N.L. CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES – SAC @ TEM G#2
Game # 2 – Justin Verlander vs. Tim Stauffer
Leading the NLCS 1-0, Tempe was forced to start Tim STAUFFER in Game 2 against Sacramento ace Justin VERLANDER because #2 starter Brandon McCarthy was still fatigued after Tempe’s brutal Division Series with West Coast. VERLANDER didn’t seem to mind, as he was suddenly the HEAVY favorite to tie the series up for the Capitals. The Capitals jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first behind Kevin YOUKILIS. With one down, let’s listen to the call: “YOUKILIS facing Stauffer … The pitch … YOUKILIS swings … and mashes it … it might go all the way GRANDERSON is at the warning track … but he’d need a ladder to get to this one a four-bagger for YOUKILIS.” CAPITALS 1, TEMPERS 0. Unfortunately, Robinson CANO and Albert PUJOLS quickly blooped and grounded to retire the side and put an end to a promising start to the game. Tempe, of course, wouldn’t have any of it, and jumped off to a quick start themselves. Curtis GRANDERSON, facing VERLANDER, takes his first walk of the series, while Melky (The Juice) CABRERA wasted no time roping a double down the third base line, scoring GRANDERSON. With no outs, Hunter Pence grounded out to Hardy, for the first out, while Adrian Gonzalez decided one run just wasn’t enough; listening to the call, “GONZALEZ, facing Justin VERLANDER … the pitch … base hit right field, it drops in front of WILLINGHAM … he has to play the long bounce … CABRERA rounds third … they’re waving CABRERA in … GONZALEZ’s going for second … CABRERA scores … PUJOLS cuts it to second … and he’s … out by a mile.”
CAPITALS 1, TEMPERS 2. The Capital’s pitching staff simply hasn’t been able to catch a break against the Tempe lineup. With two outs, VERLANDER throws some heat … right in there … TULOWITZKI’s called out on strikes … side retired.
All remains quiet until the top of the 4th inning. Jim Johnson has since replaced Stauffer on the mound. Pujols, facing JOHNSON, hits a frozen rope straight to CABRERA … one down. J.J. HARDY, attempting to make up for Game 1’s defensive disaster, launched Johnson’s pitch toward the gap in right center for his 1st hit and double of the series. JOHNSON, without wasting any time, rung up Josh WILLINGHAM without much trouble for two away. With two outs, Yadier MOLINA steps up to the plate representing the go-head run. JOHNSON comes home with it, and Molina lined it hard to left, scoring HARDY without any trouble. With the speedy MOLINA on first, Torii Hunter grounded out to end the 4th. Yet again, however, Tempe was only content in the lead. VERLANDER caught Adrian Gonzalez looking for out number one, but didn’t have as much luck with TULOWITZKI, who drew a free pass and subsequently stole 2nd. With one out and a runner on 2nd, Beltre stepped up to the plate to face Verlander; Beltre smokes one past Cano, but would it be enough to score TULOWITZKI? Yes! oh, close call … the gamble pays off … and BELTRE takes second on the throw. VERLANDER, pitching to Dustin PEDROIA, throws it by Molina, he scrambles and Beltre moves up to third with one out. This could spell trouble for VERLANDER and the Capitals; but, VERLANDER has it handled … Infield deep … VERLANDER looks at third … the pitch … right by him … strike three, and VERLANDER is pumped! … two down! and he gets a big strikeout with BELTRE threatening on third. Carlos Ruiz up to the plate; let’s listen to the call: “RUIZ facing J. VERLANDER, … BELTRE steps off third … he cranks and fires … slow roller toward third … YOUKILIS fields it throws … and that’s out number three.”
CAPITALS 2, TEMPERS 3.
The score remained 2-3 until the 6th, when, Pujols, facing Takashi SAITO with no outs takes SAITO for a ride … it’s long gone! … Albert has tied it up. CAPITALS 3, TEMPERS 3. The remainder of the inning represented a wasted opportunity for the Capitals. Hardy subsequently doubled off Saito, after which Tempe brought in Joel PERALTA to face Josh WILLINGHAM, who promptly popped out in foul territory. MOLINA gain lofts an easy out to Cabrera in center. Tempe decides it would be best to eliminate VERLANDER from the game; intentionally walked Torii HUNTER, and awaited Sacramento’s pinch hitter. Who would it be? None other than Nyjer MORGAN. MORGAN failed to hit it out of the infield, and Peralta gets him by a step. Game tied 3-3, Hunter PENCE facing GUERRA–belted to shallow right with Pujols and Willingham colliding. No injuries and one out … Next up, GONZALEZ. Sacramento decided to play it by the numbers and bring in a lefty to face the 5-Platoon. Who 
would it be? Troy Patton. Let’s listen to the announcers on this one: And here comes CAPITALS manager … again … he’s asking GUERRA for the ball, pitching change for SACRAMENTO … southpaw Troy PATTON climbs the hill. manager working for the platoon advantage … so GUERRA goes only one third of an inning, for PATTON … his 2nd appearance in the series, the lefty PATTON has worked one third of an inning … he has a 0.00 ERA … it’s his game to win, GONZALEZ facing T. PATTON … PATTON now … healthy cut by GONZALEZ … and it’s pulled hard to right, it’s deep enough if it’s fair … hooking … fair ball! … home run for GONZALEZ CAPITALS 3, TEMPERS 4. And here comes CAPITALS manager … again … he’s asking PATTON for the ball. there will be a change on the mound … they give the ball to Edgmer ESCALONA. he’ll try to shut down the right-handed TULOWITZKI … so PATTON didn’t get his man, he pitched to one batter … the result … one earned run … on one hit … a homer for ESCALONA … his 2nd appearance in the series, the right-hander ESCALONA has worked one and a third … he has a 0.00 ERA the damage has been done … he just wants to get out of the inning.” And that was all that was needed.
FINAL SCORE : CAPITALS 3, TEMPERS 4
WP: Peralta (1-0)
LP: Patton (0-1)
S: Clippard (1