[tavo2311]

RESULTS: ROUND 1 - REGION 2:

Sorry for the stall there, brutal week at work. But we resume with the final two games of the first round...

3) 1961 New York Yankees vs. 14) 1925 Washington Senators


One of the pre-tournament favorites will try to avoid being the latest in a recent string of upsets. While the 14-seed Senators will try to make it 2-for-2 into the second round for the rather unaccomplished franchise. Game 1 features a hall of fame dream pitching matchup with Whitey Ford vs. Walter Johnson. The Big Train will try to get through the MnM boys and all their big hitting friends. Should be fascinating to see…

The pitchers did not disappoint as both cruised into the 8th. The Senators would take the lead on a solo shot by Earl McNeely to chase Ford from the game. Walter Johnson finished the 8th by inducing a double play ball with two on base. Washington would add a very important insurance run in the top of the 9th. The Yankees had their famous middle of the order coming up in the 9th, and Mickey Mantle would give them hope by swatting a solo shot, but the game ended 2-1 with no further threat. Washington leads 1-0.

Game 2 was also a shutout for awhile, today into the 7th, this time the duel was between Stan Covaleski and Bill Stafford. Again the Senators would strike first with a solo run, but New York would respond in a big way in the bottom of the 7th, with the bottom of the lineup coming up big. Moose Skowron and Clete Boyer each hitting two-run doubles led to a 5-run 5th and the game ended that way, 5-1, to tie the series.

The series shifted to the nation’s capital and for the first time we had early runs. Hall of famers Mickey Mantle and Goose Goslin each drove in a run in the 1st and the game went 1-1 into the 7th when third baseman Ossie Bluege stroked a two-run double for a 3-1 lead. The powerful Yankees would only register four hits and the game ended 5-1 for a crucial Senators win.
 
Each team’s fourth starter came up big in game 4, going 7 innings and combining for one run. That one run was given up by Yankee starter Rollie Sheldon in the 6th inning. That was enough for Senator’s starter Tom Zachary as the game headed to the 9th and reliever Firpo Marberry came on. This time the Yankees lineup got it done. Roger Maris tied the game with a home run and Yogi Berra also knocked his own out of the park for a 2-1 come from behind lead! Relief ace Luis Arroyo came on to close it out for New York and tie the series, but wait! Goose Goslin and Roger Peckinpaugh each drove in runs for their own 9th inning comeback and a walk-off win!! The ’61 Yankees are on the brink down 3-1, on the road, and facing Walter Johnson.

For the 2nd time this series the Big Train and Whitey Ford did not disappoint. Johnson gave up one hit through seven, at one point striking out six straight Yankees. Ford only went five but only left early because the Yankees had a rare baserunner during his at bat in the top of the 6th. It would amount to nothing, and the game would go to the 9th at 1-0 with Vean Gregg on to shut down New York and close the series out. After a Kubek single, Maris hit by pitch, and Mantle walk, the bases were loaded with no outs. Berra hit a fly ball to center but not deep enough to tag, Skworon struck out, and Elston Howard meekly grounded to 2nd base. The Senators win the series!

Walter Johnson, the sole reason this team is in the tournament, held up his end of the bargain and rightfully won the MVP going 2-0, with 0 earned runs, 18 Ks, 4 hits, and 2 walks across 15 innings. He single handedly neutralized the Yankee’s own hall of fame ace Whitey Ford, twice. New York couldn’t find their bats this series, and not just against Johnson. In five games they had a total of 26 hits and 9 runs, and outside of their game 2 victory it was 15 hits and 4 runs in 4 games. Just not good enough for a team known for their prodigious power.