Dodgers Win a Thriller to Advance to Round 2 of the 2019 Playoffs!
A full moon was upon us on a clear night at the beloved MSBL home, Hazel Park. The playing surface was dry, dusty, and fast. Dylin Geiger took the ball for regular season champion Dodgers up against Chad Gromek of the 8-Seed Phillies in round 1 of the 2019 MSBL Playoffs. The Phillies wasted no time in the first inning, scattering 3 hits, scoring 3 runs, putting the Dodgers in an immediate hole to start the game. Geiger settled down in the 2nd, and the Dodgers were able to come up and scratch a run on Geiger single scoring Jared Janssen, making the score 3-1. Phillies answered in the Top of the 3rd with another run on 2 hits increasing the Phillies lead to 3 over the #1 seed. In the bottom of the 3rd, Dodgers could not capitalize with the bases loaded, keeping the score to 4-1 as the game gravitated to the top of the 4th where the Phillies continued to keep the pressure on adding another run, increasing their lead to 4 ending the day for Dylin Geiger with a line of 3Ks 2BBs giving up 4 ER on 6 hits over 4IP.
The Dodgers continued to grind out at bats in the Bottom of the 4th, with Jake Geiermann scoring on a Jake Lowry sac fly, cutting the lead to 3.
It was Travis "Throw it Harder" Ferguson who would take the ball in the 5th and he took no prisoners. Ferg gave up 1 hit in 3 innings of work with 7 Ks, giving the Dodgers a chance to make a comeback.
The Phillies decided to leave Gromek on the mound in the bottom of the 7th after holding the #1 seed to 2 runs through 6 innings. A noble decision with a 5-2 Phillies lead. Justin McElhaney lead off the bottom of the 7th with a single to spark the trailling Dodgers. Travis Ferguson put a swinging bunt on a ball to 3rd baseman, Mike Homant, who made a stellar play that ended up being a controversial call at 1st base that could have went either way. Nonetheless, McElhaney moved to 2nd, with 1 out. Chris Zajas had a tough at bat he would like back, striking out, leaving the Dodgers down to their final out, chasing 3 runs. Jabari "Primetime" Thomas came to plate with a look that could intimidate Donald Trump. Jabari worked a 2-2 count and got his pitch, hitting the hardest hit ball of the year right past the SS who could only watch and get out of the way. Jabari was able to pull off a rare triple to left field on an absolute frozen rope, a sight to see, as he rounded the bases like a deer, easily scoring McElhaney. The score now cut to 5-3, up comes the clean up hitter, Cory Osborne. Osborne had the count fall to 1-2, again the Dodgers down to their final strike. Dodgers yelling from the dugout, rally caps in all burst into excitement when Osborne banged a deep double off the base of the fence in left center, scoring Thomas. Dodgers trail just 1, 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th, man on 2nd base. Jake Geiermann stepped up to the plate and wasted no time on the first pitch hitting a line drive double that scored Osborne. There was an overthrow on the play moving Geiermann to 3rd base. Dodgers players and sold out crowd of 9 went wild as Geiermann set the stage, tieing the game at 5-5 when the Dodgers hottest hitter, 3 for 3, Jared Janssen came to the plate. With all the momentum the game had seen thus far, Janssen worked a 1-1 count before getting a nice pitch to swing at lacing a would be double, scoring Geiermann in walk-off fashion before being mobbed as he came around 1st base. The regular season champion Dodgers pull off the comeback 5-6 and escape the Round 1 upset.
Dodgers take on the reigning champion Giants in Round 2, Thursday, August 15th, 2019 at 8:15PM at the beloved Hazel Park. Winner advances to the best of 3 championship series on Saturday at Fraser High School.
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Reid Olmstead Shines to Advance the Dodgers to the 2019 MSBL Championship Series!
The #1 seed Dodgers took on the 4-time reigning champion Giants, for the late game at the beloved home of the MSBL, Hazel Park. Another full moon at 100% illumination lit up the sky as both teams began to trickle into the ballpark at dusk. It didn't take long to learn of the one sided afare that Team USA had put up a 13 spot in the first inning against the Cinderella Story Blue Jays. Both teams now knew their fate in the championship as they patiently waited, watching the 18-4 massacre of the Blue Jays.
It was the Dodgers ace of the staff, Mr. Secretariat, Reid Olmstead, who was called upon to toe the rubber for the regular season champion Dodgers. Olmstead would face the Giants, tall and stringy right hander Scott Beaton. Beaton throws from 47 different arm slots with 11 different pitches, needless to say, the Dodgers knew they would be up for a test. Prior to the start of the game, the Dodgers received some very unfortunate news that their superstar, Jabari "Primetime" Thomas, would end up being a last minute scratch due to "personal matters". Forcing the Dodgers to overcome adversity over the A-Squad Giants roster.
The Giants started the game with a single by Chris Yates on a dissappearing act fly ball to right field. On this night, Hazel Park had 21 lights out at the old ballpark, visibility was only assisted by the remaining 90 year old lights and the waxing gibbeous moon. Yates would end up scoring on a Joe Williams single before the Dodgers got out of the inning with minor cuts and bruises. Giants take the lead 1-0. It wasn't until the 2nd inning, when Justin McElhaney sparked the Dodgers with a 2 out walk. This brought up Mr. Secretariat, Reid Olmstead. Reid helped his own cause with an RBI single scoring McElhaney. Score now tied 1-1.
Despite the Giants efforts pinch hitting 2 and adding another to the bottom of the order, Reid held down the fort. Reid would go on over the next 4 innings striking out 8 Giants and stranding only 4 base runners. In the bottom of the 5th it was, you guessed it, Mr. Secretariat himself, Reid Olmstead again delivering for the Dodgers with a 1-out single. Sparking a rally, Alex Schimmel walked, men on 1st and 2nd, bringing up Brandon Rice. Brandon Rice put on a great swing that would have scored a run but SS, Jose Morales of the Giants, made a run saving play. Bases now loaded with 1 out for Dodger lead off man, Travis Ferguson. Ferg delivered a fielders choice, scoring McElhaney. Giants made a pitching change to Alan Gallagher who would retire the next hitter to save the inning for the Giants. Dodgers take the lead 2-1 heading into the top of the 6th with the Giants top of the order due up.
Chris Yates took advantage of a rare 4 pitch walk from the Dodger ace. Before ending the inning, Giants 1st baseman, Joe Miller hit a pitch that the Secretariat wished he could get back, scoring Yates. Game now tied at 2.
Bottom of the 6th, it was the Dodgers hard headed manager/3 hole hitter, Cory Osborne due up. Osborne worked a 3-2 count against Gallagher to start the frame. On the 3-2 pitch, Gallagher went with a duece that Osborne was looking for. Osborne put a charge into a high fly ball that dissappeared into the missing lights at Hazel Park. A go ahead homerun for the Dodgers, who now lead 3-2. Gallagher did not take the celebration of the homerun lightly and threw a ball behind Dylin Geiger, receiving a warning from the short fused, 1st base umpire. There was a heated exchange between the 2, resulting in a Gallagher ejection.
Heading into the top of the 7th. Dodgers left their ace, Reid Olmstead, on hill to finish the job. Mr. Secretariat was up for the challenge, striking out Trevor Johnson for the 3rd time, leaving the tieing run at 3rd base. Dodgers win a drama filled game on the shoulders of Reid Olmstead. Reid would finish the night with a complete game win, 7IP, 10 ks, 3BBs on 6 hits, allowing 2 earned runs. The Dodgers clinch a spot in the 2019 Detroit MSBL Championship Series to take on their arch nemesis, Team USA. Championship series to be at Fraser High School on Saturday, August 17th at 10AM and Noon!
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Dodgers Take Game 1 Over Team USA
8.17.2019
It was a bright and sunny Saturday morning in mid August. A heavy downpour the night before made for a beautiful playing surface at Fraser High School, as it was surely set to heat up quick. The stage has been set, the 2 top teams in the league finally get a chance to square off in a heavyweight matchup for the ages. The 2019 MSBL Postseason Championship. #3 Seed Team USA take on the 2019 MSBL League Champion, #1 Seed, Detroit Dodgers.
The Dodgers showed up in the parking lot altogether, like a pack of wolves, lead by the recent release of ex-con, Jabari "Primetime" Thomas. Primetime was a scratch to the roster and for the remainder of the championship series, it wasn't until an early morning text was received the day of when the Dodgers realized they were in for a treat; Jabari was fresh out and ready to play. A pleasant surprise for the team, word spread quickly to Team USA who now had to adjust their gameplan to accomodate the Dodger star who would bat 3-hole and play centerfield for the boys in blue.
Dodgers would take the field first. As the #1 seed they enjoyed home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Taking the hill for the Dodgers was their gritty right hander, Zack Zsolcsak. Zsolcsak would go up against one of Team USA's best, Michael Michalski, along with one stellar offensive powerhouse of a lineup. In the first inning, Team USA leadoff man, Colin McGeen, wasted no time and lead off with a single. A Jake Boylan walk moved runners to 1st and 2nd. There was 2 outs in the frame when Team USA Captain, Patrick Masopust put a sharp swing on a ground ball to SS, Zach Parran. Parran had the initial instinct to go to 2nd base, but Dodger 2B was no where to be found! Parran then went through progressions like Matt Stafford, pumping once at 3rd before throwing an errant throw to 1st, the error on the play would plate McGeen and Team USA would take an early 1-0 lead over the #1 Seed Dodgers.
The Dodgers would answer in the bottom of the 2nd. Cory Osborne would lead off with a single. Jake Geiermann took one for the team in the kidney. It is worth noting he DID NOT rub it and displayed a hard 90 to 1st, unfazed. Bringing up Dylin Geiger. Geiger called in sick to work with food poistioning this morning, but the Dodger DH shook the flu and delivered with a 3 run tator to right centerfield! Dodgers jump out to a 2 run lead and would not look back! Travis Ferguson walked in the 3rd and was scored on an RBI double from SS, Zach Parran, expanding the Dodger lead to 3. Zsolcsak, who settled down after the blunder in the first got into a little trouble in the top of 4th surrendering 2 runs on 3 hits.
Zsolcsak day was done, and the Dodgers skipper chose to go to the grizzled veteran right hander, Ben Lovell to hold onto the 1 run lead. Lovell came into the ball game with a live arm, his ball has some serious run today, wicked run actually. Giving Dodger catcher, Cory Osborne trouble doing his job - catching the ball. Lovell would lock down the 5th for the Dodgers with his tricky movement. In the bottom half of the 5th, Dodgers would load the bases on a pair of walks and a hit on USA flame thrower, Connor Romine. Bases loaded 1 out and the Dodger backstop, Cory Osborne, would deliver a bloop single, scoring Ferguson and Parran, extending the lead to 6-3.
Dodgers head into the 6th, and Ben Lovell locks it down again, 1-2-3. Lovell would come back out in the 7th to get knicked for 2 runs with 2 outs. Dodgers now up one with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th. With the game on the line, Dodgers would call on their own flame thrower, Travis "Throw it Harder" Ferguson. Ferg pumped 1 pitch to the Team USA Captain Pat. Patrick put a deep charge on one to the track in left field where Brandon Rice made the game ending catch.
Dodgers win in with a score of 6-5 taking a 1-0 lead in the Best of 3 Championship Series.
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Dodgers Fight from Behind to Sweep Team USA to Take Home All the Marbles!!!
8.17.2019
Dodgers took Game 1 of the best of 3 Champsionship Series. Game 2 now set to begin after a hard fought Game 1. Team USA, now the home team, decided to roll out their stringy left handed ace, John Mansfield. Mansfield would take on Travis Ferguson of the Dodgers after Ferg earned the save as the closer in Game 1.
Mansfield started the day locked in, pitching the Dodgers backwards and living around the plate with each and every pitch. Mansfield, boasts great speed and movement on his fastball, however, he opted to stick with his off speed early in Game 2. This gave Dodger hitter fits the 1st 2 times through the order. Mansfield through 4 innings and had a line of 4 IP, 7 Ks, 0 BBs, 0 Runs on 2 hits. Before we get too carried away, needless to say, we had a ballgame on our hands.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning it was Team USA, for the 2nd game in a row, taking the lead on Mark Wojda single that would score Karl Brecht. In the bottom of the 3rd inning Ferguson would go on to walk the bases loaded. Backs against the wall, no outs, Jake Geiermann fielded a sharply hit ball by Vinnie Bakerian and went home to get the first out of the frame. 1 out, bases still juiced for Team USA slugger, Jake Boylan. Boylan jumped on the first pitch he saw and smacked a shot to right center for a 2 RBI double to extend the Team USA, lead 3-0. Ferguson would get out of the inning giving up 2 runs after walking 3. With fire in his eye, Ferguson stayed on the mound for the Dodgers in the 4th after a lengthy conversation with the Dodgers Skipper, Cory Osborne in between innings. Ferg would shut it down in the 4th, Team USA still leading 3-0.
After the quick Ferguson inning in the bottom of the 4th. The Dodgers had a little momentum brewing when Dylin Geiger, fresh off his bomb from last game(and food poisoning), rips a double off of Mansfield to get the Dodger offense ignited. Jake "Trigga Mike" Lowry, who received several warnings in Game 1 after his bat and his helmet were the reason for his 0 for 3 performance, was now due up. Lowry would harness his aggression after a sweet talk from veteran JerJuan Hammond and skipper, Cory Osborne to keep his cool in Game 2. Lowry kept his cool alright, and was able to move Geiger over to 3rd on a ground out to the 2nd baseman. This brought up, Mr. Secretariat, Dodger ace, Reid Olmstead. Olmstead laced an RBI single, easily scoring Geiger from third to put the Dodgers on the board. Score noq cut to 2, Team USA 3, Dodgers 1. Dodger catcher, Tyler Shiber would draw a walk and Brandon Rice would give a scruptous swinging bunt to the pitcher. The dink job would move the runners over to 2nd and 3rd bringing up the Dodgers team MVP, Travis Ferguson. Ferg, still pumped from the shutdown 4th, delivered an RBI single that would score Olmstead to cut the Team USA lead to 1. Dodgers now on the board, the southpaw Mansfield is human after all. 3-2 Team USA through the top half of the 5th.
Dylin Geiger, on 2 days rest, was asked to take the mound after throwing 99 pitches on Wednesday against the Phillies. Geiger and skipper, Cory Osborne, had a brief dialogue on Geiger and his arm status. Geiger explained he was "good". After a 4 pitch walk to Mansfield to lead off the inning, the Dodger skipper immediately took to the mound for a visit. It appeared as if the 'ol skip had asked how truly "good" Geiger actually was with a finger poke to the chest. He would receive a stern and reassuring look back to stay in the game. Geiger would go on to get the top of the order out, 1-2-3. This would prove to be a turning point in the ball game.
In the bottom of 6th, Dodgers skipper/left fielder/right fielder/DH came to the plate to take on Mansfield for the 3rd time. Mansfield left Osborne a slow, loopy duece up in the zone, resulting in a sharply hit line drive right up the middle for a base hit. Osborne would advance to 2nd on a Jake Geiermann groundout, bringing up Jake "Tigga Mike" Lowry. Lowry, forever mad, got himself a pitch he could take out that built up aggression on from Game 1. A sharply hit liner to right center that would end up scoring Osborne. RBI single for Lowry and the Dodgers tie the ball game 3 to 3!
In the bottom of the 6th it was Geiger again who would toe the rubber with the game tied. It was Deja Vu all over again, Geiger would walk Karl Brecht in 4 pitches and here comes Osborne, now the left fielder, to give him the hook. Before Osborne could get to the mound to make the switch, a loud shout came from Geiger, pleading to stay in the game. After a post game interview, it was revealed by Dodgers skipper that he in fact wasn't going to take him out at all, it was all a ploy to light a fire under Geiger. The ploy worked! Geiger got the next man out and then rolled up a 6-4-3 double play to send the boys in blue to the top of the 7th to keep it a tie ball game!
Top 7, tie ball game, pinch hitter and Zen Master, Alex Schimmel came to the plate. Alex, using the power of Chi, forced pitcher Connor Romine off his game and letting loose a dangerously thrown pitch. Right off the back of the head. Alex Schimmel didn't go down after being hit by the flame thrower. Worth noting, he DID NOT rub it and immediately began to walk his way, taking his time, to first base. After the Zen Master Schimmel, surely concussed, would stay in the game using the 7 shokras to give him the strength to lead the Dodgers. Now comes up the extremely dangerous, top of the order for the Dodgers. Travis Ferguson would lay down a bloop bunt that somehow found green grass inbetween the first baseman and pitcher. With a bobble on the play, Ferguson would beat the Team USA effort at first, safe all over the field, 0 outs, man on 1st and 2nd. Dodger SS, Zach Parran would step in the box with the game winning run at 2nd base. Parran would work a lengthy, 11 pitch at bat before blasting a single up the middle but the Dodgers opted to hold the runner at 3rd.
Bases are now loaded, no outs, top of the 7th for Dodgers 3 hole hitter, Jabari "Primetime" Thomas. Thomas brought that look that could kill to the box, similar to that of the 1st round win against the Phillies in the 7th inning, where he ripped a left field triple. The look alone proved to be too much for the young flame thrower Romine as Thomas walked on 5 pitches. Dodgers take the lead on the bases loaded walk, 4-3! Out comes Team USA skipper, Dominic Padovini, checking on the right hander. After a brief exchange, Romine stayed in the game to face Dodger clean up hitter/RF/LF/DH/skipper, Cory Osborne. Osborne went after the first pitch, in comes Ferguson and Parran, a 2 RBI single from Osborne. Dodgers extend the lead to 6-3 in the top of the 7th with no outs. Dodgers would add another when Jabari Thomas scored on a Dylin Geiger sac fly to centerfield before ending the inning. Dodgers now lead 7-3 going into the bottom of the 7th with the Championship now in clear view.
With the lead, the Dodgers opted for their horse, Mr. Secretariat, Reid Olmstead to finish the game. On 1 days rest, throwing north of 120+ pitches against the Giants in round 2 on Thursday, Reid demanded the ball to win it. Olmstead retired Wojda for the 1st out before giving up a single to Mark Feeney. Shawn Donaldson would hit into a fielders choice. Dodgers now 1 out away from the elusive, MSBL Championship. John Mansfield now comes up, after pitching a great game, he was asked to deliver for Team USA yet again. Down to their last strike, Mansfield hit a slow roller that would be too difficult for the 3rd baseman/pitcher to make. Men now on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs. Leadoff man, Colin McGeen hit a 3-2 pitch just over the 3rd basemans out stretched glove on a vertical leap that would get down the left field line for a double. With a slight bobble on the play, Mansfield would end up scoring from first, cutting the Dodger lead to 7-5.
Vinnie Bakerian was up and fell quickly 1-2. The lefty hit a chopper to SS Zach Parran who had to make a tuff throw to get the speedy USA SS. The throw was high to the 6'2 Geiger who was at first. In effort to win a Championship, Geiger dove with his foot STILL on the bag and made the final out of the game. Before the Dodgers could celebrate, Rico, MSBL lead umpire made the call, SAFE at 1st, player came off the bag! McGeen scored on the controversial call and Team USA was now down 7-6.
But wait just a minute, Dodgers infielders were pleading with Rico that the call needed to be appealed, and here came Dodger skipper, Cory Osborne sprinting in from left field again who quieted down the squad before calmly asking Rico to please check and appeal the call with home plate umpire, Troy. Rico obliged. After a short discussion, the play would be OVERTURNED by home plate umpire. DODGERS WIN IT 7-5! Team USA benches cleared in an uproar while the Dodgers went nuts on the mound. The call stands, its official, Dodgers win the Regular Season and sweep Team USA in dramatic fashion for the 1st ever League and Postseason Championship! What a year for the boys in blue! Dodgers finish the season 20-6-2.
*Worth notating*
A fan in the stands was filming the final play in effort to capture a Dodger celebration, video evidence of the play revealed that the runner was indeed out and the right call was made on the play.
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