2006 Thunder Bay World Series

THUNDER BAY, NJ -- Kentucky sweeps West Orange in four.  World Series MVP Ken Griffey, Jr. leads the Kentucky WildCats to victory by going 5-11 .455 BA, .538 OBP. and .818 SLG.  The Kentucky WildCats use a combination of offense and great relief in defeating West Orange 4 games to 0, hitting .340 as a team and scoring 32 runs with 13 double and 7 homers. WildCat’s bullpen allows 3 runs in 13 2/3 innings, 1.98, stranding all 8 inherited runners.  After winning 115, 114, and 114, the WildCats finally win their 1st TBBL championship.

Game # 1- 9-4 Kentucky

Jorge Cantu drills a 2-run 2nd inning homer and Ken Griffey adds one of his own in the 3rd to pace the WildCats in gm1 of the TBBL World Series. The pitching duel between Roger Clemens and Rich Harden never materializes as Clemens allows 4 runs in 7 innings and Harden gives up 5 in 5. Griffey is 3-3 w/ homer. Hall-Kentucky and Dunn have HRs.

Game #2 – 10-3 Kentucky

Hunter, Fasano, and Hall, (3-3), homer as WildCats slug their way to a 2-0 Series lead. Peralta homers for the Panthers. Brandon Webb tosses 7 innings of one run ball for the Kentucky win. Pettite is hammered for 6 in 6 innings for the West Orange loss.

Game #3 – 6-5 Kentucky

See-saw battle as Kentucky draws 1st blood in the 1st on a bases loaded passed ball. Hollins homers deep to left to tie the game up in the 2nd. Dellucci’s 2 run homer puts Kentucky up 3-1 in bottom of 2nd and all looks good until Gary Sheffield crushes a 2 out 3-run homer in the 5th. Ramon Hernandez comes off the bench with a 2 out 2 run PH double to put the WildCats ahead in the 7th and then the Panther’s Gary Sheffield ties it with a leadoff home run on a change up from Todd Jones in the top of the 8th. Travis Hafner gets the GWH with a 2 out single in the top of the 9th off of Cliff Politte.

Game #4 -- 6-5 Kentucky

West Orange jumps out to a 6-3 lead after 3 as both starters, Kazmir and Garland are ineffective. Kentucky’s bullpen throws 6 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and a 2 out 4 run 6th inning rally give the WildCats the sweep and the World Series championship. Griffey starts things off with a bases loaded single and Ramon Hernandez delivers another clutch hit off the bench. Only homer is 3 run Barajas home run in the 2nd.