The Wildcats have too much, both on the mound and at the plate.  Houston's hopes were dashed by the Hernandez ruling and may mange just one win in this series.

#1 Jamie Garcia (14-9 3.79) vs. Josh Beckett (12-8 2.50) / (15-11 2.75)

October 4, 2012 at Great American Ball Park.  The Oil Barons defeat the Wildcats 4-3 in 12 innings to take game #1. Surprise starter Josh Beckett, 12-8 2.50, for the WildCats, goes only two plus innings, leaving with two runs in and bases loaded. Motte comes in and induces a home to 1^st double play, then a K to keep the game close. Trailing 3-1 in the 8^th, PH Jason Giambi ties the game up with a massive 2 run shot. Valverde picks up the win with three innings of no hit relief as Houston’s Berkman’s 12^th inning homerun wins it for the Oil Barons. Berkman goes 3-6 on the day. Votto goes 2-3 for the Wildcats. 

#2 Tim Shauffer (14-13 5.58) vs. Roy Halladay (21-8 3.35) 

October 5, 2012 at Great American Ball Park.  The Oil Barons squeeze by the Wildcats 5-4.  Berkman and Ruz trade home runs early before Cody Ross rakes a 2-run long ball as Houston explodes for 3 in the 4^th knocking Cy Young candidate Roy Halladay out the game. WildCats rally to tie the game in the 7^th but a single by Berkman wins it in the 9^th.

#3 Javier Vasquez (9-6 5.08) / (13-10 4.50) vs. AJ Burnett (6-6 4.85) 

On October 7, 2012, it was a cold 45 degrees at Progressive Field.  The Wildcats prevailed with a 10-6 victory.  AJ Burnett was hammered for 7 runs in 7 innings. WildCats jumped out to a 6-1 lead after hitting in the 2^nd but Vasquez was chased from the mound. The Kentucky bullpen held the Houston offense scoreless until Bailey gave up 3 8^th inning runs but the WildCats had built a 9-3 lead by then. Jason Giambi belted two homeruns and knocked in three for the winners.  Thome was 2-4 for the Oil Barons.

#4 Josh Beckett (12-8 2.50) / (15-11 2.75) vs. Edwin Volquez (4-6 4.76) 

It was 74 degrees for the first pitch on October 8, 2012 at Progressive Field as the WildCats attempt to even the series.  The Wildcats take this one with a 9-4 final score.  Oil Barons jump to an early 3-0 lead but Mark Reynolds, 2-17 in the series, hits a thunderous 2 out 3-run homer to tie the game in the 6^th. Houston quickly takes the lead in the bottom of the inning. Carlos Ruiz’s bases loaded single plates 2 runs and Cozart adds an insurance run as Kentucky takes the lead with a 4 run 8^th, and then tack on 2 in the 9^th.

Carlos Ruiz has 4 RBI’s for the game but it is Reynolds 3 run shot that all talk about.

#5  Roy Halladay (21-8 3.35) vs. Jamie Garcia (14-9 3.79)

It was a crisp 46 degrees on October 9, 2012 at Progressive Field.  The Wildcats edge the Oil Barons by a 3-1 score to take a 3 game to 2 lead and head back to the friendly confines of Great American Ballpark.  Doc Halladay is the winner as he pitches into the 6^th after a 3 run top of the inning gives the WildCats a good lead, allowing only 1 unearned run. Mark Reynolds big 2 out 2 run double gives the Kentucky squad a lead that is held by the bullpen with 4 scoreless innings of relief. Choo had a 2-3 day.

#6 Javier Vasquez (9-6 5.08) / (13-10 4.50) vs. Tim Shauffer (14-13 5.58)

October 11, 2012 at Great American Ball Park.  The Oil Barons were nipped by the Wildcats by a score of 7-5.  The Wildcats survive the series, 4 games to 2. The Oil Barons get first blood on a Justin Upton homer in the 2^nd only to see a Joey Votto double tie it up. A 2 out 3 run homer by Richie Weeks gives Houston a 4-1 4^th inning lead only to see the WildCats’ Choo hammer a 3 run dinger in the 5^th. A Berkman double gives the Oil Barons a 5-4 lead which is held until the 8^th, when with 2 out, Chris Heisley 1-17 in the series, ties the game with a BIG fly ball that barely clears the fence. After the next 2 WildCats hitters reach, Mark Reynolds steps to the plate and lines a 2 run double deep to left center. Houston puts 2 on with 2 out in the 9^th before Roy Halladay, in relief, retires Joe Mauer on a DEEP fly out to the wall. Mauer finishes 3-5 game for the Oil Barons. 

Thanks to Scott for the great playoff action.

 Valverde throws 6 innings of no-hit ball for the Oil Barons but his 3 inning outing in game #1 extra inning win kept him out of action for the next three games.

 The Kentucky WildCats bullpen strand 38 of 41 base runners and that is the STORY. 34 1/3 innings and only 7 runs allowed for a fine 1.83 ERA.

Mark Reynolds, .284 BA, .690 Slg., .368 Obp, 39 doubles, 2 triples, 64 home runs, 129 runs, and 161 RBI’s on the season started out slow in the series but finished with 7 RBI’s, .240 BA, 2 doubles, HR, and 4 walks. Maybe he is saving it for the next series. J

Joey Votto is MVP with .318 BA, 3 doubles, homer, 8 walks, 7 runs and 7 RBI’s. 

Rocky

Kentucky WildCats