Tucson wins third straight for 3-2 series lead

Tucson got another big out from their starting pitcher as Robbie Ray held Sardine City to one run over 7 innings, helping the King Snakes to their third straight win in the series, 4-2 in Game 5 at Sardine City on Saturday night.

Ray came up in a big spot in Game 5 just as Tanner Roark did in Game 4. Both surrendered just 1 run as Tucson's offense, specifically C Mike Zunino and OF Marcell Ozuna, provided enough support. The King Snakes have their first lead of the best-o-of-seven series, 3-2, after dropping the first two games.

Game 6 will go back to Tucson on Monday night where the No. 4 King Snakes can take the series, clinching their first appearance in the DMBL Series since their title run of 2016. The top-seeded Straphangers are in a must-win to force Game 7 if they have any hope of returning to the finals for a second straight year. Runs could be at a premium in Game 6 as both teams are likely to have their ace pitchers available: Corey Kluber for Sardine City and Max Scherzer for Tucson.

Tucson jumped out early. After Brett Gardner started the game with a strikeout, Jose Altuve's single was followed by back-to-back double from Marcell Ozuna and Mike Zunino, and just like that, the King Snakes were up 2-0 on Zack Godley.

Tucson would add another run in the 3rd. A one-out single by Ozuna was followed by a double to left center by Luis Valbuena to make it 3-0. But Valbuena was gunned down trying to reach 3rd base on a relay throw from George Springer to end the 3rd inning.

With one out in the bottom of the 4th, Sardine City got a rally going with three consecutive singles, the last one by Kyle Seager scoring James McCann to cut the lead to 3-1. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Javier Baez struck out and Cody Bellinger grounded out to short, snuffing out the rally.

The Straphangers had another opportunity in the bottom of the 5th. No. 9 hitter Stephen Piscotty drew a one-out walk then grabbed second base on a wild pitch. He took 3rd when Springer grounded out deep in the hole at short but was stranded when Corey Seager struck out to end the inning.

Tucson added an insurance run in the top of the 6th. Zunino led off with a double deep down the right-field line, his 2nd of the game and 5th of the postseason. After Valbuena grounded out to short and Avisail Garcia struck out, it looked like Godley might escape the inning without any damage. Nolan Arenado had other plans, poking a double into right center to score Zunino for a 4-1 lead.

The King Snakes nearly added another run in the 7th. Gardner drew a one-out walk and that's when Sardine City made a pitching change after 105 pitches by Godley (68 for strikes, .648). Joe Kelly came on. Altuve beat out an infield single to put two runners on for Ozuna. This time, however, he lined out to first and Zunino followed with an inning-ending grounder to short. An inning-ending double play in the 8th also averted disaster after Tucson got two men aboard.

Ray meanwhile was keeping the Straphangers quiet. A leadoff walk in the 7th didn't go anywhere and then Blake Parker tossed a 1-2-3 8th inning in relief. Closer Craig Kimbrel started the 9th and Edwin Encarnacion gave the Straphangers some life, connecting on a solo homer deep to left, cutting the lead to 4-2.

Now Sardine City would just need to get a runner on to bring the tying run to the plate. Kyle Seager struck out for the 1st out before Eric Sogard pinch-hit for Baez. He flied out to center and Bellinger was the last hope. Kimbrel notched his 2nd strikeout and locked down his 2nd save of the series and 4th of the postseason, preserving the 4-2 win for Tucson.

Godley (1-1) surrendered 10 hits but only 4 runs over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out 7 and walked 1.
Kelly kept Sardine City close, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing 2 hits, walking 2, with 1 strikeout.

Ray (1-2) had a clean line of 7 innings, 5 hits and 1 run. He struck out 5 and walked 2 over 95 pitches (60 for strikes, .632). The lefty also came up in a big spot in a play-in game to determine the Clement Division champion just a few weeks ago, though technically it was the regular season. Parker had a perfect 8th and Kimbrel (S, 4) struck out 2 amid a home run allowed in the 9th.

Tucson finished with 4 runs on 12 hits and left 7 men on base. Sardine City had 2 runs on 6 hits and left 5 aboard. Four King Snakes had 2 hits apiece: Altuve and Garcia, Zunino added 2 RBIs, and Ozuna scored 2 runs. Encarnacion had 2 hits for the Straphangers, including the solo HR.