Cairo Playoff Report 1 (2055.30)

[Krathan]

The playoff series between Cairo and Athens has been quite a ride through the first 6 games. The Pharaohs will try to wrap things up in game 7 in Cairo and win their first championship in front of their home town fans. If they are unable to do so, then they will have to find a way to win one of the two possible games in Athens to take home the trophy.

Game 1:
Cairo scored 3 runs with 2 outs in the top of the 1st to make a strong statement to open the playoffs. However, Cairo starter Antonio Ramirez allowed 2 runs to score with consecutive 2-out bases loaded walks in the bottom of the inning to make it 3-2.
The Pharaohs once again extended their lead on a 2-run blast by Ramiro Hernandez in the 2nd making it 5-2.
Athens took their first lead of the game in the 6th, when Javier Castillo drove in 2 with a double into the left field corner. That game the Fighting Centaurs a 7-6 lead.
Athens lead 9-6 going to the 9th, but Cairo was able to surge back into the lead thanks in large part to George Collins, who hit a 3-run home run with two out.
Athens came back once more in the bottom of the 9th to earn a walk-off win as Zephyr Orphanides and Javier Castillo hit back-to-back RBI doubles to end the game. Athens took game 1 by a score of 11-10.

Game 2:
Antonio Roman hit a 1st inning home run, showing that Cairo was ready to play, even after the devastating way they lost game 1.
Athens scattered 4 runs over the next several innings before Cairo finally got on the board again. Brynjar Nerdal tied the game with a 2-run single in the 8th.Then Blari Peyton singled in a run in the 9th to give the Pharaohs the lead.
Cairo closer Liam Johnston the loser in game 1, struggled again in game 2. He walked the first two batters he faced and allowed the tying run to score on a sacrifice fly sending the game into extra innings.
The game remained tied until the 12th. Peyton singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, and scored on a Nerdal single, giving the Pharaohs a 6-5 lead.
Athens tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Tony Hernandez, who had hit the game-tying sac fly in the 9th, tied the game again with a home run to right.
Cairo left the bases loaded in the 13th. Athens left two on base in the 14th and the bases loaded in the 17th.
Ramiro Hernandez finally broke the tie again with an RBI single in the top of the 18th, sending the game to the bottom of the inning with a 7-6 lead.
With 2 out and runners at 1st and 3rd in the bottom of the 18th, Zephyr Orphanides grounded out to 2nd to end the game and leave the series tied at 1 game a piece .

Game 3:
Blair Peyton and Ramiro Hernandez combined for 7 hits and 7 RBI as Cairo cruised to a 9-2 victory, taking a 2-1 series lead. Hernandez had two home runs in the game.

Game 4:
David Torres struggled mightily and the Pharaohs committed 3 errors in game 4. Athens took a 6 run lead into the bottom of the 2nd inning. Cairo tried to come back in this one but fell short. Athens evened the series with a 7-6 victory.

Game 5:
Antonio Ramirez and 2 relievers combined to shut down the Fighting Centaurs’ offense in game 5, as Cairo won the game 4-0. Typically light hitting SS Jim Herrick crushed a 3-run home run to provide most of the offense in this one.

Game 6:
The Pharaohs erupted for 6 runs in the 4th inning, highlighted by home runs hit by Blair Peyton and Jose Rodriguez. They added two more runs in the 8th to hold off Athens 8-3 and take a commanding 4-2 lead in the series.