Kezar Brewers 16, at Red Sox 9 October 16, 2011, 2:00 PM Game Recap
Kezar Brewers 16, at Red Sox 9
For the second year in a row the Brewers saved our best baseball for the playoffs as we bested the Red Sox 16-9 on Sunday at Albert Park to win the championship series 2-1.
We got things going quickly in the top of the 1st with 5 runs on 3 BB's, 3 hits and 1 sac fly ... which lead to the Red Sox pulling their pitcher after 1/3 of an inning (and then him promptly getting tossed for arguing balls and strikes). While it was good to get to their bullpen early, it was the same lefty who 1 hit us through 8 innings the previous week. But still at 5-0 lead after 1 is nice.
Some managers would have folded, listed to the critics, the web bloggers, and looked at all the advanced sabermetrics and said ... what the hell is wrong with Kosach and can you DH for a field player? But not this manager. No sir. Woody (Ricky Henderson 3rd person time now) knew deep down that Kosach had a breakout game in him. Truth be told he was assuming it was coming sometime mid-season and then he would be back on form, but Woody never panicked. And finally (FINALLY!) it all paid off, as Kosach busted out with 3-run bomb in the top of the 3rd, one of his 5 (!) hits on the day, to give us a 8-0 lead.
The Red Sox bounced back with 3 in the bottom of the 3rd, and had a few chances during the game, but Jared was always able to come up with the big pitch when he needed it. Jared went 7 strong innings, giving up 4 runs and striking out 5 to earn the W.
The Brewers tacked on 1 in the 6th (Woody had an opposite field (not a misprint) hit) and then busted out for 6 more in the 7th (highlighted by a Kosach 2-run DB) and one in the 8th (T's triple!). Rocca came in for the last 2 and got roughed up a little, but nothing to concern ourselves with, as we coasted to a 16-9 win.
Other than Kosach's career day (5 hits, HR, 2 DB's 3 runs and 5 RBI's), Petke scored a run, had a SAC fly and a SWEET double play on a foul pop-up where he threw a strike to second, Barringer continued his great season going 2-4 with 2 runs scored, Joe did was Joe does and went 3-5 with a double, RBI and 2 runs, Dll was 1-3 with 3 runs and SAC fly and his usual slick SS play, Jimmy was 1-3 with a BB and HBP both with the bases loaded (now that is respect when you'd rather walk or drill a guy than let him swing the stick!), Woody was 2-5 with 2 RBI's, Malc was 3-5 with 3RBI's, Thiago had a triple and run scored and Willie had an infield single that involved a collision to make the '49-ers proud and a run scored.
Top to bottom, just like last year, and throughout these playoffs the entire team contributed. Our offense showed up when it was needed, we played great defense all playoffs long, and our pitching was superb (especially Jared shutting out the Rays in the semis and then game 2 vs. the Red Sox). Team, team, team. Winning a champioship is great, but winning it with your friends is even better.
Season ending championship party is TBD. We expect to see all ex-Brewers and other assorted low-lifes at the Kezar. I'll keep you informed.
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