Papi HolidA's!
Athletics win 2017 World Series with a little Papi and a lot of luck
Displaying great good luck and a stellar performance by a
strato great in his final games, the Athletics somehow won the 2017 World
Series, 4 games to 3 against the Reds.
In his last piece of strato action,
retiring Athletics first baseman David Ortiz earned MVP honors, batting .320
and hitting four home runs, all difference-makers.
The Reds outscored the Athletics
39–36 in the series, but saw three of their four losses decided by a single
run. The Reds would be justified in feeling snakebit, but they have a bright
future and a very good young roster on which to build.
Game 1—Reds at Athletics, Tanner Roark vs. Rich Hill: Reds jump out to a four-run lead in the top of the first with dingers by Nelson Cruz and Joey Votto. Athletics get two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth on an error by Christian Yelich with two men on base. Both teams score in the sixth, the Reds set up with a Votto triple, and the Athletics with a home run by David Ortiz. At that point Reds lead 5-3. Bottom seventh, Athletics take a 6-5 lead on a three-run shot by Kris Bryant. Reds tie it 6-6 in the top of the eighth with doubles by Sandy Leon and Ryan Braun, with Votto tagged out at the plate on a throw from Billy Hamilton trying to score from first. Again in the top of the ninth, Yelich tries to score from first on an Evan Longoria double but is cut down at the plate on a Hamilton throw. Bottom ninth, Adam Eaton, after a pinch single, scores the winning run on a walk-off double by Bryce Harper. Athletics win game 7-6. Win goes to Addison Reed (after a blown save in the eighth), loss to Rasiel Iglesias. Athletics lead series 1 game to 0.
Game 2—Reds at Athletics, Carlos Martinez vs. Kyle Hendricks. Martinez with a three-hit shutout as the Reds parlay dingers by Asdrubal Cabrera in the second inning and Votto in the eighth inning into a 3-0 victory. Athletics do draw six walks but leave 10 runners on base. Reds win game 3-0. Win goes to Martinez, loss to Hendricks. Series tied at 1 game each.
Game 3—Athletics at Reds, Yu Darvish vs. Vincent Velasquez. Athletics with an unearned run in the top of the first on an error by Devon Travis and singles by Ortiz and Corey Seager. They add three more in the top of the third on a three-run dinger by Ortiz, taking a 4-0 lead. But the Reds put up a five-spot in the bottom of the third, with walks to Braun and Travis, a pinch single by Carlos Santana and back-to-back homers by Longoria and Cruz. 5-4 Reds at that point. Home run by Alex Avila gets the Athletics even at 5-5 in the top of the fourth, and they take a 6-5 lead in the top of the fifth on a Seager walk, Eaton single and Hamilton double. Reds threaten in the bottom of the seventh, but Reed in relief of Darvish strikes out Longoria with the bases loaded. Reed shuts down the Reds the rest of the way. Athletics win game 6-5. Win goes to Darvish, loss to Velasquez with a save to Reed. Athletics lead series 2 games to 1.
Game 4—Athletics at Reds, Noah Syndergaard vs. Zack Greinke: A wild game. Athletics start the fun with a Seager dinger in the top of the second inning, followed by a four-run third inning featuring Seager’s second consecutive home run, this one a grand slam. Avila extends the Athletics’ lead to 6-0 with a dinger in the top of the fourth. But then the Reds come alive, with a two-run shot by Joc Pederson making it 6–2 Athletics after four innings. They add another run in the fifth on a pinch-single and stolen base by Travis and an RBI double by Votto. Athletics come up with another home run in the top of the sixth, a solo shot by pinch hitter Harper, to make their lead 7–3. No more scoring until the bottom of the eighth, when the Reds put up a six-spot against the heart of the Athletics’ bull pen, Dan Otero and Reed. A walk to Cesar Hernandez, Leon double, walk to Santana, a key two-base error by Athletics left fielder Zobrist, and a two-RBI single by Yelich give the Reds a 9–7 lead. Alex Colome protects the lead in the top of the ninth, and the Reds win it 9–7, after trailing 6–0 after three and a half innings. Athletics waste four home runs, including Seager’s salami, while the Reds put up 13 hits on the way to their victory. Reds win game 9–7. Win goes to Reds reliever Andrew Miller, loss to Reed, save to Colome. Series tied at 2 games each.
Game 5—Athletics at Reds, Rich Hill vs. Tanner Roark: Another nip-and-tuck torture session. Athletics manufacture a run in the top of the first on a Jean Segura walk and Bryant single, followed by Seager’s ground ball advancing the runners and Ortiz’ sacrifice fly. They nurse the one-run lead into the sixth, when Ortiz adds a solo shot to make it 2–0. But the Reds tie it up in the bottom of the eighth, chasing Hill on a walk to Hernandez, followed by a pinch double by Travis and single by Xander Bogaarts off Otero, forcing the Athletics to bring in Reed to finish the inning. Athletics answer back in the top of the ninth, with a lead off triple by Eaton and barely-successful squeeze bunt by Hamilton, claiming a 3–2 lead going to the bottom of the ninth. And Votto promptly knots it up again with a solo shot off Reed. Things look bleak for the Athletics, who have gutted their offense making defensive moves. But in the top of the tenth they score as only a weakened offense can: a double by pitcher Reed, who was left in to hit based on the Maddigan rule, walks to Bryant and defensive replacement Alcides Escobar, and an RBI hit batter by Javier Baez. In the bottom of the tenth Reed surrenders a lead off single to Yelich, but shuts down the Reds in order the rest of the way. Athletics win game 4–3 in ten innings. Win goes to Reed (after a blown save), loss to Iglesias. Athletics lead series 3 games to 2.
Game 6—Reds at Athletics, Carlos Martinez vs. Kyle Hendricks: The Athletics finally get to Martinez, but it doesn’t matter as Hendricks has his worst game in an Athletics uniform. The Reds scored early and often in this one, featuring grand slams in consecutive innings, Longoria in the fourth and Pederson in the fifth, posting a 13–3 lead after five innings. The Athletics climb back to within five, and have the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Eaton ends the game on a double play ground out. Although the Reds have a field day offensively in this one, it comes at an extremely high price, as along the way they lose Yelich, Braun and Santana to injury, ruling all of them out for game 7. Meanwhile Hendricks takes one for the team, putting up a horrendous line (13 runs on 14 hits) but sparing the Athletics bull pen, who will all be available for game 7. Reds win game 13–8. Win goes to Martinez, loss to Hendricks. Series tied at 3 games each.
Game 7—Reds at Athletics, Vincent Velasquez vs. Yu Darvish: the injury-riddled Reds offense is unable to muster much of an attack against Darvish, who pitches six shutout innings. The Reds do threaten in the second, but Leon, trying to score from first on a Ryan Goins double, is cut down at the plate on a throw by Athletics left fielder Zobrist. Meanwhile the Athletics score three in the third inning, on walks to Bryant and Seager, singles by Zobrist and Ortiz, and a Velasquez error on an Eaton ground ball—all after two are out. In the fifth, in the last game of his storied strato career, Ortiz adds to the Athletics lead with a solo shot, making the score 4–0. Otero shuts down the Reds for the final three innings. He has to wiggle out of a Reds rally in the seventh after a hit batter to Cruz and double by Leon, but strands both runners by striking out Goins. Smooth sailing the rest of the way for Otero, and the Athletics claim the victory. Athletics win game 4–0. Win goes to Darvish, loss to Velasquez. Athletics win series 4 games to 3.
All in all the 2017 Athletics have to be one of the luckiest teams in Redwood SOM League history. Three of their four wins against the Reds are way up there on the fluke meter. They won Game 1 by one run, while receiving an unearned run and throwing out two runners at the plate (unlikely to do that even once) in consecutive late innings. The difference in their one-run win in game 3 was an unearned run on an equally unlikely error by Travis. To win game 5 (by one run—see the pattern?) they needed Addison Reed, of all people, to get an extra-inning double and then a gift go-ahead hit batter by Baez. The one game that wasn’t marked by extraordinary in-game lucky bounces, game 7, was impacted greatly by the rash of Reds injuries in game 6.
Still, the Athletics will take it. Congratulations to all our playoff teams and thanks for an exciting and suspenseful post-season. Get started on your scouting—February is just around the corner!
Game 2—Reds at Athletics, Carlos Martinez vs. Kyle Hendricks. Martinez with a three-hit shutout as the Reds parlay dingers by Asdrubal Cabrera in the second inning and Votto in the eighth inning into a 3-0 victory. Athletics do draw six walks but leave 10 runners on base. Reds win game 3-0. Win goes to Martinez, loss to Hendricks. Series tied at 1 game each.
Game 3—Athletics at Reds, Yu Darvish vs. Vincent Velasquez. Athletics with an unearned run in the top of the first on an error by Devon Travis and singles by Ortiz and Corey Seager. They add three more in the top of the third on a three-run dinger by Ortiz, taking a 4-0 lead. But the Reds put up a five-spot in the bottom of the third, with walks to Braun and Travis, a pinch single by Carlos Santana and back-to-back homers by Longoria and Cruz. 5-4 Reds at that point. Home run by Alex Avila gets the Athletics even at 5-5 in the top of the fourth, and they take a 6-5 lead in the top of the fifth on a Seager walk, Eaton single and Hamilton double. Reds threaten in the bottom of the seventh, but Reed in relief of Darvish strikes out Longoria with the bases loaded. Reed shuts down the Reds the rest of the way. Athletics win game 6-5. Win goes to Darvish, loss to Velasquez with a save to Reed. Athletics lead series 2 games to 1.
Game 4—Athletics at Reds, Noah Syndergaard vs. Zack Greinke: A wild game. Athletics start the fun with a Seager dinger in the top of the second inning, followed by a four-run third inning featuring Seager’s second consecutive home run, this one a grand slam. Avila extends the Athletics’ lead to 6-0 with a dinger in the top of the fourth. But then the Reds come alive, with a two-run shot by Joc Pederson making it 6–2 Athletics after four innings. They add another run in the fifth on a pinch-single and stolen base by Travis and an RBI double by Votto. Athletics come up with another home run in the top of the sixth, a solo shot by pinch hitter Harper, to make their lead 7–3. No more scoring until the bottom of the eighth, when the Reds put up a six-spot against the heart of the Athletics’ bull pen, Dan Otero and Reed. A walk to Cesar Hernandez, Leon double, walk to Santana, a key two-base error by Athletics left fielder Zobrist, and a two-RBI single by Yelich give the Reds a 9–7 lead. Alex Colome protects the lead in the top of the ninth, and the Reds win it 9–7, after trailing 6–0 after three and a half innings. Athletics waste four home runs, including Seager’s salami, while the Reds put up 13 hits on the way to their victory. Reds win game 9–7. Win goes to Reds reliever Andrew Miller, loss to Reed, save to Colome. Series tied at 2 games each.
Game 5—Athletics at Reds, Rich Hill vs. Tanner Roark: Another nip-and-tuck torture session. Athletics manufacture a run in the top of the first on a Jean Segura walk and Bryant single, followed by Seager’s ground ball advancing the runners and Ortiz’ sacrifice fly. They nurse the one-run lead into the sixth, when Ortiz adds a solo shot to make it 2–0. But the Reds tie it up in the bottom of the eighth, chasing Hill on a walk to Hernandez, followed by a pinch double by Travis and single by Xander Bogaarts off Otero, forcing the Athletics to bring in Reed to finish the inning. Athletics answer back in the top of the ninth, with a lead off triple by Eaton and barely-successful squeeze bunt by Hamilton, claiming a 3–2 lead going to the bottom of the ninth. And Votto promptly knots it up again with a solo shot off Reed. Things look bleak for the Athletics, who have gutted their offense making defensive moves. But in the top of the tenth they score as only a weakened offense can: a double by pitcher Reed, who was left in to hit based on the Maddigan rule, walks to Bryant and defensive replacement Alcides Escobar, and an RBI hit batter by Javier Baez. In the bottom of the tenth Reed surrenders a lead off single to Yelich, but shuts down the Reds in order the rest of the way. Athletics win game 4–3 in ten innings. Win goes to Reed (after a blown save), loss to Iglesias. Athletics lead series 3 games to 2.
Game 6—Reds at Athletics, Carlos Martinez vs. Kyle Hendricks: The Athletics finally get to Martinez, but it doesn’t matter as Hendricks has his worst game in an Athletics uniform. The Reds scored early and often in this one, featuring grand slams in consecutive innings, Longoria in the fourth and Pederson in the fifth, posting a 13–3 lead after five innings. The Athletics climb back to within five, and have the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Eaton ends the game on a double play ground out. Although the Reds have a field day offensively in this one, it comes at an extremely high price, as along the way they lose Yelich, Braun and Santana to injury, ruling all of them out for game 7. Meanwhile Hendricks takes one for the team, putting up a horrendous line (13 runs on 14 hits) but sparing the Athletics bull pen, who will all be available for game 7. Reds win game 13–8. Win goes to Martinez, loss to Hendricks. Series tied at 3 games each.
Game 7—Reds at Athletics, Vincent Velasquez vs. Yu Darvish: the injury-riddled Reds offense is unable to muster much of an attack against Darvish, who pitches six shutout innings. The Reds do threaten in the second, but Leon, trying to score from first on a Ryan Goins double, is cut down at the plate on a throw by Athletics left fielder Zobrist. Meanwhile the Athletics score three in the third inning, on walks to Bryant and Seager, singles by Zobrist and Ortiz, and a Velasquez error on an Eaton ground ball—all after two are out. In the fifth, in the last game of his storied strato career, Ortiz adds to the Athletics lead with a solo shot, making the score 4–0. Otero shuts down the Reds for the final three innings. He has to wiggle out of a Reds rally in the seventh after a hit batter to Cruz and double by Leon, but strands both runners by striking out Goins. Smooth sailing the rest of the way for Otero, and the Athletics claim the victory. Athletics win game 4–0. Win goes to Darvish, loss to Velasquez. Athletics win series 4 games to 3.
All in all the 2017 Athletics have to be one of the luckiest teams in Redwood SOM League history. Three of their four wins against the Reds are way up there on the fluke meter. They won Game 1 by one run, while receiving an unearned run and throwing out two runners at the plate (unlikely to do that even once) in consecutive late innings. The difference in their one-run win in game 3 was an unearned run on an equally unlikely error by Travis. To win game 5 (by one run—see the pattern?) they needed Addison Reed, of all people, to get an extra-inning double and then a gift go-ahead hit batter by Baez. The one game that wasn’t marked by extraordinary in-game lucky bounces, game 7, was impacted greatly by the rash of Reds injuries in game 6.
Still, the Athletics will take it. Congratulations to all our playoff teams and thanks for an exciting and suspenseful post-season. Get started on your scouting—February is just around the corner!
Final 2017 Regular Season Standings
Larry Division
- x-Reds (38-42), .475, 0.0 GB
- Yankees (35-45), .438, 3.0 GB
- Cardinals (31-49), .388, 7.0 GB
Moe Division
- x-Giants (51-29), .638, 0.0 GB
- Rockies (38-42), .475, 13.0 GB
- Pirates (36-44), .450, 15.0 GB
Curly Division
- x-Red Sox (50-30), .625, 0.0 GB
- y-Athletics (45-35), .563, 5.0 GB
- Mets (36-44), .450, 14.0 GB
x-Clinched division title
y-Clinched wild card
Post-Season Madness 2017
Divisional Playoffs
Giants (Number 1 seed) vs. Reds (Number 4 seed)
Reds win series 4 games to 2
Reds win series 4 games to 2
Red Sox (Number 2 seed) vs. Athletics (Number 3 seed)
Athletics win series 4 games to 3
World Series
Athletics (Number 3 seed) vs. Reds (Number 4 seed)
Athletics win series 4 games to 3
Athletics win series 4 games to 3
2018 Draft Order
1. Cardinals
2. Yankees
3. Pirates
4. Mets
5. Rockies
6. Red Sox
7. Giants
6. Red Sox
7. Giants
8. Reds
9. Athletics
9. Athletics
Next action: Hot stove starts now! See you in February. . .
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