Gore, Cobb stun the Biscuits late; Carnies Win!

World Series Game 6
Otherton Fishbiscuits @ Bertrand Island Carnies

Falling short of title chances since 2006, owner Lou P and his Bertrand Island Carnies defeated the Otherton Fishbicuits 6-5 in 10 innings, winning the ATB XIV World Series in 6 games.  

The Fishbiscuits, despite a poor start from Addie Joss, never yielded, using an incredible 8 total pitchers in the game.  In the end, and perhaps fittingly in the minds of the baseball gods, Pete Alexander gave up the game winning hit..  Alexander as you may recall, was drafted by the Carnies as their ace starter, but after an incredibly dissappointing first half, was jettisoned in a mid season trade for Joe Wood, who didn't throw a pitch in any of the playoff series.

The Fishbiscuits had Carnie starter Curt Schilling on the ropes early, smacking 5 hits and drawing a walk in the first three innings.  The opportunities were squandered though, and the visiting Biscuits didn't score until the fourth on a solo shot by Fred Clarke.

Otherton added two in 5th on a Hank Aaron  home run, and two more in the 6th on a Placido Polanco single.  Polanco's single gave Otherton back the lead at 5-4.

An inning prior, the Carnies put up a crooked number thanks to a Fred Carroll run scoring double and a rare Ty Cobb home run.  Their first run of the game occured in the 4th on a Johhne Mize double to right.

Four relievers would  hold the Biscuit lead in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings, eventually turning the game over to a shocked Trevor Hoffman.  Shocked because Hoffman, having seen all of 12 innings in the regular season, was now on the hook for the save and forcing a Game 7.

How exactly did this happen?  A quirk in how the Fishbiscuit bullpen was constructed.  Joakim Soria, both the long reliever, #1 setup man, and #2 closer, entered the game in the 5th with his team leading 3-2.  This would, of course, have repercussions later in the game.  After letting two inherited runners score, Soria did make the final out in the 5th but didn't come out in the 6th.

That job went to Kent Tekulve, the #2 long reliever, #2 setup man, and also the teams closer.  By the time the 6th inning was complete, the Biscuits had burned through the best two setup men and closers on the roster.  

Al Grabowski, Hong-Chi Kuo, and Andrew Bailey pitched stellar 7th and 8th innings leaving the bullpen depleted and the ball in Hoffman's hands.

George Gore took a first pitch fastball deep down the right field line for a lead off double.  He moved to third on a Sac Fly and a walk later, scored on an Orator Shaffer grounder between first and second.  Hoffman got out of the inning with a double play on the next batter, but the damage was done and the game was tied.

Otherton put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs, but Honus Wagner was robbed of a hit when Ty Cobb made a wonderful diving catch on a sinking line drive to centerfield.  The shot would have easily scored a run had Cobb not been roaming center.

Hoffman came out for the 10th and as we seem to see so often, faced the player who ended the previous inning with a great catch.  Cobb singled and Hoffman, rattled, walked the next batter on 4 pitches.  

This brought Frank Baker to the plate and Otherton signaled for a reliever.  It was Pete Alexander.  Baker sacrificed the runners up a base and rather face Frank Thomas, Otherton gave him the intentional pass.

The 9th inning sparkplug Gore was up next, and the left fielder drove in the league winning run on a liner to right field.

The series MVP was Cobb.  He batted .462 with a .731 slugging, scoring 7 and driving in 5.  He led the Carnies in hits, doubles, triples, and stolen bases.

Starting Pitchers Results
Joss (OFB)::::::4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Schilling(BIC): 5.0IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K