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Game 1
Newark hitters showed up ready, and quickly put up 3 runs against
Francisco Liriano in the 1st inning. The Eagles continued to get the
best of the Stone Mountain hurler, and knocked Liriano out of the
game in the 5th inning while taking a 8-2 lead. Josh Hamilton's
3-run HR in the bottom of the 6th inning got the Confederates within
three runs, but the Newark bullpen held the lead and the Eagles won
the 1st game of the series 8-5.
Game 2
A classic pitchers' duel between Eagles starter Anibal Sanchez and
Stone Mountain's Collin McHugh was scoreless until the bottom of the
7th inning. Andrelton Simmon's 2-out single plated the first run of
the game. The Confederates added another run and took a 2-0 lead
entering the 8th inning. Newark answered back with a run in the 8th
on a RBI double by Tulowitzki off Mike Fiers. Steve Cishek allowed a
leadoff single in the 9th, and after a ground-out, the Eagles had
the tying run in scoring position with 1 out. However, Billy
Hamilton struck out and pinch-hitter Tony Sanchez flew out to Center
to end the game. The Confederates tied the series with a 2-1
victory.
Game 3
The series resumed in beautiful Newark, New Jersey with another well
pitched ballgame. Stone Mountain's Julio Teheran scattered 7 hits
over 8 innings, but he could not contain Edwin Encarnacion who took
him deep twice. Encarnacion's 2 HR and 3 RBI was more than enough as
Newark starter Yovani Gallardo and three relievers combined for a
4-hit shutout. The Eagles took a 2-1 series lead with the 3-0 win.
Game 4
The Confederates jumped all over Newark's James Shields in the top
of the 1st inning. By the time the Eagles came to bat, they were
already down by 5 runs. Shields allowed 6 hits in the frame,
including a 2-run HR by Leonys Martin and Josh Hamilton's second
3-run HR of the series. Shields settled down and pitched into the
8th inning without allowing another run and striking out 12
Confederates, but the damage was done. Drew Smyly had all the run
support he needed and Stone Mountain evened the series by winning
6-2.
Game 5
This pivotal game featured a rematch of Game 1 Starters. Newark's
Carlos Carrasco retired the first 3 batters he faced. Francisco
Liriano allowed hits to the first 3 batters he faced, including a
2-run HR by Tulowitzki, and was trailing by 3 runs before recording
an out. Newark added a run in the 5th inning to take a 4-0 lead, but
Stone Mountain immediately cut the deficit in half by scoring 2 runs
on a pair of singles, a wild pitch, a sac-fly and a RBI ground-out.
Jordy Mercer hit a 3-run HR off Oliver Perez in the bottom of the
6th, and Newark was ahead 7-2. The Confederates would not go down
without a fight, as they loaded the bases with no outs in the 9th
inning. Brian McCann was HBP that forced in a run and the tide
seemed to be turning in favor of Stone Mountain. A.J. Ramos was
called upon from the Eagles bullpen and struck out Elian Herrera,
got a ground-out that scored a run and closed it out with another
strikeout of Chris Coghlan. Eagles win 7-4.
Game 6
The series returned to Stone Mountain with the Confederates facing
elimination. Game 2 Starters Sanchez & McHugh faced off again and
they did not disappoint, both pitched 7 scoreless innings. Sanchez
allowed 4 hits and struck out 6, but was lifted for a pinch-hitter
in the 8th inning after only 86 pitches. McHugh was even better,
allowing only 3 hits and 2 BB while striking out 10 batters. Eric
Hosmer, pinch-hitting for Sanchez in the 8th, doubled to leadoff the
inning, but was left stranded. Greg Holland was called on from the
Newark bullpen and allowed 2 hits to start the inning. Phil Gosselin
pinch-hit for the pitcher with runners on the corners and with the
infield in, hit a ground ball to 2nd base. Utley threw Prado out at
the plate for the 1st out of the inning. Drew Pomeranz was called in
to face Endy Chavez, but Stone Mountain countered with Josh Hamilton
off the bench. With 2 runners on, Hamilton hit a pinch-hit 3-run HR,
his 3rd 3-run HR of the series! Stone Mountain took a 3 run lead
into the 9th inning. Steve Cishek was called on to close the game,
but after allowing a single and a walk, Ryan Braun took him deep for
a game-tying 3-run HR. Billy Hamilton followed with a single for the
Eagles and was sacrificed to second base. With 1 out, Quackenbush
entered the game for Stone Mountain and retired the next two batters
to end the inning and keep the game tied. It remained tied and went
to extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th, the Confederates
threatened to score with a runner on second base and no outs. Josh
Hamilton was intentionally walked and the Eagles brought Kimbrel
into the game. He retired Leonys Martin via strikeout, got Jose
Abreu to pop up and struck out Venable. In the top of the 12th
inning, Newark loaded the bases and Edwin Encarnacion hit a sac-fly
to give the Eagles a 1-run lead. The Confederates were unable to get
a hit in the bottom of the inning and Newark held on for the 4-3
victory and advanced to the NLDS.
MVP: Josh Hamilton (SMC) 3 HR 9 RBI .444 BA |
