When asked about the tatics Hays has responded with, "No comment, but didn't L.A. lose 2 of 3 to New Orleans?"
With no Scott Hill for the first time in team history, Hays had an interesting problem heading into the series. Who's the Ace? Who starts game 1? Well, most would have answered Walter Bamber without even thinking about it. I mean Bamber did go 18-6 with a 3.14 ERA and 204 K's and was 100% rested with 7 days off since last start.
Hays went in a different direction deciding to go with unproven Jerry Burgess in game 1 followed by 2nd year man Mike Haward in game 2 and pushing the two seasoned playoff vets Bamber and Art Ellis to game's 4 and 5.
Game 1: 6-0, Win
The decision to go with Burguess was a success as he went a strong 7.1 shutout innings only allowing 2 hits and striking out 9. MR phenom Ghidewon Hassan finished off the game going 1.2 innings without allowing a hit and striking out 3. SS Alonso Pérez had a career game as he went 2-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBI's and 2 runs scored to lead the offense
Notes:
- BSA single game attendance record set: 42,293
- Hassan has not allowed a single run all year at home, now up to 34.0 IP (32.1 IP in regular season and 1.2 IP in postseason)
Game 2: 5-4, Win
Haward got the nod in game 2 due to his huge Home/Road splits, but disappointed with a 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 7 K's, 2 BB, 1 HR performance. The key moment in the game was in the top of the 4th with 2 runs already in, Maui leading 4-1, bases loaded with 1-out and H'ville manager leaves Haward out on the mound in this cruical moment. It paid off as Haward got a HUGE strikeout of Jake Wood and then a ground out by Robert Stokes.
C "Dirty" Hernandez lead the Hitmen back with a solo HR in the 6th to make it 3-4 and then a got the GW RBI single in the bottom of the 8th to give H'ville a 5-4 lead. The bullpen was dominate as they pitched 3.1 innings not allowing a single baseruner and striking out 4. Rookie 1B José Álvarez had a 3-4 day also.
Game 3: 6-0, Win
The series traveled to Maui for a game 3 match-up of Ace's as H'ville's Walter Bamber faced off against Maui's ace Danning Manning. Bamber proved to be the better of the two as he went 8.1, 6 H, 0 ER, 6 K's, 1 BB and lead the Hitmen to it's 2nd shutout of the series and put the Hitmen up 3-0.
The offense was lead by rookie 1B José Álvarez once again as he had his 2nd straight 3 hit game going 3-5, HR, 3 RBI's, 3 Runs. LF Tony Owens went 2-3, 2 2Bs and 2 BB's in a spot start.
Game 4: 4-11, Loss
Heading into the series vs Maui the one game that H'ville expected to lose was Art Ellis' start due to Maui's complete dominace over RHP. Not only did H'ville lose, but Ellis got destroyed! 4.1 IP, 13 H, 9 ER, 3 HR!! MVP contender R. Vargas finally showed up going 3-5, 2 HRs, 2 RBI, 3 Runs and C D. Smith had big game going 2-4 with a 2-run HR and 2-RBI bases loaded 2B.
Game 5: 13-5, Win
SP Jerry Burgess took the mound in game 5 looking to end the series and did just that. He pitched a strong 6.0 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 4 K's, 3 BB's, 1 HR but it was the offense once again that showed up and won the game.
Rookie 1B José Álvarez continued his breakout performance with a 2-3, 2 RBI, 2 Runs, 3 BB day to finish with a .474 avg, 1 HR, 5 RBI and a .526 OBP in the series. C "Dirty" Hernandez hit his 4th HR in 5 games and went 3-5, HR, 2 RBI's, 3 Runs. Also, RF Damien Balmforth hit a Grand Slam in the top of the 8th to top of a 3-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 Runs game.
Series MVP: C "Dirty" Hernandez
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| "Dirty" Hernandez |
HR: 4
RBI: 7
Runs: 6
OBP: .400
SLG: 1.050
OPS: 1.450
Playoff PR2
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