Marc’s team came to play. Walter Johnson had been one of the most dominating pitchers throughout so far, but that all changed right here. Rickey stares off with a double, Trout HRs to drive both of them in. Chipper singles, Hornsby doubles, and Berra hits the second HR of the inning.
Johnson stays in, and has a rough 2nd, as well, but managed to keep any runs from scoring by striking out Honus Wagner and Pedro Martinez with the bases loaded. The 3rd inning was much the same as Marc’s team put 3 more runs on the board and chased the Big Train from the game. On the plus side, despite not scoring yet, Ben’s team had worked Pedro and managed to also get him pulled thanks to an elevated pitch count.
Unfortunately for Ben, the pitching changes didn’t do anything to change the way this game was going and Marc’s Ruth hit a 2-run blast to give the team a 10- lead after six. Mariano River came in for Ben and immediately got pounded. Marc's team batted around and put up 6 runs in the 7th, and then picked up another four to become the second game in the tourney to be won by 20 or more runs. With this win, Marc advances to the finals in his own challenge.
Final: Marc Carig 20 – Ben Shpigel 0I take back what I said after my round two win, I wish these were a series and not just single games. That said, this was one of, if not the best, pitcher’s duels of this whole series of games. Bob Gibson and Greg Maddux go head-to-head for the third time out of the last four matchups.
Griffey Jr gets a first inning HR for Jack’s team in the 1st, and then Maddux holds them from there. That HR is Maddux’s only blemish. Gibson matches Maddux, except he exits the game without allowing a run. Both pitchers allow just 5 baserunners against these vaunted lineups of all-time greats.
In the 7th inning, Jack’s team picks up an insurance run after Yadier Molina grounds into a double-play with runners on the corners, and picks up one more the same way in the 8th on a fielder's choice from Roberto Alomar.
My squad was scoreless until the 9th when King Kelly singled and Gehrig followed up with a HR. McGraw then singled to bring up Ted Williams as the winning run, but with 2 outs already recorded, Williams fly out wasn’t enough and Jack goes to the finals against Marc.
Final: Jack Flaherty 3 – Brandon Wilhoite 2