Game 5 - Doug Fister - S.S. (14-6, 3.59 ERA) vs. Matt Harrison - T.C./POR (13-13, 3.73 ERA).
South Shore sends out their Game 1 starter in Doug Fister. He pitched a terrific three-hit shutout last time out, let's see if he once again come up big -- this time in enemy territory.
Top of the 2nd, Allen Craig doubles. David Wright draws a walk from Harrison, putting runners on 1st & 2nd for Matt Holliday. Holliday singles to left, Craig rounds third and is heading home... and he's safe. South Shore draws first blood, 1-0.
Bottom of the 2nd, Portland answers back. Back-to-back walks for Freddie Freeman and Jason Kipnis. With two-outs, Eric Chavez hits a RBI single to score in Freeman, tie game. Runners on 1st & 3rd, A.J. Ellis gets a hold of a mistake pitch by Doug Fister, driven to left, Allen Craig is running out of room... gone! Portland has a 4-1 lead
During the bottom of the 3rd, Mike Trout hits a one-out single, and then steals second -- but David Ortiz and Freddie Freeman could not get him home.
Top of the 4th, a lead-off double by Allen Craig. David Wright strikes out, while Matt Holliday draws a walk. Runners on 1st & 2nd, with one out -- Erik Kratz hits a RBI double, Holliday will have to hold third. J.J. Hardy draws a walk, as the Portland crowd is nervous. Matt Harrison to face Ben Zobrist, with bases loaded, Zobrist grounds it into a fielder's choice at second, run scores -- It's now only a 4-3 sliver of a lead for Portland.
Portland has had some lost chances on insurance runs early, and let South Shore back into this ballgame.
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| Holliday watches his blast off Harrison in the 5th. |
Top of the 5th, back-to-back double by Melky Cabrera and Allen Craig ties the game up, at 4-4. South Shore not done -- Matt Holliday sends one deep, hitting his second HR of the series, a two-run blast giving the Imps a 6-4 lead now. This crowd has been silenced, and are in a state of shock.
During the top of the 6th, South Shore would tack on a few more runs with a RBI single by Joey Votto, plus a two-run double by David Wright. Matt Harrison was taken out of the game after five innings, allowing 9 hits & 7 runs, while walking 4 Imps. 8 runs by South Shore during a three-inning span, has made it's imprint on this game.
Bottom of the 6th, Doug Fister would load up the bases for Portland, one out. Pinch-hitter Alfonso Soriano would pop up, while Austin Jackson hits a liner down the first base line... which is snagged by Joey Votto, showing some leather! The Microbrewers come up flat in a golden opportunity.
Allen Craig collects hit #4 with a solo shot in the top of the 9th, to make it 10-4. During the bottom half, the South Shore Imps send in Darren O'Day instead of their usual closer Fernando Rodney. The Imps were one out away from running onto the field, when David Ortiz hits a double. Playoff hero Freddie Freeman would score him in with a double of his own. 10-5, two outs with a man on second, it's O'Day versus Jason Kipnis. O'Day delivers, two strikes now on Kipnis. Kipnis steps out, back in the box, the pitch, swings, and comes up empty! The South Shore Fighting Imps are the World Champions of the BoS! Congrats to Bill Gillam and his amazing ball club, from day one it seemed they ran the table, made the deals that brought in Joey Votto and Allen Craig. They always had a answer for their division rivals, the Boston Bravos when that team was on fire, the Imps knocked them back down, or went on a winning streak of their own.
SOUTH SHORE 10, PORTLAND 5
Doug Fister was not as sharp as in Game 1, but his offense helped him collect his 2nd win of the series; he allowed 8 hits, 4 runs & 3 walks in 7 innings -- he had a series ERA of 2.25 in 16 innings.
Matt Holliday walks away with World Series MVP honors, batting .444, 2 HR's, 5 RBI -- plus 8 hits, 4 runs & drawing two walks. Holliday had a series OPS of 1.333 (.500 OBP + .833 Sligging).
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