2015 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

National League League Championship Series
Clovis Wheat Kings vs. Tempe Tempers

Series Preview:  The Top Two teams in the National League meet in the National League Championship Series as the Tempe dispersed of Long Beach in a 4 game sweep, while Clovis quickly dispersed of Bethesda in a 4-1 series victory.

Game #1: Garrett Richards (16-5 1.95) vs. Cory Rasmus (7-2 1.88)

The National League Championship series gets underway with two Division Winners taking part in what could very well be a tight series.

Bottom 4 – Yadier Molina facing Garrett Richards, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, tied 0-0 the pitch … he swings … it’s smashed deep to left center … that’s good for extra bases Rajai Davis’s chasing it down … Adrian Beltre scores – Wheat Kings 0, Tempers 1

Bottom 5 – Robinson Cano facing Richards, 1 out, runner on 3rd, ahead 1-0 Richards into the wind … and it’s a hard liner to Daniel Murphy … just out of reach, Carlos Gonzalez scores easily … single for cano – Wheat Kings 0, Tempers 2
Top 6 – Nelson Cruz facing Joe Smith, 1 out, runner on 1st, down 0-2 the pitch to Cruz … he goes the opposite way … high fly deep to right Ccespedes got a good jump … he’s at the warning track … say good-bye to this one…it’s gone! Home Run for Nelson Cruz … and two runs score – Wheat Kings 2, Tempers 2

Bottom 7 – Curtis Granderson facing Tony Watson, 1 out, bases empty, tied 2-2 – Granderson hits it nine miles … deep to right field … fair ball & it’s long gone! … Home Run for Granderson

Final Score – Tempe 3 – Clovis 2

Game #2: James Paxton (4-4 2.56) vs. Wei-Yin Chen (20-3 1.89)

Bottom 1 – Troy Tulowitzki facing James Paxton, 1 out, runner on 2nd, tied 0-0 Robinson Cano stretching his lead … the pitch … base hit right field … it drops in front of Marlon Byrd he has to play the long bounce … Cano rounds third they’re waving Cano in – here comes the throw home Tulowitzki’s going for second, Cano scores … La Roche cuts it to second … and he’s … out easily
Wheat Kings 0, Tempers 1

Bottom 4 – Adrian Beltre facing James Paxton, no outs, 1st and 3rd, ahead 1-0 infielders back …  Carlos Gonzalez takes his lead at third … the pitch … and it gets by Jason Castro! it goes back to the screen … Gonzalez will score … Tulowitzki races around second but he puts on the brakes …
Wheat Kings 0, Tempers 2

Top 7 – Brandon Crawford facing Greg Holland, no outs, 1st and 2nd, behind 0-3 the runners take their lead … and the pitch … it’s a shot down the line to right into the corner … Willie Bloomquist rounds third … he’ll score … Arenado will score Crawford’s heading for third … here comes the relay … safe!…the throw was just a bit wide triple for Crawford.

Top 7 – Marlon Byrd facing Holland, no outs, runner on 3rd, behind 2-3 infield deep … Crawford with a head fake at third … he lets it go … big swing it’s a dying quail to right … Cespedes gallops in … Cano races back but it parachutes between them … a Texas league single for Byrd … Crawford scores easily tie game … and Byrd has the RBI.
Wheat Kings 3, Tempers 3

Top 7 – Brandon Belt facing Kyle Crockett, 1 out, runner on 2nd, tied 3-3 the pitch … belt goes out and gets it … long ball … down the left field line … curving, curving … is it or isn’t it? … the ump signals … home run! An opposite field two-run blow … Belt trots around the bases … he loves a trip down town.
Final Score: Wheat Kings 5, Tempers 3

Game #3: Cory Rasmus (7-2 1.88) vs. Andrew Cashner (12-2 1.90)

Bottom 2 – Brandon. Crawford facing Cory Rasmus, 1 out, runner on 2nd, tied 0-0 – Crawford swings … It’s smashed deep to left center … That’s good for extra bases Braun’s chasing it down … Arenado scores … Crawford hits second under full steam But puts on the brakes … As the throw comes in … Double for Crawford
Jason Castro facing Rasmus, 1 out, runner on 2nd, ahead 1-0 Crawford stretches his lead off second … The pitch from Rasmus … Lined toward short Just out of reach … Cabrera’s chasing it … Rounding third Crawford – they’re waving Crawford in – here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe!…on a close play … The run scores!
Tempers 0, Wheat Kings 2

Top 3 – Troy Tulowitzki facing Andrew Cashner, 1 out, 1st and 3rd, behind 0-2 Infielders back … The runners take their lead … Now Cashner comes home with it – it’s a high fly to right … Byrd going back … He waits on it … And makes the catch – he gets rid of it quickly … Granderson’s tagging. They’re waving Granderson in … Here comes the throw – Milky Cabrera’s taking second on the throw – Granderson will score … The throw’s cut off by La Roche … The play at second … Cabrera is Out by inches!
Tempers 1, Wheat Kings 2

Top 5 – Robinson. Cano facing Cashner, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, behind 1-2 to the plate … He swings … It’s smashed deep to left center … That’s good for extra bases Rajai Davis’s chasing it down … Ellis scores … Tie game! … Double for Cano.
Tempers 2, Wheat Kings 2

Bottom 5 – Rafael Ynoa facing joe smith, 1 out, bases loaded, tied 2-2 Tempers playing for the double play … The runners take their lead … Smith winds and fires, Ynoa squares … Davis charges down the line … It’s bunted toward third … Beltre gloves it looks at home … Throws to first … And gets him by a stride … Ynoa sacrifices & the run scores … Wheat kings lead!
Marlon Byrd facing Smith, 2 outs, 2nd and 3rd, ahead 3-2 The runners take their lead … The pitch … Big swing … It’s a dying quail to right Gonzalez gallops in … But he’s not going to get there … Murphy scores Cruz is well around third they’re waving Cruz in – Here comes the throw home, Byrd’s going for second – here’s the play at the plate … He’s … Safe…ahead of the ball & the play goes to second … he’s … Safe!…on a close play
Tempers 2, Wheat Kings 5

*Top 6 – Adrian Beltre facing Tony Watson, no outs, runner on 2nd, behind 2-5 Watson wheels and deals … He swings … It’s smashed deep to left center – that’s good for extra bases … Davis’s chasing it down … Tulowitzki scores, Beltre hits second under full steam … But puts on the brakes … As the throw comes in – Double for Beltre … Back-to-back doubles by the tempers.
Yadier. Molina facing Watson, 1 out, runner on 3rd, behind 3-5 Wheat kings playing for the out at first … Looks at third … The pitch … Grounded hard to short Crawford fields it – he looks at home … He’ll go to first … And they get him … But the run scores.
Top 6 – Michael Cuddyer facing Watson, 2 outs, bases empty, behind 4-5 – here’s the delivery … And it’s pulled hard to left … It’s deep enough if it’s fair – Fair ball! … Home run for Cuddyer … Michael ties the game
Tempers 5, Wheat Kings 5

Bottom 9 Brandon Phillips facing Greg Holland, 2 outs, 1st and 2nd, tied 5-5 – The runners take their lead … Holland comes to the plate … It’s a shot to left center base hit … Cespedes is racing over … He cuts it off deep in the gap… Belt is well around third … Davis is rounding second They’re waving belt in, Davis’s headed for third – The throw home – here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe – Safe…..
Final Score: Wheat Kings 6- Tempers 5

Game #4: Wei-Yin Chen (20-3 1.89) vs. Garrett Richards (16-5 1.95)

Top 1- Adrian Beltre facing Garrett Richards, no outs, bases loaded, tied 0-0 Wheat Kings playing for the double play … Here’s the delivery … Grounded hard to second this could be two … Murphy fields it … Goes to second for one … Back to first Yes!…double play … But the run scores .
Tempers 1, Wheat Kings 0

Top 2 – Yoenis Cespedes facing Richards, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, ahead 1-0 Richards looks back at Braun on second … And the pitch … Punched to left … It drops safely Cruz collects the ball … Braun’s around third, they’re waving Braun in – here comes the throw home, Cespedes’s going for second – here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … In standing … And there’s a play at second – the throw … And Cespedes’s … Safe!…slid around the tag for a triple.
Tempers 2, Wheat Kings 0

Top 4 –Robinson Cano facing g. Richards, t 4th, 1 out, 2nd and 3rd, ahead 2-0 Infield deep … Granderson down the line some at third … Richards winds up – lined to left center … Giving chase is Rajai Davis … He hightails it to the track & snatches it on the fly … Both runners tag – they’re waving Granderson in & Cespedes’s headed for third. Granderson scores … The play at third … … Safe! Cespedes just outran the ball … Cano picks up a sac fly and an RBI.
Tempers 3, Wheat Kings 0

Top 5 – Carlos Gonzalez facing Richards, no outs, bases empty, ahead 3-0 Richards winds up … Gonzalez hits one … High … Hard … Deep to right field – don’t even think about it … It’s long gone!
Tempers 4, Wheat Kings 0

Bottom 7 – Brandon Crawford facing Greg Holland, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, behind 0-4. The pitch … Looped to right … Toward the gap … Gonzalez’s after it … Spears it on one hop Cruz’s around third They’re waving Cruz in – here comes the throw home – Crawford’s going for second – here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe…ahead of the throw & there’s a play at second … The throw … And Crawford’s … Safe!…on a close play

Final Score: Tempers 4, Wheat Kings 1

Game #5: Cory Rasmus (7-2 1.88) vs. James Paxton (4-4 2.56)

Top 3 – Yadier. Molina facing James Paxton, 1 out, runner on 2nd, tied 0-0. Cano at second takes a big lead … The delivery from Paxton … It’s grounded into the hole goes by Crawford and into left … Cano’s around third they’re waving Cano in here comes the throw home here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe!…on a close play … The run scores!
Ryan Braun facing Paxton, 1 out, runner on 1st, ahead 1-0. First baseman Adam La Roche right on the bag … The pitch … Line drive to third … It’s over his head Cruz’s chasing it … still running … he’s up with it … Molina rounds third, the throw comes in to Crawford … They’re holding Molina at third & Braun’s in standing with a double …
Evan Gattis called on to pinch hit facing Paxton, 2 outs, 2nd and 3rd, ahead 1-0. Paxton fires it in … Hot smash to murphy … Right between his legs! … One run scores Braun running hard … Two runs score … As the throw comes in to second. Score that E4 on Daniel Murphy.
Michael Cuddyer facing Paxton, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, ahead 3-0. The pitch … Lined hard to left … Toward the gap … It’s rolling … That’s good for extra bases Ellis’s around third … He scores … Cruz gets it in quickly.
Tempers 4, Wheat Kings 0

Bottom 6 – Rafael Ynoa facing Tsuyoshi Wada, 2 outs, 1st and 2nd, behind 0-4. The runners take their lead … The pitch … It’s a shot to left center … Base hit Gonzalez is racing over … He cuts it off deep in the gap … Saunders is well around third Murphy is rounding second… They’re waving Michael Saunders in here comes the throw home – here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … In standing … And murphy holds at second.
Marylon Byrd facing Joe Smith, 2 outs, 1st and 2nd, behind 1-4. The runners take their lead … Here’s the pitch from smith … On the ground to deep short Tulowitzki can’t get there … It’s through for a base hit … Gonzalez running in Still coming … Murphy is well around third … Ynoa is rounding second, they’re waving Murphy in – here comes the throw home, here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe!
Nolan Arenado facing Smith, 2 outs, 1st and 2nd, behind 2-4. The runners take their lead … Smith brings it … There’s a little blooper, down the right field line … It might drop in … It does! … Ynoa scores, Byrd’s around third… They’re waving Byrd in … Tulowitzki will relay – here comes the throw home- here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe … Tie game!
Tempers 4, Wheat Kings 4

Top 8 – TroyTulowitzki facing Greg Kontos, no outs, 1st and 3rd, tied 4-4. Infield drawn in … The pitch … Tulowitzki drives a liner to deep center Hunter is racing back … It has double written all over it … Hunter corrals the ball Gonzalez scores … Votto rounds third as the throw comes in to Crawford … Tulowitzki’s in standing with a double & they’re holding Votto at third.
Adrain Beltre facing Kontos, no outs, 2nd and 3rd, ahead 5-4. Wheat kings playing for the out at first … Votto takes his lead at third … Kontos brings it – it’s hacked high and far … Deep into the right field corner … Could be trouble for Byrd now he has it in range … Just shy of the track … And he squeezes it & gets rid of the ball desperately … Both runners set to tag, the coach has the windmill churning … Votto’s trying to score – here comes the throw home, here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe…ahead of the ball, Beltre picks up a sac fly and an RBI .

Final Score: Tempers 6, Wheat Kings 4

Game #6: Andrew Cashner (12-2 1.90) vs. Hisashi Iwakuma (13-7 2.21)

Top 2 – Andrew Cashner facing Hisashi Iwakuma, 2 outs, runner on 1st, tied 0-0. Here comes the pitch … Cashner takes it the other way … Down the line to right … Into the corner – Byrd racing for third … Cashner headed for second … Byrd digging … He will score – Gonzalez plays the carom … The throw to third … The relay … The slide … And he’s Safe!…good slide … Triple and an RBI for cashner.
Rajai Davis facing h. Iwakuma, 2 outs, runner on 3rd, ahead 1-0. Cashner with a head fake at third … The pitch to Davis … It’s grounded into the hole past Beltre … Cashner scores easily …
Wheat Kings 2, Tempers 0

Top 4- Jason Castro facing J.P. Howell, 1 out, runner on 1st, ahead 2-0. First baseman Michael Cuddyer holding the runner on … Howell delivers … Lined hard over first Cespedes races over … He cuts it off in the corner … Crawford rounds third – they’re waving him in – here comes the throw home (Castro’s going for third) Crawford scores … Cuddyer cuts it to third … And Castro’s … Tagged out…not even close.
Wheat Kings 3, Tempers 0

Top 5 – Nolan Arenado facing Dan Otero, 2 outs, runner on 3rd, ahead 3-0. Otero to the wind … Lined hard over Cano … Base hit Cespedes takes it on the bounce … La Roche scores easily … Arenado has the RBI.
Brandon Crawford facing Otero, 2 outs, runner on 1st, ahead 4-0. Otero comes home … Crawford puts a charge into it … Deep to right center – If it’s deep enough … Jackpot! … Home run for Crawford … And two runs score.
Wheat Kings 6, Tempers 0

Bottom 5 – Curtis Granderson facing Andrew Cashner, no outs, runner on 2nd, behind 0-6. Cashner into his motion … Delivers … Poked to left center … Base hit … That could be trouble Cruz and Davis converge … And it’s through … Cuddyer scores & Granderson’s in to second standing … As the throw comes in
Melkey Cabrera facing Cashner, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, behind 1-6. The delivery from Cashner … Base hit right field … It drops in front of Marlon Byrd – he has to play the long bounce … Granderson’s around third, they’re waving Granderson in – & he scores … As the throw comes in to second … Cabrera holds at first with a single.
Wheat Kings 6, Tempers 2

Bottom 6 – Michael Cuddyer facing Tony Watson, 2 outs, runner on 1st, behind 2-6. The pitch … It’s corked to left field … On the fly … Hey, this may go! … And it does! Touch ’em all, Cuddyer … Home run for Cuddyer … And two runs score.
Wheat Kings 6, Tempers 4

Top 8 – Michael Saunders facing Matt Thornton, 2 outs, 1st and 2nd, ahead 6-4. It’s a shot down the line to right … Near the foul pole … And it’s … Long gone! A three-run homer for Saunders.
Wheat Kings 9, Tempers 4

Top 9 – Adam. La Roche facing Evan Gattis, 1 out, bases empty, ahead 9-4. It’s rocked high and deep … Get going Cespedes … But he can only watch, It’s gone.
Wheat Kings 10,Tempers 4

Bottom 9 – Evan Gattis facing Jason Grilli, 1st and 2nd, behind 4-10. Here he comes … Rapped back to the mound … Grilli scoops it up … Fires to first … Safe! The throw sails over La Roche’s head … He’s chasing it down … Kelly rounds third he’s headed for the plate … Coming down the line … The throw … Too late … He scores Cano moves easily to third … Gattis rounds first and holds … That’ll be an error on Grilli. 2 errors now for Clovis.
Troy Tulowitzki facing Grilli, 2 outs, 1st and 3rd, behind 5-10. The pitch … Tulowitzki turns this ball around … It’s soaring to center Saunders turns and gives chase … The boarding house reach … It’s over his head , off the base of the wall … Saunders corrals the ball … Cano scores … Gattis is around third – the throw comes in to Crawford … Tulowitzki’s in standing with a double & they’re holding Gattis at third.

Final Score: Wheat Kings 10, Tempers 6

Game #7: Kyle Lohse (18-7 2.97) vs. Cory Rasmus (7-2 1.88)

Bottom 3 – Troy Tulowitzki facing Tom Wilhelmsen, no outs, 2nd and 3rd, tied 0-0. Wheat Kings playing for the out at first … The runners take their lead … the pitch comes in blasted over first into right … Byrd is racing over … Cano scores, Cabrera is rounding third – they’re waving Cabrera in – here comes the throw home – here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Out!…just missed getting in, Oh, those, Wheat Kings … They nip him trying to score &the aggressive base running does not pay off. That’s one less the Wheat Kings will have to score …
Wheat Kings 0, Tempers 1

Top 4 – Brandon Crawford facing Joe. Smith, 1 out, runner on 3rd, behind 0-1. Checks third … Smith brings it … Big swing … It’s a dying quail to right Cespedes gallops in … Cano races back … But it parachutes between them – A Texas league single for Crawford … Byrd scores easily … Tie game And Crawford has the RBI.
Wheat Kings 1, Tempers 1

Top 5 – Nelson Cruz facing Greg. Holland, 2 outs, runner on 2nd, tied 1-1. Holland brings it in … Poked to left center … Base hit … That could be trouble Cabrera and Braun converge … it’s through … Murphy scores & Cruz’s in to second standing … As the throw comes in back-to-back doubles by the Wheat Kings
Wheat Kings 2, Tempers 1

Bottom 5 – Adrian Beltre facing Aaron Loup, 1 out, bases loaded, behind 1-2. Wheat Kings playing for the double play … Here’s the delivery … There’s a fly ball to left Cruz drifts back … Still back peddling … And he makes the catch … The runners are tagging – Carlos Gonzalez coming down the line – Cano’s holding at second – here comes the throw home – here’s the play at the plate … And he’s … Safe easily … Tie game!
Wheat Kings 2,Tempers 2

Bottom 7 – Robinson. Cano facing Loup, no outs, runner on 2nd, tied 2-2. Gonzalez edges a bit more off second … He doubled to lead it off … Loup into his motion – delivers … This one is creamed … Cruz turns and runs … he can’t get it – Gonzalez’s around third … He’ll score … Cruz picks it up and fires it in A two-base hit for Cano …

Final Score: Tempers 3 – Wheat Kings 2