MVPCS '05 - Game #3: Padres head home to wrap up series

Forcing myself away from Meet the Fockers and constant Michael Landon insults by Biron, I decided to actually go online and play a bit of our MVP best - of - 7 series Thursday night.

Game 3 was every bit as epic as the first two games as the series shifted to the immense dimensions of Petco Park in America's finest city, San Diego, California.

You hit it out here, you have major wood

Adam Eaton faced off against Ramon Ortiz in the always pivotal third game of the set.
The game was scoreless until the third when with runners on second and third, Mark Loretta battled back on a 3-2 pitch to drive in Greene for the first run, and unearned one at that thanks to a smooth defensive boot by Ryan "I feel fine I can drive home" Freel. 1-0 Pads

The lead did not last long as the Mayor, Sean Casey blasted one out on a screaming liner to virtually dead center field to tie the game at 1-1 after five innings of play.

Eaton settled in after that holding the Reds scoreless as the Padres battled a combination of David Weathers, Ben Weber and Ryan Wagner after Ortiz left after a quick 5 innings.

Wagner started the bottom of the eighth, quickly retiring pinch hitter and secret weapon Mike Mad Dog Sweeney before facing the lefty Dave Roberts. It was time for some Padres hijinks as Roberts lined a screamer off of the cut out dimension on the right field wall. Austin Kearns made a desperate attempt to cut off the bad bounce, actually getting to the ball quickly before throwing to where Ryan Freel was supposed to cut the ball. Alas, Freel was thinking of where in Old Town he was going to suck down some suds, the ball missed the cut-off man for an inside-the-park HR for Dave Roberts, 2-1 Pads take the lead.

Loretta grounded out 3/unassisted as the red-hot Brian Giles stepped in and launched a solo-shot to RF.

Hells Bells time. Hoffman came in to close out Game 3 but ran into instant problems giving up back-to-back singles to Freel and Griffey before the only Reds hitter worth a damn this game Sean Casey dropped one oppo field to drive in Freel from second putting runners on first and third with none out.

In typical Hoffman fasion, a few changeups here for a K, a line out, a pop out and this game was history. The Final 3-2 Padres taking a 2-1 lead in the series.

Batting:
CIN - Freel 1-4, R; Griffey 2-4; Casey 2-4 R; Kearns 0-4; Dunn 0-4, R; Randa 0-4, RBI; Lopez 0-4, R; LaRue 1-3, R; Ortiz 0-0, SAC ; Cruz 1-1

SD - Roberts 2-4 R; Loretta 1-4; Giles 1-4 R; Nevin 1-4; Klesko 0-3; Hernandez 0-3; Greene 0-3 R; Burroughs 0-3; Eaton 0-1, BB; Sweeney 0-1

HR: CIN - Casey (2), SD - Roberts (1); Giles (1)
RBI: CIN - Casey (4); SD - Roberts (1); Loretta (1); Giles (1)
CS: CIN - none, SD - Roberts (1)
E: CIN - Freel, SD - none

Pitching:
CIN - Ortiz: 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER 4 K; Weathers: 1 IP, 0 H/R 2 K; Weber: 1 IP, 0 H/R 2 K; Wagner (L 0-1) 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 1 K

SD - Eaton (W 1-0): 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 K, 1 HR; Hoffman SV(2): 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 K

San Diego leads series at 2-1

*Amendment to the series, FIX YOUR ROSTERS! We are using custom rosters, no reason to still have Danny Graves on the team or have to use Jimenez, the guy is at freaking AA ball* Just thought I 'd share that one.

In keeping consistent theme, here is the chick at the end of the blog and a link that may just make u cream your jeans Tenacious D time you muthaf'rs.

Anyone need a car wash?