2023 AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES “B”

Jake Cronenworth gets Hollywood on the board for a 1-0 lead with a homer in the second and that’s usually all Kershaw needs in a game. As Kershaw cruises into the top of the 4th, when Rafael Devers singles to lead off. Eloy Jimenez, and Geroge Springer follow with singles of their own, loading the bases with no outs. The pitching coach walks out to the mound to settle Kershaw down as Anthony Rizzo stand in there. Kershaw gets Rizzo to pop out to second for 1-out. With the infield at double play depth, Bryan Reynolds gets called out on strikes for 2-outs. With Kershaw taking a deep breath and expecting to now get out of this mess, Sean Murphy steps in. The runners take their lead … the pitch … and he tags this one right on the button…deep to straightaway center … that could be trouble … Yelich racing back … big trouble…that ball is gone! … a grand salami … and they’re going to have quite a party at home plate. Murphy will circle the bases … and he’s sure taking his time … Kershaw grabs the rosin bag and flings it to the ground in disgust … and Kershaw is just hanging his head. The games stays there and Virginia gets the 4-1 win.

Virgini 4 – Hollywood 1

Win: Tristin McKenzie 1-0 (1.13)
Loss: Clayton Kershaw 0-1 (7.20)
Save: Clay Holmes #1

It’s all Hollywood as they bang out 3 more homers. (1) from Aaron Judge and (2) by Matt Chapman. McClanahan goes 6.1 and turns the ball over to the bullpen who keeps give up 1 hit the rest of the way. Hollywood wins 9-1.

Hollywood 9 – Virginia 1

Win: Shane McClanahan 1-0 (1.42)
Loss: Joe Ryan 01 (6.75)

The series shifts to the east coast. Virigina gets on the board early after Reynolds leads off the bottom of the second with a walk. After reaching second on a fielders choice, he scores on a Murphy single to lead 1-0. Hollywood fights back in the 4th with Judge leads off with a walk. He’s followed by a Paul Goldschmidt 2-run homerun to take the lead 2-1. Then Matt Chapman singles with 1-out and is driven home by a Ketel Marte 2-run homer to lead 4-1. Judge hammers Hollywood’s 3rd homer of the game late to solidify the win as Hollywood takes it 5-3. They now turn to Kershaw to wrap it up in the next game

Hollywood 5 – Virginia 3

Win: Drew Rasmussen 1-0 (3.18)
Loss: Luis M. Castillo 0-1 (9.82)
Save: Jordan Romano #1

Paul Goldschmidt walks to lead off the second. With one out, Matt Chapman steps in. Nick Lodolo brings it home…. … lofted deep to left field … Reynolds got a late start … he’s back.. way back … he won’t get it … it’s gone! … two-run shot for Chapman….he seems to like base runners. Hollywood takes a 2-0 lead. Luis Rengifo cuts the lead in half when he hammers a homer in the bottom half of the inning. Lane Thomas gives Hollywood the two run lead back when he leads off the third with a homer to make it 3-1. Jake Cronenworth makes it 4-1 when he singles home Cristian Yelich. Virginia looks to be lost as they come up in the bottom of the inning, but it changes when Bryan Reynolds, who everyone thought struck out is awarded first bases on a hits batsman. With one out, Jimenez walks, bringing up the tying run in George Springer. Here’s the pitch … George Springer puts a charge into this one … a big fly to deep left….Thomas will run out of room … George ties it up! … that’s a Baltimore special…a three-run homer … George trots around the bases … he loves a trip downtown…he claps his hands … he’s greeted at home plate … congratulations all around and the game is tied. Kershaw is NOT having the post season he was hoping for. Hollywood turns the ball over to the bullpen from there. With 2-outs, Goldschmidt singles to right. With Goldschmidt on the move, Cronenworth doubles down the line, driving Goldy in and a Hollywood 5-4 lead. Goldy adds a homer in the 7th to make it 6-4 and Lane Thomas hammers a 2-run homer in the 8th as Hollywood walks to a 8-4.

Hollywood 8 – Virginia 4

Win: Griffin Jax 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Nick Lodolo 0-1 (8.53)
Save: Jordan Romano #2