Sam was in control on the mound in game 3, and after allowing back-to-back homers in the first, he retired twelve of the next fourteen batters he faced in a complete game win
Shady Characters were down 2-0 in their best-of-five first round series with Cheap Goats, but kept their 2020 season alive by winning game 3 by the score of 6-2. Led by Mike, who went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, and four RBI, Shady Characters scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to seal the victory and extend the series. Sam allowed two runs early before retiring twelve of the last fourteen hitters he faced en route to a complete game win.
Sam fell behind early in the top of the first, and it looked as if Cheap Goats would run away with the game and series. Brett led off the game with a solo homer to right-center, and Cheap Goats led 1-0. The next batter, Joey, hit a home run to left, and the back-to-back jacks gave Cheap Goats a 2-0 lead. They would be the only two runs Cheap Goats scored in the game. Sam retired Jordan and Christian to end the inning.
Cheap Goats celebrate at the plate after Brett’s leadoff homer in the top of the first
Christian started on the mound for Cheap Goats, and he was effective early. He allowed a one-out double to Mike, but stranded him at second, retiring Sam to end the inning.
Sam rolled through the top of the second, retiring Dinger and Brett in order.
Sam leaves the mound to snag a fly ball for an out
Christian matched Sam in the bottom of the second, sending Lucas and Dylan down consecutively.
Sam continued to cruise in the top of the third, retiring Joey and Jordan to end the inning.
Mike made several outstanding plays in the field in game 3, including this one-handed catch for an out
Christian allowed a one-out double to Sam in the bottom of the third, but he retired Lucas to strand Sam at second, ending the inning.
Christian doubled to start the top of the fourth, but Cheap Goats couldn’t capitalize. Sam retired Dinger and Brett to strand the runner at second, and the score remained 2-0.
Lucas snags a high fly ball for an out in right field
Shady Characters got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Mike hit a one-out solo homer. Christian retired Sam to end the inning, and Shady Characters had cut the deficit in half.
Cheap Goats continued to struggle against Sam, as Joey and Jordan were retired in order in the top of the fifth, and the score remained 2-1.
Shady Characters’ five-run fifth inning sealed a game 3 win and extended the best-of-five series with Cheap Goats
Shady Characters erupted in the bottom of the fifth, taking an insurmountable lead. Lucas led off the inning with a single, and he moved from first to third when Dylan followed with a single. Mike cleared the bases with an RBI triple, scoring both runs to put Shady Characters ahead 3-2. Sam followed with a triple, scoring Mike, and Shady Characters led 4-2. Christian retired Lucas for the first out of the inning, but Sam scored on the play, extending the Shady Characters lead to 5-2. Dylan then doubled, and Mike drove him in with an RBI double to make the score 6-2. Christian finally escaped the inning, retiring Sam for the second out.
Sam and Shady Characters had a four-run lead heading into the top of the sixth, and he made quick work of Cheap Goats. Christian led off the inning with a double, but Sam retired Dinger and Brett to strand him at second, ending the inning and the game.
Mike, who went 4-for-5 with four extra-base hits and four RBI, awaits a pitch from Christian
The win kept Shady Characters in the best-of-five series, as they trail Cheap Goats 2-1 heading into game 4.
W: Sam (1-1)
L: Christian (1-1)
Game Notes:
– Sam pitched the complete game win for Shady Characters, allowing two runs on four hits.
– Christian took the loss for Cheap Goats, giving up six runs on nine hits in five innings.
– Mike led Shady Characters on offense, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, two runs scored, and four RBI.
– Brett and Joey each hit solo homers for Cheap Goats, and Christian went 2-for-4 with two doubles.
– Brett hit a leadoff homer in the top of the first, the first of his career in the playoffs or regular season. It was the first leadoff homer in the playoffs since Erich hit one in the 2018 Wiffle Series.
I hope Shady Characters pull off the upset!