See top of thread for an overview of this tourney. Thanks for reading!
The other side of the playoff bracket is... Diamonds in the Rough vs. Club Snub
Video for games 1-2
Game 1
This one started out as a pitcher’s duel despite Thin Tony Gwynn’s best efforts as he stole two bases in the first but was then stranded. It was a late squeeze play from the Snubs that eventually gave them the advantage and the bullpen made it hold up. The Hall of Fame has frequently snubbed closers and the back end of the Snubs bullpen makes that work to their advantage once again as Billy Wagner went for the 2 inning save, striking out 3 and only giving up 1 hit.
FINAL: SNUB 3 - DIA 1
Game 2
We explored the Snubs’ Bert Blyleven’s love to fart and strike hitters out, but he wasn’t currently gassy. Bert was the best we’ve seen him all tourney. On the offensive side of the ball, Jeff Kent and his mustache hit two home runs and Scott Rolen added a 3 run dinger to make this a comfortable win for the Snubs.
FINAL: SNUB 8 - DIA 1
Video for games 3-5
Game 3
Diamonds in the Rough’s Walter Johnson got off to a very uncharacteristically wild start to the game but it only cost him 1 run (that he walked home). He also later homered in the game so, I’d say he balanced it out. Also wild, was the Diamonds managerial strategy. Tony Gwynn must have just gone out for a taco or something, because he was announced as the starter, but immediately pinch hit for by Joe Torre in the first inning, and then Andre Dawson took over in right field in the second. When you’re down 2-0 in the series, I guess you just start flinging **** at the wall. Naturally, this close-your-eyes-and-swing-your-arms-wildly-in-the-air strategy worked, and Dawson paid dividends with a great performance, including a two run home run.
FINAL: DIA 5 - SNUB 2
Game 4
Early on in this one, the teams took turns choking in big situations. Finally someone squeezed the Diamonds hard enough to dislodge that popcorn kernel, and their team broke through first, going up 6-1. But they must have just been giving Heimlichs away for free because both teams were hocking out offense eventually. Back to back homers by Reggie Smith and Dwight Evans brought the Snubs back within 1. Everybody got good and lathered up over this excitement and it eventually boiled over when Scott Rolen charged the mound after getting hit by a pitch. This fight actually calmed things down a bit, potentially due to bodily injuries from the kerfuffle, and the Diamonds were able to hold on in the ninth for the win. Series is even at 2!
FINAL: DIA 11 - SNUB 8
Game 5
In the early innings of this one, home runs were fleeing the park like kids after the Catholic priest showed up to try out the slide. They were mostly solo shots however, so it resulted in a 3-1 advantage for the Snubs. That would not be the case in the fifth inning. Diamonds’ Felix Hernandez got himself in trouble, but pulled two outs back to give the team hope they were going to get out of it. They were not going to get out of it. The Snubs Jimmy Edmonds hit a grand slam to put them up 7-1. That’d be enough to put the Snubs one game away from the Championship Finals.
FINAL: SNUB 8 - DIA 1
Video for games 6-7*
Game 6
Diamonds got out to a great start as Paul Goldschmidt homered to put them up 2-0. They were throwing Fergie Jenkins today, so you would hope that lead might mean something. Fergie wasn’t sharp however, as it only took until the second for the Snubs to tie it up, and in the fourth, the Snubs took a 4-2 lead with back to back solo shots from Jim Edmonds and Bob Johnson. Nap Lajoie and Mike Trout answered for the Diamonds in the Rough with solo shots of their own, so it’s a wild one and we’re tied at 4. The key mistake in this game was the Diamonds in the Rough getting on the phone and calling Danny Darwin into the game. He’s been getting shellacked this tourney, giving up 8 earned runs in 3 innings collectively. Today was not a redemption story. Todd Helton gave the Snubs the lead with a two run shot of of Dr. Death Danny Darwin. The Snubs managed to get it to 6-5 in the 8th and had runners on the corners with one out but could not cash in. That would prove to be their last best chance as Billy Wagner is able to complete the two inning save and take down the series for the Snubs.
FINAL: SNUB 6 - DIA 5
So it’ll be the Tucson Too Soons and Club Snub vying for the title! I’ll have those games next week. If you enjoy what we're doing on the channel, clicking the subscribe button would help us out greatly. I hope you all have a stellar weekend, and see you next week for the conclusion!