This CLDS features a rematch of last years epic 7-game series when SF outlasted SHI and made it to the World Series.  Once again, Shiner (102-60) would have home-field advantage against San Francisco (96-66).  However, they werent feeling confident since SF was the only team with a winning record against them in the regular season and a very tough matchup.  Okay, enough prologue. Lets get to the games!

G1: Minor vs. Gonzales

Shiner struggled all season vs. LHP, despite investing in some high-priced bats to address that issue. True to form, they only managed 1 run in 8 innings against Mike Minor.  That came in the 3^rd when Soto drove in Cain with a 2-out single.  On the other side, Gonzales allowed 7 baserunners in 5 innings, but 2 DP helped keep SF off the scoreboard.  The dominant SHI bullpen took it from there, allowing only 2 baserunners in 4 scoreless innings. So that was a very tough loss for Minor.  SHI 1-0

G2: Corbin vs. Miley

The Seawolves brought their bats this time, mauling Miley for 5 early runs and feasting on the weaker part of the SHI pen.  Rizzo led the way with a HR and 5 RBI.  Corbin pitched 7 strong innings in the SF rout.  SF 12-2

G3: Duffy vs. Smith

The series moved to San Francisco, but the Seawolves failed to show up early. The Shiner offense erupted for 8 early runs, including HR by Cain and Ramirez.  Duffy frustrated SF with 8 mostly dominant innings, striking out 10.  Soto had 4 of Shiners 12 hits.  SHI 9-2

G4: Gonzales vs. Minor

Gonzales was not so lucky the 2^nd time around as Sogard hit a 3-run HR in the 3^rd and a rare Cain error helped SF pretty much put it away.  Minor was almost as great as in Game 1, allowing only 1 run through 7.  However, we got some late drama in the 8^th when he loaded the bases with 1 out.  Alas, Bummer bailed him out and SF evened up the series again.  SF 6-1

G5: Snell vs. Corbin

Lacking any good options, SHI gave Snell a chance to recapture his Cy Young form. That didnt happen, but he wasnt bad. Rizzo chased him in the 4^th by driving in the 2^nd SF run to tie the game. Corbin pitched pretty well, but Soto and Dubon drove in runs in the 2^nd, then Dubon delivered again in the 7^th.  Both bullpens were nearly perfect as SHI escaped with another narrow victory.  SF will be haunted by hitting 2-15 with RISP.  SHI 3-2 

G6: Bundy vs. Miley

The series returned to Shiner and SF called on the first RH starter of the series. SHI struck quickly with a Polanco RBI double in 1^st, but Devers was thrown out at home. In the 3^rd, they put 2 runners on to chase Bundy. SF reasonably called on Skaggs (RIP) to retire the LH Devers and Olson.  However, SHI added 2 more runs with an RBI single and sac fly.  On the other side, Miley was at least better than in G2, but got the hook with 1 out in the 4^th. Clippard let both inherited runners score, but pitched well after that.  In the 7^th, Hunter Pence made his only hit of series count by crushing a solo shot off Paxton.  Once again, the Shiner pen was nearly perfect and Yates closed it out in the 9^th.  SHI 4-2

Shiner ended up taking the series 4-2 despite getting outscored 24-20.  Neither team hit well overall as SHI was .224.288/.367 with 5 HR and SF was .201/.313/.309 with 5 HR.  Shiner split their innings almost equally between starters (5.40 ERA) and relievers (1.71 ERA).  The SF bullpen (1.86 ERA) was almost as good and their starters (4.13 ERA) were better, but SHI won all the close games. 

Looking at individual SF performances, Rizzo (.364, 1 HR, 8 RBI) was clearly their top hitter.  Sogard and some of the part-timers were pretty good as well.  At the other end of the scale, Story (3-24 with 0 BB and 11 K) and Pham (2-21 with 5 BB) consistently killed the SF offense. On the pitching side, Minor was terrific but split his starts.  Corbin was good enough to win, but also split. Smith and Bundy put their team in early holes that they failed to escape. 

As for SHI, Juan Soto certainly rose to the occasion by hitting .500/.583/.750!  Mauricio Dubon led the team with 4 RBI in only 6 PA. Devers and Bichette also hit well in limited playing time. Ramirez and Cain were solid, then it got ugly. Cabrera (1-16), Pence (1-12), Olson (1-12), and Freese (1-9) piled up outs, as did the 3 catchers (2-18).  Other than Duffys heroic Game 3 performance, the SHI starters were not good, but the bullpen was terrific. 

Okay, enough of that.  Shiner awaits the winner of Harmony Grove and Terre Haute.  Congratulations to Rick on another excellent season and showing good sportsmanship when the dice so cruelly turned against him.  Better luck against the hated Santa Fe Gecko Lizards!