Game 1: The Bandits scratch out 5 runs on 6 hits including home runs by Holliday, Beltran, and Granderson. Lincecum struck out 10 through 4 2/3 innings and the Bandits bullpen allowed only 2 base runners over the remaining 4 1/3. Bandits win 5-0.

Game 2: The Imperials had several opportunities to put a big inning together facing Ian Kennedy but failed to put the Bandits away scoring all 3 of their runs on sacrifice flies. The Bandits responded with a 4 run 5^th inning and turned the game over to the bullpen who didn’t give up a run for the second game in a row. Bandits win 5-3.

Game 3: Dan Haren looked lost on the mound in front of the screaming Imperial fans giving up 6 runs before getting the hook in the 3^rd inning. Despite never beating Ricky Romero, the Bandits potent lefty line-up managed to hang in there and the game went to extra innings. Ryan Braun scorched a leadoff Mike Adams fastball into the upper deck and the crowd went wild. Imperials win 8-7 (10 innings).

Game 4: This game will go down as one of the greatest games in NYLISL history. If the Imperials win, it’s a new series with momentum in their favor. If the Bandits win, the Imperials need to win 3 in a row. Lincecum did not look comfortable pitching on short rest and coughed up 5 runs in the bottom of the second to give the Imperials a 5-2 lead. Jered Weaver and the Imperial bullpen couldn’t counter some very lucky dice rolls and the Walsh backspin and the Bandits pulled ahead 6-5 in the top of the 6^th. The Bandits bullpen set the game in cruise control until David Ortiz homered off of Scott Downs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 6. Both teams used up all their position players and were on their last pitchers when Carlos Beltran hit a ballpark home run (1-6) off Cole Hamels to take a 3 run lead into the bottom of the 13^th. Craig Kimbrel walked 3 of the first 5 batters he faced and up to the plate steps David Ortiz with the bases loaded and two outs. The only pitching options the Bandits had were to leave a tired Kimbrel in the game to face Ortiz or bring in a tired Adams (he had pitched in games 2 and 3) to get the job done. Tom Seaver went with his gut, stuck with Kimbrel, and Ortiz hit a meaningless groundball to end the game. Bandits win 9-6 (13 innings).

Game 5: the Imperials jumped out to 7-1 lead after putting up 6 runs in the third. The Bandits managed to scratch out a few more runs to make it close but they ran out of outs and the Imperials take an easy win from the Bandits. Imperials win 8-6.

Game 6: With the bullpen rested, the Bandits were able to turn the game over to the bullpen in the 5^th only trailing by a run. Corey Hart hit a 2 run home run in the bottom of the 5^th and now the Bandits were up by one. The Imperials tied it up in the top of the 7^th with a solo home run (I can’t remember who hit it). With a taxed bullpen, the Imperials left in Brandon League to face the Bandits in the bottom of the 9^th. Jose Reyes led off with a single and advanced to third on a Berkman single (gbA+). Granderson comes in to pinch run and steals second. The Imperials bring the infield and outfield in and the Bandits let the pesky Shane Victorino swing away. He drives the ball past Adrian Gonzalez and the Bandits win. Bandits win 5-3.

It was an emotional clubhouse knowing that this was Tom Seaver’s last game as skipper of the Bandits. Seaver has led the Bandits to 8 World Series titles since the league started in 2013. Seaver announced his decision to step down at season end earlier in the season citing personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with his family. The Bandits have not interviewed any replacements but said they have a few names in mind.

The Bandits named unlikely star Shane Victorino the series MVP. Victorino made the team out of spring training as the 4^th outfielder but saw his role increase throughout the season as the team become increasingly frustrated with underperforming Curtis Granderson. Shane provided gold glove defense in the field, produced runs with his speed on the basepaths, and had a knack for playing above his level throughout the season and into the series. Victorino was 3-11 with 5 walks (two intentional), 3 stolen bases, 2 rbis, and 4 runs scored.