them had even had a mediocre series then I don’t believe the series would’ve gone 7 games, even if Hollywood had not lost May. Cronenworth was exceptional through the first 6 games with timely hitting and solid defense. But his fielding woes caught up to him in Game 7 as he made two costly errors and he went 0-4. All in all a most enjoyable series to play.

Hollywood Werewolves @ Virginia Sluggers

SERIES PREVIEW – Hollywood and Virginia square off in the Division Series. Hollywood has the big 1-2 punch in Kershaw and May starting pitching wise. Virgina has the depth with 3 solid starters in Castillo, McKenzie and Hernandez. Virginia has a slight edge in hitting led by Jimenez and
Springer, along with Merrifield. Hollywood has the edge out of the bullpen with Leibrandt, Castillo, and Rodriguez.All in all I’d give a very slight edge to Virginia going into the series as I lean more towards offense.Let the games begin!

GAME #1 – Clayton Kershaw (4-6 2.82) vs. Luis Castillo (6-4 3.42)

Series opens in Virginia
VIR draws first blood in the B4 with a Merrifield 1b, he steals 2nd, and Jimenez rbi-2b brings him home. In the HOL T6 Olson ties the game with a solo-HR.

In the T7 Finnegan comes on for VIR and promptly walks Chapman, Gordon, and Yelich to load the bases. Alberto then hits a SF for a 2-1 HOL lead. HOL adds an insurance run in the T9 on a Cronenworth solo-HR.

HOL Kershaw comes out for the B9 and gets 2 outs before giving way to R.Rodriguez, who gets the last out for the save.

HOL WP-C.Kershaw Sv-R.Rodriguez / VIR LP-Finnegan

Hollywood 3 – Virginia 1

Hollywood takes a 1-0 lead in the series.

GAME #2 – Charlie Morton (5-8 4.28) vs. Triston McKenzie (2-3 2.51)

VIR opens up a can of whoop a** on HOL C.Morton in the B2. VIR Springer leads off with a bb, Devers 1bs, Bradley rips an rbi-1b, Segura follows with another rbi-1b, Murphy’s rbi-1b chases Morton bringing on B.Wilson. Rizzo walks to load the bases and Biggio’s rbi-1b makes it 4-0 VIR.

HOL Wilson bears down and gets Merrifield to F9 and then gets Jimenez to hit into a DP to slavage the inning.

In the HOL T4 Marte is HBP, moves up on a groundout, and scores on a Cronenworth rbi-2b. HOL stays on the attack in the T5 when Gordon bbs and Yelich hits a 2-run HR! In the HOL T6 the ‘Wolves tie it up on back-to-back doubles by Vazquez and Cronenworth.

The pitchers take over from there as we got to the bottom of the 9th still tied at 4-4. HOL D.Castillo opens the B9 and Devers leads off with a 2b, Velazquez PRs, and HOL brings in R.Rodriguez. VIR Bradley grounds out moving Velazquez to 3rd. VIR calls on C.Frazier to PH and he drives a ball over the LF wall for a 2-run HR and a Virginia win!

VIR WP-T.Webb / HOL LP-D.Castillo

Virginia 6 – Hollywood 4

The series is now tied 1-1

GAME #3 – Elieser Hernandez (2-3 2.36) vs. Dustin May (6-4 3.84)

Series shifts to Hollywood
HOL out in front in the B2 when Marte 2bs and scores on a Cronenworth rbi-2b.

The game is then dominated by the pitching through the 7th as VIR E.Hernandez, Hartlieb, and Borucki give up no more runs. HOL D.May is even better giving up no runs through the 7th and only allowing 2 hits.

But the fickle finger of fate points at Hollywood as D.May leaves the game in the T8 with a wrist injury and is gone for 11 days. D.Castillo comes on and gives up a Frazier 2b, a Biggio bb, and then gets Merrifield on a FC moving Frazier to 3rd. Jimenez follows with a SF to tie the game at 1-1!

But HOL has the answer in the B8 when Cronenworth 2bs with 2 outs and PH Kirk then doubles him home for a 2-1 HOL lead!

HOL R.Rodriguez comes on and tosses a perfect T9 for the save and a HOL win.

HOL WP-D.Castillo Sv-R.Rodriguez / VIR LP-R.Borucki

Hollywood 2 – Virginia 1

Hollywood up 2-1 in the series.

GAME #4 – Adam Plutko (8-2 1.72) vs. John Lester (4-2 3.39)

In the HOL B3 Gordon 1bs, Yelich is HBP, Alberto SAc moves both runners, and Goldschmidt gets an rbi INF-1b. But Marte hits into a DP to end the inning.

VIR takes the lead in the T4 when Merrifield 1bs, Jimenez reaches on a FC, Frazier 1bs, a B.Anderson rbi-1b, and a Segura rbi-1b makes it 2-1 VIR. VIR adds another run in the T5 when Rizzo 2bs sending Lester to the showers bringing on W.Harris; Biggio then 1bs, and Merrifield follows with an rbi-1b.

HOL W.Harris bears down and Ks Jimenez, gets Springer to F8, and Ks Frazier to end the inning which would prove to be crucial for HOL.

HOL ties the game in the B7 when Gordon draws a 2-out bb and Yelich hits a 2-run HR!

The VIR and HOL bullpens take over and toss scoreless innings through the 12th inning. In the B13 VIR has to finally go to little used T.Hill with 1 out. Hill gets Goldschmidt, but then Marte 2bs, Gamel bbs, and then Knizner wins the game with an rbi-1b!

HOL WP-M.Givens / VIR LP-T.Hill

Hollywood 4 – Virginia 3

Hollwood takes a 3-1 lead in the series!

GAME #5 – Luis Castillo (6-4 3.42) vs. Clayton Kershaw (4-6 2.82)

Virginia with their backs to the wall facing Hollywood’s ace Kershaw.

VIR serves notice right away that they will not go easily as Biggio opens the game with a 2b, Merrifield 1bs, and Jimenez hits a SF for a 1-0 VIR lead.

VIR adds another in the T2 on a Segura solo-HR. But HOL comes right back in the B3 when Cronenworth 2bs, Chapman rips an rbi-2b, Gordon 1bs, and with Yelich up VIR catcher Murphy tries to pick off Gordon at 1st and throws the ball into RF allowing Chapman to score as Gordon chugs around to 3rd. But VIR Castillo bears down and Ks Yelich, Alberto hits into a FC as Gordon is caught off 3rd, and after walking Goldschmidt gets Marte to F8 to keep the game tied.

It doesn’t take VIR long to regain the lead as in the T4 Segura bbs and Murphy hits a 2-run HR to atone for his error. Kershaw would not allow another run the rest of the way. Unfortunately for Hollywood, Virginia’s Castillo matches Kershaw and closes out the game throwing shutout ball over the last 6 innings. Castillo would finish the game giving up only 4 hits along with 16 strikeouts!

VIR WP-L.Castillo / HOL LP-C.Kershaw

Virginia 4 – Hollywood 2

Virginia is still alive, Hollywood leads the series 3-2.

GAME #6 – Charlie Morton (5-8 4.28) vs. Triston McKenzie (2-3 2.51)

The series goes back to Virginia

Virginia still in a do-or-die game.

VIR C.Biggio opens the B1 with a solo-HR for an early Cavalier lead. HOL takes the lead away in the T3 on a Gordon bb and a Yelich 2-run HR (#3 in the series). HOL adds another in the T4 qwhen Marte 1bs and Cronenworth 2bs him home with 2 out.

In the VIR B6 Leibrandt is on the hill for HOL when Springer 2bs (his 1st hit of the series), Devers follows with an rbi-2b to pull VIR within one. VIR sends out Velazquez to PR and HOL brings in D.Castillo to face Bradley. Bradley promptly 2bs home Velazquez to tie the game 3-3! HOL Castillo closes out the inning to keep things tied.

HOL D.Castillo and R.Rodriguez along with VIR T.McKenzie and T.Webb pitch scoreless ball through the Top of the 11th inning. In the VIR B11 Segura 2bs with 1 out bringing Murphy to the plate. Murphy delivers again with a 2-run HR to win the game and send the series to
an all or nothing Game 7!

VIR WP-T.Webb / HOL LP-R.Rodriguez

Virginia 5 – Hollywood 3

The series is tied at 3-Games each!

GAME #7 – John Lester (4-2 3.39) vs. Elieser Hernandez (2-3 2.36)

Here we go! One game to decide the series!

HOL wastes no time as Alberto 1bs, steals 2nd, Goldschmidt is HBP, and Marte unloads a 3-run HR! VIR starts to chip away in the B2 when Frazier reaches on Cronenworth’s throwing error and B.Anderson hits a 2-run HR.

In the VIR B3 C.Biggio ties the game with a solo-HR! HOL bounces right back in the T4 whan Vazquez bbs, Gordon is HBP with 2 outs, and Yelich brings them home with a 2-run 3b!

In the VIR B4 Springer 2bs (2nd hit of the series) and Frazier ties the game with a 2-run HR! B.Anderson then reaches 1st on Cronenworth’s 2nd throwing error of the game. HOL goes to the pen and brings in Givens. Givens gets Segura to F7 but then walks Murphy to
bring Rizzo to the plate. Rizzo brings the fans to their feet with a 3-run HR and a 8-5 VIR lead!

HOL gets one back in the T6 on a Chapman solo-HR. But VIR Hernandez is able to calm down and fan Gordon and pitches around a Alberto 2b in the 7th before giving way to Borucki in the 8th.

VIR Borucki pitches a perfect 8th and gives up a 2 out walk to Yelich in the B9 before getting Alberto to F7 to end the game and the series!

Somehow, Virginia comes back and wins the series!

VIR WP-E.Hernandez Sv-Borucki / HOL LP-B.Wilson

Virginia 8, Hollywood 6

Virginia wins the Series 4-3 to move onto the ALCS!

SERIES SUMMARY – The series MVP would have to be S.Murphy, its hard to not give it to him as he hit 2 game winning HRs. Virginia won all 4 games via a clutch Homerun, 2 for Murphy, 1 for Frazier, and 1 for Rizzo.

Other items of note during the series (in no particular order of importance)

Hollywood losing May for the series (tho Virginia did beat Kershaw with their backs to the wall), so who knows. Certainly as this series played out his loss was crucial.

Virginia’s Springer and Jimenez went a combined 3-55 in the series with Zero Homeruns. Springer had no rbis and Jimenez lone hit was his rbi-2b in the 1st game. If either of them had even had a mediocre series then I don’t believe the series would’ve gone 7 games, even if Hollywood had not lost May.

Cronenworth was exceptional through the first 6 games with timely hitting and solid defense. But his fielding woes caught up to him in Game 7 as he made two costly errors and he went 0-4.

All in all a most enjoyable series to play.

A.L. DIVISION SERIES #2

Hollywood Werewolves @ Virginia Sluggers

Share this MWBL Content: