So the Speakers and AB’s kicked off the OOTL World Series this afternoon.

Game 1 – Arrieta v Santana
Scoreless into the 4th the Speakers get hot as a Cargo single scores Machado and after a Simmons single the 4th consecutive 2 out hit of the inning, a triple, pushes the Speaker lead to 3-0. In the bottom of the 5th Toles plates two on a bases loaded single scoring Forsythe and Trout to cut lead to 3-2. And once again w/ 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th a double by Agone pushes Gardner across the plate to knot the game at 3-3.
In the eighth Gardner executes a perfect 66-0 2nd column 55-1 for a bunt for a hit, but fails to come around. The game goes extra frames and in the 11th the Speakers get a sac fly RBI of Jansen by Simmons to plate Machado to go ahead 4-3. In the bottom half of the 11th the AB’s coax two BB’s as Trout rolls an error number for the LF’er Cargo. Brian drops both dice and the red one is a 4 but the white one slides off the table. In the reroll Cargo drops a 61 which is F2 – single runner on second Stanton scores on the error and F runner Forsythe scores from 1st for a remarkable 5-4 AB’s win.
W-Jansen L Blanton
Game 2 – Martinez v Scherzer
In the top of the 3rd RIZZO jacks a two run bomb to put the Speakers up 2-0. The game remains that way until the bottom of the 8th. After a leadoff BB by Forsythe, Trout follows with a 66-1 for a 2 run game tying HR. The game once again goes extra innings and with 2 outs in the 11th Cespedes rolls an RP for OF2 Stanton who proceeds to kick the ball to Lewisberry for a 4 base error and 3-2 Speakers lead. In the bottom of the 11th Agone greets Blanton with a lead off HR to tie the game as Joe’s +22 can’t turn it back. 2 outs later Forsythe coaxes back to back RP 2 balls to work a walk. Trout then rolls another 66-1 for a potential walkoff HR but this time Blanton turns it back with the +22. But Forsythe keeps motoring around third with a 46 or higher needed to cut down the game winner…Cargo to Simmons to Posey and Forsythe is out at home as a 63 was dropped!!!! Machado leads off the 12th with a HR off Jansen (+34) – manager Steve had contemplated bringing Bedrosian (+55) in but didn’t…Jansen dropped a 55…the Speakers hit another double in the inning so this move really meant nothing. The AB’s got a lead off BB from Ozuna in the 12th but did little after. Speakers win a classic 4-3 in 12 innings.
W-Hand L-Jansen
Game 3 – Maeda v Price
A two out BB by Papi followed by a 66-1 from Stanton puts the AB’s up 2-0. But one out back to back doubles by Bryant and RIZZO saws that lead in half and after Cespedes Ks Cargo belts a 2 run HR for the early 3-2 Speakers lead. Cargo BB’s leading off the bottom of the 4th then scores on a Machado 2 run HR. Simmons doubles and later scores on a single by Kinsler as Stanton kicks the ball to Front St for a 6-2 Speakers lead. In the 5th a Simmons sac fly pushes it to 7-2 Speakers. Stanton hits a solo HR in the 6th for his 2nd jack of the game. But the Speakers add on in the 8th as Bryant’s 2 out single plates Kinsler to make it 8-3. Gattis does hit a 2 out 2 run HR in the 9th but Price goes the distance for the 8-5 win.
W-Price L-Maeda

So the series is off and running and is scheduled to resume Wednesday night, once again, on Carol Dr as Riegle Park has been prepped and decorated for Christmas.
A fun fact with this series is that the Speakers and AB franchise have met 2 other times. Once the Speakers won their 3rd title in 4 years finishing off an incredible run. The other was in last years semi finals. Both series won in 5 games by the Speakers. Will history stay the course or will the tide change for the AB’s? I guess we shall see.
But it’s been a crazy and great series so far.

Manager Steve