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2041 Playoffs
World Series
The 2041 fall classic was a rematch of the previous year’s series featuring defending champions Phoenix and Boston, just as in the 2040 series Phoenix had the home advantage and were being tipped by many to repeat as champions. Both teams possessed prolific offenses but Phoenix could call on an equally strong pitching corps unlike their opponents Boston who’s own pitching staff had been underwhelming all season. Game one unexpectedly turned into a pitching duel with both starters impressing, Boston crept ahead on SS Alejandro Arroyo’s RBI-single in the top of the ninth and held on to take the opener 2-1. Boston started game two on the front foot as they used a strong outing from starter Jim Jacques (9K in 5.2 IP) to build a 5-1 lead, 2B Mike Brown’s late homerun sparked a furious Phoenix rally cutting the Boston advantage to one, but closer Chris Miller again held firm as Boston edged game two. Holding a 2-0 series lead ahead of three games at home the Pilgrims were in a strong position, their position became even stronger after game three, as spurred on by CF Weldon Render who clubbed a second inning grand-slam and RF Wolfgang Worns (in his return from injury) who scored four runs, Boston swept to a comfortable 9-4 victory leaving them just one win away from a fourth World Series title. Phoenix were not about to surrender their title without a fight as an excellent outing from starter Nick Ford (7.1 IP, 6H, 2ER, 8K) and homeruns from 2B Mike Brown and 1B Domingo Vargas propelled the Eagles to victory in game four keeping their slim championship hopes alive. The following night saw the return to the mound of game one starters, Brett Knight (BOS) and John Gates (PHO), but unlike their outings in the opener both men struggled with neither of them lasting beyond the fifth inning. Phoenix slipped ahead 7-6 on Brandon spence’s pinch-hit homerun in the top of the ninth, before closer Al O’Brien took the mound looking to finish the job, after retiring the first man he faced O’Brien then walked CF Weldon Render on four pitches. To make matters worse O’Brien had to leave the game with a shoulder injury bringing Jorge Serrea to the mound in his place, Serrea almost had Weldon Render picked off but 1B Domingo Vargas dropped the ball an error that came back to haunt him as, after a battling 10-pitch at-bat, Boston LF Rob Penney drilled the eleventh pitch he saw over the left-field fence for a 2-RBI walk-off homerun sending the Boston faithful into a frenzy. Boston’s dramatic World Series win capped an unlikely postseason run for the 83-win Pilgrims, giving them their fourth championship title (matching rivals Indianapolis) and gaining revenge for their defeat at Phoenix’s hands the previous year.
2041 Playoff Recap
Divisional Series
EL: Boston 3-0 Chicago, Indianapolis 3-2 Tampa Bay
WL: Phoenix 3-2 Omaha, Sanfrancisco 3-2 Oklahoma City
Championship Series
EL: Boston 4-1 Indianapolis
WL: Phoenix 4-1 Sanfrancisco
World Series
Boston 4-1 Phoenix
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