KPSL Playoffs: Smoke and Mirrors Magic Act Continues As Phillies Defeat Cardinals

This is the first time in 6 years that the Cardinals and Phillies meet in the EPIC 7 game KPSL World Series.  Who can forget the Brandon Woodruff pinch hit homerun to tie it and then the Mitch Haniger walk off single in the bottom of the ninth to send the Phillies to their last Championship.  But that was six years ago and many those players are gone, some have even switched team (Yes I am looking at you Christian Yelich) and some old faces (Bryce Harper, Jose Altuve stand up) so how would this year pan out.

GAME 1

Aaron Nola vs Shota Imanaga

The Phillies open up the scoring early, two batters in Brandon Nimmo goes yard.  The Phillies then bring out the bats in the top of the third scoring 3 runs capped off by a Jacob Stallings (First half MVP for the Phillies) 2 run double.  The Phillies lead is 4-0.  The lead was short lived as the Cardinals sent 5 men to the plate with one out and all 5 scored Masey Wynn Triple, Christian Yelich single, Jose Igelsias Homer, Freddy Freeman double and a Marcel Ozuna homerun.  Cardinals lead 5-4,  The Phillies score three in the top of the fifth, Brandon Nimmo hits his second homerun a solo shot and Jacob Stallings follows up with a 2 run shot three batters later.  A Bryce Harper Solo shot and RBI single in the seventh and ninth inning put thew game out of reach.

PHILLIES 9 CARDINALS 5

WP: A. Nola (1-0) LP: S, Imanaga (0-1) SV: R. Yarbrough (1)

GAME 2

Kyle Gibson vs Paul Skenes

All hell breaks loose before the game and tempers flare between the managers.  Brent Suter is announced as the starter, he is an opener.  Kyle Gibson was given as the rotation.  Harsh words were said by both managers.  Cardinals said it wasn’t right, it was cheesy and not in the spirit of the game, The Phillies said they can change their starter as long as its legal starter.  Teams threatened to walk out, words like forfeit and quitting were used.  IN the end Kyle Gibson started and crisis was averted.  Onto the game……

Paul Skenes was just good enough and the Phillies couldn’t take advantage of the chances that were given.  Skenes went 7 innings allowed 3 hits (all singles) but walked 5 and struck out six.  He kept the Phillies off the scoreboard.  As for offense,  the Cardinals scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 2^nd inning on a two run homerun by Nolan Arenado and an RBI triple by Yelich and RBI single by Iglesias.   A Jse Altuve homerun in the top of the 8^th made the score 4-2.  A Masynn Wynn RBI triple would extend the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the 8^th.  Rasiel Iglesias shut the door down in the ninth. Series ted at 1

CARDINALS 5 PHLLIES 2

WP: P. Skenes (1-0) LP: K. Gibson (0-1) R. Iglesias (1)

GAME 3

MacKenzie Gore vs Jake Irvin

The series shifts to Philly

The Cardinals strike first this time on a Freddy Freeman homerun.  A Francisco Lindor Homer ties the score and a Brandon Marsh RBI sIngle scores Trey Lipscomb for a 2-1 Phillies lead in the fourth.  THe Phillies tack on two more in the bottom of the fifty on a two out Triple by Michael Harriss.  Onto the top of the seventh and the Cards plate two on a Christian Yelich Sac Fly following a Brujan Double and Jose Iglesias Single.  THen a Wilson Contreras RBI Double plates Igelsias.  Marcel Ozuna got a bad read and had to stop at third.  THe Phillies answer back in the bottom half of the inning on a Jose Altuve RBI single, plating Byrce Harper.  THen they add another run in the bottom of the 8^th on a Jerar Encarnacion pinch hit RBI single.  Enter Edwin Diaz and gives up a lead off single Strikes out Jose Igelsias walks Christian Yeleich,  UP steps Marcel Ozuna representing the tying run.  The roll single to 10 double play the rest.  Roll is 17 and the Phillies take a 2-1 series lead.

PHILLIES 6 CARDINALS 3

WP: M. Gore (1-0) LP: J. Irwin (0-1) SV: E. Diaz (1)

GAME 4

Ranger Suarez, vs Kevin Gausman

This was a back and forth affair.  Cardinals scored early on a Harrison Bader HR (1 of 4 the Cardinals would hit) But every time the Cardinals would score the Phillies answered back.  THe score was 3-3 entering the bottom of the sixth.  The Phillies take the lead without a hit 4 walks and an HBP as Gausman couldn’t find the plate and the Phillies lead 5-3.  Freddie Freeman hits his 2^nd of the game (3^rd of the series) and the Cardinals draw closer at 5-4.  Top of the ninth Ryan Yarborough trying for the 6 out saves grooves one to Masynn Wynn and just like that the score is tied at 5. The Bullpens held in 10^th. In the top of the 11^th Yelich leads off with a walk, IIgelsias flys out, enter Edgar Diaz who promptly walks Marcel Ozuna on 4 pitches.  But he induces a double play to end the threat.  Tyson Miller enters the game in the bottom of the 11.  Two quick strikeouts of Jerar Encarnacion and Jacob Stallings and its looking like a 1th inning will happen.  Lindor walks, Michael Harriss singles Lindor over to third.  UP steps Trey Lipscomb who is only in the game since KeBryan was hurt for two games.  Roll 6-12 Diamond 1-14 HR Shot, by Lipscomb is weenie but hits the single for the walk off win.

PHILLIES 6 CARDINALS5 (11 innings)

WP: E. Diaz (1-0) LP: T. Miller (0-1)