[Nick Soulis]

Series #21
Preliminary Round



1980 Cincinnati Reds
Record: 89-73
Finish: 3rd in NL West
Manager: John McNamara
Ball Park: Riverfront Stadium
WAR Leader: George Foster (4.1)
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1980.shtml

2015 Oakland Athletics
Record: 68-94
Finish: 5th in AL West
Manager: Bob Melvin
Ball Park: Oakland Coliseum
WAR Leader: Sonny Gray (5.4)
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2015.shtml
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Game 1
At Riverfront Stadium
2015 Oakland Athletics 1
1980 Cincinnati Reds 5
WP: M. Soto (1-0) LP: S. Gray (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Mario Soto (6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB< 5 K, W)
Dave Collins 2 RBI

Game 2
At Riverfront Stadium
2015 Oakland Athletics 1
1980 Cincinnati Reds 2
WP: F. Pastore (1-0) LP: S. Doolittle (0-1) S: T. Hume (1)
HR: M. Canha (1)
POG: Frank Pastore (8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, W)
Conception sacrafice fly in the 8th

Game 3
At Oakland Coliseum
1980 Cincinnati Reds 7
2015 Oakland Athletics 1
WP: T. Seaver (1-0) LP: T. Clippard (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Tom Seaver (9 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 131 P)
Ray Knight 3-5 with 2 R

Game 4
At Oakland Coliseum
1980 Cincinnati Reds 1
2015 Oakland Athletics 7
WP: T. Clippard (1-1) LP: B. Berenyi (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Ben Zobrist (4-4, 4 RBI)
A's 5 run 8th

Game 5
At Oakland Coliseum
1980 Cincinnati Reds 10
2015 Oakland Athletics 2
WP: M. Soto (2-0) LP: S. Gray (0-2)
HR: G. Foster (1), R. Knight (1)
POG: Ray Knight (2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)

1980 Cincinnati Reds Win Series 4 Games To 1
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Reds Dismantle A's in Six
Aging Big Red Machine Rides Seaver, Soto In Series Win

In a captivating inter-era clash that saw the 1980 Cincinnati Reds take on the 2015 Oakland Athletics in a best-of-seven series, the '80 Reds emerged as the victors in just five games, clinching the series in style. This exhibition of baseball's finest was a testament to the talent and character of these two historic teams. The series was not only a treat for fans but also an opportunity to celebrate some of the standout moments and players in baseball history.

The series kicked off at Riverfront Stadium, where the '80 Reds came out swinging, securing a 5-1 victory. Mario Soto, who would later be crowned the series MVP, set the stage with an impressive 6.2 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out five. Dave Collins delivered a significant performance, driving in two runs to lead the Reds to their opening win.

In Game 2, the '80 Reds continued their winning ways with a narrow 2-1 victory. Frank Pastore shone on the mound, pitching eight strong innings, allowing just one earned run. Soto, the MVP of the series, also played a crucial role in relief. Mark Canha provided the Athletics' lone run with a home run. A key moment in the game came from a clutch sacrifice fly by Dave Concepcion in the eighth inning.

As the series moved to Oakland Coliseum, Tom Seaver led the '80 Reds to a commanding 7-1 victory. Seaver pitched a complete game, allowing only one earned run and three hits. Ray Knight's performance, going 3-for-5 and contributing two runs, was pivotal in the Reds' strong showing.

The Athletics managed to stay alive in the series by winning Game 4, 7-1. A notable five-run eighth inning sealed the win for the 2015 Athletics. Ben Zobrist was the star of the game, going 4-for-4 with four RBIs. Tyler Clippard secured the win for the A's, while Bruce Berenyi took the loss for the '80 Reds.

The 1980 Cincinnati Reds sealed their championship run with an explosive 10-2 victory in Game 5. The Reds' offense was in high gear, with George Foster and Ray Knight both contributing home runs. Mario Soto delivered a clutch performance once again, earning his second win of the series. This final game showcased the incredible depth and talent of the '80 Reds, who were led by standout performances from Knight and Foster.

In recognition of his outstanding pitching performances in Games 1 and 5, Mario Soto was crowned the series MVP. His overall performance, including 13.2 innings pitched, 2 wins, and a remarkable 1.32 ERA, was crucial in the Reds' championship run.

Series MVP:

(2-0, 13.2 IP, 12 K, 1.32 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 0 HR)