Griffleball World Series Games 1 and 2 Recap

It was a beautiful night for Griffleball. There wasn't too much wind and the summer heat gave the league a break on Sunday. As the sun set, the lights turned on at the Griffle Grounds and the GBL World Series was underway. After a rough introduction from your truly, the Gashouse Gorillas and Stallionaires were ready to get started. Each team stepped on to the concrete playing surface believing they could win but, only one would walk away victorious on this day.

The first week of World Series action would be controlled by the Gashouse Gorillas and more specifically, Jim Tucker.  Tucker was the Gashouse Gorillas Game 1 starter for the World Series and he did not disappoint. He dominated the Stallionaires en route to one of the best pitching performances in World Series history.

To lead off the game, Nate Bryan stepped up to the lawn chair for his 100th career Griffleball game. He tipped his cap to all the fans watching and listening worldwide. As it was a fine moment for Bryan and the GBL, he may want to forget how Game 1 ended sometime soon.

In the first inning, Tucker completed his first of four one-two innings to give his team a chance to get on top early. In the bottom half of the first, his team did not wait long to deliver.  After a few walks from Stallionaires' starter John Reyna, the Gashouse Gorillas' Ryan Galiher gave the 2015 World Series its first home run. With two on base and one out, Galiher hit a rocket over Nate Bryan's head to give the Gashouse Gorillas an early 3-0 advantage.

Already down 3-0, the Stallionaires needed just one big swing and they would have that chance when the game moved to the third. Matt Kuna and Bryan would both draw walks during the inning and Kuna would return to the lawn chair with two runners on base. The 1-0 pitch to Kuna would have the Gashouse fans on the edge of their seats. Kuna ripped the the high fastball from Tucker down the first base line. Off the bat the ball had the distance but, began to slice. The end result, strike one. Tucker would then throw two off-speed pitches to strike out Kuna and end the inning.

The Gashouse Gorillas were looking to take the pressure off their ace, Tucker, and they would add a bit of relief to the scoreboard in the bottom half of the third. After Galiher grounded out to start the inning, Gashouse would single twice and draw a walk to load the bases. The next batter leads the league in most postseason numbers and would add to his incredible playoff resume. Jeremy Ratajczyk crushed the first pitch just out of reach of Bryan and into the right field grass in increase the lead to 7-0.

Entering the fourth, Tucker had not allowed a hit and would be allowed to return to the mound to see if he could complete his no-hit bid. In the last two innings, Tucker struck out three of four and completes the GBL's ninth no-hitter in history as Gashouse would win Game 1 7-0. Tucker's no-hitter was the third playoff no-hitter and second World Series no-hitter in league history.

The two teams had a short media break before Game 2. This was a good time for the Stallionaires to re-group and find a way to even the series. With Tucker off the mound for the second game, the Stallionaires had a good opportunity to steal Game 2 away from the home team. The Gashouse Gorillas had other plans.

After getting no-hit in the first game, the Stallionaires did not wait long for their first hit in Game 2. Nate Bryan led off the inning with a single and the Stallionaires had their first hit in the World Series. After the hit, the Gashouse Gorillas pitching staff would enter lock-down mode once again and only allowed one more hit for the rest of the game.

In the bottom half of the first, Ryan Galiher stepped up to the plate. He would send a David Konopasek pitch into right field that had the distance. Off the bat, Bryan had a good jump on the ball heading to the grass in right and sprinted to its precise location make an over-the-shoulder grab to rob Galiher of a lead off home run.

Looking like a wide receiver making the catch on the sideline.

The next out in the first for the Stallionaires was a little harder to manage. After Bryan robbed Galiher, the next five batters would reach base. The first run of the game came by none other than the commissioner, Jeremy Ratajczyk. With the bases loaded, Rat singled to give Gashouse a 1-0 lead. The next batter, Jim Tucker, would walk after an intense battle at the lawn chair to increase the score to 2-0.

In the top of the second, the Stallionaires had a chance to respond with two men on base. After a walk by Bryan and a single by Kuna, Konopasek made his way to the chair to see if he could put the Stallionaires on the scoreboard. He would walk away empty-handed. Galiher struck out Konopasek to end the inning as the Stallionaires would leave runners on base once again in the second.

With a 2-0 lead, the Gashouse Gorillas were gifted a run in the bottom half of the second. Gashouse had men on first and second with one out when Galiher made his way to the plate. Galiher literally crushed a wiffle-ball into the ground directly at Bryan but, the ball was dented and made a funny hop. Bryan could not field the ball as the bounce ate him up and loaded the bases for Gashouse. Immediately after the error, Tucker would single to put Gashouse up 3-0.

In the third and fourth inning, both the Stallionaires and Gashouse Gorillas did not see a single batter reach base. While Galiher and Ratajczyk shut down the Stallionaires in those innings, the Stallionaires countered with Matt Kuna. Kuna added to his incredible pitching numbers in the playoffs by adding two more strikeouts in two more scoreless innings of work. It would not be enough as the scoreboard still favored Gashouse 3-0 entering the top of the fifth.

Ratajczyk struggled in relief appearances during the regular season but, during the playoffs he has not allowed a single run to cross the lawn chair. Nothing would change in the fifth inning. The Stallionaires threatened once again in the fifth to no avail. During the contest, the Stallionaires left five runners on base and they would be shut-out once again. The Gashouse Gorillas would take the second game and increase their series lead to 2-0.

With the league off this weekend for Labor Day, the Stallionaires have time to rest and get prepared for a must win Game 3. On the other hand, the Gashouse Gorillas enter the long break with nothing but smiles as they are two wins away from winning their fourth straight Griffleball Championship.