Playoffs Kick Off In Style

Series 1 AL #3 Las Vegas Immortals - #6 Boise Land Sharks
The sharks and the Immortals did battle in the dessert. The sharks got out to a early 2-0 lead in the top of the 4th with a 2 run RBI single from Billy Piatt. The home team got back in the game in the bottom of the inning on a RBI ground out from Shawn Houston as the score was 2-1 after the 4th.
The Immortals would break the game open and seal the win by scoring 4 runs between the 7th and 8th inning.
Las Vegas 1-0

Series 2 AL #4 Cleveland Blazers - #5 Texas Rangers
The excitement in Cleveland was furious to say the least. The Blazers were able to bring playoff baseball back to the city after a drought since season 4. The Blazers would not disappoint in the early going. Staking themselves to a 3 run lead after RBI singles from Alex Manto, Hiram Prince and Mel Grace in the bottom of the first inning. Texas would go on to score 2 runs in the top half of the 3rd on a Kelly Flanagan 2 run jack. With the score 3-2 and a pitchers duel going on, the fans in Cleveland felt an appauling kick in their stomachs. The 7th inning would prove to be another in a long line of playoff disasters for the city. As the team would go through 3 pitchers and give up a pair of 2 run home runs. Texas would stay ahead after the 7th and win.
Texas 1-0

Series 3 NL #3 Toronto Trail of Tears - #6 Helena Triple H's
The championship hunt for the Tears began slowly this season. The game was tight throughout the entire night. The Tears would get a head start with a 3 run 2nd inning behind RBI's from Ignacio Toca, Geoffery Paulson and Rick Mackowiak. Helena would nibble away at the lead with a solo shot from Joaquin Amaro in the third. Toronto would extend the lead to three again with a RBI from Norm Lowell in the 4th. The Triple H's would own the game from the 5th inning on to tie the game in the 9th. The Tears however would live up to their name as Mackowiak would strike again in the bottom of the 10th. Crushing a game ending walk off HR.
Toronto 1-0

Series 4 NL #4 Jacksonville PnB's - #5 Portland Rainmakers
Jacksonville hosted Portland in a bitter battle of NL giants. Each would score a run in the 2nd inning to knott the game at 1. Jacksonville's offense would make itself known in the 4th. Pascual Guerro lifted a 3 run shot out of the park to give the PnBs a 4-1 lead. Portland would answer with a run in the 5th to make it 4-2. The game however would come unhinged for the PnBs in the 6th. An offensive onslaught led by J.D. Lloyd would allow the Rainmakers to go ahead for good.
The 5 run 6th inning proved too much to overcome as the PnBs fell to the Rain.
Portland 1-0

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