Red Sox 1 Phillies 0, Red Sox 11 Phillies 7
The Ashland Red Sox notched their second straight MetroWest League championship with a doubleheader
sweep over the playoff-tough Medway Phillies by scores of 1-0 and 11-7 Sunday at Keefe Tech.
Ashland's Steve Saraceno edged Medway's Jamie Nix in a tense pitcher's duel in game one. Both
righthanders went the distance. The sole Red Sox run scored on a passed ball in the eighth inning.
In game two Ashland built an 11-3 lead in the middle innings and cruised the rest of the way.
Offensive stars for the Sox included Steve Southard, Brian Farrell, and shortstop Michael Auren.
Saraceno went the distance in this game as well, throwing 18 innings on the day to collect his fifth
win of the 2007 playoffs.
GAME 1 Red Sox 1, Phillies 0
Befitting the championship setting, both teams found themselves involved at the outset in that
rarest of MetroWest League rarities -- a scoreless pitchers' duel. Tight defense prevailed
throughout, with Medway mounting serious threats in the sixth and eighth innings.
With two out in the sixth the Phillies' Mark Rogers singled. Then Tim Corning lined a drive to deep
center that Ashland's surehanded Paul Murphy seemed to have in his sights. But the ball sailed over
Murphy's glove and bounced past some concrete palings for a ground rule double.
After an umpires' discussion that included representatives from both teams, the lead runner was
placed at third. Sox pitcher Saraceno (6 H, O BB, 5 K) then struck out Shawn Boardman on a forkball
to end the threat.
Medway knocked on the door again in the eighth. With two out Chris Decatur and Rob Pisano singled.
Gerry Diluzo then stroked a dying quail into the left-centerfield gap that leftfielder Chris
Cronin snagged with a spectacular full layout dive to save at least one, possibly two runs.
"CC has been solid like that all year," said Sox manager Saraceno. "He started the season as our
fifth outfielder, but ended up playing almost every inning of 2007 in leftfield. You can see the
reason why."
In the bottom of the eighth Cronin rapped a line single to left, advancing to second on the charging
leftfielder's error. Michael Auren pinch-ran for him. Auren moved to third on a Vic Saraceno
fielder's choice, the throw coming to third late, everybody safe.
A few pitches later Auren scored on a passed ball.
Saraceno had the run he needed. Auren turned a double play in the ninth, assisted by a sweet pick
from first baseman Wayne Sylvia, to end the game.
It was Saraceno's fourteenth win of the year, his second straight shutout versus the Phils.
Nix was monumental in defeat. Facing the powerful Ashland lineup, he allowed just four hits,
struck out seven and walked one.
GAME 2 Red Sox 11, Phillies 7
Offense reasserted its sway in Game Two. For the third time in five playoff games Ashland scored
11 runs or more.
Just as in the 2006 finals, Steve Southard again came up big in the championship game. Southie
went 3-for-3, including a triple to cap a perfect 5-for-5 doubleheader.
Also on fire were rightfielder Brian Farrell (2-for-2, walk), shortstop Auren (2-for-3, 3-for-5
on the day), and the redoubtable Cronin (on base 4 times in the doubleheader).
Ashland scored two in the first off Phils starter and manager Rick Huckins. But Medway quickly
matched it with two off Red Sox starter and manager Steve Saraceno.
The Sox plated two more in the second. By the fourth Ashland enjoyed a 5-3 lead. They made it
6-3 in the sixth on a well-executed double-steal. After Huckins departed the floodgates opened,
Ashland taking advantage of three walks in the eighth to score five runs and build the lead to an
insurmountable 11-3.
The Phillies offense scored four late runs, led by outfielder Dave Devilis (2-for-3, on base
4 times on the day), Wil Goulart (2-for-4), and Chris Decatur (2-for-4, double, 3-for-7 in
doubleheader). But Saraceno ended the game and his long day on the mound with a strikeout of
Rob Pisano.
For the second straight year Ashland swept all five playoff games, finishing the 2007 season
with a 16-4 record.
The Phillies went 3-3 in the playoffs, advancing to the finals by twice beating higher-seeded teams.
Saraceno has now won nine straight playoff games (along with a save in that stretch). The 52-year-old
righthander threw 150 2/3 innings this year and finished with a 15-3 record. He did not walk a batter
in eighteen innings of the doubleheader.
"The good thing is that I get to write these recaps," said Saraceno afterwards, "so I can make up
any crazy stat I want. Actually, I didn't even play today! Seriously, folks, I was amazed at our
team this year. We lost six good players from 2006 -- a full third of our team -- yet we played
.800 ball in what was essentially a rebuilding year."
Saraceno added: "The biggest credit should go to our offense, which kept coming through with big
hits. Brent McKenzie, Stevie Southard, Brian Farrell, John Badaracco, Paul Murphy -- these guys
all have outrageous stats, and I didn't even make them up! Moreover, they hit in the clutch, which
is not always the case on high-powered teams."
Asked to be quiet, Saraceno continued: "Our new acquisitions this year just kept plugging the
gaps -- guys like Murph, Mike Auren at shortstop, Pete Padovano at third, Steve Linda in the
outfield. We had a guy named Paul Busa who showed up for one game and then disappeared. Will
he make it to the team party? God only knows."
After players from both teams departed the field, Saraceno said to a rapt audience of squirrels:
"A tip of the cap also to Medway coach Rick Huckins for helping me find a field and get this series
played. It's a pleasure to be in a league with guys like Rick."
AL and NL Championships, 08/19/2007
Red Sox 12 Indians 7, Red Sox 16 Indians 7
The Ashland Red Sox swept the Marlboro Indians 12-7 and 16-7 at Ashland to move into the league
championship round once again.
The twin bill featured two Red Sox comebacks -- a big one in the opener, and a smaller but just
as effective comeback in game two. Hitting stars for the Sox included rightfielder Paul Murphy
(3-for 4, and 3 walks), shortstop Michael Auren (4-for-6, double), gimpster Brian Farrell (3-for-4),
and first baseman Wayne Sylvia (3-for-6).
Sox pitcher Steve Saraceno (13-3) pitched 13 2/3 innings on the day and collected both wins.
GAME 1
Red Sox 12, Indians 7
Marlboro picked up where they left off in their previous week's mercy-win over the Orioles,
scoring 5 runs in the top of the first off Sox starter Saraceno. Leadoff hitter Dave Rymsza
(4-for-6 on the day) singled, shortstop Mike R ichards singled, and centerfielder Tom Pare doubled.
Then Steve Courtwright, Jeremy McCormick, and second baseman Jeff Stiles each singled.
By the sixth inning the Tribe led 6-2. Things looked promising for underdog Marlboro. The first
two Ashland batters grounded out in the bottom of the sixth. But then...nine Sox batters scored.
The two-out mega-rally featured key bases-loaded singles by Mike Auren and Victor Saraceno to tie
the game. Then Paul Murphy, Brian Farrell, and centerfielder John Badaracco delivered hits to cap
the 9-run explosion. By the time the dust cleared -- and on this particular day there was plenty
of it -- Ashland led 11-6
Saraceno cruised the rest of the way -- if you can call giving up 14 hits cruising. Maybe
"surviving" is a better word. Hitting stars for the Indians included Rymsza (2-for-3, walk),
Stiles (2-for-3, triple), and Craig Macauley (2-for-3).
GAME 2
Red Sox 16, Indians 7
The Red Sox grabbed an early 5-1 lead in this game, courtesy of walks and errors. Sox starter
Mike Donfrancesco pitched well into the fifth, departing with a 5-3 lead which reliever Steve
Saraceno promptly blew. Third baseman Mike Tognieri and Markian Stecyk delivered key singles.
Manager Jerry Guerra's single tied the game and Craig Macauley sacrifice fly put the Indians up 6-5.
But Ashland promptly answered with three runs to take the lead again in the sixth. Auren singled,
Pete Greene lofted a sac fly, and Murphy climaxed the rally with yet another hit. The Sox got
three more in the seventh, largely thanks to a Donfrancesco double. In the ninth Ashland added
four more runs.
Game two hitting stars for Ashland included catcher Brent McKenzie (2-for-4), Pete Padovano
(2-for-4), Donfrancesco (2 doubles), Auren (2-for-3) , and Sylvia (2-for-4).
The Indian attack was led by Tognieri (2-for-3) and Dave Rymsza (2-for-3, walk, on base 6 times
on the day), and Stiles (3-for-5 on the day). In the seventh Hugh Cornwall and Steve Courtwright
blasted twin drives against the deep outfield fence in Ashland. Either shot would have cleared
Bowditch, Feeley, or Fenway.
"But I outsmarted them," said Sox pitcher Saraceno. "I made sure we played in Ashland."
The game was spiced by the odd sight of umpire Tim Hays twice being struck by sharp ground balls
(Hays was the only man hit harder than Saraceno). And late in the game tempers flared when Sox
first baseman Wayne Sylvia got spiked. But everyone calmed down and many could be found at TJ's
afterward drinking a beer.
"We faced this murderous lineup four times this season," said Sox manager Saraceno. "And if you
don't believe me, I have the swollen ERA to prove it. You really have to hand it to Marlboro, .500
during the regular season, for playing so tough in the playoffs."
The Red Sox await the finish of the Phillies-Dodgers series next week. The league championship
series is scheduled to start Sunday, Sept. 9 at 10am in Ashland.
Red Sox 4 White Sox 3
Chris Cronin's ninth-inning bases-loaded walk gave the Ashland Red Sox a 4-3 "walk-off" victory
over the Worcester White Sox in a taut first-round thriller at Ashland.
The Red Sox now go on to face the surprising Marlboro Indians in the American League finals next
week at Ashland.
White Sox starter Tom Magnusson (10 H, 5 K, 4 BB, 2 HBP) entered the ninth having retired 11 of
the last 12 Red Sox batters.
But now the hot day began to take its toll. With the score tied 3-3, Magnusson hit Ashland
shortstop Mike Donfrancesco to start the inning. Sox second baseman Steve Triveri dropped down
his second sacrifice bunt of the day. First baseman Wayne Sylvia walked.
Up stepped Ashland starter Steve Saraceno (11 H, 1 K, 0 BB). In the second Saraceno had singled
to right to plate the last two previous Ashland scores. Now Saraceno rapped a sharp grounder
through the shortstop hole. Speedy pinch runner Paul Murphy held at third, loading the bases with
one out.
Catcher Cronin came to the plate. "That's the guy I want up there in a situation like that," said
manager Saraceno afterwards. Cronin had entered the game with a regular season batting average
of .161 -- yet an on-base percentage of .409, courtesy of 13 walks in 15 games.
Now he walked again.
And the Ashland Red Sox walked into the American League finals.
The game featured a flurry of early scores by both teams, followed by a long, stomach-twisting
period from the second inning to the ninth with the score knotted at 3-3.
The Red Sox notched one run in the first. But Magnusson pitched out of a bases loaded jam to avoid
further damage. Then the White Sox took advantage of several Ashland miscues to score three in the
second off Saraceno: Kevin Ryan, Tim Bonin, and Craig Delman (2-for-3 on the day) each singled, and
Magnusson helped his cause with a sharp shot past Ashland's Pete Padovano at third.
Saraceno (11-3, 2.12 ERA in 119 inn.) settled in after that. Relying heavily on his curve (and
also a couple of eephus balls) the veteran righthander held the White Sox to mild threats in the
fourth and fifth, finishing his complete game by retiring the last nine batters he faced.
Ashland's biggest threat to break the long mid-game deadlock came in the eighth.
Centerfielder John Badaracco (2-for-3, double, triple) drove a tailing blast over Worcester
rightfielder Matt McKeon to lead off the inning. The ball rolled to the fence and Badaracco
cruised into third standing. Steve Southard followed with a line drive that shortstop Mike
Filipkowski snared nicely on a drawn-in infield.
Ashland manager Saraceno next called for a suicide squeeze. But Magnusson's high, outside pitch
eluded Pete Padovano's bat. Badaracco was left for dead meat.
The White Sox seemed buoyed by their escape from grave danger. But Saraceno retired Worcester
one-two-three in the ninth, setting the stage for the bottom of the inning heroics.
Alongside Badaracco and Saraceno, offensive stars for the Red Sox included Mike Donfrancesco
(1-for-2, big HBP to lead off ninth), and Wayne Sylvia (1-for-2, double, walk, and a foul home
run over the left field fence).
Defensively, Sylvia saved several throws at first, and shortstop Donfrancesco, second baseman
Triveri, and rightfielder Brian Farrell filled in admirably for vacationing starters. It was
Farrell's first start in the field since tearing up his knee in last year's championship final.
Delman (2-for-3) led the White Sox offensive attack, which included hits by ten of the eleven
batters in the strong Worcester lineup.
"The White Sox [who finish at 11-6] should be proud of coming into the league this year and
immediately establishing themselves as a force," said Ashland manager Saraceno afterwards. "Not
only that, but they showed sportsmanship in all our games with them. That is appreciated."
The 12-4 Red Sox now move on to face the powerful Marlboro Indians (who mercy-ruled the Framingham
Orioles by the surreal score of 15-0). The doubleheader is set for next Sunday starting at 10 a.m.
in Ashland.
Indians 15 Orioles 0
No recap available.
Phillies 6 Cubs 0
In a game that was very well played on both sides the Medway Phillies rediscovered their 2006 winning
formula and upset the Cubs in the first round of the playoffs 6-0. Jamie Nix held down a Cubs lineup
stacked with dangerous hitters over 9 great innings in his best performance of the year. He battled
through some bumps and bruises to regain his form of last year when he was indisputably (at least
from where I'm standing) the best pitcher in the league. The Cubs were limited to 3 hits, and only
30 hitters came to the plate. They reached 3rd base once in the game, in the 7th inning. The
Phillies played some excellent defense and put together just enough key hits to win the game, which
was closer than the final score would indicate.
In the top of the first Will Goulart launched a rocket to left center that came within a couple of
feet of getting over the fence. He ended up with a triple but was stranded there. In the bottom
of the inning Alex Scott hit a sharp line drive to center that Mike Connelly ran down. It was first
of many stellar defensive plays by the Phillie's centerfielder, and set the tone for some really solid
defense throughout. The second hitter Eddie Murray hit a blast over Brian Gibbons' head in left field.
As Eddie chugged around second and headed for third Gibbons tracked the ball down and hit cutoff man
Dave DeVellis in the chest with a nice relay. DeVellis whirled and fired to third to nip Murray in
a key early play. It was the first of two runners nailed at 3rd by the Phillies.
The Phillies broke the ice in the second when Tim Corning shot a clutch two-out single to right off
Cub's starter John Gordon, scoring DeVellis from second.
Gordon was dominant for much of the game. He finished the 9 innings with an impressive 16 Ks.
He mixed a hard fastball with a tough slider and some kind of eephus/curveball thing that kept the
Phillies off balance much of the day.
In the second inning the Phils tacked on 2 more when Connelly, Goulart and Nix combined for some 2
out magic to bump the lead to 3-0.
The Phillies scored their last 3 runs in the 7th on hits from Nix(double), Rob Pisano and Gerry
DiLuzio sandwiched around a walk to DeVellis. Nix closed the game out strong to keep the score
at 6-0.
Along the way key defensive plays were turned in by Jim Liebowitz(diving grab of a hard liner,
good play on a bunt attempt), Paul Watson(long run to grab a deep fly to right), Goulart, DeVellis
and others to keep the Cubs from crossing the plate. The Cubs were solid on defense as well,
including an 8-1-2-5 double play that bagged runners at home and 3rd on the same play.
Leading the way at the plate for the Phils were Goulart(3-4, triple, rbi, run), DiLuzio(3-3, rbi)
and Nix(2-3, BB,2 rbi, run). DeVellis, Pisano and Corning also had timely hits in the game.
Murray, Hamm and Barnes were the Cubs that hit their way on.