Rocky Mountain Rebullition - Torto Takes 2009 NL World Series in 5

The 2009 NL World Series saw Fish and his #1 seed juggernaut squad versus my #3 seed band of plucky upstarts.  As some of you may have heard at the Tort Fort - Team Torto pulled out the Series, 4 games to 1, and is your new NL champ.  Some scoffed at my pick of Pablo Sandoval with the #7 overall pick or the 4th round drafting of Miguel Tejada and his iffy defense.  Nobody's questioning it now.

 Here are the details:

Game 1:  J.Vasquez @ C.Carpenter

The World Series opener started out as a pitchers duel, and ended as a rout.  Fish got on the board quickly by scoring his quietly efficient leadoff hitter, Michael Bourn, on a Ryan Braun sac fly in the bottom of the first.  My squad countered with a Jayson Werth solo shot in the top of the 2^nd.  Fish then got a one-out triple from jack-of-all-tradesman, Omar Infante, but could not plate him, as Rafael Furcal laid down a terrible bunt that got him caught at the plate. Not to be denied anther run, Fish came back with Mr. Bourn again, getting him aboard with a lead off single in the bottom of the 3^rd, stealing 2^nd before being singled home by Luis Castillo.  With Fish leading 2-1, all bats then went quiet until the top of the 7^th.  When Pedro Feliz cranked a ball into the seats at MinuteMaid Park for a 3-run shot, giving us the 4-2 lead.  And as Javy Vasquez continued to cruise, Carpenter’s 8^th inning replacement, Jeremy Affeldt got shelled.  After letting 2 of the first 3 batters on base, Affeldt gave up an RBI-double to the Panda, followed by a Jayson Werth 3-run blast, making it an 8-2 game.  Javy went retired 6 of the next 7 batters faced (3Ks) in the final 2 frames.  My 3 home run rolls were the difference in Game 1.

Torto wins 8-2

WP – J.Vasquez (CG, 2ER, 7H, 4 BB, 9K)

LP – C.Carpenter (7IP, 4ER, 6H, 0 BB, 6K

POTG – Jayson Werth (2-4 with 2 HR and 4RBI)

Game 2: C.Billingsley @ T.Hanson

Eager to capitalize on my Game 1 victory, my squad start hot out of the gates in Game 2, with a top of the first 2-run Toddfather Helton home run. This was followed up by Angel Pagan leadoff double in the top of the 2^nd, scored with one out by a Pedro Feliz double, and then followed in the top of the 3^rd by a Toddfather RBI-single, pushing the lead to 4-0 Torto.  Fish struck back in the bottom of the 3^rd, getting 3 runs back on an RBI single from Bourn and a 2-out, 2-RBI double by Brad Hawpe.  I finally managed to sneak out of the inning by intentionally walking Ryan Braun to get to Nick Johnson, who proceeded to strike out (and probably break a rib).  Top of the fifth, and the HR train got rolling again , with back-to-back solo jacks for the Panda and Werth.  Now down 3-6, Fish did his best to HR-roll his way back into the game, getting a solo shot from Brauny in the 6^th, followed by another Braun HR (2-run) in the 7^th, tying it up, and knocking Thunder Thigh Billingsley out of the game.  Both team’s relievers locked it down for the next several innings, taking it into extras.  The 6-6 tie was snapped in the top of the 11^th, with Carlos Lee facing Trevor Hoffman. A Lee pinch hit a single, followed by a base-clearing triple by ‘The Ol Skippy Schu’maker.  With 2-outs, the ‘Clutch’ Kung Fu Panda slapped a single to bring in Schumaker from 3^rd to add 1 insurance run.  5^th starter turned reliever, Rich Harden, who had pitched the 10^th, was just getting warmed up and closed out the 11^th on Fish to get the win, and deny a save opportunity. 

The Astro fans filed out of MinuteMaid park in stunned silence, seeing their team go down 0-2 at home.  Meanwhile the Rockies quietly packed their things and headed back home to Coors Field in the dead of night.

Torto wins 8-6 in 11 innings

WP – R.Harden

LP – T.Hoffman

POTG – S.Schumaker (2-6 with GW RBI triple)

Game 3: R.Oswalt @ R.Dempster

Another early pitchers duel that got away from both teams late.  I jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on the strength of a 2-run blast by the Panda in the bottom of the first.  Fish hit back in the 5^th with a lead-off single by Furcal, sacrificed over by Oswalt. Furcal was then driven home by a Bourn RBI-single.  I stole that run back in the bottom of the 6^th on a 2-out RBI single from Angel Pagan, making it 3-1 Torto.  Fish had a big 7^th inning to take the lead though, with RBI hits from Castillo (RBI single) and Braun (2-RBI double).  With the game now 4-3 Fish, I mustered 2 runs in the 8^th, this time with a 2-out inning extending single from Jayson Werth, followed by an RBI triple for Pagan.  Pagan was then scored on a Randy Winn ‘CLUTCH’ single off Brian Wilson, to steal the lead, and make it 5-4 Torto.  Fish, starting to become visably weary of his bullpen blowing leads, counterpunched with a 2-out Ryan Braun solo home run off Huston Street to tie the game.  Fish brought in Trevor Hoffman for the 9^th, but after retiring Skippy Schu, he gave up a single to the ageless Miguel Tejada, followed by a Toddfather single.  With runners on 1^st and 2^nd, and 1out, Pablo Sandoval grounded out into a fielder choice (great hustle by the Panda), leaving runners on the corner for Jayson Werth – who walked off the game by doubling in Tejada.  The Rockies fans celebrated long into the crisp, cool, Colorado night that evening, feeling that a World Series was almost in hand.

Torto wins 6-5

WP – H.Street

LP – T.Hoffman

POTG – Jayson Werth (3-5 with 2 2Bs and GW RBI)

Game 4: C.Zambrano @ H.Kuroda

With the Big Z on the mound for Game 4, the Rockies fans were looking for another dominant performance to end the series, much like the one displayed in the first round to close out the series vs. Spencer.  It was not to be.  Big Z lasted only 4 innings,  after giving up 5 runs on a 2- RBI double by Brad Hawpe, and and RBI doubles from Castillo, and the now healthy Derrick Lee.  However, my squad’s bats were not to be denied a chance to keep us in the game.  Tejada scored Skippy Schu on an hard-hit grounder that was booted by Furcal in the 1^st.  Tejada slapped an RBI single in the 2^nd to score Randy Winn. And in the 4^th, RBI doubles by Pedro Feliz and Schumaker had the game all knotted up 5 – 5 in the 5^th.  Fish broke that tie, on a 2-out solo shot from Furcal.  My squad hit back with a Miguel Tejada RBI single in the 6^th, making it 6 – 6.  Top of the 7^th,  and Brad Hawpe jacked a solo homer into the Colorado night to take the lead again, 7-6.  The Torto counter punch in the bottom of the 8^th was 2 RBI singles by Schumaker and Helton, to take back the lead 8 – 7.  Fish was now thoroughly fed up with this back and forth nonsense came with his biggest bats in the top of the 9^th.  With closer Ryan Franklin in, Fish got lead off single by Brauny, that was followed by a 2-run blast by Derrick Lee to take the lead.  Brad Hawpe, then decided to make sure this game wouldn’t be stolen in the bottom of the 9^th, and immediately followed with another home run, his 2^nd of the game.  Nonetheless, my squad nearly came back to tie, urged on by the home crowd.  In the bottom of the 9^th, Fish’s bullpen was running low and Jason Marquis was being used, as all closers were unavailable.  A 1-out double by Randy Win, was followed by a Pedro Feliz out.  With 2 outs, pinch hitter Carlos Lee was inserted into the game, and delivered an RBI single, before Schumaker got the final out.

Fish wins 10-9

WP – J.Marquis

LP – R.Franklin

POTG – B.Hawpe (4-5 with 2 HRs, 4 RBI, and a triple short of the cycle)

Game 5: C.Carpenter @ J.Vasquez

High drama again in this one, and my Rockies were desperate to deliver the knockout blow in front of their home fans.  Both aces battled in this one, going deep into the game.  No runs until the 6^th, when Fish got a 2-out single from Castillo, followed by a Ryan Braun 3-bagger, and then an RBI single from D-Lee to take a 2 – zip lead.  Fish picked up another run in the top of the 8^th, on a D-Lee solo homer, going up 3 – 0 going into the bottom of the 8^th.  Carpenter finally began to tire, giving up a single to the Panda, followed by an RBI double from Mr. Werth.  The rally was killed though, when Werth tried to score from 2^nd on a 2-out single by Randy Winn, getting gunned down at the plate by Bourn and so Fish still led 3-1 going into the final frame.  After Vasquez went into the 9^th, and kept the deficit at 2.  For the bottom of the 9^th, Fish again trusted in Trevor, only to be let down again.  After Hoffman got Feliz and a pinch-hitting Sheffield out to start, he then walked Schumaker.  With 2 down, and Tejada up at the plate, Hoffman gave up a moonball with the homer standing up (instead of going to deep drive) due to the Clutch/Jam cancel.  With the score now 3-3, the game continued scoreless into the bottom of the 13^th, (with Vasquez going 10 full innings) until Brian Wilson walked Randy Winn with 1 out.  Winn proceeded to swipe 2^nd, (only the 2^nd base stolen all series by either team), and then was advanced over on Brian Wilson’s throwing error on a Feliz dribbler back to the mound.  With runners on 1^st and 3^rd with 1-out, and with Juan Pierre chomping at the bit to get into the game for at least 1 at bat, I inserted Pierre as a pinch hitter.  Fish pulled the infield in, correctly anticipating the bunt, but the A-bunter laid down a perfect tap and scored a sprinting Randy Winn to walk off the game, and the series.  The Rockies fans rushed the field in the win, and partied long into the cool autumn alpine night, with only modest property damage done in the immediate vicinity of Coors Field.

Torto wins 4-3 in 13 innings

WP – R.Harden

LP – B.Wilson

BS – T.Hoffman

POTG – Juan Pierre (0-0 with walk off sacrifice hit and GW RBI)

Wow. It was exciting just recapping all that.  Every single game was really hard fought, except maybe Game 1, and each game had late inning drama.  In the end, the big difference maker in determing the winner of these games was timely home runs and defense.  I had the edge in both these parameters, as evidenced by my 8 HRs and committed only one error all series.  It was great playing with you Fish, especially since we were both very astute with using the jam/clutch/off/on/h&r, etc.  I don’t feel anything was missed with regard to all the various situations we put each other in.  Fish - if your play could be translated into song, it would be Bob Seeger's "Still the Same", and you play the way you always do, really smart/well.  Trevor Hoffman just seemed to be a choker for you.  Still, it was nice to come out on top with all the close games I’ve lost to you in the recent past. Great series, and I look forward to our next regular season series in the AL.

World Series MVP – Jayson Werth (10-26, 0.385 BA, 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI)

Honorable Mention – Javy Vasquez (2 starts, 19 IP, 5 ER, 20 Ks)

2009 NL Playoffs Round 1 - Torto v. Spencer: Rocky Mountain High (in Colorado)

I was under the impression that 'Rocky Mountain Oysters' were bull testicles, delicately breaded and fried to a crisp - a real delicacy. Apparently though, prior to slicing and breading they also resemble the oblong 'zero' shape of the numbers hung on the scoreboard at Coors Field each time Manager Rockwell sent his squad back on to the field.  Eating these during the series would have been apropos, as Spence had my balls in his mouth all series.  But enough with the crude taunting.

My squad persevered thru two tough, extra-inning road games in filthy, grimy Pittsburgh.  Then rode the wave of emotion back to the picturesque alpine beauty of Colorado, where they proceeded to complete the sweep, finishing off Spencer's team in impressive fashion, allowing only 3 runs in 18 innings at home.  Now, much like the 2006 Detroit Tigers, I have to wait (perhaps for weeks) to figure out who my opponent will be in the World Series.  My red-hot rolling can only cool off from here.  But for the meantime, here's the details from the 2-3 seed 1st round playoff matchup.

Game 1 - J.Vasquez @ A.Wainwright
With post-Mokeski stiffness starting set in, Spence and I sat down and rolled out the first two games at the VanLanduyt family estate.  Both squads chipped away at each other, a run here - a run there.  The Panda got things started with a solo shot in the top of the second (Torto 1, Spence 0), and a Miguel Tejada RBI-double in the top of the 3rd (Torto 2, Spence 0).  Rockwell struck back in the bottom of the 3rd with an Adrian Gonzalez bases loaded walk (ugh) and a Matt Holliday RBI-groundout (Torto 2, Spence 2).  Javy and Wainwright settled in after that, pitching a scoreless duel into the ninth, where Wainwright struck out Werth and Pagan before yielding back-to-back singles to 7-8 hitters Randy Winn and Pedro Feliz.  These last two baserunners finally wore down Wainwright to 'tired' status, and Spence went with his gut and let the kid keep rolling against 9-hole pinch hitter Gary Sheffield.  Sheff delivered a 2-out RBI single, scoring the speedy Winn (who was later ejected), and taking a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the 9th (Torto 3, Spence 2).  I went to the pen, handing the ball to the usually solid Huston Street.  Maybe it was road jitters, maybe not - but Street got 2 quick outs, and then allowed a pinch-hit single to James Loney, followed by the Mexican (er, Peruvian?) Masher AKA Carlos Ruiz RBI-double to tie the game (Torto 3, Spence 3).  The ball was then handed over to Ryan Franklin, who went ahead and closed the 9th with a K, and had a perfect scoreless 10th.  Nothing doing for anybody until the top of the 12th, when Sean Burnett walked of Toddfather, allowed a single by the Panda, and then a RBI-single from Angel Pagan (Torto 4, Spence 3).  With no closers left, it was up to the dynamic tandem of Guillermo Mota and Mitch Setter to seal the deal. Mota dealt the first out, followed by Mitch "A-Gone Killa" Stetter sitting down the big lefty.  After a 2-out single yielded to Matt Holliday, Stetter closed out the game sitting down Scotty Rolen.
WP - G.Mota
BS - H.Street
S - M.Stetter
LP - S.Burnett
Ejection - R.Winn arguing strikezone in the 11th.
Player of the Game - Angel Pagan  3-6 with GW RBI-single
Torto wins Game 1 (4-3 in 12 innings)


Game 2 - C.Billingsley @ C.Lee
With both 'pens used heavily in Game 1, both teams were apprehensive of how the pitching would hold up in this match.  C-Bill and Lee both did what they could to keep their respective team bullpens from being decimated early in the series.  For part of the way my squad was handicapped in the field, due to an early Henry Blanco ejection (arguing strikes) in the 2nd - moving the Panda over to the backstop.  Then in the 6th, the hot tempers continued as Pedro Feliz was also ejected (arguing strikes again). Shorthanded now at the 3B position, old man Gary Sheffield was forced to grab his glove for the first time all season, and play third rocking the F-5 range/error.   Sheff picked up at 3rd like he was 20 again, going error free the remainder of the game.  After an ought-ought tie thru 8, the Rocks finally got off the schnide in the top of the 9th, getting a run on a Miguel Tejada 2-out RBI single (Torto 1, Spence 0).  Not to be denied and lose another in the late innings, Spence got a solo bomb from A-Gone off Billingsley to tie it up (Torto 1, Spence 1).  Top of the 10th, Manager Rockwell let Cliff Lee forge ahead.  And he got himself into a little trouble, after plunking Toddfather Helton with 2-outs.  Spence yanked Lee for Kiki Calero, who proceeded to give up a 2-run blast to the Kung Fu Panda (Torto 3, Spence 1).  Huston Street was again handed the ball to close it out, and it was a rough road.  Street gave up a lead off single to Yunel Escobar, then walked Jeff Keppinger before whiffing 'Killa Mike' Cameron, and getting Jimmy Loney to ground out into a game ending double play.
WP - C.Billingsley
S - H.Street
LP - K.Calero
Ejections - H.Blanco (2nd inn), P.Feliz (6th inn)
Player of the Game - Pablo Sandoval 1-5 with GW 2-R HR
Torto wins Game 2 (3-1 in 10 innings)

Game 3 - R.Ohlendorf @ R.Dempster
The series now headed out to Coors Field, with dice rollin' going down at Morry's Bar in Beaver Dam.  With the joint now smoke-free, the now-absent toxicological affects of 2nd-hand smoke allowed for my brain to function at a modestly higher level, allowing me to process perfectly when and how to use my bullpen and when to make defensive substitutions.  I got on the board first on an RBI-single from Pedro Feliz in the 2nd (Torto 1, Spence 0).  Spence struck back in the 3rd on an A-Gone base clearing 2B (Torto 1, Spence 1). In the bottom of the 5th, the meat of the order got to Ohlendorf.  With 2-outs, Toddfather Helton jacked a deep drive and the +40 carry pushed the ball into the cool, crisp Colorado night.  Sandoval then singled, and Woolly Jason Werth cranked another ball into the seats (Torto 4, Spence 1).  Spence got 1 back in the 6th on a Mike Cameron RBI-single (Torto 4, Spence 2). Kid Kenshin Kawakami came in for Spencer in the 6th and immediately got rocked around, giving up 3 hits and a walk, culminated in a Tejada RBI-single (Torto 5, Spence 2).  Spencer's bats went to sleep the rest of the way, as Stetter and Franklin held things down, and I picked up one more insurance run in the 8th on a Sandoval RBI-single (Torto 6 Spence 2).
WP - R.Dempster
LP - R.Ohlendorf
Player of the Game - R.Dempster 7IP, 8H, 0BB, 8K, 2ER
Torto wins Game 3 (6-2)


Game 4 - C.Zambrano @ R.Wolf

Usually when you see a pic like this accompanying one of my posts, it means something good happened for Big Z.  This occasion is no different.  From the moment Zambrano toed the rubber, he was dialed in and ready to sweep this thing out.  No fucking around here kids,  none whatsoever.
My guys jumped out to an early lead, getting Spence nervous about his lefty #4.  Wolf lasted 1 inning, but only gave up 2 runs, on a Panda RBI single and a El Caballo RBI-ground out (Torto 2, Spence 0).  Wolf then proceeded to give up a HR in his first batter faced in the 2nd, Phatty Freddy Sanchez (Torto 3, Spence 0). Fresh of the DL, Spencer inserted vet Pedro Martinez into the game.  Pedro got knocked for a run in the 3rd, this time after allowing a Werth 2B, then steal of 3rd, before Henry Blanco sac-flied him home (Torto 4, Spence 0).  Zambrano got a little wobbly in the 4th, walking A-Gone and Yunel back-to-back, before Blanco's calming presence centered the big guy.  Leading off the bottom of the 4th, a focused Big Z belted a deep drive off Martinez into the seats for the 3rd HR by a pitcher in league history (Torto 5, Spence 0).  Zambrano cruised up thru the 7th (striking out the side in both the 3rd and the 6th - fist pumping anyone?), before handing the ball to Mitch Stetter to sit down A-Gone, who then in turn let Huston Street close it out.  Street was again shaky, allowing Mike Cameron a solo shot in the top of the ninth, before slamming the door on the series (Torto 5, Spence 1)
WP - C.Zambrano
LP - R.Wolf
Player of the Game - C.Zambrano 7IP, 2H, 4 BB, 10K, 0 ER, 1-3 with solo HR.
Torto wins Game 4 (5-1) and wins Round 1 Series (4-0)


Hats off to Spence, who was class all the way thru this series - in spite of some brutal rolling that would frustrate the best of us.  The poor guy's bats went to sleep about 95% of the series, and I was 'on' for pretty much the entire series, and there was no way around it.  Will I be this ignited for the World Series?  Who knows, but I certainly won't count on it.  But for now, I'll briefly celebrate with the adding of chocolate to milk, and hitting the hay.  Good luck to Carlo/Matt/Fish.  Go Rocks.