57.35 Clock Strikes Midnight For Cinderella Blazers

[Bob Breum]

After a storybook season that surprised many, Montreal got swept by the 105-win Nashville Bluebirds in the Monty Brewster Memorial Series, who left no doubt that they were the better team.

The Blazers squandered two fine starts by their maligned rotation, with its offense unable to give them sufficient run support. Staff ace Kinzo Iwamoto pitched into the seventh, but a questionable defensive substitution in the eighth inning led to a big inning by Nashville that gave them a 4-3 win. 17-game winner Nelson Thompson pitched into the sixth, allowing only two earned runs, but was matched inning for inning by Bluebirds southpaw Billy Kelly. Montreal eventually lost 3-2.

Montreal only carried four outfielders on its postseason roster, two corner outfielders and two center fielders. Pedro Huerta and José 'Heartthrob' Leyva play regularly, with John Oliver and Ramão 'Massacre' Saturnino platooning. With a left-handed starter throwing for the Bluebirds in game one, it was Saturnino, Leyva, and Huerta, with Oliver available off the bench or as a late inning defensive substitution for Huerta.

After the game, Blazers manager Ernesto Zamora was asked what he was thinking when he inserted first baseman Carlos Arroyo into right field in the eighth inning after his pinch hit home run in the top of the inning. When Arroyo hit for Leyva, Oliver was still available off the bench to play center field. Instead, Zamora subbed in Oliver for Huerta, which left only two remaining outfielders in the game, with none on the bench. Arroyo misplayed the first two balls hit his way, leading directly to a run and opening the door for a big inning. Earlier, Arroyo admitted that he was confused by the move. He had to borrow a glove from Pedro Huerta, as Arroyo only has a first baseman’s mitt. When asked the last time that he played right field, he couldn’t be sure, but he thought that it was in his first year of professional ball back in 2044. Zamora took responsibility for the mistake, stating that he was wrong to put Arroyo in that position.

Team owner John Percolo, who has been publicly critical of the Breums, and especially of the team’s rotation, was asked his feelings about the season. He said that “It was satisfactory.”

[Dington]

Great season and great run in the playoffs. Thought you’d steal a couple games.

[Bob Breum]

Great season and great run in the playoffs. Thought you’d steal a couple games.

Thanks.

We had our chances. I'm still perplexed by Arroyo playing right field. That cost us game one.

[Dington]

Great season and great run in the playoffs. Thought you’d steal a couple games.

Thanks.

We had our chances. I'm still perplexed by Arroyo playing right field. That cost us game one.

What? Three OF assists wasn't enough for you?!

[Bob Breum]

Great season and great run in the playoffs. Thought you’d steal a couple games.

Thanks.

We had our chances. I'm still perplexed by Arroyo playing right field. That cost us game one.

What? Three OF assists wasn't enough for you?!

You need to find a new 3B coach. I have to admit, that was pretty glorious.

[Dington]

Thanks.

We had our chances. I'm still perplexed by Arroyo playing right field. That cost us game one.

What? Three OF assists wasn't enough for you?!

You need to find a new 3B coach. I have to admit, that was pretty glorious.

He retired before I could fire him

[Bob Breum]

What? Three OF assists wasn't enough for you?!

You need to find a new 3B coach. I have to admit, that was pretty glorious.

He retired before I could fire him

He saw it coming!