2013 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES #1

Game 1 – Justin Verlander v. Cole Hamels
New York heads west to take on the Sacramento Capitals in a face-off between their two aces.  Sacramento jumped out to an early lead with an Albert Pujols 2-run home run in the bottom of the 2nd inning, but saw this lead evaporate in the top of the 4th when Juan Pierre singled, stole second, and scored on a Chase Utley double, who then scored on a Scott Rolen double (welcome back to Sacramento, Scotty).  Tied 2-2, New York removes Hamels from the game and Sacramento subsequently begins to unload; Sacramento plated 2 runs in the 6th off a Carlos Beltran solo home run and a RBI single by Pujols; and 5 more runs in the 8th behind a Jimmy Rollins grand slam and a Kevin Youkilis solo shot off Luis Ayala.
Win: Justin Verlander
Loss: Wilton Lopez

Game 2 – Ted Lilly v. Jake Peavy
Former Capitals pitcher Peavy takes on the team that traded him away, and he sought revenge.  Peavy was efficient and nearly perfect … until the 7th inning.  New York took the first lead of the game off a 2-RBI Chase Utley  double in the 5th, but this lead was erased in the 7th when Peavy gave up the FIRST HIT of the game; unfortunately a walk to Yadier Molina and a Carlos Beltran single (the first hit of the game) would end Peavy’s night.  Glen Perkins enters the game with the bases loaded to face Albert Pujols, who subsequently plates a run on a fielder’s choice out at 2nd.  Torii Hunter follows-up with a sac fly to score Beltran.  Sacramento ties the game 2-2.   Fast forward to the 12th inning.  Sacramento arms are tired, leading manager George Skiles to call Game 3 starter Cliff Lee for a relief appearance.  Lee wasn’t his usual self, giving up a single to Utley and a double to David Ortiz (his only hit of the series), scoring Utley on a close play at the plate.  Up 3-2, Ayala closes out the game for New York in the bottom of the 12th.
Win: Luis Ayala
Loss:  Cliff Lee

Game 3 – Cliff Lee v. Wandy Rodriguez
With the series tied 1-1, the Sacramento Capitals head east to face off with the Outlaws on their turf.  Sacramento jumped to a big lead in the first, scoring 4 runs off Wandy Rodriguez, which was capped off with a 2-run home run by Albert Pujols.  Sacramento would add a run in the 4th off a Torii Hunter solo shot and another run in the 8th.  New York scored 2 in the 6th off a 2-run home run by Juan Pierre—yes, Pierre—but it wouldn’t be enough.  Cliff Lee, coming off a tough loss in relief, did Jake Peavy one better, also going 6 strong innings giving up only 1 hit and 2 runs, but also earning his first win of the Division Series.
Win: Cliff Lee
Loss: Wandy Rodriguez

Game 4 – Justin Verlander v. Cole Hamels
The two aces face off again, and this proved to be a true pitchers’ duel.  It would be the 6th inning before either team would score in this one; the first to strike? Albert Pujols, with a 2-run home run, followed by Jimmy Rollins with a solo shot.  Up 3-0, Verlander thought he had it covered.  Not so much.  Sacramento’s touted bullpen gives up a run in each of the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings to Juan Pierre, Scott Rolen, and Lance Nix to tie it up.  This one would also go to 12 innings, and deplete bullpens in the process.  Top of the 12th, facing Fernando Rodney, the Capitals score 2 off a Rollins single and steal, an intentional walk to Chris Nelson, and George Kottaras comes to the plate.  Here’s the call:
Kottaras facing Fernando Rodney, …The runners take their lead … the pitch from RODNEY … on the ground to deep short … CRAWFORD can’t get there … it’s through for a base hit … PIERRE running in … ROLLINS will try for home … here’s PIERRE’s throw … and it’s a wild throw … the ball goes to the backstop … CAPITALS have the lead! … ROLLINS scores … NELSON running hard … he’s around third … flying … he slides in headfirst … and he scores! … and KOTTARAS takes second on the play … PIERRE picks up the error.
It was a big error, but it wasn’t a game breaker.  Sacramento struck out what must be a record-breaking 20 times, but took advantage of 2 Outlaw error, scoring 5 unearned runs in the process.  Spectacular pitching, and Sacramento took advantage of the errors.  Sacramento 5-3.
Win: Tazawa
Loss: Rodney
Save: Guerra

Game 5 – Ted Lilly v. Dillon Gee
The names might not suggest it, but this was a true definition of a pitchers’ duel.  Lilly pitches 6 shutout innings, giving up 5 hits, and Gee pitches 5 shutout innings, giving up only 1 hit.  The bullpens would continue the excellent pitching into the 10th inning, when Robinson Cano slugs a solo home run for the win.  Glen Perkins takes the loss, while Darren Oliver takes the win and Jake McGee the save.
Win: Oliver
Loss: Perkins
Save: McGee

Conclusion:
Overall, Justin Verlander wins Pitcher of the Series, pitching 12 innings with 1 win, 5 hits, 9k, and an ERA of 1.50; and Albert Pujols wins Player of the Series with a clutch .286 Average, 1 3B, 2 HR, and 8 RBI in 5 games.  Sacramento finishes with a terrible .176 BA, but gets a 3B and 8 HR (no 2Bs), and 12 SBs (thanks to Molina’s 4 SBs).
New York’s Player of the Series had to be Juan Pierre, leading the Outlaws with a .333 BA, 1 HR, 2 2B, and 3 RBI; and the Pitcher of the Series must go to Cole Hamels, pitching 11 innings with a 1.64 ERA and no decisions.   It was a very close series, but Sacramento’s deep bench and bullpen proved to be the difference in this series.

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