Down 0-2 in the Boys of Summer National League Championship Series, it didn’t look like a World Series berth was too likely for my Urbana Locomotives. Now, after defeating the Portland Microbrewers 2-1 in walk-off fashion in Game 6, Brad Stark’s Microbrewers and the Locomotives head to the deciding game to determine who goes on to face the South Shore Fighting Imps.
Game 6 was a odd game to say the least. Between an attempted steal of home and a crucial dropped strike in the bottom of the ninth inning, it had plenty of plotlines within it not the least of which was a walk off win.
Let’s start with Yorvit Torrealba who has been subbing for star catcher Carlos Ruiz while he recovers from his injury. Not only did he drive in the winning run but he prevented Coco Crisp from stealing home in seventh inning. Big deal, you say? Early in this season, Crisp stole second base, proceeded to steal third only to steal home as well. He thought he try the same thing in the playoffs but Yorvit was paying attention. Out at home!
The Urbana Locomotives went into the bottom of the ninth with the score tied 1-1 and Tyler Colvin led off with a double. With Garrett Jones up, A.J. Ellis dropped the third strike giving Jones first base and moving Colvin to third. One batter later, Justin Maxwell was intentionally walked to get to Torrealba.
Then Torreabla did what he needed to do… hit the ball hard. His fly ball to Mike Trout was enough to score Colvin for the winning run. Both of Urbana’s runs were scored on sacrifice flies.
Urbana 2 Portland 1
Game 7 very exiciting times. Will it be time to pop the “Champaign”?