Braeland City Monarchs (104-50) vs.
Stratford Barons (86-68)
Season Matchup: 8-7 in favour of Stratford
Braeland City: Runs scored – 919 (1st in East); runs allowed – 689 (2nd)
Stratford: Runs scored – 822 (3rd); runs allowed – 712 (4th)
The Monarchs and Barons return to face each other for the Eastern League Pennant, only this time, Braeland City will hold home field advantage in the Series. It’s the third meeting between these two clubs, with the Barons winning the Pennant (and United Cup) in 1940-41 and the Monarchs prevailing in an exciting 7-games series last year.
Both teams are the current powerhouses in the East, with Braeland City racking up 200 victories over the past two seasons, compared to 185 for Stratford.
Both clubs are dealing with injuries heading into the playoffs. Braeland City is without 28-year old CF
Curt Tiffany (.269/.344/.379, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 24 BB, 5 SB, 0.9 WAR), who was acquired from Stratford back in May 1948 (for SP Max MacColl). He ruptured a tendon in his finger just before the All-Star Break and is not expected back. However, rookie sensation, 23-year old
Patrick Lidgate (.301/.413/.515, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 74 BB, 6 SB, 4.3 WAR) has ably handled centerfield when not injured himself.
Meanwhile, the Barons are without the aforementioned 37-year old
Max MacColl (1-2, 3.97 ERA, 1.47 WHIP), who has been out since the end of October after having surgery on his elbow. As well, 29-year old back-up CF
Won-ho Kim (.255/.368/.338, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 80 BB, 6 SB, 2.5 WAR) strained his back in late March and will be unavailable for the Series.
But the teams have made the necessary adjustments and are set, and the fans are psyched. It’s time to play!
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Game 1 – March 29
Kings Park in the Nation’s capital hosts the first two games. Partly cloudy skies, warm sunshine and a gentle breeze blowing out to center make it a perfect day for baseball. 26,742 are on hand, including the Royal family.
Braeland City’s 27-year old LHP
Nicholas Grimes (21-9, 3.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) starts the second playoff game of his career. Meanwhile, 38-year old LHP
Joel Fearn (17-9, 2.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) takes the hill for his 13th career playoff game, all for Stratford.
Bottom of the 1st:
The Monarchs lead off with three straight walks – by LF Luwen Rodenburg, C Christopher Dainty and CF Patrick Lidgate. Next up is 1B Dean Witherden, who hits a long single into rightfield, scoring Rodenburg for the game’s first run. But SP Joel Fearn prevents further damage thanks to a pop fly and a double play.
Stratford 0 – Braeland City 1
Top of the 2nd:
1B León Rivera leads off with a single, but is out on a LF Ricardo Castellanos fielder’s choice. After 3B Vincent Colón draws a walk, Joel Fearn advances the runners on a 4-3 ground out. CF Roberto Ríos then steps up to the plate, smacking a triple into centerfield to cash in both runners.
Stratford 2 – Braeland City 1
Top of the 7th:
Pitchers Grimes and Fearn are able to keep the batters in check until the 7th. Roberto Ríos cranks out a line drive single into right field to lead things off, but is caught stealing 2B during SS Jake Walker’s at-bat for the second out. Three pitches later, Walker gets to Grimes with a line drive
solo home run, 403 ft. to right-centerfield, extending the Barons’ lead.
Stratford 3 – Braeland City 1
Bottom of the 7th:
RF Jesús Ortega leads off and reaches safely on an error (E3). Ortega quickly reaches 3B thanks to an Adam Ashley sac bunt and a successful steal during SS Simon Flatt’s at-bat. On the next pitch, Flatt singles home Ortega.
2B Derek Reed follows with a single, moving Flatt to 2B. PH Jorge Valentín then battles Fearn to a full-count before hitting a single into left-centerfield. Flatt beats out the throw to home plate, tying up the game.
Luwen Rodenburg then singles as well, scoring Reed for the go-ahead run. Fearn finally gets out of the jam by inducing a 6-4-3 double play from Christopher Dainty.
Stratford 3 – Braeland City 4
Top of the 9th:
With RP Samuel Holier taking over from Grimes in the 8th, the Barons get two runners on first and second with two out. RF Lyndon Inagaki then comes through with a single to score the tying run from 2B.
In the bottom of the 9th, RP Magtanggol Jaojoco allows two Braeland City baserunners to reach safely with one out, but a fly ball to centerfield and a 5-3 ground out end the threat, forcing the game into extra innings.
Stratford 4 – Braeland City 4
Top of the 11th:
With RP Harold Barr pitching, C Aaron Skidmore and Lyndon Inagaki draw back-to-back walks with one out. León Rivera follows with a single, loading the bases. Ricardo Castellanos then singles as well, scoring Skidmore for the go-ahead run.
Vincent Colón then comes through with a first-pitch double to rightfield, scoring both Inagaki and Rivera.
In the bottom of the 11th, RP Denzel Vyse gets the Monarchs to go down in order. The Barons take Game 1, sending the fans home disappointed.
FINAL: Stratford 7 – Braeland City 4
Player of the Game: Roberto Ríos gets game honors, going 3 for 5, with 1-3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
Vincent Colón went 2 for 4, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB.
Joel Fearn went 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 3.86 ERA.
Denzel Vyse gets the win, going 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (1-0, 0.00).
For Braeland City:
Nicholas Grimes went 7.0 IP, with 9 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 3.86 ERA.
Harold Barr takes the loss: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (0-1, 13.50 ERA).
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Game 2 – March 30
The Monarchs fought back to take the lead in the late innings of Game 1 but squandered it and fell in extra innings. So Braeland City looks to try and get the split before the Series heads to Stratford. 26,891 fans return to see if their team can get the equalizer. The afternoon sees a carbon copy of the beautiful weather enjoyed the day before, with the wind blowing in right to left.
The Monarchs send out 39-year old LHP
David Cooling (15-5, 3.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP). Stratford responds with 31-year old RHP
Kelvin Hutchinson (9-8, 4.76 ERA, 1.51 WHIP). Hutchinson also started Game 2 last year.
Top of the 1st:
2B Chris Spiller opens the scoring, crushing a 2-1 pitch 434 ft. into the centerfield bleachers for a one-out
solo home run.
Stratford 1 - Braeland City 0
Bottom of the 1st:
CF Patrick Lidgate draws a four-pitch walk with one out, then steals 2B with two out. On the next pitch, LF Daniel Tantoco hits a line drive single, scoring Lidgate to tie things up.
Stratford 1 - Braeland City 1
Top of the 3rd:
Vincent Colón draws a full count walk to lead things off, then advances to 2B on a Kelvin Hutchinson sac bunt. Roberto Ríos follows, slicing a single into leftfield to score Colón.
Chris Spiller then reaches base safely on a dropped throw (E1), moving Ríos to 2B.
With two out, Aaron Skidmore drives in Ríos with a squeaker that gets by both SS Luwen Rodenburg and 3B Adam Ashley.
Stratford 3 - Braeland City 1
Top of the 5th:
Roberto Ríos leads off, getting to 2B on a throwing error (E6). Chris Spilller follows with a single to left-centerfield, scoring Ríos.
The Barons then load the bases with a first-pitch single by Jake Walker and a walk drawn by Aaron Skidmore. Lyndon Inagaki follows, scoring Stratford’s fifth run with a sac fly to leftfield.
Stratford 5 - Braeland City 1
Top of the 8th:
RP Kai Torr gets two quick outs, but gives up a walk to Roberto Ríos. Chris Spiller steps up to the plate and cranks out a line drive triple into left centerfield, scoring Ríos easily.
After Jake Walker is intentionally walked, Aaron Skidmore scrapes out an infield hit. Spiller comes home on the play, extending the Barons’ lead.
Stratford 7 - Braeland City 1
Top of the 9th:
Stratford takes advantage of more Braeland City miscues, as León Rivera leads off and reaches 1B safely on an error (E1). Ricardo Castellanos singles, but an error in the field (E7), allows Rivera to score and Castellanos to reach second.
After reaching 3B on a ground out, Castellanos scores the Baron’s ninth run on a Kelvin Hutchinson single.
Stratford 9 - Braeland City 1
Bottom of the 9th:
The Monarchs finally get something going when Daniel Tantoco leads off with a first-pitch single, Christopher Dainty is hit by a pitch and Adam Ashley singles to load the bases with nobody out. Jesús Ortega follows with a single of his own, scoring Tantoco.
1B Dennis Borton grounds into a 4-6-3 double play, but Dainty comes home on the play. PH Kyle Pryor singles in Ashley for Braeland City’s forth run, but after RHP Alberto León comes on in relief, he gets Luwen Rodenburg to fly out to rightfield and end the rally. The Barons take two straight on the road as the series heads to Stratford for Game 3.
FINAL: Stratford 9 - Braeland City 4
Player of the Game: Chris Spiller earns the accolade, going 4 for 6, with 1HR, 1-3B, 3 RBI, 3 R.
Aaron Skidmore went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI, 1 BB.
Kelvin Hutchinson picks up the victory, 8.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K (1-0, 4.15 ERA).
For Braeland City:
David Cooling takes the loss, going just 5.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 HR (0-1, 5.40 ERA).
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Game 3 – April 1
The Series switches to Bosworth Field, which hosts the Eastern League Pennant Series for the 5th time in 12 years. But the weather has taken a turn. Rain has been falling all morning, threatening to disrupt the afternoon game. Nevertheless, 26,092 hearty souls pack the stadium. The temperature is agreeable (68F) with just a very light breeze blowing out to left.
23-year old RHP
Freddie Trerise (5-0, 2.95 ERA, 1.27 WHIP), who has battled injuries all season long, gets the start for Braeland City. Taking the mound for Stratford is 40-year old RHP
Ryan Borden (15-13, 2.98 ERA, 1.21 WHIP).
Bottom of the 1st:
With one out, Roberto Ríos, Chris Spiller and Aaron Skidmore all hit consecutive singles, driving in the game’s first run. Lyndon Inagaki then doubles into deep rightfield, scoring both Walker and Skidmore.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 3
The game is delayed for 34 minutes in the 2nd inning.
Top of the 3rd:
Luwen Rodenburg reaches 2B on an error (E4) with one out. Christopher Dainty hits into a 5-3 groundout, allowing Rodenburg to reach 3B. On a 0-1 pitch to Patrick Lidgate, Rodenburg attempts to steal home, but is cut down at the plate, ending the inning.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 3
Top of the 5th:
Simon Flatt singles with one out, then steals 2B two pitches later. But a throwing error (E2) on the steal attempt allows him to reach 3B. Derek Reed draws a walk to put runners on the corners. With two out, the Monarchs pummel Ryan Borden with four straight singles, by Luwen Rodenburg, Christopher Dainty, Patrick Lidgate and Dean Witherden. In the process, Braeland City scores four runs to take the lead.
Braeland City 4 – Stratford 3
Bottom of the 7th:
Roberto Ríos draws a walk with one out. That ends SP Trerise’s day after 120 pitches. RP Harold Barr replaces him. Ríos steals 2B and reaches 3B on 6-3 groundout by Chris Spiller. After Jake Walker draws a 4-pitch walk, Aaron Skidmore singles in Ríos for the tying run.
Braeland City 4 – Stratford 4
Top of the 8th:
Magtanggol Jaojoco relieves Ryan Borden to start the inning. Adam Ashley singles with one out and promptly steals 2B. The Barons then decide to intentionally walk Simon Flatt. Derek Reed follows with a double, scoring both Ashley and Flatt, giving the lead back to Braeland City.
In the bottom of the 9th, RP Samuel Hollier induces three straight ground outs to end the game and nail down the Monarchs first victory in the Series.
FINAL: Braeland City 6 – Stratford 4
Player of the Game: Simon Flatt went 2 for 2, with 2 R, 2 BB.
Freddie Trerise went 6.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 5.68 ERA.
Harold Barr picked up the win, going 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0K, 10.13 (1-1, 1 blown save).
For Stratford:
Ryan Borden went 7.0 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 5.14 ERA.
Magtanggol Jaojoco took the loss, going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (0-1, 4.50 ERA).
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Game 4 – April 2
Braeland City finally got a win and look to try to even things up in Game 4. The rain is gone leaving sunny, clear skies. Things have heated up (78F) as well, but a moderate breeze is blowing out to center. 25,727 fans are making their presence known, hoping that they can cheer their Barons back into the win column.
Braeland City’s 28-year old RHP
Robin Medellin (18-7, 3.90 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) makes his fourth career playoff start, while it will be the second career playoff start for Stratford’s 22-year old RHP
Bill Wolf (11-16, 1 SV, 3.44 ERA, 1.35 WHIP).
Bottom of the 4th:
Batters are kept off the scoreboard until the 4th inning, when Chris Spiller leads off with a first-pitch triple. An intentional walk to Jake Walker and an unintentional walk to Aaron Skidmore on four straight pitches load the bases with nobody out. Lyndon Inagaki battles Medellin to a full-count before smashing a line drive double in rightfield. Spiller and Walker score, putting the Barons on the board. Although Stratford continues to threaten, Medellin is able to get out of the jam four batters later without further damage.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 2
Top of the 5th:
The Monarchs get something going when Dennis Borton doubles with one out. With two out, Luwen Rodenburg laces a single past third base. Borton scrambles home from 2B without a throw.
Braeland City 1 – Stratford 2
Top of the 9th:
Dennis Borton leads off with a single, reaches 2B on a sac bunt by PH Jorge Valentín, then advances to 3B on a wild pitch during Simon Flatt’s at-bat. On the next pitch, Flatt smacks a line-drive sac fly into left-centerfield. Flatt tags up on the play and scores the tying run.
In the bottom of the 9th, RP Samuel Hollier comes in and gets the Barons to go down in order, forcing extra innings for the second time in the series.
Braeland City 2 – Stratford 2
Bottom of the 10th:
Roberto Ríos leads off with a full-count walk. Chris Spiller lays down a sac bunt, but beats out the throw at 1B, putting two men on base. After Ríos advances to 3B on a fielder’s choice, Aaron Skidmore comes through with a single, scoring Ríos to the game-winning run. Stratford takes a commanding 3 games to one lead in the series.
FINAL: Braeland City 2 – Stratford 3
Player of the Game: Bill Wolf went the distance, going 10.0 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 126 PI (1-0, 1.80 ERA).
LF Ricardo Castellanos suffered a strained rib cage muscle in the 7th inning when fielding a fly ball by PH Kyle Pryor. He is expected to be day-to-day for the next 3 weeks.
For Braeland City:
Robin Medellin pitched a good game, going 8.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 2.25 ERA.
Samuel Hollier picked up the loss, going 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 3.38 ERA.
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Game 5 – April 3
The Barons smell blood and the Monarchs’ back is against the wall. That is the situation as the two teams head into Game 5 of the series. Braeland City needs a win just to stay alive, while the Barons are hoping to wrap things up at home and celebrate another Eastern League Pennant. There’s not a cloud in the sky and the temperature is climbing (81F). Only a gentle breeze blowing out to left provides some relief for the 26,136 rowdy fans.
The starters of Game 1 meet again: Braeland City’s LHP
Nicholas Grimes squares off against 38-year old LHP
Joel Fearn again. Neither got the decision in Game 1.
Bottom of the 2nd:
Lyndon Inagaki leads off with a 4-pitch walk. With one out, Ricardo Castellanos singles, putting runners on the corners. After Vincent Colón draws another walk to load the bases, Joel Fearn helps his cause with a first-pitch single. That scores both Inagaki and Castellanos before SP Grimes gets back-to-back fly outs to end the inning.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 2
Bottom of the 3rd:
Jake Walker leads off with a single. On a 3-2 pitch, Aaron Skidmore belts out a
2-run home run, 398 ft. into the rocking leftfield bleachers.
León Rivera keeps the momentum going when he triples with one out. Ricardo Castellanos extends the lead when he follows with a sac fly to leftfield, bringing home Rivera.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 5
Bottom of the 4th:
Joel Fearn leads off with an infield single, his second hit of the game. Roberto Ríos follows with a double, putting runners on 2B and 3B. Next up is Chris Spiller, who sends a sac fly deep into rightfield. That brings home Fearn for the Barons sixth run.
Braeland City 0 – Stratford 6
Top of the 7th:
The Monarchs finally get something going, when they load the bases with three straight singles by Dean Witherden, Jesús Ortega and Adam Ashley to start the inning. Simon Flatt hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice, allowing Witherden to score Braeland City’s first run.
Derek Reed then doubles, scoring both Ortega and Flatt. But Fearn is able to stem the tide with a couple of fly outs.
Braeland City 3 – Stratford 6
Top of the 9th:
Joel Fearn gets two quick outs when Adam Ashley hits into a 4-3 ground out and Simon Flatt strikes out swinging. Derek Reed keeps things alive with a triple. But PH Dennis Borton flies out to centerfield to end the game and the series. The Barons get revenge for last year’s loss and take down the mighty Monarchs in just 5 games.
FINAL: Braeland City 3 – Stratford 6
Player of the Game: Joel Fearn was on fire. On the mound, he went 9.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K on 108 pitches (1-0, 3.38 ERA). At the plate, his line was 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 R.
For Braeland City:
It just wasn’t Nicholas Grimes’ day, as he went only 4.0 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 0 K on 92 pitches (0-1, 7.36 ERA).
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