11-27-2024, 12:57 AM
UCity Anunnaki vs Portland Non-Roster Invitees.
Game 1 - Kyle Bradish (NRI) vs Kodai Senga (UCA)
Both starting pitchers are on from the get-go as three quick scoreless innings are played. Acuna opens the scoring with a homer to lead off the fourth, but Johan Rojas immediately answers with his own. The game stays deadlocked at 1 until the 8th when Rodolfo Castro doubles and Henderson knocks him in with a single. Pepiot pitches a scoreless 9th to hand the home team the early series lead.
Game 2 - Tyler Glasnow (NRI) vs Reese Olson (UCA)
Just a brutal start from the Portland perspective. They manage to get 10 runners on in the first four innings but cannot get any of them across the plate. Meanwhile, Burger gives UCity an early lead with a solo shot. The home squad gets Olson the hell out of there and the bullpen holds the lead for the next few innings. Burger increases the lead with a two-run shot in the 7th. All is looking swell for the Anunnaki until the 9th when Portland gets two on with two outs. Triston Casas steps up and ties the game with one swing of the bat. The NRI joy proves to be short-lived as Muncy leads off the 9th with a walk-off blast to give the Anunnaki a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 - Taijuan Walker (UCA) vs Brandon Woodruff (NRI)
The series shifts to Portland, and Altuve gets it started with a bang, as he hits the first pitch of the game out. Burger continues his run by hitting a three run shot in the 3rd, but Willson Contreras answers with his own three run homer in the bottom of the frame. Muncy tacks on another run for UCity with a hit in the fourth before the pitching finally settles down. The NRI get to within one in the 7th on a Contreras double, but the home squad's pen falters, allowing 3 runs in the 8th and 9th as UCity moves to within a game of advancing with an 11-5 victory.
Game 4 - Stephen Matz (UCA) vs Max Fried (NRI)
Given the NRI's collection of lefty mashers, the UCA manager felt it might be a long (or short) day for Matz. He was proved spectacularly correct. Schneider, Contreras, Lindor, Casas, and Rengifo all homer as Portland puts up 5 in the 3rd and 5 more in the 4th, just for good measure. Fried did not need to be sharp, but he was, allowing only a homer to Jake "Babe Ruth" Burger. The NRI's stay alive with a 13-2 laugher.
Game 5 - Kodai Senga (UCA) vs Kyle Bradish (NRI)
UCity jumps out in front early, as Acuna knocks in Altuve in the first. The Anunnaki then put their first 5 runners on in the 2nd and extend the lead to 4-0. It gets worse for Bradish as the visitors tack on 2 more in the 4th. But the's NRI's use a Muncy error, a wild pitch, and a balk to get back 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. A Lindor homer cuts the lead to 2 in the 5th, and after escaping a UCity threat, Portland ties it up in the 6th on a Contreras hit and a Schneider sac fly. After 2 uneventful innnings, the Anunnaki get two runners on via walks, and Portland brings in a lefty to face Muncy. UCity counters with Rodolfo Castro, who gets to be the hero by smacking one into the left field seats. The Anunnaki tack on another, and survive the bottom of the frame after Portland gets the tying run to the plate. 10-7 is the final as the Anunnaki take the series 4-1.
Congrats to Bruce for a great season in a very tough division. The result of this series is pretty unfair, as Portland could have won at least 3 of the games they lost. Or if Juan Soto had shown up even a tiny bit (150/261/150).
Game 1 - Kyle Bradish (NRI) vs Kodai Senga (UCA)
Both starting pitchers are on from the get-go as three quick scoreless innings are played. Acuna opens the scoring with a homer to lead off the fourth, but Johan Rojas immediately answers with his own. The game stays deadlocked at 1 until the 8th when Rodolfo Castro doubles and Henderson knocks him in with a single. Pepiot pitches a scoreless 9th to hand the home team the early series lead.
Game 2 - Tyler Glasnow (NRI) vs Reese Olson (UCA)
Just a brutal start from the Portland perspective. They manage to get 10 runners on in the first four innings but cannot get any of them across the plate. Meanwhile, Burger gives UCity an early lead with a solo shot. The home squad gets Olson the hell out of there and the bullpen holds the lead for the next few innings. Burger increases the lead with a two-run shot in the 7th. All is looking swell for the Anunnaki until the 9th when Portland gets two on with two outs. Triston Casas steps up and ties the game with one swing of the bat. The NRI joy proves to be short-lived as Muncy leads off the 9th with a walk-off blast to give the Anunnaki a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 - Taijuan Walker (UCA) vs Brandon Woodruff (NRI)
The series shifts to Portland, and Altuve gets it started with a bang, as he hits the first pitch of the game out. Burger continues his run by hitting a three run shot in the 3rd, but Willson Contreras answers with his own three run homer in the bottom of the frame. Muncy tacks on another run for UCity with a hit in the fourth before the pitching finally settles down. The NRI get to within one in the 7th on a Contreras double, but the home squad's pen falters, allowing 3 runs in the 8th and 9th as UCity moves to within a game of advancing with an 11-5 victory.
Game 4 - Stephen Matz (UCA) vs Max Fried (NRI)
Given the NRI's collection of lefty mashers, the UCA manager felt it might be a long (or short) day for Matz. He was proved spectacularly correct. Schneider, Contreras, Lindor, Casas, and Rengifo all homer as Portland puts up 5 in the 3rd and 5 more in the 4th, just for good measure. Fried did not need to be sharp, but he was, allowing only a homer to Jake "Babe Ruth" Burger. The NRI's stay alive with a 13-2 laugher.
Game 5 - Kodai Senga (UCA) vs Kyle Bradish (NRI)
UCity jumps out in front early, as Acuna knocks in Altuve in the first. The Anunnaki then put their first 5 runners on in the 2nd and extend the lead to 4-0. It gets worse for Bradish as the visitors tack on 2 more in the 4th. But the's NRI's use a Muncy error, a wild pitch, and a balk to get back 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. A Lindor homer cuts the lead to 2 in the 5th, and after escaping a UCity threat, Portland ties it up in the 6th on a Contreras hit and a Schneider sac fly. After 2 uneventful innnings, the Anunnaki get two runners on via walks, and Portland brings in a lefty to face Muncy. UCity counters with Rodolfo Castro, who gets to be the hero by smacking one into the left field seats. The Anunnaki tack on another, and survive the bottom of the frame after Portland gets the tying run to the plate. 10-7 is the final as the Anunnaki take the series 4-1.
Congrats to Bruce for a great season in a very tough division. The result of this series is pretty unfair, as Portland could have won at least 3 of the games they lost. Or if Juan Soto had shown up even a tiny bit (150/261/150).