Late home run lifts Allentown past Sardine City to first series win franchise history

Ian Kinsler came up with a big hit for Allentown, leading the Mules to a 2-1 win over Sardine City on the road to take the first round series, 3 games to 2. It's the first series win in franchise history.

Kinsler finished with three hits, none bigger than the game winner: a two-out solo homer in the 8th off reliever Yimi Garcia. The only other hits for Allentown came from Adrian Gonzalez, with a solo home run to tie the game in the 4th, and a 2nd inning single by Jose Abreu, who tied Kinsler with a league-high 7 hits in the opening round.

Sardine City struck first when No. 9 hitter Logan Forsythe led of the 3rd with a home run. Neither team had much offense otherwise, with the Straphangers getting a couple of runners on in two innings, leaving 7 on base overall, and unable to do a thing against the Mules' bullpen.

Corey Kluber was almost as good as he was in Game 1 for the Straphangers, when he struck out 10 in a complete game. In the deciding Game 5, he went 6 innings, scattering 4 hits, with 2 Ks and 2 BBs. Sardine City called Garcia's number for the first time this series after a bullpen implosion in Game 3. Garcia was nearly perfect for three innings, but his lone blemish was the difference in the game.

Allentown starter David Price was much sharper in his second start of the series. He scattered 7 hits over 6 innings, walking 1 and striking out 5. Huston Street went 1 2/3 hitless innings for the win and Brett Cecil earned the save, with four clean outs.

Fifth-seeded Allentown will take on top seed Tucson in the semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday. No. 2 Arkansas will face No. 3 San Francisco in the other semifinal, which begins on Saturday. Both will be Best of 7.

This particular opening round series was going to see the first series win in franchise history regardless of which team triumphed. As a No. 4 seed in 2014, Allentown lost to Livingston, 3 games to 1.

As a No. 3 seed in 2010, Sardine City was swept by No. 6 Newark (which went on to fall in 7 games in the final to Bridgewater). The following year, the Straphangers won their first playoff game but dropped a first-round series to Vancouver, 3 games to 1, after winning the opening game.