With the World Series starting tonight in Boston, we figured it'd be fun to see what kind of results we'd get after simming through the match-up between the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies. We used MLB 07: The Show for the PS3 with updated rosters, ratings and created players and the games are played CPU vs. CPU. The person simming is a diehard Red Sox fan but don't worry, he's not taking sides. Check out Part 1 of the DSM simulated World Series right here.

Note: The games were played before the WS rosters were finalized so Tim Wakefield started a game and Aaron Cook was left off the roster.  Sue me.

Game 4

Boston Red Sox at Colorado Rockies

Coors Field, CO

(Colorado leads series 2-1)

DENVER - Neither the Boston Red Sox nor the Colorado Rockies decided to bring its ace pitchers back for Game 4 on short rest, instead deciding to go with the regular 4th starters. In the end it didn't matter as both Tim Wakefield and Franklin Morales were very effective but neither factored into the decision. Boston's Jason Varitek hit a 2-out RBI single in the Top of the 10th inning to give Boston the 4-3 win in extra innings.

The Rockies made a big comeback in the Bottom of the 9th against Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon by scoring two runs and tying the game at 3-3. But Colorado reliever LaTroy Hawkins was ineffective in the Top of the 10th while Papelbon settled down and notched a 1-2-3 bottom half sealing the win and evening the series at 2-2.

Colorado was its usual self, getting on the board early in the bottom of the 1st inning. Willy Taveras dropped a bunt down the third base line and despite fielding the ball cleanly, Boston's Mike Lowell sailed the throw over David Ortiz's head at first base allowinh Taveras to get all the way to third base. Wakefield retired Kaz Matsui but walked both Matt Holliday and Todd Helton. Garrett Atkins nearly cleared the bases with one swing but the ball stayed in the park but still managed to score Taveras on the sacrifice fly. Brad Hawpe hit a line drive down the first base line but Ortiz made a nice play to end the threat.

Neither team managed much until the Top of the 4th when Manny Ramirez took Franklin Morales deep to right for the solo shot and a 1-1 tie. Coco Crisp hit a 2-out triple but Doug Mirabelli was unable to get the run home. The Sox looked like they were ready to take a slim lead in the next inning as Julio Lugo reached first on a single and moved to second thanks to a Tim Wakefield sac bunt. Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba then let an easy pitch graze off his glove, which allowed Lugo to get to third with 1 out. Morales threw another wild pitch but Lugo was a bit indecisive heading home and the delay allowed Torrealba time to recover and throw to the covering pitcher for the out.

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Both teams stuck with their starters through 6 innings with the game still tied at 1-1. Matt Herges notched a quick 1-2-3 7th inning for the Rockies, but they decided to go with former closer Brian Fuentes in the 8th which proved costly. Dustin Pedroia reached on an infield single and then J.D. Drew took Fuentes deep to left for a 2-run home run giving his team a 3-1 lead.  Ryan Speier relieved Fuentes and allowed a first-and-third situation but got pinch-hitter Jason Varitek to ground out and end the inning.

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The oft used Hideki Okajima came in for the bottom of the 8th and allowed a 1-out single to Kaz Matsui, but Matt Holliday grounded into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Boston did nothing in the Top of the 9th and brought in lights-out closer Jonathan Papelbon to finish the Rockies off. But Todd Helton lead off with a triple into the right field corner. Terry Francona played his infield back with a 2-run lead and that allowed Helton to score on Garrett Atkins' groundout to shortstop. The next hitter, Brad Hawpe, hit a line drive to right field for a double but J.D. Drew misplayed the ball off the wall which allowed Hawpe to advance to 3rd base with one out. Now the infield came in for the Sox, and while Dustin Pedroia made a nice diving stop on Troy Tulowitzki's hard grounder, the dive took too long and Pedroia had to settle for the out at first as pinch runner Jamey Carroll scored the game-tying run.

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Boston brought the heart of its order up in the top of the 10th and David Ortiz took a LaTroy Hawkins fastball the opposite way for a leadoff double. Manny Ramirez then grounded out to 2nd base but advanced Ortiz. Mike Lowell was put on base to set up the double play, but Coco Crisp struck out swinging. Then Varitek came up and pulled a 0-1 fastball just past the dive of Matsui at 2nd that plated Ortiz and gave Boston a 4-3 lead.

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Papelbon seemingly gathered himself in the bottom of the inning as he got pinch-hitter Cory Sullivan to ground out weakly and struck out Taveras and Matsui to seal the deal for Boston and even the series at 2 games apiece -- guaranteeing the series would return to Fenway Park. Before that though, Game 5 in Colorado will feature each teams' ace as Jeff Francis goes against Josh Beckett.

Box Score

Hitting

Boston
Dustin Pedroia, 2B - 1-2, 2BB
1-Jacoby Ellsbury, PR - 1R
Alex Cora, 2B - 0-0, 1BB
J.D. Drew, RF - 1-5, 1HR, 2RBI, 1R
David Ortiz, 1B - 2-5, 1R, 2K
Manny Ramirez, LF - 1-5, 1HR, 1RBI, 1R
Mike Lowell, 3B - 0-3, 2BB, 1K
Coco Crisp, CF - 2-5, 3K
Doug Mirabelli, C - 0-3, 3K
b-Jason Varitek, C - 1-2, 1RBI
Julio Lugo, SS - 1-4, 1BB
Tim Wakefield, P - 0-0
a-Kevin Youkilis, PH - 0-1
Manny Delcarmen, P ---
Hideki Okajima, P ---
c-Eric Hinske, PH - 0-1
Jonathan Papelbon, P ---

a - Batted for Wakefield in the 7th
b - Batted for Mirabelli in the 8th
c - Batted for Okajima in the 9th
1 - Ran for Pedroia in the 8th

2B: Ortiz
3B: Crisp
SAC: Wakefield 2


Colorado
Willy Taveras, CF - 0-5, 1R, 1K
Kaz Matsui, 2B - 1-5, 3K
Matt Holliday, LF - 1-3, 1BB
Todd Helton, 1B - 1-3, 1R, 1BB
Garrett Atkins, 3B - 1-3, 2RBI
Brad Hawpe, RF - 2-4
1-Carroll, PR-RF - 1R
Troy Tulowitzki, SS - 0-4, 1RBI
Yorvit Torrealba, C - 0-3, 2K
b-Ryan Spilborghs, PH - 0-1
Chris Iannetta, C ---
Franklin Morales, P - 0-2
a-Jeff Baker, PH - 0-1
Brian Fuentes, P ---
Ryan Speier, P ---
LaTroy Hawkins, P ---
c-Cory Sullivan, PH - 0-1

a - Batted for Herges in the 7th
b - Batted for Torrealba in the 9th
c - Batted for Hawkins in the 10th
1 - Ran for Hawpe in the 9th

2B: Hawpe
3B: Helton
SF: Atkins
GIDP: Holliday


Pitching

Boston
Tim Wakefield - 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
Manny Delcarmen - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
Hideki Okajima - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
Jonathan Papelbon (BS, 1 - W, 1-0) - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO

 
Colorado
Franklin Morales - 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO
Matt Herges - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
Brian Fuentes - 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
Ryan Speier - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO
LaTroy Hawkins (L, 0-1) - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO

 
Colorado's bench looks on, dejected after a Game 5 loss.  

{mospagebreak}

Game 5

Boston Red Sox at Colorado Rockies

Coors Field, CO

(Series tied 2-2)

DENVER - In Game 1 of the World Series Boston Red Sox' ace Josh Beckett was out-dueled by Colorado Rockies' ace Jeff Francis. Beckett pitched well, but Francis pitched better. In the pivotal Game 5, the roles were reversed as Jeff Francis had a decent outing, but Josh Beckett was better and lead his team to a 5-2 victory that now gives the Sox a 3-2 series lead heading back to Boston.

Francis allowed 2 runs but only 1 was earned, but had troubles locating his pitches that built up his pitch count early and knocked him out of the game after 6 innings. The crushing blow was dealt in the 8th inning as David Ortiz had yet another clutch homer off of Jeremy Affeldt to give his team a 3-2 lead. Boston tacked on 2 more runs in the 9th and Jonathan Papelbon secured the save in the 9th inning.

Josh Beckett started off hot as he allowed a single hit through the first 3 innings, but Colorado third baseman Garrett Atkins not only made contact but tied the game with one swing of the bat when he homered to left field. Beckett retired Matt Holliday but gave up a double to Todd Helton before retiring Brad Hawpe. Nearly out of the inning, the Rockies nabbed the lead when Troy Tulowitzki singled to center and scored Helton.

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Francis settled down after his shaky first inning until the 6th inning when Boston was able to manufacture a run. Ellsbury and Pedroia were retired quickly, but David Ortiz reached on an error when Troy Tulowitzki let a ball go through his legs despite being positioned perfectly up the middle. Manny Ramirez drew a walk then Mike Lowell singled to right scoring Ortiz from 2nd and tying the game at 2-2.

Neither team scored a run until the 8th inning when the Red Sox took the lead for good when David Ortiz faced Rockies' reliever Jeremy Affeldt and blasted yet another close-and-late homerun to give Boston the lead for good.

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Josh Beckett made it into the 8th inning and recorded two outs before giving up a single to Matt Holliday. Francona then brought in Hideki Okajima to face lefty Todd Helton, but that move proved ineffective as Helton singled to right field. Francona stuck with Okajima to face Hawpe who is terrible against left-handed pitching. Sure enough, Okajima struck him out looking to get out of the jam.

{flv}gm5boston9th{/flv} 

J.D. Drew lead off the 9th with a single and advanced to 3rd on a 1-out single by Julio Lugo. Kevin Youkilis pinch-hit for Okajima and drove in Drew with yet another single. Jacoby Ellsbury capped off the scoring with a base hit to left which drove in Lugo. Jonathan Papelbon came in and recorded a quick 1-2-3 inning, ending the game by striking out Chris Iannetta looking. Iannetta, Cory Sullivan, and Jamey Carroll got starts in place of Colorado's regulars and went a combined 0-for-10 with 4 K's.

Boston will look to clinch its second World Series win in 4 years back home at Fenway Park when Curt Schilling goes against Ubaldo Jimenez in Game 6.

Hitting

Boston
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF - 3-5, 1RBI, 1R
Dustin Pedroia, 2B - 1-4
David Ortiz, 1B - 1-5, 1HR, 1RBI, 2R, 1K
Manny Ramirez, LF - 2-3, 1BB
Mike Lowell, 3B - 1-4, 1RBI
J.D. Drew, RF - 2-4, 1R, 1K
Jason Varitek, C - 0-3, 1BB, 2K
Julio Lugo, SS - 1-4, 1R
Josh Beckett, P - 0-3
Hideki Okajima, P ---
a-Kevin Youkilis, PH - 1-1, 1RBI
Jonathan Papelbon, P ---

a - Batted for Okajima in the 9th

SF: Pedroia
GIDP: Pedroia, Ortiz, Lugo

 
Colorado
Jamey Carroll, 2B - 0-4, 2K
Garrett Atkins, 3B - 2-4, 1HR, 1RBI, 1R
Matt Holliday, LF - 1-4, 1K
1-Willy Tavarez PR-LF ---
Todd Helton, 1B - 2-4, 1R
Brad Hawpe, RF - 0-4, 1K
Troy Tulowitzki, SS - 1-4, 1RBI, 1K
Cory Sullivan, CF - 0-3, 1BB
Chris Iannetta, C - 0-3, 1BB, 2K
Jeff Francis, P - 0-1
Matt Herges, P ---
a-Kaz Matsui, PH - 0-1
Jeremy Affeldt, P ---

a - Batted for Herges in the 7th
1 - Ran for Holliday in the 8th

2B: Helton
SAC: Francis


Pitching

Boston
Josh Beckett (W, 1-1) - 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
Hideki Okajima - 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO
Jonathan Papelbon (S, 1) - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

 
Colorado
Jeff Francis - 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
Matt Herges - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO
Jeremy Affeldt (L, 0-1) - 2.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

 {mospagebreak} 

Game 6

Colorado Rockies at Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park, MA

(Boston lead series 3-2)

BOSTON - Boston Red Sox starter Curt Schilling might not return to the team next year; he might even retire. If so, he definitely saved the best for last. Schilling gave up 5 hits over 8 shutout innings and lead the Red Sox to a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rockies in Game 6 of the World Series to win the title 4 games to 2.

There wasn't much offense for either side but Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez walked 5 Sox hitters, one of which turned out to be the winning run in the 2nd inning. Boston mustered just 3 hits all game but two of them in the 2nd inning scored both of their runs which proved to be enough with Curt Schilling dealing on the mound.

Colorado was able to get two runners on in the Top of the 2nd with two outs. Brad Hawpe and Ryan Spilborghs both had hits and were on first and third but Schilling was able to strike out Troy Tulowitzki, who had been struggling all series long. It was Boston's half of the 2nd that proved to be pivotal.

J.D. Drew lead off with a strikeout (Jimenez's first 4 outs came by way of the strikeout) but Jason Varitek drew a walk. Jacoby Ellsbury then grounded out to the pitcher but because the ball was hit slowly, Jimenez's only play was to first. Julio Lugo followed up with a hit to left-center that scored Varitek from 2nd base. With two outs, Lugo took a chance by stealing 2nd base, an it paid off as he slid in well before the tag. In a play that resembled the bungle by Cleveland Indians' 3rd base coach Joel Skinner holding up Kenny Lofton at 3rd, Boston's Dustin Pedroia hit a shot down the line that caromed off the short wall and into left. Third base coach Demarlo Hale didn't hesitate like Skinner and sent Lugo home right away. The throw from Matt Holliday was up the line and the score went to 2-0.

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Both pitchers settled in as neither offense was able to get a runner into scoring position the rest of the game, but Colorado had a few chances in the 5th and 8th innings. In the 5th, Ryan Spilborghs reached on a walk from Schilling but Troy Tulowitzki grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. In the 8th, Spilborghs reached again, this time on a leadoff single. Once again though, Tulowitzki killed the potential rally with a beautifully turned 3-6-1 double play by the Sox.

{flv}gm6doubleplay{/flv}

Jonathan Papelbon was again called in to get the save in the 9th after Schilling left. He created a little bit of tension by walking Kaz Matsui with one out. Matsui got to 2nd base on a passed ball by Jason Varitek that took away the chance for a double play. But the inning and the series would be over when Matt Holliday hit a line drive to Pedroia at 2nd base. Matsui got caught off the bag and Pedroia won the race to the bag and the Red Sox became World Series champions.

{flv}gm6celebration{/flv}

Box Score

Hitting

Boston
Dustin Pedroia, 2B - 1-4, 1RBI, 2K
Kevin Youkilis, 1B - 1-4, 1K
David Ortiz, DH - 0-3, 1BB, 1K
Manny Ramirez, LF - 0-3, 1BB, 1K
Mike Lowell, 3B - 0-3, 1BB, 2K
J.D. Drew, RF - 0-3, 1K
Jason Varitek, C - 0-2, 1R, 1BB
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF - 0-2, 1BB
Julio Lugo, SS - 1-3, 1RBI, 1R, 1K

Baserunning
SB: Lugo

Colorado
Willy Tavarez, CF - 0-4, 3K
Kaz Matsui, 2B - 1-3, 1BB
Matt Holliday, LF - 0-4
Todd Helton, 1B - 1-3
Garrett Atkins, 3B - 0-3, 1K
Brad Hawpe, RF - 0-3, 1K
Ryan Spilborghs, DH - 2-2, 1BB
Troy Tulowitzki, SS - 0-3, 1K
Yorvit Torrealba, C - 0-3, 2K

GIDP: Tulowitzki 2, Holliday


Pitching

Boston
Curt Schilling (W, 2-0) - 8.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO
Jonathan Papelbon (S, 2) - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO

 
Colorado
Ubaldo Jimenez (L, 0-2) - 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 6 SO
Brian Fuentes - 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO

World Series MVP

David Ortiz
(10-25 [.400BA], 3HR, 5RBI, 8R, 2BB, 5K)