Cleveland Rocks the Rays…Take 2-1 Lead in the ALCS

Two games on today’s schedule. Game three of the ALCS in Cleveland. Series tied 1-1. And game four of the NLCS in Los Angeles. The Brewers ahead 3-0. Here’s a brief summary of both: The crowd was raucous in Progressive Field this afternoon as the Cleveland Guardians took a two to one series lead over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with a 3 to 2 victory. On a fine-looking afternoon with the stadium full of kids skipping school and adults calling in sick, the atmosphere was electric and the Guardians did not disappoint.

Gavin Williams started this afternoon’s game for Cleveland giving up two runs on two hits while striking out nine. Four relievers shut out the Rays the rest of the game giving up only one additional hit. Griffin Jax took the mound for the Rays. He lasted four innings giving up all three of Cleveland’s runs on five hits. Two Tampa relievers shut out the Guardians the rest of the way. Cleveland started the scoring in the bottom of the second as Jo Adell walked and came around to score on Nathaniel Lowe’s double to right field. 1-0 Guardians. Tampa took the lead in the top of the fourth. Yandy Diaz led off the inning with a double to center field. With two outs Victor Mesa walked. Chandler Simpson came through big time with a triple to right field scoring Diaz and Mesa. 2-1 Rays. The Guardians went back on top in the bottom of the fifth. Patrick Bailey led off with an infield single. Petey Halpin then stepped up to the plate and smacked a two-run homer to center field. 3-2 Cleveland. And that was it for the rest of the game. Possibly the most exciting 3 to 2 game I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere was palpable. I could feel it coming through my television set. I know what you’re thinking. I’ve lost it. I know. The next game will be tomorrow at 6:00 ET. Brewers Sweep the Dodgers…It’s on to the World Series for Milwaukee I don’t know what the odds were for a Milwaukee four-game sweep, but they must have been astronomical. But the Brew Crew did it.

They swept the two-time defending World Series champions 4 games to 0. However, the Brewers didn’t start off that well. In the bottom of the second Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernandez led off with back-to-back singles with Tucker ending up on third base. After one out Andy Pages singled to center field scoring Tucker. Then the mighty Shohei Ohtani finally got ahold of one and sent a three-run home run over the center field fence. 4-0 LA. Milwaukee picked reliever Shane Drohan to start tonight’s game. He lasted into the second inning but was replaced without getting an out. Dustin May came in for Drohan and gave up the big bomb to Ohtani. Things did settle down as Jo Jo Romero went two innings and Aaron Ashby the final three surrendering three hits between them, no runs, and striking out a trio apiece. Milwaukee got back in the game in the top of the fourth. With one out Brice Turang walked. William Contreras followed with a double to left field as Turang ended up on third. Jake Bauers followed with a double of his own scoring Turang and Contreras. 4-2 Dodgers. The Brewers tied it up in the top of the fifth. With one out Sal Frelick walked and then stole second base. He came around to score on David Hamilton’s single to right field. With two outs three Milwaukee batters drew bases on balls, which led to Hamilton scoring the tying run. The Brew Crew took the lead in the top of the sixth as Garrett Mitchell led off the inning with a home run to center field. 5-4 Milwaukee. The Brewers got an insurance run in the top of the ninth. With two outs David Hamilton smacked a homer to right field. 6-4 Milwaukee. And the Dodgers’ season is over. Wow… The Brewers will have a little time off while waiting for their World Series opponent. Game one of the WS is scheduled for Friday, the 23rd, in Milwaukee. Time TBD… Dave’s Dime…the atmosphere at Progressive Field Like I mentioned in my game summary, Cleveland’s Progressive Field was rockin’ and a rollin’ in this afternoon’s contest. Here’s a few things that make this stadium one of the best… Progressive Field was recently ranked number two on USA Today’s list of best Major League Baseball stadiums. The stadium’s architectural style has been called “industrial aesthetic”. It’s was built using Indiana limestone and Pennsylvania brick that represents Cleveland’s heritage. Progressive Field is located in downtown Cleveland’s Gateway District. Great city skyline views, it’s quite walkable, and the crowds are among the best. I think I mentioned in an earlier column that Progressive Field is home to one of the largest scoreboards in MLB. It’s 59x229 feet. I’d try and figure out how big that really is but it’s late and I’m kind of tired. And, understandably, the food selection is top-rated. I’ll just list a few items on the menu: Surf ‘n’ Turf…consisting of a beef brisket burnt-end sausage covered with lobster salad and something called Boom Boom sauce. Steak Sandwich…four ounces of Angus beef prime New York strip-steak with provolone cheese, horseradish money sauce, chimichurri, and onion straws. Beef Tallow Seasoned Popcorn…I think I might pass on that one, but it’s one of their signature snacks.

I might ask the guy sitting next to me to let me pick a popped kernel out of his bag, but only if he’s smaller than I. Jackhammer Sausage…a Pepperjack cheese sausage with dill pickle salsa on a hot dog roll. Aladdin’s Med Dog…a beef kafta with tomato-cucumber salata, hummus, Aladdin’s Hot Sauce on a potato bun. I despise hummus. So, I’d ask for my Med Dog to be hummus free. Gluten is okay. Slider Dog…their iconic stadium hot dog topped with Froot Loops. Froot Loops? I’ll take mine with Honey Nut Cheerios. And then, in my opinion, their biggest draw: Jose Ramirez. The Guardian’s main man has been with the team since his rookie year of 2013. He’s a seven-time All-Star, two-time All MLB First Team, and six-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He’s also their biggest cheerleader. He is Cleveland baseball. I know most of you don’t have this on your bucket list, but I’d love to see a ballgame at Progressive Field before I go to that big field of dreams in the sky.