Boys of Summer LCS: Microbrewers finish off Locomotives in another photo finish

The Urbana Locomotives’ postseason came to an end Friday night in another exciting finish which came down to the wire in Game Seven.  This time however, the Locomotives came up short.  Pinch runner Nate McLouth, the potential tying run, was called out at the plate on a Yorvit Torrealba double for the final out of the game.  The Portland Microbrewers won the game 5-4 and the series 4 games to 3. 

The Microbrewers got off to a quick start with David Ortiz driving in a run in the top of the first inning but Adrian Beltre responded with a three-run homer in the bottom half of the inning.  In the top of the third, a two-run double by Mike Trout tied the game but Beltre responded again with his second homer of the game and fourth of the series making the score 4-3 Urbana.

In the 4th inning, Freddie Freeman who had quite a series of his own hit his sixth homer for the series to tie it back up 4-4.   He followed that up with a sac fly in the top of the eighth for his series best 10th rbi giving Portland a 5-4. 

Heartbreak: the final half inning

Down by a run and the bottom of the ninth, Garrett Jones raked a base hit to lead off the inning.  Nate McLouth came in to pinch run for Jones.  Two outs later, Yorvit Torrealba was up.  Now, Torrealba is no Adrian Beltre at the plate but he was our only catcher left on our team with Carlos Ruiz nursing an injury.  Yorvit was up to the challenge and hit the ball hard in the two out-9th inning situation.  McLouth rounded third and got the go-ahead from the third base coach.  Here’s the announcer’s call for the final play of the NLCS: 

here’s the pitch … line drive to third … it’s over his head … JACKSON’s chasing it… still running … he’s up with it … McLOUTH’s around third

they’re waving him in… here comes the throw home

here’s the play at the plate … and McLOUTH’s … out!…just missed getting in oh, those, Microbrewers … they snuff out the tying run the coach was waving him on with two outs … he streaked down the line and they finished his story at the front door!”

Portland 5 Urbana 4

box score | game script

I admit I had a sinking feeling at that moment.  With two outs and speedy McLouth on the basepath, I know I made the right call but it tough to see the season over and to see the Locomotives lose a series like this after losing the first two games. 

That said, it was one of the best, closest, toughest, and hard fought series I’ve been a part.  The endings of the last two games were fantastic and my only regret was that Brad Stark wasn’t able to personally share in them as well. 

NLCS highlights:

• Beltre:  9 for 27, 4 HR, 7 rbis
• Jones: 3 HR, 5 rbis
• Ruiz (3  games): 4 for 9, HR, 3 rbis

Not surprisingly, Beltre led the pack offensively with Carlos Ruiz right behind him until he got injured.  The pitching which was what kept us going all year, was hit and miss.  Cole Hamels probably pitched the best allowing five runs in 16 innings but he just has a 0-1 record to show for it.  Jonathan Papelbon who allowed two earned runs all year gave up the the winning run in Game 7. 

For the Portland Microbrewers

• Freddie Freeman: 8 for 22, 6 HR, 10 rbi
• Trout: 9 for 27
• Harrison: 2-0
• Niese: 1-0, shutout

and an odd one for Portland… Coco Crisp: 2 AB, 2 runs, 4 SB

No doubt, Freddie Freeman was the offensive threat for the ‘Brewers.  He led both teams in homers and rbis.  And what is it with Coco Crisp?  When he’s on base, he steals any empty base in front of him including home plate. 

What’s next?

Now the Portland Microbrewers go the World Series and the Urbana Locomotives just go home.

Congratulations to Brad Stark and his Portland Microbrewers!  I’ll be rooting for my fellow NL compatriot as he takes on the hated South Shore Fighting Imps and their manager Bill Gillam.  It won’t be easy as the Imps won 110 games in the regular season and swept the Boston Bravos in the ALCS. 

Good luck to both teams!!