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MLB Playoffs - CCBL Alum Highlights- 10-7

10/08/2020 4:19 AM

Article By: Michael Lane

Athletics 9 - Astros 7 (Houston Leads Series 2-1)

After scoring seven combined runs in the first two games, Oakland’s offense exploded for nine runs on five home runs Wednesday afternoon to force a Game 4. Tommy La Stella (Bourne ’10) got the scoring started early, with a solo home run in the first inning to give Oakland a 1-0 lead. After Houston took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the first, Mark Canha (Brewster ’09) answered with a solo home run of his own to tie the game up. The biggest home run of the game came from Chad Pinder (Chatham ’12) in the seventh inning. With the A’s trailing 7-4 and running out of time, Pinder delivered a game-tying three run homer to even up the score again. Sean Murphy (Orleans ’15) and Pinder would each add RBI sacrifice flies in the eighth inning to give Oakland a 9-7 lead. In total, seven of Oakland’s nine runs came off RBI’s from former Cape League players. Oakland will look to force a deciding Game 5 with a win tomorrow afternoon.

Rays 8 - Yankees 4 (Rays Lead 2-1)

The Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from advancing to the ALCS for just the second time in franchise history. The Rays out homered the Yankees three to one in their victory Wednesday night, continuing a trend across the league this postseason. Teams that out homer their opponent improved to 19-0 this postseason. Ryan Thompson (Hyannis ’13) will get the start Thursday night for Tampa Bay as they try to avoid a Game 5, but will likely be used as just an opener.

Braves 2 - Marlins 0 (Atlanta Leads Series 2-0)

The Marlins offense was never able to get anything going Wednesday afternoon as the Braves moved a win closer to the NLCS. The Braves offense produced a pair of solo home runs to give their pitching the only run support they needed. Miami’s best opportunity came in the sixth inning. Trailing 2-0, Miami loaded the bases with two outs, including Jon Berti (Brewster ’10) on third and Brian Anderson (Hyannis ’13) on second. Braves pitcher Darren O’Day got an inning ending groundout to end the threat though, and Miami would only have one baserunner the rest of the game. Atlanta will try to close the series out tomorrow and give the Marlins their first playoff series loss in franchise history.

Dodgers 6 - Padres 5 (Los Angeles Leads Series 2-0)

In the matchup of the night, the Dodgers held off the Padres by one run to take a 2-0 series lead. The turning point in the game came with two outs in the seventh inning. With San Diego trailing 4-3, Fernando Tatis Jr. launched a ball to deep centerfield that looked like it would give the Padres the lead. Cody Bellinger had other plans. Bellinger made a remarkable leaping catch, taking a home run away to end the inning and keep the Dodgers on top. The Padres tried to make a final push in the ninth inning, trailing 6-3. Jake Cronenworth (Orleans ’14) began the rally with a one out single. After a pair of hits and a pair of walks, the Padres had the bases loaded with two outs and only trailed by one run. Joe Kelly (YD ’08) was able to close it out for Los Angeles though, getting a game ending groundout. The Dodgers will try to sweep the series Thursday night.