2010 World Series - Game 1

Oklahoma City is buzzing as the inaugural SLB World Series began tonight. Brothers Dylan (OKC) and Evan (BRI) Goforth square off in a best of 7 series.

Game 1 saw the host Bison south paw Scott Kazmir (12-12, 4.54) take the mound against fellow lefty Clayton Kershaw (6-10, 3.48). The Koalas are 10-2 in the playoffs, knocking out Kansas and Atlanta on the way to the Series, while Oklahoma City defeated Jersey City 4 games to 2 after a first round bye.

Kazmir was sharp early, striking out the side in the top of the first inning. Kershaw was not, giving up a lead-off home run to Jimmy Rollins on the second pitch of the game. He limited the damage to one, however, retiring the next three batters.

After retiring the first two of the second inning, Kazmir ran into some trouble. He walked Yunel Escobar, then gave up a ringing double to Joey Votto, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Instead of walking number eight hitter Miguel Montero, Brisbane chose to pitch to him, and he responded with a two-run single up the middle. Kershaw then struck out to end the rally.

Kershaw retired 8 straight until Rollins hit a double in his second at-bat. Dexter Fowler tied the game at two by driving him in with a single, and was followed by a single to Raul Ibanez, putting runners on the corners with two outs. But Akinori Iwamura struck out swinging, leaving the game 2-2 after 3 innings.

OKC retook the lead in the bottom of the 4th. A Ryan Ludwick single was followed by an Evan Longoria walk. Catcher Brayan Pena then shot a line drive to left center, driving in Ludwick. The damage was limited there, as Kazmir struck out, and, after Rollins was intentionally walked, Fowler flew out to center with the bases loaded.

The Bison tacked on more in the fifth. Carlos Gonzalez hit a 2 out double, and scored on Yunel Escobar's error at 3rd. Later, with runners on the corners, Pena came through again with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 5-2.

Kazmir couldn't hold Bribane down in the top of the 6th. Ian Kinsler hit a one-run single, then stole second base. Nick Markakis walked, and then Marlon Byrd singled to scored Kinsler. Escobar followed with an RBI single of his own, closing the margin to 5-4. After Joey Votto struck out looking, Miguel Montero came through again, this time with an opposite field blast to left that gave Brisbane a 7-5 lead. A tired Kazmir stayed in the game, only to give up a solo shot to pinch hitter Conor Jackson before striking out Rafael Furcal to end the inning.

Trevor Hoffman relieved Kershaw in the bottom of the 6th and quickly retired the side 1-2-3. The Bison countered with Bobby Jenks, who gave up a single to Ian Kinsler, who scored after a passed ball and a single to Markakis. Escobar followed with a run scoring double, pushing the Koala lead to 10-5.

Hoffman pitched a second inning of scoreless ball in the 7th, and Brisbane looked to have the game well in hand. The Koalas continued to pour it on, however, pushing the lead to 11-5 on an RBI single by Crawford in the 8th.

Brisbane's bullpen was too much for OKC, as Clay Zavada struck out the side in the bottom of the 8th. In the mean time, the Koalas added a 12th run in the top of the 9th.

No rally for the Bison, who ended the game on a double play.

The offensive hero for Brisbane was Miguel Montero, who went 2-5 with a HR and 5 RBI. Kershaw earned the win despite giving up 5 ER in 5 IP. The Brisbane pen gave up just one hit while striking out 7 in 4 innings of work. Kazmir got the loss, giving up 8 runs in 6 innings despite striking out 11 Koalas.

Game 2 will be tomorrow, pitting Aaron Laffey against Max Scherzer.

BOX SCORE

SCORING SUMMARY:

BOT 1st
- (0-1) - Jimmy Rollins homered.
TOP 2nd
- (2-1) - Miguel Montero singled, Yunel Escobar and Joey Votto scored.
BOT 3rd
- (2-2) - Dexter Fowler singled, Jimmy Rollins scored.
BOT 4th
- (2-3) - Brayan Pena singled, Ryan Ludwick scored, Evan Longoria to third.
BOT 5th
- (2-4) - Ryan Ludwick safe at first on Yunel Escobar's fielding error, Carlos Gonzalez scored.
- (2-5) - Brayan Pena singled, Ryan Ludwick scored, Evan Longoria to second.
TOP 6th
- (3-5) - Marlon Byrd singled, Ian Kinsler scored, Nick Markakis to third.
- (4-5) - Yunel Escobar singled, Nick Markakis scored, Marlon Byrd to second.
- (7-5) - Miguel Montero homered, Marlon Byrd and Yunel Escobar scored.
- (8-5) - Conor Jackson homered (pinch-hitting for Clayton Kershaw).
TOP 7th
- (9-5) - Nick Markakis singled, Ian Kinsler scored.
- (10-5)- Yunel Escobar doubled, Nick Markakis scored.
TOP 8th
- (11-5)- Carl Crawford singled, James Loney scored.
TOP 9th
- (12-5)- Joey Votto doubled, Yunel Escobar scored, Votto to third on throw.