DiNap vs Longiaru

The Mariners went out in game one and played well rounded wiff to go out and hold the Cards to just a few hits and no runs.  DiNap was on the mound and found a grove early as he cruised through much of the game with barely any worry of an offensive threat from the light hitting Cardinals.  Although Cruz ripped a ball to center field and the Cardinals thought they had a double off the bat, Fliesser went on a full out sprint and go to the wall and stomped on the ball before it reached the fence.  When I tell you the ball was no further than a half inch, I am not kidding. After that one spark, DiNap continued to mow down the bats.  Fliesser got the hitting going for the Mariners as he took a 2-0 change up from Longiaru deep over the right field fence.  It was an absolute no doubter and got the Mariners on the board with pretty much all they would need.  Later in the 4th inning, Istorico added a 2 out bases clearing double to make it 3-0.  Mariners went out in the 5th and shut it down for the first victory and taking a 1-0 series lead.

Mariners go with Veteran PWBL “second round draft pick” Ace to Take Game Two

The Cardinals sent Olly Avillone to the mound after throwing 11 innings last weekend in the quarter finals.  Reports were out that Olly had injured his arm/shoulder.  That didn’t stop him from going out there and taking the hill.  The Mariners sent John Istorico out there.  In Istorico’s last playoff appearance, it was actually against the Mariners last year, he gave up a grand slam that allowed the Mariners to move on to the next round.  With Istorico last memories of playoff wiff clear in his head, he brought some nasty stuff to the mound to make sure that didn’t happen again.  The first inning was smooth as could be for Olly as he struck out the side. Istorico went out in the bottom half and had a bumpy start but was able to pull through after walking 2 batters.  Fliesser came up to the plate with a runner on in the second.  He does it again.  A 2 run bomb over the right field fence which gave the Mariners an early 2-0 lead.  **This is now the 3rd straight year where Fliesser hit 2 home runs in the second round of the playoffs.**  The Mariners thought they could add more later on while having 1st and 3rd with two outs, but Olly buckled down and got the out that he needed. The Cardinal bats were extremely quiet for the second game and the Mariners made the plays they needed to in the field.  Istorico struck out Lanks to end the game and the Mariners advance to their fourth straight finals.  Do they finally have enough fire power in the lineup to take one down? We’ll find out as the Mariners take on the high powered Expos offense and arm of Ryan Bush on October 2nd at College Lane Field.