1986 Playoff Thread

[Alan T]

Baltimore vs New York

Hartford vs Colorado


I will be starting it up in a few minutes!

[Alan T]

Ok, getting exports now!

[ekcut]

Cool...let's get this party started!

[Alan T]

No exports from Napa Valley, Rio Grande or San Diego

[Alan T]

Ok, all set for the League Championship Series!

Baltimore has D. Lewis pitching for them vs M. Clark for the Panthers.

In the RL, Hartford starts the series with D. Robinson while Colorado pitches Sanu in game one.

[Alan T]

Game one of the Republic League Championship series proves to be quite a pitching battle. Sanu pitches brilliantly for Colorado, striking out 9 and only giving up 5 hits and 1 walk. He gives up only one run in the 7th inning on an Eaton RBI double.

Unfortunately for Colorado, Dylan Robinson pitches just as well. Robinson goes the full distance, striking out 8, walking 2 and throwing a 4-hit shutout!

Hartford wins game one 1-0

[Alan T]

Over in the Continental League, there are twice as many hits in game one. The majority all come from one team however as this game was never in doubt. New York scores one in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and one more in both the 7th and 8th innings.

Baltimore does not get their first run until the 8th inning and at which point it was a run away.

New York wins game one 6-1

[Alan T]

Game two of the RLCS has Mitchell pitching for Colorado vs Smith for the Harpooners.

For the second straight game, Colorado's offense just can not get started. Smith goes the full distance, striking out 8 and throwing a 6-hit shutout.

Hartford wins game two 3-0

Hartford leads the series two games to zero.

Game two in the CLCS features Pereira for the Panthers pitching vs Brown and the Gothams

Once again there is more offense shown in this game, but this time the other team displays it all. New York is shut down by a masterful performance from Brown. He strikes out 11 and walks one while throwing a 5-hit shutout. Baltimore scores 5 runs including homers from Robinson and Costa.

Baltimore wins game two 5-0

The CLCS is tied up one game each!

[Alan T]

Game three in the RLCS has Endo pitching in front of the home fans for Colorado while Aquino starts for Hartford

In a series that has displayed great pitching and very little offense, this continues in game three. Neither team is able to get on the board at all until the 8th inning when in the top of the inning an Anderson RBI triple scores two to put the Harpooners up 2-0.

In the bottom of the inning, Argo hits a two out Solo home run for Colorado to bring them within one, but that is all they can manage as Hartford wins once again thanks to Colorado managing only 3 hits for the entire game.

Hartford wins game three 2-1

Hartford leads the series three games to zero.


The CLCS features Flores for Baltimore vs Pina for the Panthers in game three.

Continuing a theme, the Continental league has more than five times the amount of runs scored than the Republic League game three. THis time both teams jump into the mix as 5 home runs are hit.

Baltimore jumps to the early lead with two runs in the first and one in the second. New York strikes back with 4 runs in the bottom of the second, but the Gothams respond immediately with four of their own in the top of the third.

Both teams swap runs in the 5th, but Baltimore pulls away with two more in the 8th and another in the 9th to take their second game of this series!

Baltimore wins 11-5

Baltimore leads the CLCS 2 game to 1.

[Tasan]

Dang this is frustrating.

[Alan T]

Game four of the CLCS has Gomez pitching for Colorado in a must win game. One more loss and their season is over! Shaw will be pitching for Hartford in the possible clinching game.

Hartford scores immediately in the top of the first thanks to a McGill Sacrifice fly. It is not until the fourth however that Colorado fans feel realization settle in. Hartford scores five runs in the top of the 4th to take an early 6-0 lead. Colorado scratches back two of those runs in the bottom of the inning but it will not be enough. Hartford continues to cruise where they left off and win this one easily.

Hartford wins 9-4

Hartford has won the 1986 Republic League Championship!


In the CLCS, Baltimore goes with their fourth starter Villalobas vs the Panthers and D. Simpson

New York decides to try to even up this series by scoring in the bottom of the second on a Cooper solo home run. In the bottom of the fourth they score again on a Cooper RBI sac fly to take the 2-0 lead.

The top of the 5th Baltimore responds to tie it up on a Fujii RBI double and Waller RBI single. In the top of the 7th, Baltimore scores again on three consecutive singles to take the 3-2 lead which will hold until the end of the game.

Baltimore wins 3-2

Baltimore takes a 3 game to 1 lead in the series!

[Tasan]

Congrats muns, you magnificent bastard!

[Alan T]

Returning to Baltimore for game five, the Gothams can win it in front of the fans!

Baltimore pitches Lewis again, whom did not fare very well in game one. The Panthers change things up a bit however and pitch their 5th starter Newell in this game. We will see if that strategy works out for them!


New York strikes immediately with 2 in the top of the first. In the top of the fourth they put the game away with four more runs thanks to an RBI single from Castillo and a McConnell 2-run Homer!

Newell pitches a gem, 8 innings pitched, striking out 6 and walking 4 but only giving up one hit and 0 earned runs!

New York wins 6-1

Baltimore still leads the series three games to two.

[Alan T]

Game six of the Continental League Championship series features two pitchers who already won a game this series. Brown for Baltimore and Clark for the Panthers.

What a pitching duel indeed.. after 9 innings pitched, neither team have given up a run yet.. 0-0 heading into extra innings!

[Alan T]

Top of the 10th, Clark is still pitching for the Panthers, in his 10th inning for the game!

He strikes out Martinez and Jensen, then forces MOta to ground out for a 1-2-3 inning!

Baltimore decides to not do the same and pulls Brown for Villegas to pitch the 10th. He likewise has no problems at all and gets three straight fly outs on 6 total pitches!

In the top of the 11th, Vazquez comes in to pitch for New York. He strikes out Poole and Ewing, but allows Robinson to reach thanks to an error by the Shortstop Andrews. Costa up next singles to Right field, but the second error of the inning, this time from the right fielder allows both runners to move up an additional base!

Fujii, up to bat takes three straight balls before finding a pitch that he likes. He drives it to left field, which scores both runs! 2-0 lead for Baltimore! Wilson up next flys out harmlessly but not before the damage is done...

Bottom of the 11th, the last chance for New York... Walls pinch hits to lead off but grounds out to second. Castillow next up grounds out to third base. Ellis, the last hope for the Panthers fouls off the first two pitches, but then strikes out swinging to clinch the series for Baltimore!

Baltimore wins 2-0 (11 innings)

Baltimore wins the 1986 Continental League Championship!

[Alan T]

With that, the 1986 FOOL Classic is set! Baltimore (91-63) will face off against Hartford (101-53). Hartford will have home field advantage in the Classic.

[Alan T]

Game one of the 1986 FOOL Classic

D. Lewis (0-2 7.20 ERA this postseason) for Baltimore

vs

D. Robinson (1-0 0.00 ERA this postseason) for Hartford

[Alan T]

The first strike of this game comes in the bottom of the 4th inning. Holcombe leads things off for the Harpooners with a double to centerfield. The very next pitch is thrown juuuuuuuuuust a bit outside...... allowing Holcombe to advance to third on the wild pitch. McGill punishes that mistake by driving one deep to centerfield for the fly out.. but deep enough to score the runner from third. 1-0 Hartford!

Zhao strikes out for the second out of the inning, but Cervantes drives one over the right field line for a solo homer...

2-0 Hartford after 4 innings.

Baltimore is just as helpless as Colorado was against Robinson and can not get anything going at all. Robinson ends up pitching a complete game 4 hitter, striking out 8.

Hartford wins game one 2-0!

[Alan T]

Game two looks to be even more of a pitcher's duel than game one was.

M. Brown (1-0 0.00 ERA this postseason) for Baltimore

vs

B. Smith (1-0 0.00 ERA this postseason) for Hartford

[ekcut]

Originally Posted by Alan T

The first strike of this game comes in the bottom of the 4th inning. Holcombe leads things off for the Harpooners with a double to centerfield. The very next pitch is thrown juuuuuuuuuust a bit outside...... allowing Holcombe to advance to third on the wild pitch. McGill punishes that mistake by driving one deep to centerfield for the fly out.. but deep enough to score the runner from third. 1-0 Hartford!

Zhao strikes out for the second out of the inning, but Cervantes drives one over the right field line for a solo homer...

2-0 Hartford after 4 innings.

New York is just as helpless as Colorado was against Robinson and can not get anything going at all. Robinson ends up pitching a complete game 4 hitter, striking out 8.

Hartford wins game one 2-0!

In the 3 previous meetings between the pooners and the Gothams, this is the pooners first series lead....Is that the winds of change blowing???

[Alan T]

If one was expecting a pitcher's duel, they likely were disappointed..

Baltimore starts off the first inning with a Waller single followed by a Costa 2-run homer to take their first lead of the series 2-0.

Hartford does not allow Baltimore to relish in the lead long as the bottom of the inning is their turn to pile on the runs. Holcombe hits a triple, followed by a double from McGill, Triple from Zhao, double from Eaton and Single from Smith. Hartford ends up scoring 4 in the bottom of the first to take the lead 4-2.

That score stands until the 6th when Baltimore gets one back on a Robinson Triple and Waller Sac fly to close the gap to 4-3. And then they tie it in the top of the 8th on a Single from Mata, sac bunt and RBI single from Robinson. The 9th inning features no scoring from anyone and we'll be heading into extra innings tied up 4-4!

[Alan T]

Top of the 10th, B. Smith is still pitching for Hartford, he gets Jensen to strike out before Poole hits a single through the hole at second. Robinson flys out for the second out, but muns has seen enough and goes to his pen. Hennessey comes in to pitch for Hartford and gets Waller to go down swinging.

Villegas is pitching for Baltimore and he gets Zhao to fly out to the right fielder... but he drops it! Zhao reaches on an error. ekcut calls for the intentional walk of Cervantes to pitch instead to Eaton. Eaton sacrifices both runners over, but the winning run is now at third with only one out!

once again another intentional walk, this time to Smith loads the bases with one out. They will obviously be going for a double play or force out at home... The next batter is Reed for Hartford. He takes the first pitch for a ball.. The next he likes and he smokes it to the gap in right field! Zhao will score, and that will be all she wrote.

Hartford wins 5-4 (10 innings)

Hartford leads the FOOL Classic two games to zero.

[Alan T]

Game three of the FOOL Classic comes to Baltimore

Hartford pitches J. Aquino (1-0 0.00 ERA this postseason)

vs

Baltimore and I. Flores (0-0 18.00 ERA this postseason)

[Alan T]

In the bottom of the first, Baltimore strikes first. Singles from Poole, Costa and Fujii score two runs and give the Gothams a 2-0 lead.

As has been normal this postseason, Hartford does not give the lead up for long and in the top of the 5th they strike back with doubles from both Harmon and Smith followed by a 2-run homer from Anderson. Hartford jumps to a 3-2 lead. They extend the lead on a 6th inning mcGill Solo homer to 4-2 and an Anderson solo homer in the 7th.

In the bottom of the 8th, down 5-2, Baltimore gets Jensen on base thanks to an error from the Hartford second baseman. Poole reaches safely on a bunt, and Robinson sacrifices both runners over. Waller then strikes out but Costa follows with a 2-out three run homer to tie things up 5-5!

No one is able to score in the 9th, and once again we enter extra innings!

[Alan T]

Brewer is pitching in the top of the 10th for the Gothams, and he starts off very shaky. Zhao leads off with a triple, followed by a Cervantes intentional walk, Reed sacrifice Bunt and Holcombe Intentional walk.

With the bases loaded and only one out, Smith hits a line drive single to right field that scores two and gives Hartford a 7-5 lead!

Hartford enters the bottom of the 10th with a 2 run lead and Ramos pitching. He strikes out both Ewing and Poole, then forces Robinson to ground out to the pitcher in a very easy 1-2-3 inning to win it for Hartford!

Hartford wins 7-5 (10 innings)

Hartford takes a three game to zero lead in the series.

[Alan T]

Game four of the FOOL Classic, and Hartford has yet to lose this postseason. After sweeping Colorado in the RLCS, they have taken the first three games of this series.

Pitching in game four is:

T. Shaw for Hartford (1-0 4.26 ERA this postseason)

vs

P. Villalobas for Baltimore (1-0 2.25 ERA this postseason)

[Alan T]

This game gets ugly as Hartford scores 4 in the second, another one in the 4th and 2 more in the 7th thanks to a Holcombe 2 run blast. Baltimore is not even able to get across the plate once as Shaw pitches a complete game 6-hitter, striking out 8!

Hartford wins 7-0

Hartford leads the FOOL Classic four games to zero!

[Alan T]

Facing a do or die, Baltimore likely is no longer even thinking about winning the series, they are now trying to avoid being swept. Hartford will be trying to become the first team in FOOL history to go a perfect 9-0 in the postseason.

Game five features:

D. Lewis (0-3 5.19 ERA this postseason) for Baltimore

vs

D. Robinson (2-0 0.00 ERA this postseason) for Hartford

[Tasan]

Get out the brooms folks. Robinson hasn't been scored on yet.

[Alan T]

Hartford starts it off with a Zhao RBI single in the bottom of the first for the early 1-0 lead but not for long as Baltimore equalizes with a Poole RBI single of their own in the third.

A Zhao solo homer in the 4th once again gives the Harpooners a one run lead which disappears just as fast in the 6th when Mata hits a solo homer of his own.

Baltimore takes their first lead of the game in the 7th when Jensen hits a triple followed by a Poole 2-run homer. Baltimore leads 4-2!

McGill hits a solo homer in the bottom of the 8th but it won't be enough, Baltimore finally takes one!

Baltimore wins 5-3!

Hartford leads the series 4 games to 1

[ekcut]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Hartford starts it off with a Zhao RBI single in the bottom of the first for the early 1-0 lead but not for long as Baltimore equalizes with a Poole RBI single of their own in the third.

A Zhao solo homer in the 4th once again gives the Harpooners a one run lead which disappears just as fast in the 6th when Mata hits a solo homer of his own.

Baltimore takes their first lead of the game in the 7th when Jensen hits a triple followed by a Poole 2-run homer. Baltimore leads 4-2!

McGill hits a solo homer in the bottom of the 8th but it won't be enough, Baltimore finally takes one!

Baltimore wins 5-3!

Hartford leads the series 4 games to 1

Whew! K muns...you can move in for the kill now!

[Alan T]

Game six of the FOOL Classic is a fairly evenly matched pitching matchup

Baltimore: M. Brown (1-0 1.44 ERA this postseason)
vs
Hartford: B. Smith (1-0 1.45 ERA this postseason)

[Alan T]

Baltimore seems to have a second win thanks to their win in game five. They jump to the early lead in the top of the first.. With Pool on third base Smith is called for a Balk!! Muns goes crazy as he runs from the dugout and kicks and screams and calls the home plate ump all kinds of things that innocent children shouldn't hear.. in the end it does not matter, the balk stands and Poole scores from third.. 1-0 lead for Baltimore!

In the top of the third, Baltimore scores two more on a Martinez double and Poole triple.

Hartford finally gets on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 7th when Warren pinch hits and grounds one past the third baseman to score Zhao from third, but that is all that they are able to do.. Baltimore goes on to win.

Baltimore wins 3-1

Hartford leads the series 4 games to 2.

[Alan T]

After taking both games in Hartford, the Baltimore fans are suddenly getting a new sense of hope that the Gothams can pull this one out. Is it just false hope though?

Hartford pitches J. Aquino (1-0 1.13 ERA this postseason)

vs

Baltimore's I. Flores (0-0 9.72 ERA this postseason)

[Alan T]

Flores pitches well for Baltimore, which was much needed for them this game. He holds the Harpooners scoreless until the top of the 6th when Anderson singles and steals a base before scoring on a McGill sac fly for the 1-0 lead, late in the game.

Baltimore is completely unable to score on Aquino, going into the bottom of the 9th, they still trail 1-0...

[Alan T]

First up to bat in the bottom of the 9th, Robinson leads things off with a single and then is pinch-run for by Ewing. Waller sacrifice bunts him over to second and then Ewing steals third!

Costa flys out to short leftfield, not deep enough to score the run.. two outs, and the tying run coming up to bat.. Baltimore's season is on the line for Fujii coming up to the plate..

[Alan T]

Fujii takes a strike, and then two balls before smoking one down the first base line.. it is in the corner rattling around.. Ewing scores easily and Fujii is flying around the bases... He makes it into third base standing up!

With the game tied at 1, and the winning run at third, two outs Muns calls in Ramos to pitch to Wilson..

[Alan T]

the first pitch.. ball outside.. second pitch Wilson watches again but this time is called a strike. The 1-1 pitch, he likes and grounds to second.. the second baseman dives... but can not reach it.. it is through to the outfield and Fujii scores..

Baltimore wins.. Baltimore wins.. Baltimore wiiiiiiiins..

Baltimore wins 2-1

Hartford leads the series 4 games to 3

[Alan T]

Game 8 of the FOOL Classic and the final game in Baltimore for the series... After hartford won 4 straight from Baltimore, can the Gothams now return the favor?

For Hartford: T. Shaw (2-0 1.76 ERA this postseason)
For Baltimore: P. Villalobas (1-1 2.77 ERA this postseason)

[Alan T]

Baltimore strikes first again in this game on a Wilson RBI single for the early 1-0 lead. Hartford gets it back plus another in the top of the 5th however with singles from Harmon and Anderson and a Smith triple.

This score carries into the bottom of the 9th.. Baltimore is once again down 2-1 going into the bottom of the inning, and their last chance at the season...

[Alan T]

Ramos comes in to pitch for Hartford and strikes out Martinez, but then he gives up a costly mistake to Costa in the form of a Solo home run to tie the game up at 2!

Ewing and Whitaker both strike out, Ramos strikes out three in the inning, but he fails at his job as he blows the save! Extra innings once again!

[Alan T]

The 10th goes by scoreless, as does the top of the 11th, but in the bottom of the 11th Hennessey comes in to pitch for the Harpooners.

He gets Waller to ground out but then walks Poole. Martinez sacrifice bunts him to second.. but he somehow beats out the throw and is safe at first! Runners first and second with only one out!

Costa also sacrifice bunts for some unknown reason, to move both runners ahead one base, but now with two outs.

Robinson up, the last hope for Baltimore, and he strokes one over the first baseman's head for a single.. Poole scores and Baltimore comes from behind once again to tie the series up!

Baltimore wins 3-2

The FoOL Classic is tied up 4 games each!

[Alan T]

The FOOL Classic after seemingly appearing to be a run away has managed to work its way back to a 9th game

The pitching matchup for the deciding game of the series

D. Lewis (Baltimore) (1-3 4.62 ERA this postseason)

vs

D. Robinson (Hartford) (2-1 1.69 ERA this postseason)

[Alan T]

Baltimore completely takes the crowd out the game in the top of the first as Jensen scores on a Fuji sacrifice fly to take the 1-0 lead. The Harpooner faithful are completely silent. You can hear a pin drop in the stadium right now!

[Alan T]

Lewis pitches great until the 6th inning when he makes a mistake to Holcombe and the pitch is grooved over the right field fence.. Just like that one mistake and the game is tied up at 1! 6 innings down, 3 to go!

[Alan T]

Top of the 9th inning.. Robinson still pitching for Hartford...

He gets Martinez to strike out, and Mata grounds out.. two outs and the game tied up.. Mota coming up to bat....

[ekcut]

THIS....IS....PAINFUL!

[Tasan]

Wow. We saw this happen before, didn't we?

[Alan T]

Mota takes a called strike, then fouls the next pitch off...

The 0-2 pitch from Robinson.. Mota swings... but gets nothing.. he strikes out to end the top of the 9th still tied at 1!


Lewis will not pitch any longer as ekcut takes him out for Villegas in the bottom of the ninth.

Cervantes up to bat for Hartford... he takes the first pitch for a ball..

The next pitch he loves.. he crushes it.. High.. Deep... Far..... That one is out of here!

Cervantes hits a walk off solo home run and Hartford wins the 1986 FOOL Classic 5 games to 4!!

Hartford wins 2-1

[Tasan]

Wow....great series guys. Way to go again muns. You're like wine...just getting better with age.