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reds1 · 05-17-2020, 12:00 AM

Cobourg Red Stockings (100-54) vs. Stratford Barons (86-68)
Season Matchup: 11-4 in favor of Cobourg

Cobourg: Runs scored – 741 (1st in East); runs against – 576 (1st)
Stratford: Runs scored – 720 (2nd); runs against – 650 (5th)

The Cobourg Red Stockings left the rest of the Eastern League in their wake as they won 100 games and finished 14 games ahead of their nearest competitor, the Stratford Barons. Cobourg’s previous best mark was two years ago when they went 83-71 and finished just one game back of the wild card. This is just the third time in their 16-year history that they have finished above .500 and the first time they have qualified for the playoffs, so they are entering uncharted waters for themselves.

But they do so with a pitching staff dealing with injuries. 24-year old LHP Bill Budd (18-12, 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 119 ERA+) will be sitting out the Pennant Series as he nurses a strained forearm while 23-year old rookie RHP Brian McDaniel (4-0, 3 SV, 2.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 2.91 FIP) is lost for the rest of the season due to shoulder inflammation. And No. 1 starter, 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (16-7, 2.57 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 139 ERA+) is coping with strep throat. However, he is slated to start Game 1 nonetheless.

The Barons enjoyed a nine-year stretch from 1940 to 1948 where they made the playoffs five times and won two United Cup championships. But their last playoff appearance was four years ago. At least four players return from the latter portion of their glory years. That list includes 33-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.302/.459/.463, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 128 BB, 8.8 WAR) and 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (15-7, 2.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 119 ERA+), two of the Barons current stars.

Stratford will be without two starters. No. 4 starter 24-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (13-10, 4.14 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 86 ERA+) strained his back late in the season and will be replaced with 32-year old rookie RHP Edward Skerrett (3-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.68 FIP). As well, 24-year old 2B Matthew Channing (.221/.265/.379, 12 HR, 64 RBI, 25 BB, 2.5 WAR) suffered an oblique strain in early March and is out for the Pennant Series. The Barons will miss his solid defense. Taking his place will be 34-year old Quinlevan Goldfinch (.200/.289/.325, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 0.3 WAR), who made all of 40 AB this season.

This will be the first playoff appearance as managers for both Cobourg’s 61-year old Nicholas Willis and Stratford’s 59-year old Xavier Ahernfeld. Ahernfeld is in his third season as a manager, all with the Barons. Willis previously reached the playoffs as a bench coach twice; once with the 1937-38 Sherburn Tigers in the ULB’s inaugural season and with the 1946-47 Brunswick Legends. Neither team won the Pennant, so one of these managers will be capturing their first flag this season. So, without further adieu, its time to play ball!

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Game 1 – March 31

A near sellout crowd of 25,803 jam into Radcliffe Field to witness the first playoff game in Cobourg’s history. The skies are partly cloudy and it’s a warm 76F with a breeze blowing out to left (12 mph).

Cobourg’s four-year veteran RHP Fergus Hirst makes his first playoff start, while this will be the third playoff start for the Barons’ 26-year old RHP Bill Wolf (2-0, 0.95 ERA in two starts in 1948-49).

Bottom of the 1st:
The Red Stockings waste little time as SS John Medley lines a single into left field on the second pitch he sees. Two pitches later, he steals second without a throw from C Aaron Skidmore. After LF Rizalino Ringor flies out to left field, CF Raymond Williams singles into right field. Medley turns on the jets, racing around third and beats out the throw from RF Andy Faulkner for the game’s first run.
3B Alexander Tolmie singles a line drive into leftfield, moving Williams to third base. C Jason Lymer follows with a single into shallow centerfield, scoring Williams as the Red Stockings take a 2-0 lead.
Stratford 0 – Cobourg 2

Bottom of the 3rd:
Bill Wolf gets two outs to start the bottom half, but then gives up back-to-back walks to Alexander Tolmie and Jason Lymer. Next up is Harry Doxey, who smashes the first pitch he sees into left centerfield for a two-run double.
Stratford 0 – Cobourg 4

Bottom of the 6th:
Stratford errors cost them a run. With one out, John Medley hits a line drive out to CF Sherwin Carasig. But Carasig bobbles and drops the ball, allowing Medley to reach first safely. Rizalino Ringor then singles into right field. Medley rounds second and heads to third. Andy Faulkner throws to third but its in the dirt. 3B Vincent Colón is unable to come up with it, allowing Medley to score and Ringor to advance to second.
Stratford 0 – Cobourg 5

Top of the 7th:
The Barons get on the board when Sherwin Carasig draws a one-out walk, then steals second a couple of pitches later. Andy Faulkner then doubles into leftfield, scoring Carasig.

In the top of the 9th, Fergus Hirst finishes things off by striking out Aaron Skidmore then inducing back-to-back groundouts from both Bob Goodyear and Sherwin Carasig. Cobourg takes Game 1.
FINAL: Stratford 1 – Cobourg 5

Player of the Game: Fergus Hirst shakes off the bad sore throat and goes the distance on 145 pitches. His line was 9.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K (1-0, 1.00 ERA; Game Score: 82).

For Stratford:

Bill Wolf pitches 7.0 innings, with 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 131 PI (0-1, 5.14 ERA; GS: 37).

Andy Faulkner went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI.

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Game 2 – April 1

The two teams meet again under clear, sunny skies with the temperature reaching 80F and a breeze blowing in from left (11 mph). 25,474 have returned to see if the Red Stockings can continue their roll.

31-year old RHP Alberto León (12-13, 4.46 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 80 ERA+), a former member of the Stratford Barons’ pitching staff (and who pitched 9.2 innings for them in the playoffs), gets the start against his old team. For the Barons, 26-year old ace RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco gets the call. Jaojoco has pitched 14.2 innings in the playoffs for Stratford previously, but this will be his first start.

Top of the 5th:
The starters keep the hitters off the board, limiting them to three hits through the first four innings. But the Barons break through in the 5th.
Vincent Colón leads off with a single and advances to second when Quinlevan Goldfinch draws a walk. After Jaojoco lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Roberto Ríos singles towards left centerfield. 2B Dwane Stace is able to knock it down but can’t make a throw, allowing Colón to score and Goldfinch to reach third base.
Alan Tennant smacks a single down the first base line. Although 1B Harry Doxey is able to corral it, Tennant beats out the tag while Goldfinch scores.
An Aaron Skidmore double and a Bob Goodyear single score two more runs before Sherwin Carasig grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Stratford 4 – Cobourg 0

Bottom of the 5th:
Cobourg gets on the board when Dwayne Stace leads off with a four-pitch walk and then reaches third base on an Alberto León sac bunt and a John Medley 6-3 ground out. Rizalino Ringor follows with a single into shallow right field, scoring Stace.
Stratford 4 – Cobourg 1

Bottom of the 9th:
Unable to get anything going against Jaojoco, the Red Stockings finally break through when he is relieved by RHP Kai Torr.
Harry Doxey leads off with a double, followed by back-to-back walks to Nathan Ashman and Dwayne Stace, loading the bases. Doxey scores when PH Bernie Vantassell hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, while Ashmore scores when John Medley grounds out to 1B Bob Goodyear.
Rizalino Ringor singles into left centerfield. Vantassell reaches third and heads for home. CF Sherwin Carasig tries to throw him out at the plate, but Vantassell beats the tag to tie up the game.
After Ringor steals second base, the Barons elect to intentionally walk Raymond Williams. Alexander Tolmie battles Torr to a full count then drives a single over the head of defensive replacement SS Jeff Houston. Ringor races home from second without a throw for the winning run as Cobourg comes back in dramatic fashion to take Game 2.
FINAL: Stratford 4 – Cobourg 5

Player of the Game: RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco pitched a great game but the Barons were unable to hold on to the lead. He went 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 131 PI (0-0, 1.23 ERA, GS: 67).

RHP Kai Torr was unable to hold onto the lead and took the loss, going went 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 45 PI (0-1, 1 BS, 27.00 ERA).

Alan Tennant went 2 for 3 with 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB.

For Cobourg:

RHP Alberto León went 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 114 PI (0-0, 5.14 ERA; GS: 46).

RHP Marcus Turvill picked up the win, going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 33 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

LF Rizalino Ringor went 2 for 5, with 1 R, 2 RBI.

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Game 3 – April 3

The Eastern Pennant Series moves to Bosworth Field in Stratford for Game 3, with 26,156 faithful fans ready cheer on after a dispiriting first two games. As hot as it was in Cobourg on the east coast, its even hotter in the interior. Beautiful, clear skies and heat (85F) greet the players, with the wind blowing out to left at 12 mph.

25-year old New Zealander RHP Ted Smith (19-7, 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 101 ERA+) makes his first career playoff appearance as he tries to get the Barons back into the Series. Cobourg counters with 24-year old RHP Bobby Williams (11-4, 3.81 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 94 ERA+), who will also makes his playoff debut.

Top of the 1st:
With two out Raymond Williams gets the Red Stockings on the board first with a monster solo home run, 428 ft into the right centerfield stands. It’s the first home run of the Series.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 1st:
The Barons answer right back. Lead off hitter Roberto Ríos lines a single into left field. Alan Tennant then draws a walk, moving Ríos to second. With one out, Bob Goodyear jumps on a 3-1 pitch and sends it 384 ft. into the right field bleachers for a 3-run home run, giving Stratford the lead.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 3

Bottom of the 3rd:
Stratford continues to give RHP Williams fits as Sherwin Carasig and Andy Faulkner lead off with back-to-back walks (with Carasig stealing second without a throw to boot). With one out, Quinlevan Goldfinch hits it to SS John Medley. But Medley’s throw to 2B Dwayne Stace is off the mark, allowing Goldfinch to reach safely and load the bases.
Next up is starter Ted Smith, who gets a standing ovation from an awed crowd after he cranks out a 3-run triple into the right field corner. An unnerved Williams then uncorks a wild pitch during Roberto Ríos’ at-bat, allowing Smith to score the Barons’ seventh run. After Alan Tennant draws another walk with two out, manager Nicholas Willis sees enough and relieves Williams with LHP Ethan Hoyes who gets out of inning with a flyout from Aaron Skidmore.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 7

Bottom of the 4th:
But Stratford keeps up the pressure. Bob Goodyear leads off with first-pitch double, while Sherwin Carasig and Andy Faulkner draw back-to-back walks to load the bases. Walter Beauvis hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, but Goodyear scores on the play. Quinlevan Goldfinch grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning as Cobourg limits the damage.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 8

Top of the 7th:
Harry Doxey leads off with single into leftfield while Nathan Ashman draws a walk. With one out, pitcher Ethan Hoyes attempts to lay down a sac bunt but RHP Ted Smith throws out Doxey at third base. John Medley then draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Rizalino Ringor comes through with a single into right centerfield. Ashman scores easily on play. Ethan Hoyes reaches third and is waved home. He scores easily as well as CF Sherwin Carasig doesn’t risk the throw home.
Cobourg 3 – Stratford 8

Top of the 9th:
RHP Alonso Martínez relieves Ted Smith to start the inning, but Alexander Tolmie immediately starts off with a single while Jason Lymer follows with a double, putting runners on second and third. Harry Doxey singles for the third time in the game scoring both Tolmie and Lymer.

In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Martínez needs just five pitches to retire the side, as John Medley grounds out to 1B Bob Goodyear, Rizalino Ringor flies out to LF Roberto Ríos and Raymond Williams grounds out to 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch to end the game. The Barons get in the win column for the first time in the series.
FINAL: Cobourg 5 – Stratford 8

Player of the Game: Bob Goodyear enjoyed a big day, racking up 6 total bases.

Ted Smith got the win, going 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 104 PI (1-0, 3.86 ERA; GS: 50). He also went 1 for 3 at the plate, with 1-3B, 1 R, 3 RBI.

For Cobourg:

Stratford was not kind to Bobby Williams, as he went just 2.2 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 7 BB, 0 K, 93 PI (0-1, 20.25 ERA; GS: 13).

Harry Doxey went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI.

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Game 4 – April 4

The Barons look to even things up after an impressive Game 3 performance. 26,208 return to Bosworth Field to help their team do just that. The weather is doing its part: clear, sunny skies once again (74F) with the wind blowing out to center at 13 mph.

Both starters are making their first playoff appearance. 32-year old rookie RHP Edward Skerrett (3-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.68 FIP) spent most of the season in the minors before team injuries forced his callup. 26-year old RHP Harry Dinsmore (13-9, 3.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 95 ERA+), who enjoyed the best season of his five-year career, will try to return the momentum back to the Red Stockings.

Bottom of the 2nd:
Sherwin Carasig leads off with a double into rightfield. Two outs later, Quinlevan Goldfinch slaps it out to SS John Medley but Medley can’t corral it allowing Goldfinch to reach first base and Carasig to reach third. Pitcher Edward Skerrett then singles into leftfield, scoring Carasig for the game’s first run.
Cobourg 0 – Stratford 1

Bottom of the 5th:
Dinsmore runs into trouble in the 5th. Aaron Skidmore leads off with a solo home run, 387 ft. down the right field line.
Bob Goodyear immediately follows with a first-pitch single. Then both Sherwin Carasig and RF Andy Faulkner are draw walks to load the bases. Walter Beauvais flies out to CF Raymond Williams. Goodyear tags up and beats out the throw to score Stratford’s third run.

In the bottom of the 9th, Edward Skerrett is given the chance to close out the game. Raymond Williams leads off and flies out to CF Sherwin Carasig. Alexander Tolmie singles into right field but RF Andy Faulkner cuts him down at second base with a missile as Tolmie tried to stretch his hit. Lastly, Skerrett gets Jason Lymer to fly out to Faulkner to close out his remarkable complete game win as Stratford evens the Series.
FINAL: Cobourg 0 – Stratford 3

Player of the Game: Easy pick here, as Edward Skerrett was sensational in his first playoff game, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 108 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA; GS: 79).

For Cobourg:

Harry Dinsmore started off well but seemed to run out of steam in the 5th inning. In all, he went 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 127 PI (0-1, 3.86 ERA; GS: 35).

Nathan Ashman went 2 for 3.

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Game 5 – April 5

Two consecutive home wins have swung the momentum over to Stratford’s favor. The Barons look to keep that momentum going with another home win, where 25,851 have returned to Bosworth Field to cheer them on. The skies are clear, the temperature has shot up to 77F with the wind blowing right to left (10 mph) at game time.

The Game 1 starters meet again: RHP Bill Wolf (0-1, 5.14 ERA) looks to get in the win column himself, while Cobourg’s RHP Fergus Hirst (1-0, 1.00 ERA) sets his sights simply on righting the Red Stockings’ faltering ship.

Top of the 1st:
The Red Stockings strike early as John Medley leads off with a single into rightfield. With one out, Raymond Williams and Alexander Tolmie draw back-to-back walks to load the bases. Jason Lymer then steps up and sends a deep fly ball to right field. Medley tags up at third and scores without a throw.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 1st:
The Barons strike back when Roberto Ríos leads off with a single into shallow right field. Alan Tennant battles Hirst to a full count before doubling into left centerfield. Ríos races home from second and ties up the game unmolested.
With one out, C Lymer gives up a passed ball, allowing Tennant to reach third. Tennant then scores when Bob Goodyear ground outs to SS John Medley, giving Stratford the lead.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 2

Top of the 3rd:
Cobourg puts up a crooked number as John Medley leads off with a single, then advances to second when Rizalino Ringor is given a free pass. Raymond Williams grounds into a 4-6 fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners. With two out, Jason Lymer comes through with a double. Medley ties it up easily, while Williams rounds third and beats out CF Sherwin Carasig’s throw home to give the lead back to Cobourg.
Harry Doxey singles into leftfield, scoring Lymer from second.
The Red Stockings are not quite done. A Nathan Ashman single and a Dwayne Stace walk load the bases. Fergus Hirst then helps his own cause, singling into deep right centerfield. That scores two more runs as Cobourg takes a solid lead.
Cobourg 6 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 3rd:
Hirst strikes out both Roberto Ríos and Alan Tennant but Aaron Skidmore gets all of a 3-2 pitch, sending it 378 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a solo home run.
Cobourg 6 – Stratford 3

Top of the 4th:
Alexander Tolmie doubles into rightfield with one out. After advancing to third on a Jason Lymer ground out to 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch, Tolmie scores on a Harry Doxey single. That ends Bill Wolf’s afternoon, as RHP Norberto Ortíz comes on in relief.
Cobourg 7 – Stratford 3

Top of the 5th:
The onslaught continues as Cobourg loads the bases to start the inning, with back-to-back singles by Fergus Hirst and John Medley as well as a base on balls by Rizalino Ringor. Raymond Williams hits it out to 1B Bob Goodyear, but Goodyear bobbles the ball, allowing Williams to reach safely and Hirst to score.
With one out, Jason Lymer singles into left centerfield. Medley scores easily on the play. Ringor rounds third and beats out CF Sherwin Carasig’s throw home.
With two out, Nathan Ashman draws a walk, loading the bases once again. Dwayne Stace singles into deep right centerfield, scoring Williams for the inning’s fourth run. Lymer races past third and heads for home. But RF Andy Faulkner’s throw is right on target, cutting down Lymer at home to end the inning.
Cobourg 11 – Stratford 3

Top of the 9th:
Alexander Tolmie leads off with single into shallow leftfield. With one out, Harry Doxey doubles into left centerfield, moving Tolmie over the third base. Nathan Ashman follows him and grounds out to SS Alan Tennant. However, Tolmie scores on the play, padding Cobourg’s lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, RHP Carl Lampley, who relieved Fergus Hirst in the 8th, looks to put the Barons quietly to bed. He does so, getting PH Don North to pop out to 1B Harry Doxey, Alan Tennant to strike out and PH Thomas Lerwill to fly out to CF Raymond Williams. Cobourg’s takes the upper hand with the first road win of the series.
FINAL: Cobourg 12 – Stratford 3

Player of the Game: John Medley didn’t drive in any runs but did score three runs himself and collected 4 total bases.

Alexander Tolmie went 3 for 5 with 2 R, 1 BB.

Harry Doxey went 3 for 6 with 1 R, 2 RBI.

RHP Fergus Hirst picked up this second win, going 7.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 5 K, 142 PI (2-0, 2.16 ERA; GS: 54). At the plate, he went 3 for 5, with 1 R, 2 RBI.

For Stratford:

RHP Bill Wolf got roughed up pretty good, going just 3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 93 PI (0-2, 9.28 ERA; GS: 11).

RHP Norberto Ortíz didn’t far much better, going 3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 67 PI, 8.10 ERA.

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Game 6 – April 7

The Series returns to Cobourg, with the Red Stockings needing just one more victory to wrap things up. Radcliffe Field is decked out once again with bunting as 25,419 fans came early to soak in their team’s playoff run. There’s not a cloud in sight anywhere along the east coast. The temperature is a balmy 75F and the wind is blowing out to center at 10 mph.

The Game 2 starters are called on to face each other once again. Neither Cobourg’s 31-year old RHP Alberto León (0-0, 5.14 ERA) nor Stratford’s RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (0-0, 1.23 ERA) got the win last time, but Jaojoco won Player of the Game honors. The Barons hope he will be just as effective as they look to keep the Series alive.

Top of the 1st:
Roberto Ríos leads off the game and hits it out to 1B Harry Doxey. Doxey drops to one knee but can’t find the handle. He doesn’t risk the throw as Ríos reaches first base safely. The bases quickly become loaded when Alan Tennant and Aaron Skidmore draw back-to-back walks. Bob Goodyear grounds into a 4-6-3 double play, but Ríos scores on the play to get the Barons on the board early.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 0

Bottom of the 3rd:
John Medley leads off and reaches safely when 1B Bob Goodyear cannot hang onto the throw from SS Alan Tennant. With one out, Raymond Williams comes through with a double all the way down the leftfield line. Medley races around second and third and heads for home, beating out LF Roberto Ríos’ throw to tie up the game.
After Alexander Tolmie flies out leftfield, Jason Lymer smashes a 3-1 pitch from Jaojoco 385 ft. into the right field stands for a two-run home run.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 3

Bottom of the 5th:
Raymond Williams launches another Jaojoco offering 401 ft. into the same delirious right field stands for a two-out solo home run.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 4

Bottom of the 7th:
Rizalino Ringor leads off with a single then reaches third base when Alexander Tolmie lines a double into deep centerfield. With two out, Harry Doxey battles Jaojoco to a full count before cranking out a line drive single into centerfield, scoring both Ringor and Tolmie.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 6

Bottom of the 8th:
RHP Alonso Martínez relieves Jaojoco to start in the bottom half and gets two quick outs. But John Medley bloops a single into shallow centerfield. After Rizalino Ringor draws a walk, Raymond Williams singles down the first base line. Medley blows past third and races towards home. RF Sherwin Carasig’s throw is not in time as Medley adds to the Red Stockings’ lead.

In the top of the 9th, Alberto León tries to block out the ever-increasing cheers from the home crowd as he looks to close things out. Up first is Aaron Skidmore, who grounds out to 2B Dwayne Stace on the first offering. Bob Goodyear lines out to LF Rizalino Ringor as he races in to catch it. Finally, Sherwin Carasig hits the first pitch back to León, who cleanly throws to 1B Harry Doxey for the third and final out. The Cobourg Red Stockings close out the series to win their first Eastern League Pennant and move on to the United Cup!
FINAL: Stratford 1 – Cobourg 7

Player of the Game: Alberto León was just outstanding, not giving up an earned run all afternoon: 9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 123 PI, (1-0, 2.25 ERA; GS: 81)

Jason Lymer went 2 for 4 with 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI.

Harry Doxey went 3 for 4 with 1-2B, 2 RBI

For Stratford:

Magtanggol Jaojoco just couldn’t keep the Red Stocking off the board but that could be said of the entire team today. He went 7.0 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 117 PI (0-1, 2.51 ERA; GS: 39).

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05-17-2020, 12:00 AM	#578
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	Cobourg Red Stockings (100-54) vs. Stratford Barons (86-68) Season Matchup: 11-4 in favor of Cobourg Cobourg: Runs scored – 741 (1st in East); runs against – 576 (1st) Stratford: Runs scored – 720 (2nd); runs against – 650 (5th) The Cobourg Red Stockings left the rest of the Eastern League in their wake as they won 100 games and finished 14 games ahead of their nearest competitor, the Stratford Barons. Cobourg’s previous best mark was two years ago when they went 83-71 and finished just one game back of the wild card. This is just the third time in their 16-year history that they have finished above .500 and the first time they have qualified for the playoffs, so they are entering uncharted waters for themselves. But they do so with a pitching staff dealing with injuries. 24-year old LHP Bill Budd (18-12, 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 119 ERA+) will be sitting out the Pennant Series as he nurses a strained forearm while 23-year old rookie RHP Brian McDaniel (4-0, 3 SV, 2.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 2.91 FIP) is lost for the rest of the season due to shoulder inflammation. And No. 1 starter, 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (16-7, 2.57 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 139 ERA+) is coping with strep throat. However, he is slated to start Game 1 nonetheless. The Barons enjoyed a nine-year stretch from 1940 to 1948 where they made the playoffs five times and won two United Cup championships. But their last playoff appearance was four years ago. At least four players return from the latter portion of their glory years. That list includes 33-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.302/.459/.463, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 128 BB, 8.8 WAR) and 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (15-7, 2.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 119 ERA+), two of the Barons current stars. Stratford will be without two starters. No. 4 starter 24-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (13-10, 4.14 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 86 ERA+) strained his back late in the season and will be replaced with 32-year old rookie RHP Edward Skerrett (3-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.68 FIP). As well, 24-year old 2B Matthew Channing (.221/.265/.379, 12 HR, 64 RBI, 25 BB, 2.5 WAR) suffered an oblique strain in early March and is out for the Pennant Series. The Barons will miss his solid defense. Taking his place will be 34-year old Quinlevan Goldfinch (.200/.289/.325, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 0.3 WAR), who made all of 40 AB this season. This will be the first playoff appearance as managers for both Cobourg’s 61-year old Nicholas Willis and Stratford’s 59-year old Xavier Ahernfeld. Ahernfeld is in his third season as a manager, all with the Barons. Willis previously reached the playoffs as a bench coach twice; once with the 1937-38 Sherburn Tigers in the ULB’s inaugural season and with the 1946-47 Brunswick Legends. Neither team won the Pennant, so one of these managers will be capturing their first flag this season. So, without further adieu, its time to play ball! -------- Game 1 – March 31 A near sellout crowd of 25,803 jam into Radcliffe Field to witness the first playoff game in Cobourg’s history. The skies are partly cloudy and it’s a warm 76F with a breeze blowing out to left (12 mph). Cobourg’s four-year veteran RHP Fergus Hirst makes his first playoff start, while this will be the third playoff start for the Barons’ 26-year old RHP Bill Wolf (2-0, 0.95 ERA in two starts in 1948-49). Bottom of the 1st: The Red Stockings waste little time as SS John Medley lines a single into left field on the second pitch he sees. Two pitches later, he steals second without a throw from C Aaron Skidmore. After LF Rizalino Ringor flies out to left field, CF Raymond Williams singles into right field. Medley turns on the jets, racing around third and beats out the throw from RF Andy Faulkner for the game’s first run. 3B Alexander Tolmie singles a line drive into leftfield, moving Williams to third base. C Jason Lymer follows with a single into shallow centerfield, scoring Williams as the Red Stockings take a 2-0 lead. Stratford 0 – Cobourg 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Bill Wolf gets two outs to start the bottom half, but then gives up back-to-back walks to Alexander Tolmie and Jason Lymer. Next up is Harry Doxey, who smashes the first pitch he sees into left centerfield for a two-run double. Stratford 0 – Cobourg 4 Bottom of the 6th: Stratford errors cost them a run. With one out, John Medley hits a line drive out to CF Sherwin Carasig. But Carasig bobbles and drops the ball, allowing Medley to reach first safely. Rizalino Ringor then singles into right field. Medley rounds second and heads to third. Andy Faulkner throws to third but its in the dirt. 3B Vincent Colón is unable to come up with it, allowing Medley to score and Ringor to advance to second. Stratford 0 – Cobourg 5 Top of the 7th: The Barons get on the board when Sherwin Carasig draws a one-out walk, then steals second a couple of pitches later. Andy Faulkner then doubles into leftfield, scoring Carasig. In the top of the 9th, Fergus Hirst finishes things off by striking out Aaron Skidmore then inducing back-to-back groundouts from both Bob Goodyear and Sherwin Carasig. Cobourg takes Game 1. FINAL: Stratford 1 – Cobourg 5 *Player of the Game:* Fergus Hirst shakes off the bad sore throat and goes the distance on 145 pitches. His line was 9.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K (1-0, 1.00 ERA; Game Score: 82). For Stratford: Bill Wolf pitches 7.0 innings, with 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 131 PI (0-1, 5.14 ERA; GS: 37). Andy Faulkner went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI. -------- Game 2 – April 1 The two teams meet again under clear, sunny skies with the temperature reaching 80F and a breeze blowing in from left (11 mph). 25,474 have returned to see if the Red Stockings can continue their roll. 31-year old RHP Alberto León (12-13, 4.46 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 80 ERA+), a former member of the Stratford Barons’ pitching staff (and who pitched 9.2 innings for them in the playoffs), gets the start against his old team. For the Barons, 26-year old ace RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco gets the call. Jaojoco has pitched 14.2 innings in the playoffs for Stratford previously, but this will be his first start. Top of the 5th: The starters keep the hitters off the board, limiting them to three hits through the first four innings. But the Barons break through in the 5th. Vincent Colón leads off with a single and advances to second when Quinlevan Goldfinch draws a walk. After Jaojoco lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Roberto Ríos singles towards left centerfield. 2B Dwane Stace is able to knock it down but can’t make a throw, allowing Colón to score and Goldfinch to reach third base. Alan Tennant smacks a single down the first base line. Although 1B Harry Doxey is able to corral it, Tennant beats out the tag while Goldfinch scores. An Aaron Skidmore double and a Bob Goodyear single score two more runs before Sherwin Carasig grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Stratford 4 – Cobourg 0 Bottom of the 5th: Cobourg gets on the board when Dwayne Stace leads off with a four-pitch walk and then reaches third base on an Alberto León sac bunt and a John Medley 6-3 ground out. Rizalino Ringor follows with a single into shallow right field, scoring Stace. Stratford 4 – Cobourg 1 Bottom of the 9th: Unable to get anything going against Jaojoco, the Red Stockings finally break through when he is relieved by RHP Kai Torr. Harry Doxey leads off with a double, followed by back-to-back walks to Nathan Ashman and Dwayne Stace, loading the bases. Doxey scores when PH Bernie Vantassell hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, while Ashmore scores when John Medley grounds out to 1B Bob Goodyear. Rizalino Ringor singles into left centerfield. Vantassell reaches third and heads for home. CF Sherwin Carasig tries to throw him out at the plate, but Vantassell beats the tag to tie up the game. After Ringor steals second base, the Barons elect to intentionally walk Raymond Williams. Alexander Tolmie battles Torr to a full count then drives a single over the head of defensive replacement SS Jeff Houston. Ringor races home from second without a throw for the winning run as Cobourg comes back in dramatic fashion to take Game 2. FINAL: Stratford 4 – Cobourg 5 *Player of the Game:* RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco pitched a great game but the Barons were unable to hold on to the lead. He went 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 131 PI (0-0, 1.23 ERA, GS: 67). RHP Kai Torr was unable to hold onto the lead and took the loss, going went 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 45 PI (0-1, 1 BS, 27.00 ERA). Alan Tennant went 2 for 3 with 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB. For Cobourg: RHP Alberto León went 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 114 PI (0-0, 5.14 ERA; GS: 46). RHP Marcus Turvill picked up the win, going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 33 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA) LF Rizalino Ringor went 2 for 5, with 1 R, 2 RBI. -------- Game 3 – April 3 The Eastern Pennant Series moves to Bosworth Field in Stratford for Game 3, with 26,156 faithful fans ready cheer on after a dispiriting first two games. As hot as it was in Cobourg on the east coast, its even hotter in the interior. Beautiful, clear skies and heat (85F) greet the players, with the wind blowing out to left at 12 mph. 25-year old New Zealander RHP Ted Smith (19-7, 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 101 ERA+) makes his first career playoff appearance as he tries to get the Barons back into the Series. Cobourg counters with 24-year old RHP Bobby Williams (11-4, 3.81 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 94 ERA+), who will also makes his playoff debut. Top of the 1st: With two out Raymond Williams gets the Red Stockings on the board first with a monster solo home run, 428 ft into the right centerfield stands. It’s the first home run of the Series. Cobourg 1 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 1st: The Barons answer right back. Lead off hitter Roberto Ríos lines a single into left field. Alan Tennant then draws a walk, moving Ríos to second. With one out, Bob Goodyear jumps on a 3-1 pitch and sends it 384 ft. into the right field bleachers for a 3-run home run, giving Stratford the lead. Cobourg 1 – Stratford 3 Bottom of the 3rd: Stratford continues to give RHP Williams fits as Sherwin Carasig and Andy Faulkner lead off with back-to-back walks (with Carasig stealing second without a throw to boot). With one out, Quinlevan Goldfinch hits it to SS John Medley. But Medley’s throw to 2B Dwayne Stace is off the mark, allowing Goldfinch to reach safely and load the bases. Next up is starter Ted Smith, who gets a standing ovation from an awed crowd after he cranks out a 3-run triple into the right field corner. An unnerved Williams then uncorks a wild pitch during Roberto Ríos’ at-bat, allowing Smith to score the Barons’ seventh run. After Alan Tennant draws another walk with two out, manager Nicholas Willis sees enough and relieves Williams with LHP Ethan Hoyes who gets out of inning with a flyout from Aaron Skidmore. Cobourg 1 – Stratford 7 Bottom of the 4th: But Stratford keeps up the pressure. Bob Goodyear leads off with first-pitch double, while Sherwin Carasig and Andy Faulkner draw back-to-back walks to load the bases. Walter Beauvis hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, but Goodyear scores on the play. Quinlevan Goldfinch grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning as Cobourg limits the damage. Cobourg 1 – Stratford 8 Top of the 7th: Harry Doxey leads off with single into leftfield while Nathan Ashman draws a walk. With one out, pitcher Ethan Hoyes attempts to lay down a sac bunt but RHP Ted Smith throws out Doxey at third base. John Medley then draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Rizalino Ringor comes through with a single into right centerfield. Ashman scores easily on play. Ethan Hoyes reaches third and is waved home. He scores easily as well as CF Sherwin Carasig doesn’t risk the throw home. Cobourg 3 – Stratford 8 Top of the 9th: RHP Alonso Martínez relieves Ted Smith to start the inning, but Alexander Tolmie immediately starts off with a single while Jason Lymer follows with a double, putting runners on second and third. Harry Doxey singles for the third time in the game scoring both Tolmie and Lymer. In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Martínez needs just five pitches to retire the side, as John Medley grounds out to 1B Bob Goodyear, Rizalino Ringor flies out to LF Roberto Ríos and Raymond Williams grounds out to 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch to end the game. The Barons get in the win column for the first time in the series. FINAL: Cobourg 5 – Stratford 8 *Player of the Game:* Bob Goodyear enjoyed a big day, racking up 6 total bases. Ted Smith got the win, going 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 104 PI (1-0, 3.86 ERA; GS: 50). He also went 1 for 3 at the plate, with 1-3B, 1 R, 3 RBI. For Cobourg: Stratford was not kind to Bobby Williams, as he went just 2.2 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 7 BB, 0 K, 93 PI (0-1, 20.25 ERA; GS: 13). Harry Doxey went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. -------- Game 4 – April 4 The Barons look to even things up after an impressive Game 3 performance. 26,208 return to Bosworth Field to help their team do just that. The weather is doing its part: clear, sunny skies once again (74F) with the wind blowing out to center at 13 mph. Both starters are making their first playoff appearance. 32-year old rookie RHP Edward Skerrett (3-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.68 FIP) spent most of the season in the minors before team injuries forced his callup. 26-year old RHP Harry Dinsmore (13-9, 3.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 95 ERA+), who enjoyed the best season of his five-year career, will try to return the momentum back to the Red Stockings. Bottom of the 2nd: Sherwin Carasig leads off with a double into rightfield. Two outs later, Quinlevan Goldfinch slaps it out to SS John Medley but Medley can’t corral it allowing Goldfinch to reach first base and Carasig to reach third. Pitcher Edward Skerrett then singles into leftfield, scoring Carasig for the game’s first run. Cobourg 0 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 5th: Dinsmore runs into trouble in the 5th. Aaron Skidmore leads off with a solo home run, 387 ft. down the right field line. Bob Goodyear immediately follows with a first-pitch single. Then both Sherwin Carasig and RF Andy Faulkner are draw walks to load the bases. Walter Beauvais flies out to CF Raymond Williams. Goodyear tags up and beats out the throw to score Stratford’s third run. In the bottom of the 9th, Edward Skerrett is given the chance to close out the game. Raymond Williams leads off and flies out to CF Sherwin Carasig. Alexander Tolmie singles into right field but RF Andy Faulkner cuts him down at second base with a missile as Tolmie tried to stretch his hit. Lastly, Skerrett gets Jason Lymer to fly out to Faulkner to close out his remarkable complete game win as Stratford evens the Series. FINAL: Cobourg 0 – Stratford 3 *Player of the Game:* Easy pick here, as Edward Skerrett was sensational in his first playoff game, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 108 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA; GS: 79). For Cobourg: Harry Dinsmore started off well but seemed to run out of steam in the 5th inning. In all, he went 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 127 PI (0-1, 3.86 ERA; GS: 35). Nathan Ashman went 2 for 3. -------- Game 5 – April 5 Two consecutive home wins have swung the momentum over to Stratford’s favor. The Barons look to keep that momentum going with another home win, where 25,851 have returned to Bosworth Field to cheer them on. The skies are clear, the temperature has shot up to 77F with the wind blowing right to left (10 mph) at game time. The Game 1 starters meet again: RHP Bill Wolf (0-1, 5.14 ERA) looks to get in the win column himself, while Cobourg’s RHP Fergus Hirst (1-0, 1.00 ERA) sets his sights simply on righting the Red Stockings’ faltering ship. Top of the 1st: The Red Stockings strike early as John Medley leads off with a single into rightfield. With one out, Raymond Williams and Alexander Tolmie draw back-to-back walks to load the bases. Jason Lymer then steps up and sends a deep fly ball to right field. Medley tags up at third and scores without a throw. Cobourg 1 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 1st: The Barons strike back when Roberto Ríos leads off with a single into shallow right field. Alan Tennant battles Hirst to a full count before doubling into left centerfield. Ríos races home from second and ties up the game unmolested. With one out, C Lymer gives up a passed ball, allowing Tennant to reach third. Tennant then scores when Bob Goodyear ground outs to SS John Medley, giving Stratford the lead. Cobourg 1 – Stratford 2 Top of the 3rd: Cobourg puts up a crooked number as John Medley leads off with a single, then advances to second when Rizalino Ringor is given a free pass. Raymond Williams grounds into a 4-6 fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners. With two out, Jason Lymer comes through with a double. Medley ties it up easily, while Williams rounds third and beats out CF Sherwin Carasig’s throw home to give the lead back to Cobourg. Harry Doxey singles into leftfield, scoring Lymer from second. The Red Stockings are not quite done. A Nathan Ashman single and a Dwayne Stace walk load the bases. Fergus Hirst then helps his own cause, singling into deep right centerfield. That scores two more runs as Cobourg takes a solid lead. Cobourg 6 – Stratford 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Hirst strikes out both Roberto Ríos and Alan Tennant but Aaron Skidmore gets all of a 3-2 pitch, sending it 378 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a solo home run. Cobourg 6 – Stratford 3 Top of the 4th: Alexander Tolmie doubles into rightfield with one out. After advancing to third on a Jason Lymer ground out to 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch, Tolmie scores on a Harry Doxey single. That ends Bill Wolf’s afternoon, as RHP Norberto Ortíz comes on in relief. Cobourg 7 – Stratford 3 Top of the 5th: The onslaught continues as Cobourg loads the bases to start the inning, with back-to-back singles by Fergus Hirst and John Medley as well as a base on balls by Rizalino Ringor. Raymond Williams hits it out to 1B Bob Goodyear, but Goodyear bobbles the ball, allowing Williams to reach safely and Hirst to score. With one out, Jason Lymer singles into left centerfield. Medley scores easily on the play. Ringor rounds third and beats out CF Sherwin Carasig’s throw home. With two out, Nathan Ashman draws a walk, loading the bases once again. Dwayne Stace singles into deep right centerfield, scoring Williams for the inning’s fourth run. Lymer races past third and heads for home. But RF Andy Faulkner’s throw is right on target, cutting down Lymer at home to end the inning. Cobourg 11 – Stratford 3 Top of the 9th: Alexander Tolmie leads off with single into shallow leftfield. With one out, Harry Doxey doubles into left centerfield, moving Tolmie over the third base. Nathan Ashman follows him and grounds out to SS Alan Tennant. However, Tolmie scores on the play, padding Cobourg’s lead. In the bottom of the ninth, RHP Carl Lampley, who relieved Fergus Hirst in the 8th, looks to put the Barons quietly to bed. He does so, getting PH Don North to pop out to 1B Harry Doxey, Alan Tennant to strike out and PH Thomas Lerwill to fly out to CF Raymond Williams. Cobourg’s takes the upper hand with the first road win of the series. FINAL: Cobourg 12 – Stratford 3 *Player of the Game:* John Medley didn’t drive in any runs but did score three runs himself and collected 4 total bases. Alexander Tolmie went 3 for 5 with 2 R, 1 BB. Harry Doxey went 3 for 6 with 1 R, 2 RBI. RHP Fergus Hirst picked up this second win, going 7.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 5 K, 142 PI (2-0, 2.16 ERA; GS: 54). At the plate, he went 3 for 5, with 1 R, 2 RBI. For Stratford: RHP Bill Wolf got roughed up pretty good, going just 3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 93 PI (0-2, 9.28 ERA; GS: 11). RHP Norberto Ortíz didn’t far much better, going 3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 67 PI, 8.10 ERA. -------- Game 6 – April 7 The Series returns to Cobourg, with the Red Stockings needing just one more victory to wrap things up. Radcliffe Field is decked out once again with bunting as 25,419 fans came early to soak in their team’s playoff run. There’s not a cloud in sight anywhere along the east coast. The temperature is a balmy 75F and the wind is blowing out to center at 10 mph. The Game 2 starters are called on to face each other once again. Neither Cobourg’s 31-year old RHP Alberto León (0-0, 5.14 ERA) nor Stratford’s RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (0-0, 1.23 ERA) got the win last time, but Jaojoco won Player of the Game honors. The Barons hope he will be just as effective as they look to keep the Series alive. Top of the 1st: Roberto Ríos leads off the game and hits it out to 1B Harry Doxey. Doxey drops to one knee but can’t find the handle. He doesn’t risk the throw as Ríos reaches first base safely. The bases quickly become loaded when Alan Tennant and Aaron Skidmore draw back-to-back walks. Bob Goodyear grounds into a 4-6-3 double play, but Ríos scores on the play to get the Barons on the board early. Stratford 1 – Cobourg 0 Bottom of the 3rd: John Medley leads off and reaches safely when 1B Bob Goodyear cannot hang onto the throw from SS Alan Tennant. With one out, Raymond Williams comes through with a double all the way down the leftfield line. Medley races around second and third and heads for home, beating out LF Roberto Ríos’ throw to tie up the game. After Alexander Tolmie flies out leftfield, Jason Lymer smashes a 3-1 pitch from Jaojoco 385 ft. into the right field stands for a two-run home run. Stratford 1 – Cobourg 3 Bottom of the 5th: Raymond Williams launches another Jaojoco offering 401 ft. into the same delirious right field stands for a two-out solo home run. Stratford 1 – Cobourg 4 Bottom of the 7th: Rizalino Ringor leads off with a single then reaches third base when Alexander Tolmie lines a double into deep centerfield. With two out, Harry Doxey battles Jaojoco to a full count before cranking out a line drive single into centerfield, scoring both Ringor and Tolmie. Stratford 1 – Cobourg 6 Bottom of the 8th: RHP Alonso Martínez relieves Jaojoco to start in the bottom half and gets two quick outs. But John Medley bloops a single into shallow centerfield. After Rizalino Ringor draws a walk, Raymond Williams singles down the first base line. Medley blows past third and races towards home. RF Sherwin Carasig’s throw is not in time as Medley adds to the Red Stockings’ lead. In the top of the 9th, Alberto León tries to block out the ever-increasing cheers from the home crowd as he looks to close things out. Up first is Aaron Skidmore, who grounds out to 2B Dwayne Stace on the first offering. Bob Goodyear lines out to LF Rizalino Ringor as he races in to catch it. Finally, Sherwin Carasig hits the first pitch back to León, who cleanly throws to 1B Harry Doxey for the third and final out. The Cobourg Red Stockings close out the series to win their first Eastern League Pennant and move on to the United Cup! FINAL: Stratford 1 – Cobourg 7 *Player of the Game:* Alberto León was just outstanding, not giving up an earned run all afternoon: 9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 123 PI, (1-0, 2.25 ERA; GS: 81) Jason Lymer went 2 for 4 with 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI. Harry Doxey went 3 for 4 with 1-2B, 2 RBI For Stratford: Magtanggol Jaojoco just couldn’t keep the Red Stocking off the board but that could be said of the entire team today. He went 7.0 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 117 PI (0-1, 2.51 ERA; GS: 39). -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 05-17-2020 at 09:51 PM.