Scorpions stun Selects, advance to finals
Sep 21, 5:15 pm EDT
TORONTO (AP)- The Scorpions were ready to pack it in. On Saturday, they watched on in distress as Michael Cuddyer and Troy Tulowitzki each homered for the fourth time in five games. It looked like the #1 seeded team in the league had taken care of business and were well on their way to a date with Team Adam West in the Championship series. On Sunday however, things changed dramatically.
In his first start for the Scorpions, free-agent signing Kip Wells picked up a victory by pitching seven-plus innings. Using his off-speed pitches to set up his fastball, he gave up one run and five hits with no walks and two strikeouts. The newly-acquired Freddy Garcia also pitched a strong 8 innings, but did not receive a decision. The mood in the Scorpions clubhouse shifted dramatically upon learning of the tremendous pitching performances by both starters.
"I was ecstatic because I knew right then and there we had a shot at winning the pitching categories" said an anonymous Scorpions fan. Going into Sunday, the Selects held a 7-3 lead. However, the RBI and W category was tied, meanwhile the Selects only had a small lead in the E.R.A. and WHIP categories. On Sunday, the Scorpions surprised the Selects by overtaking the pitching categories as well as RBI. The decisive blow arrived when Joba Chamberlain put up a pitiful performance for the Selects in his start, surrendering 7 earned runs. The Scorpions turned a 7-3 deficit into an 8-4 win.
The Scorpions celebrated their victory Sunday by popping bottles of champagne. "It's about grit and character" second baseman Orlando Hudson told reporters, "nobody believed in us, we were the underdogs man, but today we proved everybody wrong". "It feels great..it was a total team effort, Freddy deserves a lot of the credit" said Kip Wells. The Scorpions became just the third 5th seeded team in BJW/OKBJ Fantasy Baseball League history to advance to the finals. The two other times were In 2008 when the Dennis Lamp 9 reached the finals and in 2005 when the London LimeHounds won it all as the 5th seed.
The Saskatchewan Selects, who taunted finalist Team Adam West on Saturday by saying they would avenge their week 18 victory over them because it was not convicing enough were in utter shock and disbelief on Sunday. Selects manager The Mick couldn't talk to reporters as he was seen sobbing uncontrollably in his office. He did however garner up enough strength to request the presence of his mother. Afterwards, he congratulated Scorpions manager Gene Tenace on a great Sunday.
"I'm excited" Tenace said, "I'm proud of all my players for never giving in and fighting it out until the end". Referring to Geovany Soto, Orlando Hudson and Pat Burrell's injuries and the underachivement of players like J.J. Hardy, he went on to say, "We haven't had an easy season by any means. We've gone through many injuries and dissapointing performances, but I'm just so happy and overjoyed".
In their previous three seasons in the league the Scorpions never even reached the playoffs, finishing in 12th place all three times. They will play Team Adam West in the championship series which will run from September 21st to October 4th. Tenace said he looks forward to the challenge, "It will be interesting, We're not in the best shape that's for sure but we'll do our best". When asked about Team Adam west manager Rounding 3rd's trash talking, Tenace shrugged it off saying "that's his style and so far he's done well you know, he's backed up his trash talking with actual results, it will be fun".
Updated Sep 21, 5:15 pm EDT
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