UBL 2000 - Round 1 - Burlington Bulldogs versus Hurronia Hurricanes
 
Game 1 - After the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the 
Hurricanes proceeded to score nine runs (seven earned) off Roger Clemens 
(0-1) in his five innings of work on route to an 11-2 trouncing of the 
Bulldogs. Tim Hudson scattered six hits and five walks over his 6.2 innings 
to get the win. Larry Walker had a 2-run homer and Robin Ventura had a 
three-run homer in support. Final: Hurricanes 11, Bulldogs 2. Hurricanes 
lead series 1-0.
 
Game 2 - A classic pitcher's duel. John Smoltz gave up seven hits and a walk 
while giving up one run over his 7.1 innings to get the win. John Wettleland 
got the save when Jay Bell flied out to end the game. Jose Rosado was the 
tough luck loser. He threw a complete game six hitter but gave up two runs 
in the second on an RBI single by Ricky Gutierrez and a sacrifice fly by 
Rich Aurillia. The Hurricanes lone run came in the first when Bobby Abreu 
tripled and scored on Larry Walker's sacrifice fly. Final: Bulldogs 2, 
Hurricanes 1. Series tied 1-1.
 
Game 3 - After the Hurricanes took a 2-0 lead in the first off starter Gil 
Heredia, the Bulldogs tied the game in third. The 'Canes retook the lead in 
the fifth and extended it to 5-2 in the sixth. However, in the eighth, the 
'Dawgs tied the game with three runs, capped by a two-out, two-run double by 
Rich Aurilia off Keith Foulke. The game went to extra innings, when in the 
eleventh, Larry Walker reached base on losing pitcher Terry Mulholland's 
error and scored an unearned run Mark Grace's two-out double. TJ Matthews 
garnered the win and Vlad Nunez got the save when he stranded pinch runner 
Rich Amaral at second by getting Mike Piazza to fly to centerfield. Final: 
Hurricanes 6, Bulldogs 5 (11 innings). Hurricanes lead series 2-1.
 
Game 4 - This seesaw game saw the Bulldogs leading in the ninth 5-4 when Jay 
Bell lead off the ninth with a game tying homer off Bulldogs closer (and 
eventual winner) John Wetteland. However, in the bottom of the ninth, the 
Bulldogs capitalized on second baseman Jay Bell's error to score an unearned 
run when Mike Piazza hit a two-out single off Hurricanes closer Keith Foulke 
to score pinch runner Rich Amaral. Final: Bulldogs 6, Hurricanes 5. Series 
tied 2-2.
 
Game 5 - Roger Clemens bounced back from his game 1 trouncing to scatter 
four hits, three walks, and two runs to even his playoff record at 1-1. 
After John Olerud and John VanderWal hit solo homers in the fourth off loser 
Tim Hudson, Dave Nilsson tied the game with a two-run homer in the sixth. In 
the bottom of the sixth though, Mike Piazza came home with the winning run 
on a two-out, bases-loaded wild pitch by Hudson. Terry Mulholland and John 
Wetteland (save #2) shut the door to preserve the victory. Final: Bulldogs 
3, Hurricanes 2. Bulldogs lead series 3-2.
 
Game 6 - John Smoltz and Jose Rosado again pitched another duel, bettering 
their game two classic.Smoltz prevailed for the second time (2-0), tossing a 
four hit shutout over eight innings, leaving the game after walking Bobby 
Abreu to lead off the ninth. Rheal Cormier coaxed a double play ball out of 
Larry Walker and a ground out from Sean Casey to preserve the win and get 
the save. Rich Amaral scampered home with the only run in the sixth when 
Ellis Burks hit a two-out single. Final: Bulldogs 1, Hurricanes 0. Bulldogs 
win series 4-2.
 
Series MVP: Johns Smoltz 2-0, 15.1 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 1 R, 1 ER, 11 K
plus 3 H in 6 ABs with a BB.