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Westheim · 01-27-2018, 06:46 AM

2022 ABL PLAYOFFS

Four happy teams entered October, but three of them would have their sand castle washed away by the sea before the end of the month, leaving only one team with the ABL championship in 2022.

For the second year in a row, the FL East had been a neck-and-neck race between several teams right to the final weekend of the season, and the 88-74 Capitals in fact only clinched their ninth playoff appearance on Closing Day. The 1990, 1991, and 1997 champions appeared ruffled however as they were to face the Scorpions, having piled up injuries to a number of important players, including SP Jose “Butch” Diaz (4-4, 3.05 ERA) and infielders Tom McWhorter (.245, 21 HR, 96 RBI) and Guillermo Obando. McWhorter had led the team in RBI and had tied for the lead in home runs with Terry Kopp and Matt Hamilton. In fact, the Capitals were pretty reliant on home runs to get anywhere, given that they had posted the third-lowest batting average of all Federal League teams. They had ranked second in home runs with 136 dingers overall. With Obando and McWhorter out, most of their lineup was now left-handed. On the pitching side, the team had four 14-game winners, but no hurler had made it to a sub-3 ERA, with lefty Eric Williams (15-9, 3.16 ERA) leading the team in both categories. It was a solid rotation, but not a great one, but their bullpen had been the best in the Federal League, and southpaw Ben Marx (4-7, 2.20 ERA, 43 SV) had been a force to reckon with in the ninth inning. Like their lineup, most of their pitching was left-handed, including three starters (with Tom McGuire moved to the bullpen) and three relievers throwing from the south side.

The Capitals’ left-handedness could give them a slight advantage against the 102-60 Scorpions, who clinched the West for the fourth straight year and 11th time overall, and had won championships in 1980, 1995, and 2020 previously, but had entered the 2021 FLCS with a similarly lop-sided win total over the Blue Sox and had been badly embarrassed by the underdogs. The Scorpions were the best team in the league in terms of offense, plating a blinding 945 runs this year. They would have four .300+ batters, although only three of those had put up a qualifying number of plate appearances, led by Doug Stross (.328, 8 HR, 93 RBI). Last year’s .400 wonder Pablo Sanchez had shed 86 points off his batting average, but had still been a nightmare on opposing pitching, piling up a .323 clip with 11 homers and 93 RBI. Ray Meade led the team with 114 RBI, while Ricky Luna had homered 22 times to lead the club, but was still batting routinely at the bottom of the order. Like the Capitals, the Scorpions’ rotation was solid, but not great. They would line up four starters with ERA’s better than 3.50 though, and also entered Ozzie Pereira with his 3.21 ERA, who had gone a whopping 19-2 during the season. If they had a weak spot, it was probably their bullpen, which lacked great shutdown potential and they had recycled closers a few times during the year. Overall, they had been average with their staff, allowing the sixth-most runs in the FL.

The 106-56 Titans had clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs while allowing the fewest runs in the league (552) and plating the third-most in the Continental League. This was their ninth playoff appearance, with the previous eight all having come in a narrow 9-year window from 1997 through 2005, during which they had been the preeminent team in the sport and had won the championship four times. In the meantime they had won more than 90 games just twice, but had finished last in the CL North four times, including as recently as 2019. While the credentials of their pitching were undeniable and they fielded two potential Pitchers of the Year in Chris Klein (16-8, 2.28 ERA) and Brian Cope (20-3, 2.67 ERA), and their bullpen was not short of horrors for opposing batters, including a wealth of left-handed relievers led by Ron Thrasher (5-5, 2.79 ERA, 47 SV), they had a few issues with their lineup heading into the CLCS against the Falcons. While they had pulled off the stunning feat of winning 100+ games while hitting the fewest home runs in the league, two of their key players – Jamie Wilson and Adrian Reichardt – had suffered injuries at the end of the season and entered the playoffs ailing, though not disabled. While they had shown no power whatsoever and had not produced a single batter with double-digit home runs, and their team leader in both home runs and batting average, Tony Casillas, had hit only .273 with nine dingers, they had been tops of the game with a mind-numbing .343 team on-base percentage. The 2022 Titans were a team like a boa constrictor, slowly enveloping other teams before crushing them to death.

Left on the list of teams to crush for the Titans were the 91-71 Falcons, who had freakishly emerged winners in a CL South that had seen only two winning teams, and the Falcons meager run differential of +29 indicated a certain amount of luck in getting to 20 games over .500; while they had been second in runs scored, they had also been sixth in runs allowed, with a rotation that might frankly be in trouble against the Titans, since it had also been in trouble against mediocre teams in the league. Sophomore Kyle Anderson (11-9, 3.32 ERA) was their only starting hurler with an ERA better than four, and they would end up with either Greg Gannon (9-6, 5.60 ERA) or J.J. Rodd (4-2, 5.23 ERA) by Game 4. Their lineup sported quite a few dangers in ex-Titan Tim Robinson (.264, 31 HR, 85 RBI), who had been second in the CL in home runs, and they had banged out the second-most homers in the CL overall. However, most of their batters were left-handed except for Robinson, Pat Fowlkes (.319, 19 HR, 88 RBI) and Ryan Czachor, which could make them very vulnerable and inefficient in late innings against the Titans’ multitude of left-handed relievers. This was the eighth playoff appearance for Charlotte, with their lone title coming in 2005. Five of their playoff appearances had come between 2003 and 2008, so they were no strangers to facing the Titans in the CLCS, but it had not always ended well for them…

The pundits are mostly united in their belief that both LCS should be clear affairs, and many also express that this could be the first pair of LCS to both result in sweeps since the 1996 playoffs, when the Scorpions and Aces got swept by the Rebels and Raccoons, respectively.

+++

2022 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Falcons @ Titans … 1-3 … (Titans lead 1-0) … BOS Jonathan Stephens 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; BOS Chris Klein 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, W (1-0);

The Titans got bad news after their initial Game 1 success, with Jamie Wilson having to be shut down with elbow inflammation, rendering him inoperable for the playoffs.

Capitals @ Scorpions … 8-4 … (Capitals lead 1-0) … WAS Matt Hamilton 3-4, BB; WAS Dave Menth 3-5; WAS Matt Barber 2-5, HR, 3 RBI; SAC Pablo Sanchez 3-5;
Falcons @ Titans … 8-5 … (series tied 1-1) … CHA Matt Good 3-5, 3B, 4 RBI; BOS Keith Leonard 3-4, BB, 2B;

In Sacramento, 19-game winner Ozzie Pereira is lit up for seven runs in 3.2 innings as the Scorpions fans are sent into nightmares again, fearing a repeat of the 2021 CLCS that saw their team enter in a dominant scenario only to get wiped out. To make things worse, SAC SS Trey Rock (.291, 0 HR, 35 RBI) sprained his ankle in the game and would miss the remainder of the playoffs.

Capitals @ Scorpions … 4-5 … (series tied 1-1) … SAC Doug Stross 3-3, BB, 2B, RBI; SAC Mike Gershkovich (PH) 1-1, RBI; SAC Josh Fields (PH) 1-1, 3B, 2 RBI;

Two rain delays in the first five innings wipe out starters Tadasu Abe and Sam McMullen before either team can break through. The Capitals hold a lead in the eighth inning, but Josh Fields’ triple off Danny Arguello turns the game in the Scorpions’ favor, who level the series before heading to the Potomac.

Titans @ Falcons … 8-2 … (Titans lead 2-1) … BOS Willie Ramos 3-5, 2B, RBI; BOS Adrian Reichardt 3-5, 2B, RBI; BOS Mike Kane 3-5, RBI;

Scorpions @ Capitals … 9-3 … (Scorpions lead 2-1) … SAC Pablo Sanchez 3-5, 2 3B, 3 RBI;
Titans @ Falcons … 3-6 … (series tied 2-2) … BOS Keith Leonard 3-4, 2 2B, RBI; CHA Travis Benson 1-4, HR, 4 RBI;

While Travis Benson’s sixth-inning slam off Chris Klein proves to be the game winner with which the Falcons level the series again, Scorpions and Capitals are tied at three after eight innings until the Scorpions fully and completely rout Capitals closer Ben Marx for five runs in a 6-run ninth.

Scorpions @ Capitals … 5-4 … (Scorpions lead 3-1) … SAC Ricky Luna 2-4, BB, RBI; WAS Shane Walter 3-5, 2B; WAS Dave Menth 2-4, 2 RBI;
Titans @ Falcons … 8-3 … (Titans lead 3-2) … BOS Alan Farrell 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, W (1-1);

Ben Marx is dismembered for the second consecutive game, blowing a 4-1 lead with six hits and four runs charged to him in the ninth inning.

Scorpions @ Capitals … 2-6 … (Scorpions lead 3-2) … SAC Pablo Sanchez 2-4, BB, HR, RBI; WAS Matt Barber 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; WAS Eric Williams 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, W (2-0);

Falcons @ Titans … 4-3 … (series tied 3-3) … CHA Matt Good 2-3, BB, 3B, 2 RBI; BOS Tony Casillas 2-5, HR, 2 RBI;

Falcons closer Gregg Bell allows a 1-out single to Keith Leonard, a 2-out single to Mike Kane, then walks Kurt Evans and Adam Flack to close a 4-2 score to 4-3, with the tying run at third base, and the World Series-clinching run at second base. Tony Casillas runs a full count before swinging over ball four.

Capitals @ Scorpions … 6-3 … (series tied 3-3) … WAS Jason Stone 3-5, HR, 3 RBI; WAS Matt Barber 2-5, HR, 3 RBI; WAS Rob Howell 3-5, 2B; SAC Doug Stross 2-4, HR, 2 RBI;
Falcons @ Titans … 1-2 (10) … (Titans win 4-3) … CHA Joseph McClenon 2-3, 2B, RBI; BOS Eric McPherson (PH) 1-1, 2B, RBI;

McPherson’s double off Gregg Bell walks off the Titans in the tenth inning. The Titans had already made up a 1-0 deficit in the ninth inning against Bell thanks to doubles by Keith Leonard and Mike Kane.

Capitals @ Scorpions … 4-3 … (Capitals win 4-3) … WAS Jason Stone 2-5, 2 RBI; WAS Matt Wittner 3-5, 2B; WAS Rob Howell 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; SAC Mike Gershkovich 2-2, BB;

It happened again! 37-year-old journeyman shortstop Rob Howell shoots the Capitals into the World Series and the Scorpions into another winter of lamenting destiny with a 2-out, 2-run double off Rich Hewitt in the seventh inning. Killian Savoie and the harshly-treated Ben Marx hold on to the slim lead in the final three innings despite Stan Murphy’s leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning.

+++

2022 WORLD SERIES

The best team in the playoffs would face off against the worst team in the playoffs in the 46th World Series, although at this point people wondered whether the Capitals would not have at least a momentum advantage. But while both teams had scored a comparable number of runs during the season, the Titans still possessed vastly superior pitching and had to he considered the favorites even after losing veteran Jamie Wilson to injury. While the raw numbers pointed to the Titans at least in pitching, quirky things like handedness of pitchers and batters was unlikely to be a factor given that both lineups trended to left-handed batters, but both teams also possessed numerous left-handed options in the bullpen.

The pundits refuse to comment on their beliefs at this point.

Capitals @ Titans … 2-3 … (Titans lead 1-0) … BOS Adrian Reichardt 3-3, BB, 2B; BOS Adam Braun 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; BOS Alan Farrell 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, W (2-1);

Capitals @ Titans … 4-5 … (Titans lead 2-0) … WAS Matt Hamilton 2-4, HR, RBI; WAS Matt Barber 2-4, RBI; BOS Willie Ramos 4-4, 2 2B, RBI;

Titans @ Capitals … 9-7 (10) … (Titans lead 3-0) … BOS Keith Leonard 3-4, 2 BB; BOS Mike Kane 4-6, 3 RBI; BOS Adam Braun 2-5, HR, 4 RBI; WAS Terry Kopp 1-3, HR, 5 RBI;

Terry Kopp’s first-inning slam against Brian Cope does not hold up; aided by Adam Braun’s grand slam off Tadasu Abe, the Titans will tie the game by the fifth inning, before Ben Marx has another meltdown in the tenth inning, conceding a walk and four singles to take his third loss in the playoffs, which he wore along with a 15.00 ERA.

Titans @ Capitals … 9-7 (12) … (Titans win 4-0) … BOS Chris Almanza 5-6, BB, RBI; BOS Antonio Esquivel 3-5, 2 BB, HR, 4 RBI; BOS Keith Leonard 3-6, 2 2B; BOS Javy Salomon 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, W (1-0); WAS Rob Howell 3-6, RBI;

You’ll never guess it – but up 7-4 in the ninth inning, the Capitals turned to Ben Marx again and he was torn up for another three runs (and a 17.55 ERA at the end of his outing). Danny Arguello saved the Capitals into extra innings, where they could not get the upper hand against the Titans’ Javy Salomon. The long reliever had entered the game in the ninth inning and would never leave it. Doubles by Jonathan Stephens and Adrian Reichardt against Washington’s John Watson break the tie with one out in the 12th inning, and Allen Reed would plate Reichardt with a wild pitch later in the inning. Salomon would issue a 2-out walk to Jason Stone in the bottom 12th, but Shane Walter’s groundout to Stephens ended everybody’s season.

This was the second consecutive World Series sweep in ABL history, after the Loggers stomped the Blue Sox in four games in ’21, but only the sixth sweep overall. None of these two teams had been involved in a prior sweep.

2022 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
Boston Titans
(5th title)

01-27-2018, 06:46 AM	#2449
Westheim Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 13,765	2022 ABL PLAYOFFS Four happy teams entered October, but three of them would have their sand castle washed away by the sea before the end of the month, leaving only one team with the ABL championship in 2022. For the second year in a row, the FL East had been a neck-and-neck race between several teams right to the final weekend of the season, and the 88-74 Capitals in fact only clinched their ninth playoff appearance on Closing Day. The 1990, 1991, and 1997 champions appeared ruffled however as they were to face the Scorpions, having piled up injuries to a number of important players, including SP Jose “Butch” Diaz (4-4, 3.05 ERA) and infielders Tom McWhorter (.245, 21 HR, 96 RBI) and Guillermo Obando. McWhorter had led the team in RBI and had tied for the lead in home runs with Terry Kopp and Matt Hamilton. In fact, the Capitals were pretty reliant on home runs to get anywhere, given that they had posted the third-lowest batting average of all Federal League teams. They had ranked second in home runs with 136 dingers overall. With Obando and McWhorter out, most of their lineup was now left-handed. On the pitching side, the team had four 14-game winners, but no hurler had made it to a sub-3 ERA, with lefty Eric Williams (15-9, 3.16 ERA) leading the team in both categories. It was a solid rotation, but not a great one, but their bullpen had been the best in the Federal League, and southpaw Ben Marx (4-7, 2.20 ERA, 43 SV) had been a force to reckon with in the ninth inning. Like their lineup, most of their pitching was left-handed, including three starters (with Tom McGuire moved to the bullpen) and three relievers throwing from the south side. The Capitals’ left-handedness could give them a slight advantage against the 102-60 Scorpions, who clinched the West for the fourth straight year and 11th time overall, and had won championships in 1980, 1995, and 2020 previously, but had entered the 2021 FLCS with a similarly lop-sided win total over the Blue Sox and had been badly embarrassed by the underdogs. The Scorpions were the best team in the league in terms of offense, plating a blinding 945 runs this year. They would have four .300+ batters, although only three of those had put up a qualifying number of plate appearances, led by Doug Stross (.328, 8 HR, 93 RBI). Last year’s .400 wonder Pablo Sanchez had shed 86 points off his batting average, but had still been a nightmare on opposing pitching, piling up a .323 clip with 11 homers and 93 RBI. Ray Meade led the team with 114 RBI, while Ricky Luna had homered 22 times to lead the club, but was still batting routinely at the bottom of the order. Like the Capitals, the Scorpions’ rotation was solid, but not great. They would line up four starters with ERA’s better than 3.50 though, and also entered Ozzie Pereira with his 3.21 ERA, who had gone a whopping 19-2 during the season. If they had a weak spot, it was probably their bullpen, which lacked great shutdown potential and they had recycled closers a few times during the year. Overall, they had been average with their staff, allowing the sixth-most runs in the FL. The 106-56 Titans had clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs while allowing the fewest runs in the league (552) and plating the third-most in the Continental League. This was their ninth playoff appearance, with the previous eight all having come in a narrow 9-year window from 1997 through 2005, during which they had been the preeminent team in the sport and had won the championship four times. In the meantime they had won more than 90 games just twice, but had finished last in the CL North four times, including as recently as 2019. While the credentials of their pitching were undeniable and they fielded two potential Pitchers of the Year in Chris Klein (16-8, 2.28 ERA) and Brian Cope (20-3, 2.67 ERA), and their bullpen was not short of horrors for opposing batters, including a wealth of left-handed relievers led by Ron Thrasher (5-5, 2.79 ERA, 47 SV), they had a few issues with their lineup heading into the CLCS against the Falcons. While they had pulled off the stunning feat of winning 100+ games while hitting the fewest home runs in the league, two of their key players – Jamie Wilson and Adrian Reichardt – had suffered injuries at the end of the season and entered the playoffs ailing, though not disabled. While they had shown no power whatsoever and had not produced a single batter with double-digit home runs, and their team leader in both home runs and batting average, Tony Casillas, had hit only .273 with nine dingers, they had been tops of the game with a mind-numbing .343 team on-base percentage. The 2022 Titans were a team like a boa constrictor, slowly enveloping other teams before crushing them to death. Left on the list of teams to crush for the Titans were the 91-71 Falcons, who had freakishly emerged winners in a CL South that had seen only two winning teams, and the Falcons meager run differential of +29 indicated a certain amount of luck in getting to 20 games over .500; while they had been second in runs scored, they had also been sixth in runs allowed, with a rotation that might frankly be in trouble against the Titans, since it had also been in trouble against mediocre teams in the league. Sophomore Kyle Anderson (11-9, 3.32 ERA) was their only starting hurler with an ERA better than four, and they would end up with either Greg Gannon (9-6, 5.60 ERA) or J.J. Rodd (4-2, 5.23 ERA) by Game 4. Their lineup sported quite a few dangers in ex-Titan Tim Robinson (.264, 31 HR, 85 RBI), who had been second in the CL in home runs, and they had banged out the second-most homers in the CL overall. However, most of their batters were left-handed except for Robinson, Pat Fowlkes (.319, 19 HR, 88 RBI) and Ryan Czachor, which could make them very vulnerable and inefficient in late innings against the Titans’ multitude of left-handed relievers. This was the eighth playoff appearance for Charlotte, with their lone title coming in 2005. Five of their playoff appearances had come between 2003 and 2008, so they were no strangers to facing the Titans in the CLCS, but it had not always ended well for them… The pundits are mostly united in their belief that both LCS should be clear affairs, and many also express that this could be the first pair of LCS to both result in sweeps since the 1996 playoffs, when the Scorpions and Aces got swept by the Rebels and Raccoons, respectively. +++ 2022 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Falcons @ Titans … 1-3 … (Titans lead 1-0) … BOS Jonathan Stephens 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; BOS Chris Klein 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, W (1-0); The Titans got bad news after their initial Game 1 success, with Jamie Wilson having to be shut down with elbow inflammation, rendering him inoperable for the playoffs. Capitals @ Scorpions … 8-4 … (Capitals lead 1-0) … WAS Matt Hamilton 3-4, BB; WAS Dave Menth 3-5; WAS Matt Barber 2-5, HR, 3 RBI; SAC Pablo Sanchez 3-5; Falcons @ Titans … 8-5 … (series tied 1-1) … CHA Matt Good 3-5, 3B, 4 RBI; BOS Keith Leonard 3-4, BB, 2B; In Sacramento, 19-game winner Ozzie Pereira is lit up for seven runs in 3.2 innings as the Scorpions fans are sent into nightmares again, fearing a repeat of the 2021 CLCS that saw their team enter in a dominant scenario only to get wiped out. To make things worse, SAC SS Trey Rock (.291, 0 HR, 35 RBI) sprained his ankle in the game and would miss the remainder of the playoffs. Capitals @ Scorpions … 4-5 … (series tied 1-1) … SAC Doug Stross 3-3, BB, 2B, RBI; SAC Mike Gershkovich (PH) 1-1, RBI; SAC Josh Fields (PH) 1-1, 3B, 2 RBI; Two rain delays in the first five innings wipe out starters Tadasu Abe and Sam McMullen before either team can break through. The Capitals hold a lead in the eighth inning, but Josh Fields’ triple off Danny Arguello turns the game in the Scorpions’ favor, who level the series before heading to the Potomac. Titans @ Falcons … 8-2 … (Titans lead 2-1) … BOS Willie Ramos 3-5, 2B, RBI; BOS Adrian Reichardt 3-5, 2B, RBI; BOS Mike Kane 3-5, RBI; Scorpions @ Capitals … 9-3 … (Scorpions lead 2-1) … SAC Pablo Sanchez 3-5, 2 3B, 3 RBI; Titans @ Falcons … 3-6 … (series tied 2-2) … BOS Keith Leonard 3-4, 2 2B, RBI; CHA Travis Benson 1-4, HR, 4 RBI; While Travis Benson’s sixth-inning slam off Chris Klein proves to be the game winner with which the Falcons level the series again, Scorpions and Capitals are tied at three after eight innings until the Scorpions fully and completely rout Capitals closer Ben Marx for five runs in a 6-run ninth. Scorpions @ Capitals … 5-4 … (Scorpions lead 3-1) … SAC Ricky Luna 2-4, BB, RBI; WAS Shane Walter 3-5, 2B; WAS Dave Menth 2-4, 2 RBI; Titans @ Falcons … 8-3 … (Titans lead 3-2) … BOS Alan Farrell 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, W (1-1); Ben Marx is dismembered for the second consecutive game, blowing a 4-1 lead with six hits and four runs charged to him in the ninth inning. Scorpions @ Capitals … 2-6 … (Scorpions lead 3-2) … SAC Pablo Sanchez 2-4, BB, HR, RBI; WAS Matt Barber 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; WAS Eric Williams 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, W (2-0); Falcons @ Titans … 4-3 … (series tied 3-3) … CHA Matt Good 2-3, BB, 3B, 2 RBI; BOS Tony Casillas 2-5, HR, 2 RBI; Falcons closer Gregg Bell allows a 1-out single to Keith Leonard, a 2-out single to Mike Kane, then walks Kurt Evans and Adam Flack to close a 4-2 score to 4-3, with the tying run at third base, and the World Series-clinching run at second base. Tony Casillas runs a full count before swinging over ball four. Capitals @ Scorpions … 6-3 … (series tied 3-3) … WAS Jason Stone 3-5, HR, 3 RBI; WAS Matt Barber 2-5, HR, 3 RBI; WAS Rob Howell 3-5, 2B; SAC Doug Stross 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Falcons @ Titans … 1-2 (10) … (Titans win 4-3) … CHA Joseph McClenon 2-3, 2B, RBI; BOS Eric McPherson (PH) 1-1, 2B, RBI; McPherson’s double off Gregg Bell walks off the Titans in the tenth inning. The Titans had already made up a 1-0 deficit in the ninth inning against Bell thanks to doubles by Keith Leonard and Mike Kane. Capitals @ Scorpions … 4-3 … (Capitals win 4-3) … WAS Jason Stone 2-5, 2 RBI; WAS Matt Wittner 3-5, 2B; WAS Rob Howell 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; SAC Mike Gershkovich 2-2, BB; It happened again! 37-year-old journeyman shortstop Rob Howell shoots the Capitals into the World Series and the Scorpions into another winter of lamenting destiny with a 2-out, 2-run double off Rich Hewitt in the seventh inning. Killian Savoie and the harshly-treated Ben Marx hold on to the slim lead in the final three innings despite Stan Murphy’s leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning. +++ 2022 WORLD SERIES The best team in the playoffs would face off against the worst team in the playoffs in the 46th World Series, although at this point people wondered whether the Capitals would not have at least a momentum advantage. But while both teams had scored a comparable number of runs during the season, the Titans still possessed vastly superior pitching and had to he considered the favorites even after losing veteran Jamie Wilson to injury. While the raw numbers pointed to the Titans at least in pitching, quirky things like handedness of pitchers and batters was unlikely to be a factor given that both lineups trended to left-handed batters, but both teams also possessed numerous left-handed options in the bullpen. The pundits refuse to comment on their beliefs at this point. Capitals @ Titans … 2-3 … (Titans lead 1-0) … BOS Adrian Reichardt 3-3, BB, 2B; BOS Adam Braun 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI; BOS Alan Farrell 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, W (2-1); Capitals @ Titans … 4-5 … (Titans lead 2-0) … WAS Matt Hamilton 2-4, HR, RBI; WAS Matt Barber 2-4, RBI; BOS Willie Ramos 4-4, 2 2B, RBI; Titans @ Capitals … 9-7 (10) … (Titans lead 3-0) … BOS Keith Leonard 3-4, 2 BB; BOS Mike Kane 4-6, 3 RBI; BOS Adam Braun 2-5, HR, 4 RBI; WAS Terry Kopp 1-3, HR, 5 RBI; Terry Kopp’s first-inning slam against Brian Cope does not hold up; aided by Adam Braun’s grand slam off Tadasu Abe, the Titans will tie the game by the fifth inning, before Ben Marx has another meltdown in the tenth inning, conceding a walk and four singles to take his third loss in the playoffs, which he wore along with a 15.00 ERA. Titans @ Capitals … 9-7 (12) … (Titans win 4-0) … BOS Chris Almanza 5-6, BB, RBI; BOS Antonio Esquivel 3-5, 2 BB, HR, 4 RBI; BOS Keith Leonard 3-6, 2 2B; BOS Javy Salomon 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, W (1-0); WAS Rob Howell 3-6, RBI; You’ll never guess it – but up 7-4 in the ninth inning, the Capitals turned to Ben Marx again and he was torn up for another three runs (and a 17.55 ERA at the end of his outing). Danny Arguello saved the Capitals into extra innings, where they could not get the upper hand against the Titans’ Javy Salomon. The long reliever had entered the game in the ninth inning and would never leave it. Doubles by Jonathan Stephens and Adrian Reichardt against Washington’s John Watson break the tie with one out in the 12th inning, and Allen Reed would plate Reichardt with a wild pitch later in the inning. Salomon would issue a 2-out walk to Jason Stone in the bottom 12th, but Shane Walter’s groundout to Stephens ended everybody’s season. This was the second consecutive World Series sweep in ABL history, after the Loggers stomped the Blue Sox in four games in ’21, but only the sixth sweep overall. None of these two teams had been involved in a prior sweep. 2022 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS Boston Titans (5th title) Attached Images __________________ Portland Raccoons, 92 years of excell-.... of baseball: Furballs here! 1983 * 1989 * 1991 * 1992 * 1993 * 1995 * 1996 * 2010 * 2017 * 2018 * 2019 * 2026 * 2028 * 2035 * 2037 * 2044 * 2045 * 2046 * 2047 * 2048 * 2051 * 2054 * 2055 * 2061 1 OSANAI : 2 POWELL : 7 NOMURA \| RAMOS : 8 REECE : 10 BROWN : 15 HALL : 27 FERNANDEZ : 28 CASAS : 31 CARMONA : 32 WEST : 39 TONER : 46 SAITO Resident Mets Cynic - The Mets from 1962 onwards, here.