Game Six summary, by Paul Marazita

Zoots advance to World Series. 

A tough, tough game. Lowe vs. Crudale. As predicted Lowe just was not on his game 
tonight. Too much to ask him to do it twice in one series I guess. Surprisingly very 
wild. Final line 5.0 5 5 4 3. I had Crudale on the ropes in first and second, but 
could not really put him away. In bottom of the first, he got two quick outs but then 
walked Edmonds/Jones/Ortiz. Alfonzo flied out to end inning. In second, Lieberthal 
doubles with one out. Lowe walks. Cora singles to load bases. McCracken K's...looks 
like Crudale will completely get out of it...but Edmonds walks to drive in one. 
Chipper hits ducksnort to center...looks like it will drop in to score two more and 
tie the game...but Hollandsworth comes up big with shoestring catch. 

Hollandsworth also doing it at the plate (and then some). He hit a 3-run homer in 
second and a 2-run shot in the 4th. 5-1 BCJ after 4. 

In 5th, the Zoots strike back against Wolf and Paronto. Inning starts innocently 
enough. Chipper grounds out. However, Ortiz doubles, Alfonzo singles. I pinch hit 
Olerud (on the bench due to his horrible OLCS performance) for Woodward against Wolf 
(who got hammered by lefties all year). Olerud hits single to drive in one. 5-2 BCJ. 
Lieberthal follows with walk to load bases with one out. Lowe is up. I pinch hit
Colbrunn. He counters with Paronto. Colbrunn hits a "if its fair it is long gone" type 
home run. 6-5 Zoots. 

With BCJ offense, one run is nothing. I know I need more. In a surprise move, Matt 
goes to Dotel in the 6th. Shockingly, I squeeze out a HUGE insurance run. Edmonds 
leads off with walk. Jones flies out. Ortiz K's. Looks like a nothing inning after the 
promising start. However, Alfonzo singles -- 2nd and 3rd two outs. I pinch hit Blum. 
BIG single to drive in one. 7-5 Zoots after 6. 

In 7th and 8th, I play match ups with the relievers against Matt's heavy split guys. 
Guthrie gives me 1.1 scoreless innings. Hasegawa gets Henderson and Bell to get me 
through 8. 

In bottom of 8th, Alfonzo gets hit by pitch with one out. Hasegawa's spot is up. I was 
just about to let him bunt him over because I liked Shiggy against the first two guys 
up in the 9th and I only had Payton and Schneider on my bench and I did not want to 
get left with no one in case Matt was able to tie it and it went extra innings. Just 
before I hit the "bunt" button, I go to my roster and pinch hit Payton against 
Hammond. He walks. 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Lieberthal then follows with a two-run double 
to just about ice it. 

I go to Bunger in the 9th -- no way I am going to risk anything by going to a "B" 
reliever...even with a 4 run lead. Matt's team is just too damn strong offensively. He 
gives up one hit (who else...Buchanan), but then gets McLemore to fly out weakly to 
center for the final out. 

Congratulations to Matt and the BCJ franchise on a great series. A really well-played 
series. My hat is off to him. 

As for the Zoots, it was a subdued locker room after the game. One case of good, but 
not great, champagne. Some back slapping and some smiles. However, with me and Billy 
Bone lurking in the background, no one dared celebrate too hard. Everyone who plays 
for Stamford knows two things: 

Their ain't no crying in baseball; and... 
Their ain't no celebratin' after the OLCS...this season is far from over.