Bus Leagues Express: September 14

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Pawtucket punches ticket to Durham: With their 4-1 win over Charlotte, the Pawtucket Red Sox swept the Knights to win their first International League Championship since 1984. Their pitching really carried the team in the postseason, especially in the finals against Charlotte. After their regular season offense proved to be good but not quite great, the Knights were only able to score three runs in three games against Pawtucket. Nelson Figueroa won the clincher, striking out five and only allowing one run in six innings. It took the PawSox just two innings to get all the offense they needed with a single and sac fly that scored a pair of runs in the 2nd. With the win, Pawtucket advances to the AAA National Championship in Durham against an opponent to be determined. Omaha and Reno are tied at one in the PCL Championship.

Hudson Valley wins New York Penn League Championship: After finishing the regular season with the NYPL’s best record, the Hudson Valley Renegades survived a couple 1-0 series scares to come away with the title. In their 8-3 win Thursday, they scored four 1st inning runs and knocked starter Joe Bircher out of the game, only recording one out. While Brady Rodgers relieved him and struck out six in 3.2 scoreless innings, Tri-City chipped away at Hudson Valley starter Matthew Spann, knocking him out of the game with two runs allowed in 2.1 innings. Tri-City wouldn’t get any closer though as Hudson Valley tacked on insurance runs with a pair of two run innings late in the game. Ryan Dunn and Marty Gantt each had two RBI in the clinching game despite their combined batting average being .215. It’s the second championship in team history after winning their first in 1999.

Davidson homer puts Mobile one win away from title: Although they had a league worst 29-41 record in the 2nd half, now Mobile is a win away from winning the Southern League Championship with their 10 inning, 4-2 win over Jackson. In the 10th, Matt Davidson hit his 2nd home run of the postseason off Jonathan Arias to give them a 2-1 series lead over Jackson. Taijuan Walker was in top form in his final start of the season, striking out nine in 5.1 scoreless innings. Unfortunately, he had to leave the game with a blister. With only 80 pitches and 57 of them for strikes, Walker surely could’ve gone longer had the blister not popped up, and in the end, their bullpen couldn’t hold the lead they built. Mobile now has to win one out of two games at home to win the league championship.

Homers back Anderson in Asheville blowout: Although they left McCormick Field for the season, the Tourists brought their home run bats to Greensboro in a 9-0 game three win. Seven of their nine runs scored came on four home runs by Taylor Featherston, Ryan Casteel, Jared Simon and Trevor Story. While the offense was hammering four Greensboro pitchers, 2011 1st rounder Tyler Anderson was shutting down the Hoppers. After a very solid pro debut in the regular season, Anderson carried his momentum into the postseason. With his seven scoreless innings in game three, he lowered his postseason ERA to 0.69 while improving to 2-0. Greensboro is now on the brink of elimination at home in this five game series.

Rea’s career outing ties Midwest League Championship: Fort Wayne needed to get out of Wisconsin with one win in the MWL finals, and they did just that with a career long start from Colin Rea. The 2011 12th rounder averaged less than five innings per start in the regular season, but he allowed just one run in seven innings in Fort Wayne’s 5-2 game two win over Wisconsin. He only needed 84 pitches to get through those seven innings, and 53 of them were strikes. He improved to 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in the postseason. Lee Orr‘s solo home run gave the TinCaps a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning, and Duanel Jones‘ two run blast in the 9th provided insurance for their bullpen. After a day off today, the best-of-five series resumes tomorrow with three games at Fort Wayne.

Ogden explodes to even series: Runs are never at a shortage in the Pioneer League, and Missoula and Ogden took full advantage of that hitting environment in game two of the Pioneer League Championship. Down 1-0, the Raptors needed to win to force a game three, and after allowing a run in the top of the 1st, they did some 1st inning scoring of their own with a three run inning that included a two run homer by Jeremy Rathjen. In the 3rd inning, Ogden piled on seven runs, all with two outs. After the second out was recorded, seven straight Ogden batters reached base, and suddenly it was a 10-1 game. Missoula fired back with five of their own in the 4th to knock starter Lindsey Caughel out of the game, but the Raptors continued tacking on runs to win 13-7. Rathjen led the team with four RBI, and the bottom four hitters in the lineup combined to reach base 11 times and drive in seven runs.

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