2002 A.L. DIVISION SERIES #2

Jarod Washburn pitched a complete game gem allowing a solo Hr to Deran Erstad and one other hit. The Expos led by Larry Walker and Todd Helton pounded out 12 hits and 6 runs in a 6-1 Expos win. It was only their 3rd playoff win in 9 years.

Final Score: Harper Woods 6 – Corktown 1
Series 1-0  – Harper Woods

Win: Jarrod Washburn 1-0 (1.00)
Loss: Omar Daal 9-1 (3.18)

1998 World Series champion Corktown said “Hold my beer, little Brother” destroying the Expos 15-4 in game 2. Brian Jordan was the Bootlegger hero going 3 for 6 with 2 Bombs.

Final Score:  Corktown 15 – Harper Woods 4
Series Split 1-1

Win: Steve Trachsel 1-0 (4.50)
Loss: Kerry Ligtenberg 0-1 (108.00)

Corktown and Harper Woods split the series 1-1. The next 3 are in Corktown.
Harper Woods and Corktown head back to Detroit to play games 3-5 with the series all tied up at 1.

1st Inning: The Expos started strong, scoring two runs with an RBI single by A. Sanchez and an RBI double by T. Walker. The Bootleggers quickly answered back with a two-run home run by J. Giambi, tying the game at 2-2.

2nd Inning: The Expos broke the tie and extended their lead significantly. They scored four runs, highlighted by a bases-loaded single by D. Bautista and a three-run home run by L. Walker, making it 6-2. The Bootleggers replaced their starting pitcher, F. Garcia, with J. Garland.

3rd Inning: The Expos continued their offensive push with another solo home run by T. Walker, bringing the score to 7-2. The Bootleggers responded with a two-run home run by E. Burks, narrowing the gap to 7-4.

4th Inning: Both teams were quiet offensively. The Bootleggers loaded the bases but were unable to score, ending the inning with a double play.

5th Inning: Neither team scored in the fifth.

6th Inning: The Expos added another run with a solo home run by B. Larkin, increasing their lead to 8-4.

7th Inning: The Expos put up two more runs with a series of singles, including an RBI single by T. Walker and an RBI single by C. Gomez, making it 10-4. The Bootleggers brought in another relief pitcher, T. Percival. The Bootleggers also changed pitchers to J. Cruz.

8th Inning: The Bootleggers managed to score one run on an RBI single by J. Giambi, making the score 10-5.

9th Inning: The Expos went scoreless in the top of the ninth. The Bootleggers replaced their pitcher again, bringing in M. Crudale. In the bottom of the ninth, the Bootleggers were shut down, ending the game.

The Expos’ offense was powered by multiple home runs from L. Walker, T. Walker, and B. Larkin, as well as timely hitting throughout the game. The Bootleggers showed some pop with home runs from J. Giambi and E. Burks but couldn’t overcome the Expos’ consistent scoring.

Final Score: Harper Woods 10 – Corktown 5
Series 2-1  – Harper Woods

Win: Mile Mussina 1-0 (6.00)
Loss: Freddy Garcia 0-1 (10.80) 

The Bootleggers took an early lead in the bottom of the 1st with a leadoff home run by A. Rodriguez. They extended their lead significantly in the bottom of the 5th, scoring four runs. Key hits in this inning included a two-run home run by A. Rodriguez and an RBI single by G. Matthews. During this inning, the Expos also made a pitching change, bringing in Gary Knotts for C. Zambrano.

The Expos mounted a comeback in the top of the 7th, highlighted by a three-run home run from C. Gomez, making the score 5-3. The Bootleggers then brought in Tim Spooneybarger to relieve M. Batista.

In the top of the 8th, the Expos continued to chip away at the lead, scoring another run on a single by T. Walker, bringing the score to 5-4. The Bootleggers made another pitching change, bringing in Ugueth Urbina. The Bootleggers loaded the bases in the bottom of the 8th but failed to score, leaving three runners stranded.

In the top of the 9th, with the Bootleggers bringing in Troy Percival to close the game, the Expos went down in order, securing the 5-4 victory for the Bootleggers.

Final Score: Corktown 15 – Harper Woods 4
Series Split 2-2

Win: Miguel Batista1-0(4.50)
Loss: Carlos Zambrano 0-1 (9.64)
Save: Troy Percival #1

The Expos got off to a quick start. After two quick outs, L. Walker hit a home run, putting the Expos up 1-0. T. Helton then doubled, and T. Walker followed with another double, scoring Helton and extending the lead to 2-0.

Bottom of the 1st
The Bootleggers responded. After an out and a walk to A. Rodriguez, Rodriguez stole second. J. Giambi hit a ball that was dropped by Expos’ Sanchez, allowing Rodriguez to score, making it 2-1.

Top of the 3rd
The Expos added to their lead. A. Sanchez singled and advanced to second. T. Helton then singled, bringing Sanchez home and pushing the score to 3-1.

Pitching Changes and Key Plays
Both starting pitchers, O. Daal for the Bootleggers and J. Washburn for the Expos, pitched effectively through the middle innings.

The Bootleggers loaded the bases in the bottom of the 4th with no outs, but a crucial double play turned by the Expos’ infield got them out of the jam, maintaining their 3-1 lead.

O. Daal was relieved in the top of the 7th by M. Crudale.

J. Washburn was relieved in the bottom of the 8th by K. Ligtenberg.

A. Rodriguez for the Bootleggers was thrown out at home in the 8th, attempting to score on a double by E. Burks, a critical out that kept the Expos’ lead at two runs.

M. Crudale was relieved in the top of the 9th by K. Ainsworth.

K. Ligtenberg was relieved in the bottom of the 9th by E. Gagne, who came in for the save.

Bottom of the 9th – Nail-Biting Finish
The Bootleggers mounted a comeback in the final inning. G. Matthews singled, and pinch-runner C. Gipson advanced to third on a single by R. Martinez, who also reached second. Martinez then scored on his hit, making it 3-2. D. Glanville laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Martinez to third, and Y. Torrealba hit a comebacker that held Martinez at third with two outs. With the tying run on third, B. Jordan flied out to left field, ending the game. and giving the Expos a massive victory heading home.

Final Score: Harper Woods 10 – Corktown 5
Series 3-2  – Harper Woods

Win: Jarrod Washburn 2-0 (0.56)
Loss: Omar Daal 0-2 (3.75)
Save: Eric Gagne #1

Harper Woods takes 2 games on the road and now has 2 opportunities to close out the pesky bootleggers in front of their home crowd.

The Expos come out swinging scoring 5 runs in the first 2 innings. They don’t look back winning it 9-4 taking the series 4 games to 2.

Final Score: Harper Woods 9 – Corktown 4
Harper Woods Win the Series 4-2

Win: Kerry Wood 1-0 (5.06)
Loss: Steve Trachsel 1-1 (9.82)

This victory marks a significant achievement for the Expos, who win their first ever playoff series in 9 years! Their balanced attack, timely pitching, and resilience under pressure propelled them to a memorable series win and a spot in the American League Championship Series.