Category: MLB (Page 389 of 448)

Rockies 6, Diamondbacks 4
Memo to Eric Byrnes: The Rockies aren’t, “lucky” they’re quite for real. After defeating Arizona 6-4 on Monday to complete a four game sweep, the Rockies advanced to their first World Series appearance in the history of their 14-year franchise. Matt Holiday went 2 for 3 and drove in three runs, while Seth Smith hit a two-run double in the fourth to propel surging Colorado. The win pushes their postseason record to 7-0, which matches a record set by the Cincinnati Reds in 1976. As for Byrnes, who called the Rockies “lucky” before Game 3 of this series, he went a combined 2 for 17 with only two RBI in the four-game sweep.

Indians 4, Red Sox 2
Behind a solid pitching performance by Jake Westbrook and the resurgence of Kenny Loften, Cleveland took a 2-1 lead in the ALCS with a 4-2 win over Boston. Westbrook pitched 6.2 innings, gave up just two runs on seven hits and struck out two. Loften sparked the Tribe’s offense in the second with a two-run dinger off Red Sox’s starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, while Asdrubal Cabrera went 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the fifth. Boston cut Cleveland’s lead in half when Jason Varitek hit a two-run homer in the seventh, but the rally fell short thereafter.

Indians 13, Red Sox 6
With the game at a 6-6 stalemate for four innings, the Indians exploded for seven runs in the top of the 11th to give them a 13-6 win in Game 2 of the ALCS. In an emotional return to Boson, former Red Sox Trot Nixon broke the 6-6 tie with a one-run single and after a wild pitch by Javier Lopez allowed another run to score, Ryan Garko Johnny Peralta and Franklin Gutierrez all produced key hits in the seven-run 11th. Perhaps the true hero for Cleveland, however, was reliever Tom Mastny, who retired the Red Sox’s most dangerous hitters in the 10th. Mastny got David Ortiz to ground before getting both Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell to fly out.

Red Sox 10, Indians 3
Boston hammered Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia for seven hits and eight runs in route to a 10-3 victory in Game 1 of the ALCS. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis all had multiple hits, while Mike Lowell had a key two-run double in the third inning. Not to be forgotten in Boston’s romp, however, is the pitching performance by Josh Beckett, who limited the Indians to only two runs on four hits. While The Boston Globe lauded yet another big-game outing by Beckett, Bud Shaw of The Cleveland Plain Dealer hopes that Sabathia’s dud performance will finally make people realize that the Tribe still needs an ace.

Rockies 3, Diamondbacks 2
Willy Taveras was the hero in Colorado’s 3-2 victory over Arizona in Game 2 of the NLCS. Taveras made a diving catch in the 7th inning to halt a Diamondbacks’ rally and then in the top of the 11th, he drew a walk with the bases loaded to put the Rockies ahead for good. While Taveras starred in Colorado’s win, The Denver Post felt the need to note how much rookie Troy Tulowitzki has blossomed into a leader…Even through defeat, The Arizona Republic focused on the positive in Game 2, which was pitcher Doug Davis.

Rockies 5, Diamondbacks 1
The Colorado Rockies may be new to the postseason scene, but they’re certainly not showing it. In Game 1 of the NLCS, Colorado topped Arizona 5-1 thanks in large part to the pitching performance from starter Jeff Francis. In 6.2 innings of work, Francis allowed seven hits, but only one run and struck out four. Offensively, the Rockies got a huge contribution from outfielder Brad Hawpe, who hit a two-RBI single in a three run third inning. The Denver Post marvels at Hawpe’s continued mastery of D’Backs ace Brandon Webb.

In Arizona, the talk was about Justin Upton’s take down of Kaz Matsui during a double-play breakup at second base. Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki didn’t appreciate Upton’s slide and had words for the young outfielder, although Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic notes that Upton was just doing what he was taught.

While television network executives are likely crying in a corner somewhere thinking about a possible Rockies-Indians World Series, it should be noted that this year’s playoffs are proof that the MLB isn’t all about what teams spend the most.

Check out the 2007 payrolls of the four remaining playoff teams:

2. Red Sox: $143,526,214

23. Indians: $61,673, 267

25. Rockies: $54, 424, 000

26. D’Backs: $52, 067, 546

The Red Sox are the only ones in the top 22 teams that made it to the championship series. Yeah, it helps that teams like Boston and the Yankees are willing to spend more than the Devil Rays, Marlins, Nationals and Pirates. A large budget may win a team their division or a wild card, but the Indians, Rockies and Diamondbacks are proof that it takes more than just a fat bankroll to win a baseball title. Teamwork, coaching and talent will trump a large payroll every single year.