2024 NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES “B”

Corktown trots out Tanner Bibee for the opener while Triple Creek sends Max Scherzer to the bump.

Cycle’s Jazz Chisholm gets the scoring started in the 2nd with a no-doubter to right scoring nate Lowe (2-0).
The Creek answer quickly in the bottom half of the frame plating 3 runs off a Lourdes Gurriel double and two-run shot by Evan Longoria (2-3).
Triple Creek would tack on 3 more the next inning as Will Smith took Tanner Bibee deep after a free pass to Lars Nootbar (2-5). They would add one more as “Gurriel drives one down the left field line and into the corner James  Outman plays the carom … and he kicks the ball away … Gurriel’s heading for third they’re waving him home … here’s Outman’s throw … not in time! … and he scores! An inside-the-parker!! (2-6).
Patriot bats would add 2 more in the 4th (2-8) and Corktown’s Anthony Volpe drilled a 2-run jimmy-jack in the 5th (4-8) to cap off scoring for the day.

Teams combine for 6 HRs and a dozen runs to kick things off. Bibee was pulled early in the hopes of getting called on again soon.

Triple Creek 8 – Corktown 4

Win: Max Scherzer 1-0 (6.00)
Loss: Tanner Bibee 0-1 (13.50)

Visitor’s go to Jose Berrios looking for a much needed win down 2 games since Triple Creek has the Ghost Win. Locals call upon Shane (Don’t call me Justin) Bieber with hopes of a huge 3-0 lead.

Bottom 1st, Kyle Seager lines a single over Amed Rosario to score Lars Nootbar from 3rd (0-1).
Cycle would respond quickly in the 2nd as hot hitting Anthony Volpe rips a double to left center plating Jose Caballero from second (1-1).
Patriots would keep the volley going with a single run in the 3rd off Seager’s 2nd hit of the game, scoring Nootbar again (1-2).
Pitchers for each team lock down innings 4 thru 6.
Patriot skipper calls upon the righty Drey Jameson and he quickly records two outs but back-to-back-to-back doubles by Volpe, Jarred Kelenic and Rosario gives Corktown the lead (3-2). Jameson is asked for the ball was replaced by Alex Wood to face the lefty Alex Verdugo he recorded the out to keep things tight.  That would be the end of the scoring as both pens toss doughnuts the last two innings.
Cycle collect their first win in a nail-biter.

Cortown 3 – Triple Creek 2

Win: Jose Berrios 1-0 (2.57)
Loss: Drey Jameson 0-1 (#27.00)
Save: Bryce Jarvis #1

Corktown hosting games 3-5 gets started with Patriot’s Kevin Gausman dueling Josiah Gray.

Gray struggle out of the gate and was quickly facing bases loaded with no outs. Cody Bellinger would room service bounce Amed Rosario scoring a run (1-0). Lourdes Gurriel would then pop-out to avoid a crooked number.
Triple Creek would strike for 2 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings to open up a big lead (5-0).
Kevin Gausman was dealing through 6 full and headed to the 7th with a No-Hitter.
Triple Creek added one in the 7th to make it (6-0).
Gausman continued to throw the dark-one and headed to the bench after 8 full still with a no-hitter going. Would he start the 9th?
Allowing just one walk and hitting a batter Gausman had nearly faced the minimum and the crowd was fired up to see him reach the top step of the dugout for the bottom of the 9th.
Let’s pick up the broadcast:
Nate Lowe facing Kevin Gausman, B 9th, No Outs, Bases Empty, Behind 0-6
Gausman brings it to the plate … fastball … badly fooled … strike three … one down Anthony Volpe facing Gausman, B 9th, 1 Out, Bases Empty
Gausman now … he waves at it … strike three … two away … 11th strikeout!
James  Outman (hit less in the series!) facing Gausman, B 9th, 2 Outs, Bases Empty The pitch … lined to right … down the line … is it fair or foul? … foul ball … strike one Gausman wheels and deals … Outman pulls away … but the ump says it’s in there and Gausman records his 12th K – whiffing the side.

Holy No-Hitter. Batman! Or should I say Gausman!

Home runs from Jonathan India and Owen (the hidden power source) Miller helped power the Patriot offense.

Triple Creek 6 – Corktown 0

Win: Kevin Gausman 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Josiah Gray 0-1 (6.00)

Backs now against the wall, Corktown recalls game 1 starter Tanner Bibee in the hopes of better results. Triple Creek counters with lefty Brandon Williamson  trying to tame a strong lefty Cycle lineup.

The Cycle faithful groaned early as Bibee allows two runs in the opening frame off a 2-run explosion from Cody Bellinger (2-0).
Corktown would break the ice with a single run in the 3rd as Jose Caballero delivered Nate Lowe from second (2-1).
Corktown would get to Brandon Williamson in the 4th as Amed Rosario  bounces one off the wall scoring Jazz Chisholm (2-2). After a walk to Nate Lowe, visitor’s captain had seen enough and summoned Austin Pruitt to face the white hot Anthony Volpe with two outs, and Volpe would – facing Pruitt, B 4th, 2 Outs, 1st and 3rd, Tied 2-2, Rosario into a little shuffle at third … the offering from Prutt … that’s a well hit ball out to deep left … Lars Nootbar races to the wall … don’t forget to write! … it’s a goner Volpe got the fat of the bat on that one! (2-5).
Luis Campusano would drive in Caballero in the 5th to give Corktown a nice 4 run lead (2-6).
Triple Creek snaked one in the 6th to make it (3-6).
Kendall Graveman would relieve Bibee in the 7th and allow a 2-run HR to Bellinger (5-6) silencing the home town crowd.
Corktown would call upon Jose Leclerc and Bryce Jarvis to close things out and they were nails – not allowing a single base runner.

Cortown 6 – Triple Creek 5

Win: Tanner Bibee 1-1 (7.56)
Loss: Brandon Williamson 0-1 (9.82)
Save: Bryce Jarvis #2

Corktown dodged a bullet yesterday and now face (Mad) Max Scherzer. Game 2 winner Jose Berrois summoned to hopefully get the faithful to a game 7.

Cycle draw first blood in the 1st off a Danny Jansen solo shot deep to right (0-1).
Patriots respond in the 3rd tying things up (1-1).
Corktown would immediately respond in the bottom half of the 3rd as Anthony Volpe (again!) crushes one deep to left field (1-2).
Things would stay that way until the 7th. YerryDe Los Santos called upon for Corktown with two runners on and Evan Longoria lashed a shot into the right center gap scoring two (3-2).
Heading into the 9th, just a single run separating the two teams. Would Corktown squeak it out?
Bryce Jarvis on for Corktown to hold them within one. He would strike out Longoria then allow Lars Nootbar a single to right. Carson Kelly would lay one down, in the hopes of avoiding the double play, and gets Nootbar to 2nd. An ice cold Kyle Seager would step in and…”there’s a drive to right center … it might be it could be … it is! … holy cow, did Seager ever cream that ball” (5-2).
Down to their last inning of hope Triple Creek sends Matt Strahm out to the hill. Strahm would record three quick outs to wrap up the series.

Triple Creek 5 – Corktown 2

Win: Drey Jameson 1-1 (6.75)
Loss: Jose Berrios 1-1 (2.77)
Save: Matt Strahm #1