The Surprise Zombies (113-49) earned the dubious honor of hosting the FL wild card game for the 3rd straight season. The last 2 ended in defeat, so the home fans were radiating dread from the 1st pitch. The visiting Brooklyn Blow Monkeys (106-56) would love to end another Zombie playoff run at the starting gate. The pitching match-up featured Mike Foltynewicz (11-5, 2.90) vs. Miles Mikolas (15-9, 2.78). Play ball!
Surprise threatened to score in the bottom of the 1st, but Votto wasn't very fast in his younger days and didn't come close to scoring from 1st on Turner's 2-out double. Mikolas allowed 2 singles in the 3rd, but escaped the jam. Folty hit Torres to lead off the SUR 3rd. Votto walked again and both runners advanced on a groundout. That set up a huge passed ball by Mejia (former SUR draft pick) to score the game's first run! Mikolas was still clinging to that 1-0 lead in the 6th, when 2 singles put runners on the corners with 2 outs. That was it for the Lizard King, who received a nice ovation from the Zombie fans. Jeffress took over and BRK countered with Cron, who flied out.
In the bottom of the 7th, Turner led off with a single and advanced on a groundout. BRK pulled Folty for lefty Oliver Perez, who started his long ARBA career in 2003 with Laramie, before they moved to Surprise. Aaron Hicks was unimpressed and crushed a hanging slider into the seats for a dramatic 2-run home run! With Treinen pitching for the Zombies in the 8th, BRK sent in McMahon to PH and he blasted a homer, cutting the lead to 3-1. Eaton followed that with his 3rd single, but then Treinen struck out the side. He continued to dominate in the 9th, striking out Mondesi to end it. SUR 3-1
Okay, so the Zombies play on! BRK outhit SUR by 8-4, but the Mejia PB and Hicks HR provided enough runs this time.
Congratulations to Jon and Brooklyn for an excellent season. I know all too well how much it sucks to get knocked out in the wild card game. At least you won't have to get through the Zombies in next year's playoffs.
Next up for Surprise is Camden, while Sewell will visit Santa Fe.
