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The Terriers and Heroes played a thrilling six game series that featured a strong performance from both managers, with a just a few more breaks going Higglytown’s way.
Game 1 featured presumptive Cy Young winner Max Scherzer on the mound for Alston to oppose Higglytown’s Kris Medlen. The Heroes struck early with two in the first and another in the third, but Alston tied it in the 5th off Carlos Beltran’s bases loaded single pas the shortstop. The teams traded and squandered opportunities until Higglytown’s Evan Longoria slammed a game winning homer off Terrier closer Glen Perkins in the bottom of the 9th.
Final score, Higglytown 4, Alston 3.
The Terriers looked for revenge in Game 2, with Doug Fister opposing the Heroes’ Jorge de la Rosa. This time it was Alston jumping to an early 3-0 lead, anchored by a big hit from Torii Hunter. The home team roared ahead with four runs in the bottom of the third, led by Ryan Raburn’s three run smash. The lead was short-lived, however, as Alston’s James Loney smashed a two run double in the 5th and Howie Kendrick added a solo shot in the 6th. From there the Terrier bullpen scattered baserunners to secure the win.
Alston 6, Higglytown 4.
The series shifted to Fenway Park, where Higglytown’s Chris Tillman filled in for the injured Alex Cobb against the Terriers’ Matt Latos. The Heroes grabbed an early lead with runs in the first two frames, but Alston’s Corey Dickerson mashed a homer to cut the gap in the 5th. The home team got no closer, though, as Higglytown launched a two out rally the next inning to extend the lead to 5-1 on their way to a victory.
Higglytown 7, Alston 1
Game 4 saw the return of Scherzer and he did not disappoint, striking out 10. The Heroes’ Medlen was just as good, and Higglytown clung to a 1-0 lead until the 6th, when the Terriers struck for two runs on hits by Wilson Ramos and Torii Hunter. Scherzer dominated through the 8th, Perkins shut down the 9th, which left a final score of
Alston 2, Higglytown 1.
Scott Kazmir took the ball for the home Terriers in Game 5 against Higglytown’s de la Rosa. The teams traded goose eggs until the top of the 4th, when the Heroes strung together a series of hits to take a 4-0 lead. Alston had plenty of baserunners from there on but some tough luck kept them stranded as the visitors took the game and a 3-2 series lead.
Higglytown 6, Alston 0.
The matchup returned to Camden Yards, with Alston and Matt Latos looking to avoid elimination and the Heroes' Tillman seeking to avoid a Game 7 date with Scherzer. What followed was one of the tightest games I’ve played, as both managers pulled out every stop. The skippering genius began in the bottom of the first, as a tired Latos loaded the bases before a raucous home crowd, and Alston Manager Michael Phillips pulled his starter for ace closer Perkins, who salvaged the inning and the game with only one run in. The Terriers got that run back in the second on a Dickerson double, silencing the home crowd. The Heroes’ Brian Roberts laced a double for a 2-1 lead in the 6th, and Higglytown fans were again on their feet as closer Greg Holland took the ball with a man on in the top of the 9th. Once again, Alston’s Phillips was up to the task, manufacturing a run with a gutsy sacrifice bunt and a two out single from Jordan Schafer. The magic ended there, however, as the home squad finally got to the Terrier bullpen in the bottom of the frame, staging its second walk off win of the series to move on to the World Series.
Higglytown 3, Alston 2.
It was a great series, especially with Michael’s brilliant managerial maneuvers. Going to Perkins in the first inning in Game 6 was gutsy, and it very nearly paid off (as it had done in the LDS).
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