Dutchies in MLB playoffs

This is the translation of a weekly column that I write for the website of the Dutch Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB). In fact it is a summary of the play off games in which the players from the Kingdom of the Netherlands were/are playing.

For the first time since 1997 the Orioles clinched a spot in the play offs by winning the AL East. Dutchie Jonathan Schoop did very well in game one of the ALDS vs the Detroit Tigers, the team that had reached the ALCS at least in the past three years. Schoop went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. He scored a run himself too. The O’s won game one with 12 runs to 3.

Game two Jonathan went 1 for 3. He drew a walk and scored one run. He was also part of a 5-4-3 around the horn double play. The Orioles won this game 7-6.

On the brink of elimination the Tigers hosted game three. Jonathan was part of another around the horn double play, but he was also involved in a controversial play at second base.  He didn’t get a hit in this game, in which the O’s beat the Tigers 2-1. Schoop ended the ALDS with a .300 batting average. The O’s will take on the Kansas City Royals who beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Dodgers took on the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. Because the Cardinals won game one with ten runs to nine, Kenley Jansen didn’t see any action.

Game two was another close game. After eight innings, the Dodgers had a 3-2 lead; time for Kenley Jansen to shut the door. He did this in style. He retired Yadier Molina 5=3 and struck out the next to batters for the save.

With the series tied at one the circus moved to St. Louis for game three. But despite the close games the Dodgers fell to the Cards 3-2 and 3-1 and Kenley was never sent to the mound.

Even though he is not a player, batting coach Hensley Meulens is also responsible for the success of the San Francisco Giants. After beating the Pirates 9-0  in the Wild Card game of the National League, the Giants headed to Washington DC to take on the Nationals. The Giants won both games in Washington but lost the third game of the series, the first in AT&T Park. In game four the Nationals tied the game at two in the top of the seventh. But thanks to a wild pitch by Aaron Barrett with the bases loaded, Joe Panik scored the game winning run.

The Giants will face the Cardinals in the NLCS.