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MLB Playoffs - CCBL Alum Highlights- 10-6

DJ LeMahieu (Harwich ’08) SportsPix Photo
10/07/2020 4:22 AM

Article By: Michael Lane



Astros 5 - Athletics 2 (Houston Leads Series 2-0)

The Houston Astros weren’t expected to be here, but after their 5-2 victory Tuesday afternoon, they’re one win away from making their fourth consecutive ALCS. After an offseason full of criticism for their cheating scandal in 2017, the Astros offense struggled mightily throughout the regular season. They’ve put together timely hits in October though. George Springer (Wareham ‘09/’10) continued his postseason dominance with two home runs in the game. The first came in the third inning with the Astros trailing 1-0. Springer delivered with a two-run homer to put the Astros on top. Then, in the fifth inning, Springer extended the Astros lead to 5-2 with a solo homer. Springer moved into a tie for seventh on the all-time postseason home run leaderboard, with the 17th of his career. Chad Pinder (Chatham ’12) hit a solo home run for Oakland in the fourth, to bring them within one run, but that would be the last run they would score on the day. Houston will look to close out the series Thursday afternoon.

Rays 7 - Yankees 5 (Series Tied 1-1)

The Yankees brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth inning, in Aaron Judge (Brewster ’12), but ultimately Pete Fairbanks (Hyannis ’13) closed it out for the Rays. Fairbanks struggled to begin the inning, walking the first two batters before striking out the next two. DJ LeMahieu (Harwich ’08) then delivered an RBI single to keep the Yankees alive and bring Judge to the plate. Fairbanks got Judge to groundout to end the game and even the series up at 1-1. The Rays pitching was the major storyline on the night, striking out a combined 18 New York batters. Mike Zunino (YD ’11) put the Rays ahead in the second inning with a two-run homer. The Rays would never give back the lead. The series has now turned into just a best-of-three matchup that will play out over the next three nights.

Braves 9 - Marlins 5 (Atlanta Leads Series 1-0)

Early on it looked like the underdog Marlins were on their way to a huge Game 1 victory. In the third inning, Brian Anderson (Hyannis ’13) lined an RBI single into left field to push the Marlins lead to 4-1. Anderson finished with three hits in the game, leading the Marlins offense. Atlanta answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the third to make it a one run game. The pitching for both teams settled down then for a few innings. In the bottom of the seventh though Atlanta completed their comeback. The Braves scored six runs to take a 9-4 lead. Atlanta’s bullpen held on late and secured a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 set for tomorrow afternoon.

Dodgers 5 - Padres 1 (Los Angeles Leads Series 1-0)

A major question coming into the series was the health of Padres ace Mike Clevinger (Cotuit ’11), after being held off their Wild Card roster due to an elbow injury. Clevinger was pulled after just two pitches in the second inning, after a major drop in his velocity from 97mph to just 91mph. The early departure put the Padres in a difficult spot, needing to rely on eight relievers for a combined seven innings to get through only the first game. The Dodgers eventually broke through on the Padres bullpen in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to take a 5-1 lead. Walker Buehler (YD ’14) got the start for Los Angeles, going four innings with eight strikeouts and just one run despite dealing with a blister issue. Justin Turner (YD ’05) led the Dodgers offense with two walks, two runs, and an RBI single. As of now the Padres do not have a starting pitcher for Game 2, but whoever it is will need to give them more length if they hope to tie the series up.