OKLAHOMA CITY TAKES GAME ONE IN EXTRA INNINGS

Oklahoma City, OK (7M7AP): A walk-off line-drive double by Cowboy third baseman Henry Post in the bottom of the 13th inning proved to be the game-clincher, as Oklahoma City (1-0) defeated the Norfolk Southern (0-1), 10-9, in game one of the National League Division Series. Horace Garcia (1-0) was given the win.

Oklahoma City drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run by lead-off hitter, Jose Jimenez.

Norfolk answered in the top of the second inning with two runs of their own. With the bases loaded and one out, Cowboy catcher Virgil Villalona couldn't handle a pitch from starter Omar Gomez, advancing all runners and scoring first baseman Corey Brush. The next batter, T.J. Wallace, hit a sac fly to left center field. Though Cowboy right fielder threw the ball on the mark at home plate, Brandon Epstein beat the throw to give Norfolk the lead.

Oklahoma City took the 5-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Villalona made up for the passed ball in the prior inning by hitting a sacrifice fly to score Jimenez. Alex Valentin and Post then hit back-to-back home runs give Norfolk the three-run lead.

After triples by Heathcliff McBride and Villafuerte scored two runs each, catcher Karl Martin hit a two-run home run to give Norfolk the lead, 9-5.

The offensive onslaught continued as doubles by Epstein and Villalona cut the Southern lead in half, with the score, 9-7. They closed the gap to one run off of a groundball hit by Epstein in the eighth inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and a man on second base, center fielder Al Cedeno tied the game with a groundball single to left field scoring Rob Simpson.

The Cowboys had the opportunity to close out the game in the bottom of the twelfth inning with a man on first and third with only one out, Southern reliever Walter Koplove struck out pinch hitter Clyde Cambridge and got Jimenez to fly out to right center field.

In the bottom of the thirteenth, Villalona hit a single to left center to get on base. After a failed attempt by Valentin to move him to second, Post smoked a line drive to right center field for a double. It was a close play at home, but Villalona was able to beat out the throw to help the Cowboys take Game 1, 10-9.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Henry Post Oklahoma City Cowboys Age: 35 B/T: R/R Born: Sparrows Point, MD Position(s): 3B/C/1B/COF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

4-FOR-7, ONE RUN, TWO RBI, DROVE IN GAME-WINNING RUN