The only similarity between this season and last for the Loco Perro Expos is the team who eliminated them in the playoffs; Elmer’s Place.

Last season Elmer’s outscored the Expos 31-1 in five games, including a 10-0, mercy rule game that eliminated the Expos from the playoffs and sent the team in red to the championship game. Plus, we all know about the bad blood that was created during that game.

This season was a little different.

In game one in Newington, the Expos jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but ended up losing 4-2 (the Mike Cook proposal game). Then in East Hampton the Expos came out hot and defeated Elmer’s 7-2 (the Mike Cook eye injury game).

The Expos held another lead tonight, even if it was just for a half of an inning.

Noah Pinero led off the game with an infield single to shortstop and advanced to second on a ground out to third base. With two out and a 3-2 count, Pinero stole third as Alex Fortin walked. Brian Kohn followed with a single through the right side to give the blue and yellow a 1-0 lead.

Elmer’s got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Tyler McIntyre flew out deep to center field.

The Expos had one, maybe two more chances to score in the game including a spot where catcher Ben Fortin rounded third on a double by Pinero to the right center gap. A perfect relay would be needed to get Fortin and it happened at the two catchers collided at home plate, with Mike Cook hanging on for the final out of the inning.

Elmer’s would get two more, one in the fifth and one in the sixth on their way to their second straight loser’s bracket championship game.

Want to know how equal these two teams were this year? In three games, the Expos outscored Elmer’s Place 10-9, but unfortunately it’s the individual games that matter. Hats off to Elmer’s and good luck.