GAME #4 – Clayton Kershaw vs. Cliff Lee

Game 4 would be a repeat match-up with Kershaw facing Lee for the second time in 4 games.  Again, folks, the pitchers would rule this one.  Hollywood threatens very early in this game, however.  Starting off the top of the 1st, Cliff LEE allows as lead-off single to Ian KINSLER, gets Starlin Castro chops it back to the mound for an easy out that moves KINSLER up to 2nd; while Alex Gordon spears it to J.J. HARDY for the 2nd out.  With a runner on 2nd and two outs, Hollywood stares down another opportunity to score; GOLDSCHMIDT up, and he coaxes a walk to set up the force.  BONIFACIO steps up to the plate with two outs, runners on 1st and 2nd, and LEE strikes him out!  Similarly, Clayton KERSHAW would have a tough time in the 1st … while Ryan ROBERTS flies out to left for the first out, KERSHAW subsequently walks Kevin YOUKILIS, and Robinson CANO lines a single to right center, for runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.  Pujols steps up to the plate.  Let’s listen to the announcers: “PUJOLS, facing KERSHAW, … KERSHAW now … it’s a shot to left center … base hit … STUBBS is racing over, he cuts it off deep in the gap … YOUKILIS is around third … CANO is around second … they’re waving YOUKILIS in and CANO’s headed for third; the throw home … here’s the play at the plate … and he’s … OUT!…on a close play.  YOUKILIS just doesn’t have the wheels for that … and CANO moves to third.  PUJOLS is on with a single.”  The aggressive play just doesn’t pay off for the Capitals.  J.J. HARDY up, two outs, runners on 1st and 3rd … the pitch … half swing … oh! … J.J. went too far … he’s out on strikes … that’s the third out!  Well, folks, it’s been a big inning of wasted opportunities.  WEREWOLVES 0, CAPITALS 0. Continue reading →

GAME #3 – Justin Verlander vs. David Price

Game 3 would make Games 1 and 2 look like slugfests.

Top of the 1st, Hollywood has Carlos PENA leading off … but Justin VERLANDER would induce a prompt double play and get Ian KINSLER to fly out to left for a quick 1-2-3 inning.  The bottom of the 1st would be nearly as easy for David Price … while Kevin YOUKILIS would single to left, PRICE would get out of the inning without any further damage.  Once again, top of the 2nd, VERLANDER benefited from a three up, three down inning.  But, the Capitals would benefit from a better bottom of the 2nd.  Let’s listen to the announcers: “J.J. HARDY, facing D. PRICE, He comes home … there’s a fly ball to left … KUBEL drifts back … still backpeddling, hey, this ball may carry … at the fence … KUBEL jumps for it … does he have it? … no! a home run for HARDY! WEREWOLVES 0, CAPITALS 1. The Capitals would follow up HARDY’s home run with a walk from WILLINGHAM, a double play from MOLINA, a single from Torii HUNTER, and a strike out from VERLANDER … and that would be it for the 2nd inning.

Very little would happen until the top of the 5th; the score still stands at WEREWOLVES 0, CAPITALS 1.  First up against VERLANDER, Jay BRUCE singles into center field and holds with a single, for the 1st base knock for the WEREWOLVES in this game.  Nonetheless, the tying run is on.  BONIFACIO up; here’s the pitch from VERLANDER … BONIFACIO fights it off and muscles it toward shallow right, and it drops back of first and rolls into foul ground … WILLINGHAM hustles over … still after it, now he’s there … BRUCE rounds third; the throw comes in to HARDY … they’re holding BRUCE at third and BONIFACIO’s in standing with a double.  No outs, and the go-ahead run is on 2nd.  The CAPITALS, playing for the out at first, … BRUCE down the line some at third … VERLANDER brings it; it’s a high fly to center … HUNTER roams over … and brings it down … both runners tag, but they hold him at third.  One out, David ROSS at the plate, and the Capitals are putting ROSS on to load the bases.  Ah, Sacramento’s skipper is forcing Hollywood to choose to either pull PRICE from the game or allow him to hit with the bases loaded and one out … Steve Cutler will let VERLANDER take his chances with David PRICE.  Continue reading →

GAME #2 – Erik Bedard vs. Jered Weaver

Sacramento’s up 1 game to none as we begin Game 2: Erik BEDARD against Jared WEAVER.  Luckily, for some, fans don’t have to wait quite so long for some offense in this game.  Weaver, however, wouldn’t have much more trouble than did Kershaw.  WEAVER walks Youkilis, but gets easy outs with Daniel MURPHY, Robinson CANO, and Albert PUJOLS in the top of the 1st.  The bottom of the 1st wouldn’t be quite so easy.  Emilio BONIFACIO facing E. BEDARD, ball four … not a good start, ’cause we know he’s stealin’.  Safe!  BONIFACIO’s on 2nd, no outs.  Starlin CASTRO singles toward left, leaving runners at 1st and 3rd with no outs.  Alex GORDON up, the CAPITALS are looking for the play at the plate … BEDARD brings it in, GORDON jacks one to deep left … MORGAN retreats … short of the track Continue reading →