SERIES PREVIEW – Hollywood and Columbus have a history.  Midway through the 2001 season, Columbus was running out of money, and with no support from the city, owner Bill Schindel was forced to sell his majority stake to Hollywood’s current owner Steve Cutler.  After that Columbus team was eliminated 3 games to 2 by Chicago, Owner Cutler moved the franchise out west, to the brand new Paramount Park in Hollywood, California. In 2013, Bill Schindel was able to secure funding and received buy-in, from a city starving for baseball to return to their capital city, to bring the franchise back.  Coincidentally, the team he relocated to Columbus was called the West Coast Swing, playing their baseball in Palmdale, CA.  While that team had a successful 5-year run in Palmdale, they could never get the attendance high enough to make any money.  Here they are now, opposing each other in the World Series.  While Hollywood won 107 games to lead the AL, Columbus won 110, the second-most in the NL.  Beat writer Jarl Jackson predicted anything from a 5 to a 7 game.

After Morton gets through the top of the first, leadoff hitter Christian Vazquez, singles to lead off for Hollywood in the bottom half.  Hanser Alberto follows with a double and Hollywood has runners at 2^nd & 3^rd with no-outs for their big hitters.  Fiers takes a deep breath after a visit from catcher Robinson Chirinos and comes back to strike out Christian Yelich.  Then with Paul Goldschmidt up, Chirinos misplays the pitch and Alberto walks across home to give Hollywood a 1-0 lead.  With Alberto moving to 3^rd base on the play, Infield deep … ALBERTO takes his lead at third … he brings it in … punched back to the mound.. FIERS gloves it … looks at third … and they’ve got ALBERTO in a rundown … FIERS pumps..flips to URSHELA … URSHELA runs him toward home … flips to CHIRINOS..and CHIRINOS tags him out … GOLDSCHMIDT ends up at second.  FIERS is PUMPED!! The game stays that way into the 3^rd inning and with 1-out in the top of the 3^rd, Dee Gordon triples.  With the infield back, Brock Holt grounds out to Freddie Galvis who declines the throw to home to get the out and Columbus ties the game at 1.  Galvis looks visibly upset at himself cause he now believes he could have cut the runner down at home.  Both pitchers cruise into the bottom of the 5^th and Galvis leading off.  The offering from FIERS … that’s high in the air to right-center … DESMOND goes back for it ..p against the wall … DESMOND times his leap … and comes down with a glove full of air..that’s a round-tripper for GALVIS!  Hollywood leads 2-1. Then with 2-outs, Vazquez comes to the plate.  it’s hit deep to BLACKMON … over his head..say good-bye to this one…it’s gone! … home run for VAZQUEZ.  Hollywood leads 3-1!! Morton takes over from there.  He ends up going 7.2 innings, striking out 9 and handing the game to the bullpen.  Closer Will T Harris comes in a does what he is asked to do as Hollywood takes the 1-0 series lead!

W – Charlie Morton (1-0)
L – Michael Fiers (0-1)
S – Will T. Harris (1)

Hollywood 3, Columbus 1

Hollywood leads 1-0

Columbus looking to grab a game on the road sends Teheran against perennial powerhouse, 3-time Cy Young winner, Clayton Kershaw. After Kershaw cruises through the first, Vazquez once again leads off the bottom of the first for Hollywood and doubles to right. Alberto quickly singles and Kershaw is staked to a 1-0 lead, 2-batters into the game.  Teheran settles down after that and both pitchers cruise to the bottom of the 4^th when Matt Olson steps to the plate.  Teheran delivers … OLSON piles into this pitch … that could be trouble…LAGARES races it to the wall … back … it’s history! … home run for Matt OLSON and Hollywood has a 2-0 lead.  With the way Kershaw is pitching, that may be enough for the win.  Columbus looks down and heads to the 7^th inning with Kershaw cruising.  Then with 2-outs in the 7^th, Charlie Blackmon steps in.  KERSHAW with the offering … BLACKMON sends it in the air … deep right-center field YELICH goes over … GORDON goes over … and the ball goes over the fence..BLACKMON with a round-tripper and cuts the lead to 2-1.  Kershaw looks mad at himself as he kicks the dirt around the mound.  Kershaw is pulled for Joe Smith who gets out of the inning without further incident.  With 1-out in the 8^th and Smith still on the mound, Juan Legares doubles, and Smith is pulled for Sam Tuivailala.  Richie Martin is sent out to pinch-run and promptly steals 3^rd base.  After Tuivailala walks Tyler Flowers, he is pulled for Hollywood strikeout artist Carlos Estevez.  Estevez has come into tough situations all season cause of his striking out ability and with runners, at the corners, they need it now.  Flowers is pinch-run for by Rosell Herrera who promptly steals second, giving Columbus 2 runners in scoring position. With the infielders playing halfway, Enrique Hernandez hits a slow roller that scores Blackmon, tying the game at 2.  Both teams traded zeroes until the 12^th.  With Brandon Kintzler on the mound for his 2^nd inning of work, Giovanny Urshela steps in.  Kintzler delivers … that ball is muscled to deep left … this one has a passport … adios, amigo..it’s long gone! And Columbus leads 3-2!!  Columbus turns over the ball to Yusmeiro Petit who gets Hollywood 1-2-3 closing out the game, tying the series at 1.

W – Liam Hendriks (1-0)
L – Brandon Kintzler (0-1)
S – Yusmeiro Petit (1)

Columbus 3, Hollywood 2 (12 Innings)

Series tied 1-1

GAME #3 – Diego Castillo (5-5 3.26 ERA)  vs. Jordan Lyles (15-5 3.84)

The game shifts to Columbus with the series tied at 1.  Game 3 tends to be pivotal series as the team that has won 3^rd game are 17-5 in the World Series  Each team sending their third-best starter with a quick hook.  In a humorous move, at the beginning of the game, both owners are at home plate and there seems to be some confusion as the umpires are explaining to the Hollywood Manager we are in an NL park there is no DH.  They have a good laugh and we’re ready to start.  Surprisingly, both pitchers are stellar through the 4^th inning.  With one out, Matt Chapman walks, which is followed by a Freddie Galvis single, putting runners at 1^st and 2^nd with 1-out.  With that hit, Lyles is pulled for Kyle Ryan to get the lefty-on-lefty matchup with Alex Gordon coming up.  What Columbus doesn’t know is that Gordon has been clutch against lefty relievers all season for Hollywood.  The runners take their lead … the offering from RYAN … lined to right … base hit…DESMOND is after it … he cuts it off deep in the gap … CHAPMAN is around third…GALVIS is around second…they’re waving CHAPMAN in….GALVIS’s headed for third…CHAPMAN will score … the throw goes to third…here’s the play at third … and he’s … in standing … and GORDON holds with a single and the WEREWOLVES lead 1-0.  With Castillo coming up and Hollywood having runners in scoring position, they make the tough decision to pinch-hit for him.  Columbus closes the door at that point and the game stays at 1-0.  Hollywood turns to the pen at this point and calls on Tuivailala who holds serve in the bottom half.  With 1 out in the 6^th Goldschmidt walks and comes around on a hit-and-run double by Ketel Marte for a 2-0 lead.  Hollywood turns over the game to Jason Adam who gives up a leadoff double to Blackmon.  Then after striking out Urshela, Brock Holt walks and Adam is pulled for Carlos Estevez.  Matt Carpenter being called on to pinch-hit and grounds out to Galvis, moving the runners up a base.  With the tying run at 2^nd base, Chirinos steps in.  BLACKMON takes his lead at third … the pitch … on the hands … and CHIRINOS flicks it out to right..ALBERTO might have a play … racing back for it … he has it! … that’s three away and the lead is preserved.  That turns out to be the last runner Columbus has on base.  The Hollywood bullpen goes spotless the rest of the way shutting out Columbus 2-0.

W – Sam Tuivailala (1-0)
L – Jordan Lyles (0-1)
S – Will T Harris (2)

Hollywood 2, Columbus 0

Hollywood leads 2-1

GAME #4 – Charlie Morton (21-7 2.77 ERA) vs. Mike Fiers (11-9 2.93)

Hollywood sends their ace back on the mound to see if they can grab a 3-1 series lead, which Columbus is looking to even the series. Fiers cruises through the top of the 1^st and Morton heads out there in the bottom half.  With 2-outs, Trevor Story steps in.  there’s a fly ball to left … MARTE drifts back … still back-peddling…hey, this ball may carry … at the fence … MARTE jumps for it … does he have it? … no!  a home run for STORY! Columbus leads 1-0!  Fiers still pitching well, gets out of the 2^nd with no issues, and lets his offense do the talking in the bottom half.  DJ LeMahieu doubles to lead off the bottom half. Urshela follows with a single, which scores LeMahieu giving them a 2-0 lead!  Morton gets out of the inning with no more damage. Fiers keeps it at 2-0 into the 4^th.  With 1-out in the 4^th, Yelich singles and scores all the way from first on a Goldschmidt single, cutting the lead in half at 2-1. Fiers is pulled for the Columbus ace reliever Matt Shoemaker. He shuts the door to keep it at 2-1 Columbus.  Columbus tacks on another on Morton when Dee Gordon hammers a 2-out homer in the 5^th, making it 3-1 Columbus.  Columbus goes from Shoemaker to Hendriks in en effort to tie the series.  Hendriks is perfect through his 2 innings, picking up his first save and Columbus ties the series at 2-2.

W – Matt Shoemaker (1-0)
L – Charlie Morton (1-1)
S – Liam Hendriks (1)

Columbus 3, Hollywood 1

Series tied at 2

GAME #5 – Clayton Kershaw (18-5 2.68 ERA) vs. Julio Teheran (13-7 3.86)

With the series tied at 2 apiece, Columbus is looking to leave home and head back to Hollywood a win away, and Hollywood is looking to head home and grab that last win.  The last time these 2 pitchers faced off, Hollywood grabbed the early lead but was unable to hold it as Columbus won in 12 innings. Kershaw and Teheran both look good early, trading goose eggs through the third inning. Teheran is cruising getting the first two outs in the fourth, when he walks Ketel Marte, bringing up Freddie Galvis.  TEHERAN delivers … swung on … and it’s pulled hard to right … good-bye Mr. Spalding..it’s gone! … a two-run shot and Hollywood leads 2-0!  Now that Kershaw has a lead, Columbus has to pull some magic out of the hat. Kershaw cruises into the 6^th inning when Enrique Hernandez leads off the inning.  KERSHAW winds up … and it’s pulled hard to left … it’s deep enough if it’s fair … fair ball!  home run for HERNANDEZ and Columbus cuts into Hollywood’s lead 2-1.  Kershaw looks mad at himself, he tried to sneak a fastball by him and Hernandez made him pay.  Kershaw settles back in and gets out of the 6^th.  Hollywood leads 2-1 and has Galvis leading off the 7^th.  With JB Wendleken faces him.  WENDELKEN winds up … GALVIS sends it in the air … deep right-center field … BLACKMON goes over…LAGARES goes over … and the ball goes over the fence … GALVIS has his second round-tripper of the game, his 3^rd of the series!  Hollywood leads 3-1. The air seems to itself out and Columbus looks down as they head into the bottom of the 7^th against Kershaw.   Urshela leads off the inning with a single and with 1-out, Ian Desmond is called on to hit for Wendelken.  He waves that bat like a wand … strolls to the box…Big hole on the right side … URSHELA not wandering too far … now he comes home with it…lofted deep to left field … MARTE got a late start … he’s back … way back…he won’t get it … it’s gone! … Ian ties the game! … home run for DESMOND!!!  At that point, it becomes a battle of the bullpens.  Hollywood sent out Tuivailala-Smith-Kolarek-Kintzler-Adam who threw 6 innings of scoreless ball, while Columbus sent out Petit-Hendriks-Ottavino for 7 scoreless.  In the bottom of the 14^th, Trevor Story lines a single to right off Carlos Estevez. Charlie Blackmon comes up.  STORY well off first … Trevor STORY is on the move … ESTEVEZ fires it in … lined toward first… it’s over his head … GORDON’s got a long way to go … STORY races to third…they’re waving him home … the throw from right field … too late … it’s all over!  COLUMBUS WINS on a Blackmon walk-off to right! Columbus now leads the series 3 games to 2 and heads on the road looking to raise the victory flag.

W – Adam Ottavino (1-0)
L – Carlos Estevez (0-1)

Columbus 4, Hollywood 3 (14 Innings)

Columbus leads 3-2

GAME #6 – Jordan Lyles (15-5 3.84)) vs. Diego Castillo (5-5 3.26 ERA)

Hollywood looking to hang on for 1 more day sends out Diego Castillo who pitched a scoreless 4 in game 3 against Jordan Lyles, who pitched well in the game but was saddled with the loss.  Columbus, looking to claim the Championship get a leadoff single from Dee Gordan.  With him on the move, LeMahieu executes a perfect hit-and-run.  Hollywood’s bullpen immediately starts to stir, as Dustin May and David Price look to begin throwing.  They can’t afford to get behind as there is no room to err…With runners at the corner, the infield will concede the run for the small inning.  Trevor Story steps in… Infielders back … the runners take their lead … the pitch … easy bouncer to ALBERTO…he’s up with it … throws to second for one … out … back to first for two … not in time…STORY beats it out … and a run scores … ALBERTO did not handle that ball quickly and Columbus looks PSYCHED, taking the early lead at 1-0.  Castillo settles down and gets the next 2-outs with the damage minimal.  Lyles pitches well into the bottom of the 3^rd, with the 1-0 lead.   Galvis singled to lead it off.  With Chapman up, Hollywood attempts to get the runner moving.  The pitch…Chapman half swings…Galvis is going…the throw…THEY GOT HIM!!!! Chapman looks like he missed a sign, cause Galvis cost himself the base with that look-back.  Hollywood ran themselves out of a golden opportunity to get in this game!! Chapman then strikes out and Gordon bounces out, pumping Lyles up!  As we head to the 4^th, Columbus, not taking chances, has Shoemaker up in the bullpen in case he’s needed.  After getting the first out of the 4^th, Cristian Yelich steps in…. LYLES comes to him … swing and a fly ball … pretty well hit … right field…may not be caught … its history! … Christian has tied it up … home run for YELICH!!  Then after Hanser Alberto walks, Shoemaker comes in and shuts the door.  After Castillo cruises through the 5^th, we’re back to the bottom half and Ketel Marte walks to lead off the inning which brings up the power-hitting Matt Olson. SHOEMAKER brings it home….and OLSON belts it deep to right … DESMOND retreats to the wall … does he have room? his eyes are skyward … and the ball is outta here! … home run for OLSON and two runs scored… Matt trots around the bases … he loves a trip downtown and is greeted at the plate now giving Hollywood a 3-1 lead!  Castillo ends up going 6 1/3 inning and is pulled in the 7^th to a cheering crowd after he gives up a single to Brock Holt.  He is lifted for Tuivailala.  After he walks Desmond to put runners at first & second, he is pulled for lefty specialist Adam Kolarek who faces Asdrubal Cabrera.  The runners take their lead … KOLAREK now … skied high to the left side…GALVIS’s drifting back … he’s under it … this should do it … and he makes the catch and the threat is gone.  In the bottom of the 7^th and 8^th Hollywood takes on 1 run each and takes the game with a score of 5-1 to even the series

W – Diego Castillo (1-0)
L – Matt Shoemaker (1-1)

Hollywood 5, Columbus 1

Series tied at 3

GAME #7 – Mike Fiers (11-9 2.93)  vs. Charlie Morton (21-7 2.77 ERA)

In a rematch of games 1 & 4, with Hollywood winning game 1 and Columbus game 4.  This game will be winner takes all as the bullpens are full of arms ready to be called upon.  Morton gets the 1-2-3 in the 1^st with 1 strikeout.  Fiers gets Hollywood 1-2-3 in the bottom half.  In the 2^nd, Morton strikes out the side in the second between a walk and a hit batsman. Fiers gives up a lead-off double to Goldschmidt, Marte moves him to 3^rd on a ground out, then Matt Olson is hit by pitch.  With runners at the corners, Hollywood’s biggest World Series bat, Freddie Galvis steps in.  Infielders back … GOLDSCHMIDT down the line some at third … here comes the pitch…GALVIS rips it down the left-field line … fair ball! … GOLDSCHMIDT crosses the plate..HERNANDEZ tracks it down quickly … OLSON is around second and holds.  Hollywood leads 1-0.  Fiers is pulled for Shoemaker immediately. Shoemaker shuts the threat down and keeps the game close at 1-0.  Morton strikes out Legares to lead off the 3^rd and Dee Gordon walks with LeMahieu coming up.  First baseman GOLDSCHMIDT perched right in front of the bag … GORDON is off with the pitch…MORTON comes home … hit to MARTE in deep left … he’s after it … plenty of room..and he takes it in … two away … GORDON scampers back to first.  He then gets Story on a bounce-out and the threat is stopped.  Shoemaker cruises 1-2-3 in the 3^rd. Morton gets ‘em 1-2-3 in the 4^th and we have a certified pitchers duel!  Shoemaker gives up a single to Marte in the bottom half of the 4^th, but it doesn’t go any farther than that and it remains 1-0 going into the 5^th.  In the top of the 5^th, Morton notches K #6, but he walks the speedy Lagares with 2-outs.  With Dee Gordon up, lets listen to the call. MORTON kicks and delivers … swung on … strike! … now LAGARES is sprinting toward second…they’ll have trouble catching him…VAZQUEZ gets rid of it quickly … the slide … and they get him!!!  Hollywood cuts down the runner at 2^nd base to end the inning and Vazquez is pumped!! Shoemaker is perfect again in the 5^th and Morton heads back out there in the top of the 6^th.  He looks up at the scoreboard and realizes he has yet to give up a hit in the game.  He gets Dee Gordon before DJ LeMahieu doubles, breaking up the no-hitter after 6 1/3 innings.  Morton looks mad at himself and Vazquez calls time to settle him down.  Whatever he said, it worked, as he gets K #7 before a Blackmon line-out to end the inning.  In the bottom of the 6^th, Yelich leads off the inning with a single off Shoemaker.  He then steals second.  Shoemaker settles down and gets the next three batters without incident.  Hollywood still leads 1-0 heading into the 7^th and Morton working on a 1-hitter.  Morton gets strikeout #8 on the way to the 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the 7^th, Shoemaker is still on the mound and with 1-out, Galvis steps in.  SHOEMAKER winds up … GALVIS belts it to right … near the foul pole … it’s UNBELIEVABLE as he belts his 4^th HOMERUN of the series and Hollywood leads 2-0!!! Shoemaker is pulled for Liam Hendriks who gets out of the inning. We head to the 8^th….Morton strikes out Holt and Legardes to open the frame, then gets Gordon on a flyout. We head into the bottom half of the inning with Yelich facing Hendirks.  The pitch … YELICH lofts a high fly … down the line to right….LAGARES looks as if he’s got it covered … on the warning track … now his back’s to the wall…the leap … and he comes down … empty-handed! … THE CROWD IS GOING CRAZY AS MORTON NOW HAS A 3-0 LEAD!!! Hendriks looks dejected and makes a throwing error to first to the next batter, Hanser Alberto.  After a visit from the pitching coach, he settles down and gets out before any more damage.  We head to the 9^th, with the crowd on their feet.  Charlie Morton still on the mound, but Cutler has Will T Harris warming up in case he’s needed.  The first batter of the 9^th is LeMahieu.  The delivery from MORTON … LeMAHIEU laces it into the gap in right … it’s a ‘tweener to the wall … and LeMAHIEU pulls in to second base standing up.  That prompts a quick hook and Morton leaves to a standing ovation.  Will T Harris has been really good in the series and it’s do or die with your best as no one else is up in the pen.  Trevor Story walks which brings up Charlie Blackmon as the tying run with no outs and runners at 1^st & 2^nd.  The pitch to Blackmon… routine fly ball to right … GORDON moves under it … and brings it down as the runners hold.  1-OUT!!  That brings up Giovanny URSHELA… The runners take their lead …the delivery from HARRIS … swung on…Alberto DIVES TO HIS RIGHT…FLIPS TO GALVIS FOR ONE….THE RELAY TO GOLDSCHIMDT…HE’S OUT!!!! DOUBLE PLAY…DOUBLE PLAY….HOLLYWOOD WINS THE WORLD SERIES AND THE CROWD GOES CRAZY!

W – Charlie Morton (2-1)
L – Michael Fiers (0-2)
S – Will T. Harris (3)

Hollywood 3, Columbus 0

Hollywood wins the series 4 games to 3

SERIES SUMMARY – An amazing pitches duel World Series as both teams hit under .200 (Hollywood 1.74 & Columbus .153).  Hollywood’s ERA and strikeouts were the difference.  They had a 1.57 ERA and struck out 71 batters vs a Columbus ERA of 2.38, striking out only 48 batters. Hollywood’s offense was sporadic, but Freddie Galvis was the offensive star hitting a series high of .280 with 4 home runs and 6 RBIs.

During the MVP interview, Charlie Morton was heard saying, “I may have received this award, but the unsung hero here was Diego Castillo as he pitched in 2 big games for us, winning game 6 to get it to me.  I’d like to congratulate a very tough Columbus team.  They pushed us to our limits and it was a well-played series on both sides”

MVP: Charlie Morton ( 6-1; 51 IP; 52 K; .88 ERA)