No score until the bottom of the 3rd when a 2 out Sandy Leon double would plate two runs. That would be al the scoring in this game as Cueto got the win and Diaz the save. HAR 2-0
Game 2 - Detmers vs Greinke
A Crawford 2 out single in the 2nd plated 2 runs for EGR. A Ramirez HR in the 4th tacked on another run. HAR would strike back with 2 in the 4th on a Freeman double and Suzuki sac fly. HAR would take the lead in the 5th on a Diaz sac fly, Correa double, and a Harper 2 out double. Gallegos would get the win and Diaz his second save. HAR 5-3
Game 3 - Velasquez vs Garcia
Garcia put the team on his back and combined with Alvarado, Abreu, and Montero to shutout HAR. A Celestino triple and Castro sac fly scored a run in the 2nd. Another Celestino triple scored a run in the 6th. A Kemp groundout and Aguilar 2 out double added 2 insurance runs in the 7th. EGR 4-0
Game 4 - Bush vs Suarez
Take the lead from Garcia, Suarez and the BP held HAR scoreless until the 9th while the offense 1 in the 1st on an Aguilar single and 1 in the 4th on a Ramirez 2 out double. HAR made it interesting in the 9th off Montero with a 2 out rally. Suzuki got it going with a double followed by a Bethancourt run scoring single. Springer would then lace a hit to rf (x chance with a beautiful RP roll) looking to put runners on the corner but instead Springer apparently turned the base too far and was tagged out to end the game. EGR 2-1
Game 5 - Cueto vs Luzardo
After almost being shutout in back to back games HAR jumped out to an early lead with a Freeman two out run scoring single followed by a Suzuki 3 run bomb (2 roll on a 3 bp hr). A Freeman double in the 3rd tacked on another run. After a Garcia lead off triple in the 4th Diaz would score him on a double. EGR cut into the lead on a Kemp 2 out HR in the 5th. Back to back two out doubles by Altuve and Harper in the 6th made it 7-2. Harper would add another insurance run in the 8th on a sac fly. HAR 8-2
Game 6 - Detmers vs Greinke
HAR got on the board early with 1st inning doubles from Diaz and Altuve. Greinke would keep EGR scoreless through 3.1, with HAR not wanting to go to game 7 they brought in Phillips who went 3 scoreless innings. With Phillips tiring HAR would turn to Diaz to hopefully send them to the WS, clinging to a 1-0 lead. Diaz finished up the 7th then headed out for the 8th. After getting two quick outs Diaz would walk Harrison bringing up Kemp who would crush a double to center and Harrison would beat the throw to home (1-11 safe chance) tying up the game at 1. Trying to regain the lead after a let down from their closer, Diaz would start the inning with a double, but would be left sitting on 2nd with two outs after Correa flys out and Altuve grounds out. With Harper due up EGR turned to lefty killer Tim Hill, as in previous games HAR rolled the dice letting Harper hit and he would come through again with a lead regaining double. Freeman and Suzuki would both add on insurance runs with a double and single. Diaz was able to close out the 9th in order and HAR advances to the WS. HAR 4-1
Congrats to Mike on a good season and series, most of the games were very close games, great back and forth series! I would say bring on that team from BRK, but I'm not sure we are REALLY ready for that :)
I was frankly not expecting this team to be in playoff contention at the start of the season, so it was a fun ride while it lasted. Unfortunately the lineup just didn't have the horses to hang with a predictably excellent Harmony Grove team. The HAR bullpen in particular was just a nightmare to face. Congrats to Travis!
Having lost to both WS teams in these playoffs, I would say it looks like another fun matchup, so good luck to both sides!
