10 Great Teams over a 50 year span of MLB (1951-2000) will face off against
each other in the first ever King of the Diamond Tournament battle.
Let's set the mood correctly...It's late August and after 126 games they are
all tied. The final 36 games will be a mad dash for the pennant and ultimate
glory...The WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP !!!
The concept is the brainchild of our esteemed commish, Ross Gotlieb -
Posted 9/1/2007
.
Game 2 saw Dodgers closer Jay Howell blow a 9th inning lead. The games
played in Baltimore were not close. The Orioles won 7 to 1 in both contests.
NOTES: Dodger reliever Tim Crews was injured in game 1, but returned to
pitch in 3 of the 4 games in the series. - Posted 9/1/2007
Manager
Bill Keller put it best, "I clicked on the right buttons and he threw the ball
and they didn't get any hits". As simple as that sounds it really is more
impressive than the understated Keller led us to believe.
Mickey Lolich's
opponent the 1962 LA Dodgers have a ton of contact singles hitters. They type
of players that are not easy to no hit. Detroit won the game
3 to
0 as Kaline, Cash and Freehan all had RBI singles. Dodger starter Johnny
Podres injured his arm in the second inning and was replaced by lefty Pete
Richert who went 5 2/3 without yielding a run.. Both teams split the 4 game
set, which was dominated by pitching. Game #1 saw Don Drysdale outduel Denny
McLain in a 2-0 shutout. Game #3 was an extra inning affair. Dodger starter
Sandy Koufax was touched for 4 runs (1 earned), but the Tigers still needed
extra frames to win it as future HOF'er Ed Mathews hit a walk off pinch hit 3
run homer in the 10th off of Patterson. The finale saw the Dodgers win in the
8th as they manufactured a run Maury Wills style. Starter Stan Williams went 8
innings for the win and Ron Perranoski notched the save with a scoreless 9th.
- Posted 9/3/2007The series opened up in Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
The
Dodgers sent ace right hander
Don
Drysdale to
the mound sporting a 1-0 record. Baltimore went with 5th starter Jim
Hardin. The O's jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first and Hardin looked
to be cruising, until he came up lame with 1 out in the 3rd. Baltimore
was then forced to go with a committee of relievers the rest of the way.
LA's bats got hot and Drysdale notched his second victory of the year
giving up 4 runs over 8 innings. LA's big blows
 came
with back to back 4 run innings in the 6th/7th. Tommy Davis went 3 for 5
for LA and Willie Davis had 3 RBI's.Game 2 saw Baltimore lefthander Dave
McNally toss a 4 hit complete game shutout. The O's jumped out to 4 runs
in the first and never looked back as the final score was 11-0. John
Podres took the loss for LA in 5 innings of work (9 ER). Baltimore hit 4
homers off of Podres including 3 in the first inning by: Davey Johnson
(to lead the game off), Boog Powell and Merv Rettenmund.The series
shifted to the West Coast as the Dodgers played host in Chavez Ravine.
This game saw a pitching matchup of future HOF'ers.
Jim Palmer took the
hill for Baltimore and Sandy Koufax represented
the Dodgers. In a matchup reminiscent of Koufax's final game pitched in
the majors (Game 2 1966 WS) a young Palmer got the best of the great
Koufax. Palmer threw a 1 hitter (double by Frank Howard to lead off the
5th) and out dueled Sandy, who only gave up 3 runs (7k's). The big
offensive blow came in the 6th when Paul Blair hit a solo shot to make
the score 2-0. Frank Robinson
also hit a solo shot in the 9th to make it 3-0 and add a valuable
insurance run.The series finale saw Mike Cuellar
 (BAL)
face Stan Williams (LA). On the surface this looked to be pitching
mismatch with Cuellar having such a dominant 1969 season. LA's bats
awoke and torched Cuellar for 6 runs over 6 innings until he was finally
lifted for a pinch hitter. Williams gave up 6 runs as well in 6 innings,
but shoddy Dodger fielding made 3 of the unearned. The turning point of
the game occurred in the top of the 7th with 2 out and 2 on. Baltimore
lifted Cuellar for pinch hitter
Chico Salmon who
promptly delivered a 3 run shot to break the deadlock and put Baltimore
up by 3 (9-6). LA was only able to manage 1 hit over the next 3 innings
as Pete Richert and Dick Hall kept them in knots. Hall notched his first
save of the year and Baltimore posted their 7th win in 8 tries. |
| ---Summary by George
Bserani--- Game 1: The 1981 LA Dodgers went with 5th starter (Goltz) to begin this series against the mighty Bronx Bombers of 1961 – who had Coates on the mound. Scioscia got things going with a solo shot in the 2nd inning to give LA a quick lead. In the 3rd, Landreaux stole 2nd Base after being - and Guerrero singled him home. LA now led 2-0 after 3 innings of play. In the 5th, Guerrero hit a triple and we 
then saw Garvey single him in. LA now led 4-0 after 5. Goltz was
cruising along for LA and held the Bombers scoreless while giving up
only 5 hits during his 8 innings of work. Coates, who pitched a CG,
settled down after the 5th and held LA down until the 9th
inning – where Monday smacked a triple while pinching for Goltz to lead
off. With Monday sitting on 3rd, Thomas hit a slap shot – but
Kubek was unable to gun down Monday at Home. Could have been a bad call
there. Baker andGuerrero each followed with a hit to eventually score Thomas – and LA scored 2 in the 9th – and went to win the game 5-0.
Game 2: Not too much
to report here, as this was a serious
Game 3:
Reuss, losing his last game, took the mound for LA – while Stafford
coming off a win was going for NY. In the 2nd, Reuss hit a
wall and NY had the bases loaded with no outs – but with the help of a
doubleplay, Reuss escaped the jam by giving up only 2. Game 4:
This game would see Hooten going against Terry. NY jumped to a quick 1-0
lead in the 2nd |
Game
2 was another 1 run event. In fact it took 11 innings to decide it.
Orel
Hersheiser went went the distance, which would be unheard
of today, and outdueled 31 game winner Denny McLain. Tiger slugger Willie
Horton knotted the game at 2 when he hit a solo homer in the top of the 9th
to force extra frames. Veteran catcher Mike Sciocia won the game by doubling
home Mike Marshall in the bottom of the 11th.
alive as Dodger starter Tim Belcher gave up 6 runs. Tiger starter
Earl Wilson
was nearly perfect as he tossed a 2 hit shutout. The finale saw 1968 World
Series hero Mickey Lolich blank the Dodgers and Tim Leary, who only yielded
2 runs himself. The Tigers scored both runs in the first, all with 2 out,
and never looked back. Al Kaline started the rally with a benign single.
Bill Freehand and Wayne Northrup knocked in both runs.Game 1:
The long rest proved to be key for Bob Welch and the LA Dodgers, who were at
Home for Game 1. LA pounced on Blyleven right away, beginning with a
Double from Landreaux – who was Singled home by Guerrero and Garvey then added
another Single. With 2 on,
Ron “The Penguin” Cey
belted a 3-run shot (his 3rd) off Blyleven. LA led 4-0 after 1, and grabbed
another run in the 2nd for a quick 5-0 lead. Welch held his own and kept the
Pirates scoreless giving up only 3 hits and 1 Walk thru 5 innings of work.
“The Penguin” added another Homer to his resume (his 4th – and 2nd of the
game) with a solo shot in the 4th – and Guerrero, feeling left out,
contributed a solo shot of his own (his 1st) in the 5th. LA now led 7-0 after
5. In the 6th, Sanguillen pinch-hit for Blyleven – and his Double led the way
for 2 quick runs for the Pirates. But, that did not rattle Welch, as he
settled down and pitched a scoreless 7th & 8th. LA did manage another run in
the 8th – and with an 8-2 lead going into the ninth, LA relaxed just enough to
surrender a Double to Milner for another Pirates score. LA fans gave the
players a standing ovation as they left the field. Final score: 8-3.
Game
2:
Fatigue was setting in for LA, so the Manager decided that he would rest his
starters to keep them fresh for the long stretch ahead. Goltz was in for a
ride, as LA had weak bats and a weak team in the field. As such, a nervous
Goltz surrendered a monster 2-run blast by
Willie Stargell
(his 2nd) in the 1st. The Pirates were trying making a statement. But, LA was
not backing down – and Reggie Smith smacked a 2-run shot of his own (his 1st)
in the bottom of the 1st. However, the weak D proved to be too much for LA –
and they committed 3 errors, which led to 4 unearned runs from Goltz thru 6.
The error committed by Frias in this game would go on to prove to be an
important factor later in this series. LA did manage a couple more runs, and
did manage to out hit the Pirates 11-8 – but the Offense lacked power and ran
out of gas. The Pirates did exact revenge in this game to
recover a shared lead in the National League. Final score: 6-4.
Game 3:
LA took a different approach to this game – and decided to add a couple of
starters to inject
some
needed power and Defense to back up their ace
Fernando Valenzuela.
The game started off slow – but “The Penguin” struck again with a 2-run blast
(his 5th overall – and 3rd of this series) in the 2nd off Don Robinson. In the
4th, LA grabbed another run provided by Doubles from Garvey and Russell.
Pittsburgh countered in the bottom half of the 4th with a blast from Bill
Robinson (his 2nd). Leading 3-1, LA squeaked another run in the 7th off a
couple of hits. Pittsburgh had a time of it and simply could not figure out
Mr. Valenzuela and his screwball, who went on to pitch 8 solid innings giving
up just 4 hits and that 1 run – while striking out 7. Stewart came in relief
and shut the door on the Pirates. Final score: 4-1.
Game 4:
Looking for answers, Pittsburgh put Bibby on the mound – who had his work cut
out for him facing
Jerry Reuss….another
LA ace. Can a ball club
have
2 ace pitchers – it would seem this LA team has that luxury. Pittsburgh was
also going to rely on the fact that LA once again was fielding a weak
Defensive team – but Defense would play a big part in this game for LA.
Pittsburgh and LA traded runs – with Pitt getting a couple of key hits off
Reuss in the 2nd and Johnstone hitting a solo shot (his 1st) off Bibby in the
3rd. The score was tied 1-1 going into the wild 5th inning. LA scored 3 runs
in the 5th by way of back-to-back Doubles from Johnstone and Yeager. Not to be
outdone, Pittsburgh countered with 2 runs of their own – with help from
another Frias (LA) error and Bibby helping himself by hitting a 2-run shot
(his 1st). LA led 4-3 after 5 – and would soon add to that when Monday hit a
solo shot (his 1st) in the 6th. In the 7th inning and leading 5-3, Reuss got
into a serious jam – Stennett Doubled and Foli Singled leaving runners on 1st
& 3rd with only 1 out – and Bill Madlock stepping to the plate. Sensing a big
inning from Pittsburgh, the LA Manager called “time” to make a Defensive
switch. Ron Cey (The Penguin) would replace the error-prone Frias at 3rd Base.
That was a key move, as Madlock hit the ball right to Cey – who ended the
threat with a double play. LA would go on to turn 4 double plays this game –
and hold Pittsburgh scoreless the rest of the way. Final score: 5-3.
LA took the series 3 games
to 1 by pounding on Pittsburgh’s starting pitchers – Blyleven gave up 7 runs,
Kison gave up 4, Robinson gave up 4, and Bibby gave up 5 – while LA gave up a
total of just 7 Earned Runs for the series (3 from Welch alone in Game 1) –
and LA now holds the
lead (temporarily) in the National League. -Contributed
by George Bserani- 10-25-2007
pitched
strong games but the Mets got on the board early as they plated 2 runs
in the first inning as Strawberry connected for a booming 2 run
homerun to left center. Ray Knight led off the second for the Mets and
hit a ball into the Dodger bullpen in left to make it a quick 3-0 Met
lead. The Dodgers made a late run as they scored a run each in the 6th
and 9th innings. Fernando got tagged with the loss but pitched 6
innings of 3 hit ball while surrendering only 1 base on balls.
Ron
Darling allowed only 1 run in 7.1 innings pitched.
Another
strong pitching performance by both clubs as the Mets and Dodgers
combined to surrender only 5 hits in this game. Tim Leary was no
hitting the Mets until the 8th inning and was protecting a 1-run lead
when his defense let him down.
Wally
Backman led
off the bottom of the 8th inning hitting the ball to first basemen
Mickey Hatcher, who booted it. Rafael Santana then plated Backman as
Rick Dempsey fielded his bunt and promptly threw the ball down the
right field line to tie the game. Lenny Dykstra then shot a single to
right field to score Santana with the go-ahead run. Roger McDowell
came in the 9th inning to nail down the victory as he struck out the
side. Noteables for the game. The Dodgers only run came on a homerun
by Pedro Guerrero. Dykstra's RBI single was the only hit by the Mets
all game.
Game 3: at Dodger Stadium
single
by Ray Knight. Keith Hernandez was the star of the game as he went 3
for 5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI. All three of Hernandez's hits were
doubles. Ray Knight also had three hits for the night as the Mets
pounded out 10 hits to support starting lefty Bobby Ojeda. Ojeda went
6.1 surrendering no runs on 5 hits to improve to 4-0 on the season.
The Met lefty has a good shot at the Cy Young this year with his
strong pitching. Orel Hershiser is a disappointing 1-2 but he pitched
well with 7 innings of 5 hit ball. Hershiser has started 4 games this
year throwing 34 innings with a 2.38 ERA!! Baseball is a funny game
but Orel is not laughing.
Game 4:
Another
good pitching game but for the 3rd time in this series, the Mets
struck in the first inning as Darryl Strawberry belted a 2-run
homerun. The Dodgers came back in the bottom of the first with 1 run.
Dwight Gooden and Tim Belcher matched zeros until the top of the 5th
when the Mets added another run on a Wally Backman RBI double. It
looked like the Amazins were cruising to another victory and a clean
4-game sweep until the eighth inning. The score was 3-1 and a runner
on for the Dodgers and light hitting shortstop, Alfredo Griffin coming
to the plate. The Dodger skipper had an ace to play; so he lifted
Griffin for pinch hitter Pedro Guerrero. Guerrero hit a game tying
homerun to left centerfield to shock the Mets and give life to the
smoldering Dodger offense. Gooden was lifted for veteran reliever
Jesse Orosco who got the side out without any other damage. In the
bottom half of the 9th inning, Mike Marshall led off with a single.
Mike
Scioscia
then bunted him over. Mickey Hatcher pinch hit for Stubbs and Orosco
was lifted for Anderson. Hatcher singled sharply but not deep enough
to score Marshall. One batter later, struggling veteran Mike Davis
singled in Marshall to preserve a win for the Dodgers. The victory
went to Alejandro Pena and the Defeat went to Jesse Orosco.
Figueroa
hooked up in a classic pitchers duel. For 7 full innings neither team could
plate a run. In the bottom of the 8th the O's struck for 2 runs, which was
all Cuellar needed. Light hitting shortstop Mark Belanger led off the bottom
of the 8th with a single. McNally bunted him over to second and Don Bufford
doubled him in. Frank Robinson doubled home Bufford to supply the insurance
run. McNally went the distance to earn the complete game shutout. The Yanks
threatened to score in the 9th, but both Nettles and Chambliss could not
knock in either Randolph (single) or Jackson (walk).
you
have a similar result (2-0 shutout). In this game the Orioles scored both of
their runs on John Wesley (Boog) Powell solo shots. Powell hit one in the
4th to break the scoreless deadlock and one in the 8th to add a much needed
insurance run. Leonhard ran out of gas in the 9th after Willie Randolph hit
a 2 out triple. Lefty Pete Richert was brought on to face Yankee first
baseman Chris Chambliss (lefty) who promptly popped out to Frank Robinson in
foul territory in right field.
Mikhli decided to start Ron Guidry on only 3 days rest. Not knowing how much
he could get from Guidry was the wild card here, but New York's manager
needed to spark it up. The other spark was inserting "Sweet" Lou Pinella
into righfield and removing "Mr. October" Reggie Jackson. Pinella took "the
collar" and Jackson eventually wound up pinch hitting for him and striking
out in the 9th. Guidry gave his team 4 innings and 1 run ball, so did his
relief, Dick Tidrow, but it would not be enough since the Yanks only managed
to score 1 run and the O's plated 3.
Dave McNally lasted until 1 out in the 8th and gave up only
1 run. Ed Watt came on in the 9th to nail down his 4th save. Brooks Robinson
hit a solo shot in the 6th for his first of the season.
record
to 4-0. Powell again provided the offense by clouting a 3 run shot in the
3rd inning off of Yankee starter Mike Torrez, who gave up 4 runs but only 1
earned, in 8 innings of work. The key play in the 4th revolved around Willie
Randolph booting a Dave May grounder to put runners on 1st and 3rd as Powell
stepped to the plate. If Randolph fields this ball cleanly the Yanks get the
3rd out and no damage is done. Palmer fanned 7 and allowed only 3 hits as he
went the distance.
Game
1: Detroit won 3-2 in 15 innings.
This
little tidbit was contributed by Mike Roberts, who took
over as manager for the 1962 Dodgers. A little background on Mike: He's a
1960's baseball afficianado, who loves his Cardinals and everything
1960's. Mike has been posting on the Action Board for years and has
insight into that era that the rest of us should be jealous of.
innings.
Curiously Pittsburgh lifted their starter, lefty Dave Roberts, after
5 successful innings.
Tom Phoebus (3-0, 2.08) scattered 6 hits in 7 2/3
scoreless innings and closer Ed Watt finished it off with a shaky
9th to notch the save. The Orioles broke the stalemate in the 7th
with a single by shortstop Mark Belanger and a series of passed
balls and wild pitches. The O's added 2 more in the bottom of the
8th when Pirate reliver Enrique Romo walked the first 2 hitter he
faced (Boog Powell & Frank Robinson). Brooks Robinson bunted them
over Ellie Hendricks hit a sac fly to Omar Moreno in center to plate
Powell. Belanger then promptly singled home Frank Robby to give the
O's a 3-0 lead, which would be more than enough.
went
the distance and fanned 9 Pirate hitters. His opposing number, Bert
Blyleven, went 6 innings and also yielded 1 run, but his relief was
not up to the task. Big Jim Bibby gave up 2 runs in 2 innings of
relief and the O's cruised to a 3-1 lead just like in game 1. The
bottom of the 8th inning started out innocently with catcher Ellie
Hendricks getting a leadoff single. 8th place hitter Mark Belanger
bunted him over to second and pitcher Mike Cuellar followed suit by
bunting him over to third. Don Bufford walked to make it 1st and 3rd
with 2 outs. Both Davey Johnson and Paul Blair followed with
consecutive RBI singles to put the O's ahead for good.
Pirates fortunes did not. The Pirates did start out by scoring the
first run of the contest in the opening inning, but the O's followed
that up by scoring early and often. After giving up 4 runs and not
looking sharp, Pirate starter John "candy man" Candelaria hurt his
leg and had to leave the game without getting an out in the 4th.
Davey Johnson
was the hitting start for Baltimore going 3 for 5 with 6 RBI's and
two huge homers. Every Oriole starter, including the pitcher, had a
hit as part of the 17 hit barrage.
Bruce
Kison (3-2, 4.45) took the hill and gave the Bucs 8
scoreless innings as the Pirates shoutout the Orioles 3-0. Willie
Stargell hit a 2 run blast off of Oriole stater Dave McNally (3-1,
1.82) in the first and Tim Foli scored in the second on a squeeze
play execute to perfection by Kison. Kent Tekulve came on in the 9th
to notch his 2nd save of the season as he allowed only a lead off
single to Boog Powell and nothing more.
In the opener, GAME 1 at Shea
Denny McLain
(1-2, 2.25) got his first win of the season. McLain went the
distance and tossed a 4 hit shutout of the 'Amazins. Banjo hitting
Ray Oyler (.167) opened the scoring with a homer off of Met
starter Rick Aguilera to lead off the top of the 3rd. Oyler know
exclusively for his leather and not his lumber game McLain the
only run he'd need all day. For good measure Detroit added an
insurance run in the 6th.
they
did. Starter Bobby
Ojeda improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season as
the Mets won 5-3. The key to this game was the 5 run 7th inning
that New York Posted. At the time Tiger starter Joe Sparma was
cruising to a shutout. In fact Detroit increased their scoreless
innings streak vs New York to 24 consecutive innings. New York
posted all 5 runs off of Tiger mis-cues and small ball. An
interesting fact is that Darry Strawberry lead off the inning with
a strikeout and closed it the exact same way as the Metsies batted
around.
York
out. Veteran southpaw Mickey Lolich, who already threw a no hitter
this season, went 8 1/3 innings before seeding to Patterson who
notched his first save of the season. Lolich again was dominating
as he struck out 9 Met batter, while only walking 1. Met starter
Dwight Gooden gave up only 2 runs, but with his offense not
scoring those would prove to be detrimental. Tiger catcher Bill
Freehan opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd with a solo
shot off of Doc Gooden with 2 out in the inning. The Tigers tacked
on another run in the 4th when Willie Horton scored on a sac fly
from that hitting machine known as
Ray Oyler
(all sarcasm intended).
Game
1, Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium)
offense for the Dodgers as Los Angeles knocked off the Indians in game 2.
Tudor went 7 innings and surrendered 1 run on 5 hits. He received bullpen
support from veterans Jessie Orosco and 1984 ERA National Leauge winner
Alejandro Pena. Pena earned his 3rd save of the year with an inning of work.
The game was tied at one when the Dodgers came to bat in the bottom of the
third inning. John Tudor led off the inning with a roller in the hole as
Bobby Avila bobbled it for an error. Steve Sax bunted him over to second and
then singles by Heep, Gibson and Shelby plated 2 runs.
Franklin Stubbs
then doubled in another run to make the score 4-1 in favor of Los Angeles.
That was it for the scoring as the Dodgers held on to even the series at 1
win a piece.
Another
close game as the Dodgers traveled to "friendly" Cleveland for a short 2
game series at Municipal Stadium. Cleveland ace Early Wynn made the start
against savy veteran righty Don Sutton. Both pitchers were on their games as
they shut out the opposing offenses. The Dodgers drew blood first in the top
of the 3rd inning. Steve Sax singled with two outs then proceded to steal
second base(his 7th bag of the year). Danny Heep drove in Sax with a clutch
single. Dodgers 1.....Indians 0 after three innings. The Indians displayed
some 2 out magic themselves in the bottom of the fifth inning. Back to back
singles by Doby and Rosen put runners on first and second base.
Vic Wertz drove
both runners in with a double. Wynn took the ball and shut out the Dodgers
for the rest of the game. Wynn went the distance to get the win with 4 hit
ball and no walks. Wynn earns his second win of the season as Sutton goes to
0-1.
most exciting of the series as Cleveland got out to an early 3-0 lead after
three innings. Parttime firstbaseman Glynn drove in all three runs in the
early going for Cleveland with a sacrifice fly and a single. The Dodgers
crept back in the ballgame as they scored two runs in the 8th inning as Kirk
Gibson drove in a pair with a clutch single. Hal Newhouser started the 9th
inning on the mound for Cleveland as faced off leadoff batter Tracy Woodson.
Woodson was making the start and firstbase as regular starter Franklin
Stubbs was given a day of rest. Woodson hit the first Newhouser to pitch
into the left center field stands to tie the game at three. Newhouser
retired the Dodgers without further damage. In the bottom of the ninth
inning and Brian Holton on the mound for Los Angeles, Pinch hitter
Dave Pope
stepped up to the plate and smashed a walkoff linedrive homerun to
rightcenter field to send the Cleveland faithful home happy. Orel Hershisher
did not get the decision in this game but he has had little luck with wins.
For the game, Hershiser went 7 innings surrendering 6 hits and 3 runs(only 1
was earned). On the season, Orel has a 2.20 ERA and only one victory in five
starts. -contributed by Joey
Scigliano-
Game
1 – this was going to be a pitching duel as
Don Drysdale
and Jerry Reuss were on the mound. 1981 LA struck first in the 2nd
inning with a walk, an error, and a single – which led to an
unearned run for Drysdale. Drysdale in all held the 1981 team to
just 3 hits, while going the distance. In the bottom 3rd, 1962 LA
got 3 straight hits from Drysdale, Wills, and Gilliam to produce 3
runs of their own. 1962 LA led 3-1 after 3. Reuss settled down
after that inning – and held them scoreless the rest of the way.
But, 1962 LA did manage 11 hits off Reuss for the game. 1981 LA
managed another run in the 6, when Dusty Baker hit a HR off
Drysdale – but that is all they could muster. 1962 LA won this
game 3-2 – and they out hit 1981 LA 11-3.
right
away with a leadoff Double by Steve Sax in the top 1st, who would
eventually score. 1962 LA countered with 2 runs of their own off a
Double by Tommy Davis and a HR by Frank Howard. In the 2nd, 1962
LA scored 2 more runs off 3 straight hits again from Jim Gilliam,
Ron Fairly, and Larry
Burright – and 1962 LA led 4-1 after 2. An error
in the 3rd allowed 1981 LA to score another run – but they were
held to 4 hits for the game and ran out of gas. 1962 LA managed 2
more runs in the game off a Triple by Larry Burright in the 5th
and a Double by Willie Davis in the 8th. 1962 LA won 6-2 – and out
hit 1981 LA 9-4.
Game
3 – The 1981 LA team were now heading Home and looking
for some answers. They put Bob Welch on the mound to face
Johnny Podres.
1981 LA felt confident facing Podres and felt they could get some
hits and score some runs off him. How wrong they were. The 1981 LA
team did manage 7 hits off Podres, who went the distance – but
were held to just 1 run in the 3rd. Welch did his part and
contained the 1962 LA squad to 2 runs, which came off some timely
hits in the 2nd and 7th. This was a pitching duel, as 1962 LA won
this game 2-1 – and once again out hit 1981 LA 10-7.
Rick Sutcliffe,
a 5th starter, on the mound to face Pete Richert. 1981 LA was
looking to salvage some dignity – being the division leader
heading into this series…..not to be. 1981 LA did strike first
with a run in the 6th off a couple of hits – and still led 1-0
going into the 8th. Sutcliffe did a good job holding 1962 LA
scoreless thru 7 and allowing only 3 hits. In the 8th, 1962 LA
managed a run off a couple of timely singles – to tie the game at
1-1. Ron Perranoski came in for 1962 LA and shut the door in the
8th and Larry Sherry came in to hold the 9th – so we are heading
into Xtra innings. In the 10th, 1962 managed a run off Dave
Stewart with a couple of hits – and 1981 LA could not counter.
1962 LA won the game 2-1.
Al
played 2 games vs the computer and Eddie played 2 games vs me (Marc). Any
way you slice it the results were the same, the 1961 Yanks found a way to
win. The Mick (Mickey
Mantle) has gotten hot. He now has 9 homers.
Roger
Maris is heating up too, as he went deep twice in the
opener. This is good news for the folks on 161st and River and bad news
for the rest of the AL.
anyone
and everyone. Mantle also went 3 for 4, but clout 2 homers (8th/9th of the
season). With the score tied at 3 in the top of the 9th Mickey his a 2 run
shot to put his team ahead for good. The "gator", Ron Guidry was the
victim. Whitey Ford (4-1, 1.52) gave up 3 runs and went the distance for
his 4th win of the season. Ellie Howard also went 3-4, but was not
involved in any of the scoring. Thurman Munson's homer tied the game at 3
and looked to be the key hit of the game until Mantle struck.
GAME
1 (Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD): This was the game for the
Tigers. Hope sprung eternal and Tiger starter
Denny McLain
was dominant. There's no secret as to why the big righty won 31 games
that season and had a sub 2.00 ERA. The O's just couldn't solve him.
They had him on the ropes on more than one occasion, but McClain would
not yield the big run. Detroit jumped out to a 1-0 lead as second sacker
Dick McAuliffe hit a tape measure shot to center off of Oriole starter
Dave Leonhard, who only gave up 2 runs in 8 innings, but that was not
good enough to beat "the gambler". The Tigers got an insurance run that
they dearly needed in the top of the 8th. The O's answered back and got
a run of their own, but fell short in the bottom of the 9th even after
Paul Blair led off with his third hit of the day.
Don
Bufford lead off with a double. 2 batters later big John Wesley Powell,
know to his fans a Boog, knocked him in for his first RBI of the day.
That lead would not last long as Oriole starter Mike Cuellar would give
up a collasal 2 run shot to his opposite number, Earl Wilson, who hit 7
in 1968. Wilson and Cuellar matched each other pitch for pitch after
that until both were lifted in the 8th inning. Heading into the bottom
of the 9th Detroit looked like they were going to hold on, but with 2
outs Patterson gave
Chico Salmon
something he could hit and he promptly singled home Ellie Hendricks and
we headed to extra frames. Both managers took different approaches for
extra innings. Detroit decided to go with a bullpen by committee and
play for a quick win. Baltimore put in spot starter Tom Phoebus and
figured to play for the long haul. This piece of strategy almost came
back to burn the O's as Detroit scored 2 runs in the top of the 12 and
looked to have it all sewn up. Tiger centerfielder Mickey Stanley lead
off with a walk and promptly
scored
as Tiger great Al Kaline homered to plate them both. Kaline, who
suffered with nagging injuries all year finally got his national moment
in the sun. Unfortunately for the long suffering Tiger fans that moment
would be eclipsed by what the O's were going to do in the bottom of the
12th. Veteran reliever Don McMahon started the inning and got pinch
hitter Andy Etchebarren to strike out. Things looked good, but McMahon
was out of gas, since he had already pitched the 11th. Out came
fireballed
Pat Dobson with the task of
getting 2 more Orioles out and giving Detroit the first two games of the
series and a happy plane right home to Wayne County Airport. This was
not to happen. Dobson was not to get any Orioles out. Don Bufford
immediately single to left and the Oriole faithful began to stir. Davey
Johnson followed that with a double and everyone was on the edge of
their seat. With 1 out and runners on second and third gold glove
centerfielder Paul Blair delivered a sharp single to center to tie the
game. Before the dust could settle Boog Powell would drive him home with
a sharp hit into the gap. The play at the plate was close, but the fleet
footed Blair was home and so were the Orioles. Another magical win in a
magical season.
GAME
3 (Tiger Stadium, Detroit, MI): In a shocking move the Tigers
were forced to start lightly used 20 year old Les Cain in place of
Mickey Lolich, who was nursing a sore arm. Cain had never faced a lineup
like the 69 O's and his inexperience showed. By the end of the 2nd Cain
was gone and so were the Tigers hopes. Baltimore pounded him for 5 runs,
which is more than enough for Oriole ace,
Jim Palmer, to
protect. Palmer went the distance and threw an economical 69 pitches to
improve his record to 5-0. The Tigers could only muster 3 hits off of
Palmer and never threatened. The big blow in the game came off of Boog
Powell's bat. After Merv Rettenmund lead off with a single and Frank
Robinson walked, Powell slammed a 3 run shot. The O's scored 6 more
times before the contest ended. On a side note future HOF'er Eddie
Mathews singled to lead off the 9th. Mathews is in the process of
winding down a fantastic career and hopes to contribute many key pinch
hits off the bench for the Tigers down the stretch.
rotation pitchers. Tom Hardin toted the rubber for the O's and went 7
innings and gave up 4 runs. Normally that won't get it done. Luckily for
Hardin he was facing Detroit's Joe Sparma who threw 125 pitchers in 5
innings of action and left the game on the short side of the ledger.
Both team's bullpens were stellar. Pat Dobson, looking to redeem himself
for his poor game 2 performance, threw 4 shutout innings. The O's relied
on Dick Hall and Eddie Watt and neither disappointed. Watt notched his
6th save as he struck out the first 2 batters he faced in the 9th (Don
Wert and Ray Oyler). Gates Brown pinch hit for Dobson and doubled, but
wound up stranded as Dick McAuliffe popped out to Davey Johnson at
second to end it. Willie Horton was again Detroit's hitting star, going
3 for 3 with 2 homers. The big blast being a 3 run shot in the bottom of
the 4th to tie the game after Baltimore took a 3 run lead over the first
3 innings. Baltimore got the long ball from
Boog
Powell and Frank Robinson. Normally light hitting
shortstop Mark Belanger went 3-4 and raised his average to .366 to lead
the senior circuit.
GAME
1 (Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA): This matchup featured two
pitcher who had a lot in common, except the most important thing: winning.
Dodger ace Don Drysdale is tall and imposing and can hit like a regular
player, so can Pirate starer
Don Robinson.
Drysdale on most days is the ace of his team's staff. Robinson is not.
Popular thought would have this matchup favoring the Dodgers' Don. Popular
opinion is not worth the parchment it is printed on. Don Robinson gave up 2
runs in 6 innings of work, which is more than acceptable for a 4th or 5th
starter. Don Drysdayle gave up 4 runs in 5 innings, which is not acceptable
for any pitcher, least of all a man who is his staff's ace. The big inning
was the top of the 5th, where Pittsburgh got to Double D and scored all 4
runs and hastened his exit. There was no "long ball" that inning. The
Pirates manufactured runs and tested the Dodger defense. Grant Jackson and
Kent Tekulve came on in relief of Robinson to shut out LA.
Dodgerland.
The problem with this opinion is that Sandy's automatic years were 1963-66.
This is 1962, a season where Koufax began to emerge as a dominant, but
injured force. The Pirates are a very balanced hitting team and they forgot
to be intimidated. Sandy was able to strike out 8, but he did give up 5 runs
(3 earned). The Dodger defense let him down. The Dodger offense did not
since they were able to compile 4 runs, which is usually 3 more than Koufax
needs. The win was a true testament to the resolve of the Steeltown 9, since
they were down 4-0 after the first and they were facing a man who was on the
verge of greatness. Curiosly, both Ed Ott and
Dave Parker
(lefties) hit homers. The Pirates chipped away with 2 in the 4th and 6th and
1 in the 8th to win this one.
GAME
3 (Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA): This 6-5 offensive
oriented contest needed 10 innings to be decided. By this time both staters,
Jim Bibby (PIT) & Stan Williams (LA) were long gone. With one out in the
bottom of the 10th Pirate left fielder
Bill
Robinson hit a walk off homer to send the Pirate faithful
home happy and chanting "sweep". Ron Perranoski took the loss out of the
bullpen after tossing 2 1/3 shutout innings and attempting to stretch it to
a 3rd. Grant Jackson also went 2 and 1/3 shutout innings, but he never had
to face that "8th guy", nor did he give up the long ball.
that happen. Having
Johnny Podres on the hill helps. Podres, who won game 7 of
the 1955 World Series vs the hated Yankess has always been known to be cool
on the hill. The crafty lefty has an ability to rise up on big occasions and
frustrate even the best hitter. Podres wasn't great, nor was he dominating,
but he did give his team 9 innings and he never let the Pirates think they
could come back after going down 6-0. Clutch pitchers know how to pitch to
the scoreboard and Podres did. The Dodgers got homers from both Davis'
(Willie and Tommie) and Jumbo Frank Howard as part of a 8 run, 10 hit
onslaught of the Bucs.
Game
1, at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles took the first game of the series
in a hard fought 1 run ballgame. The opening series matched up Mike Torrez
of the Yankees against Tim Leary of the Dodgers. The Yankees struck first in
the opening inning with an RBI single by Chris Chambliss. However, Los
Angeles got their low octaine offense going in the bottom of the second
inning as they erupted for 3 big runs on RBI singles by Mike Scioscia and
Alfredo Griffin. Even pitcher Tim Leary got in the scoring mix with a
sacrifice fly. In the top of the third inning, after a lead off single by
Thurman Munson, Reggie Jackson crushed a Leary fastball deep into the seats
in rightfield to knot the game at 3. Fireworks were not done yet as Kirk
Gibson blasted a long homerun to right in the bottom half of the inning to
give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead. The
Yankees
tied the game in the fourth inning with a bases loaded walk to Chris
Chambliss. Los Angeles retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning with
an RBI single by second baseman
Steve Sax
and that is the way the game stayed. Mike Torrez went to 0-5 on the year.
The Yankees smashed out 13 hits but could not get most of them in. Leary
went 6 workman innings for Los Angeles and received help from his bullpen as
Brian Holton and
Jessie
Orosco pitched the final three innings without surrendering
a run. Orosco earned his 1st save of the year.
Game
2 at Dodger Stadium, The Yankees pounded out 6 runs on 11 hits as
New York took the second game of the series. Shawn Hillegas got the start
for the Dodgers and went only 5 innings surrendering 5 runs on 7 hits.
Catfish
Hunter got the start for New York and pitched a strong 7
innnings of 1 run and 4 hit ball to earn his first win of the year to
improve to 1-2 on the season. Hillegas evened his season record to 1-1. The
Yankees did not score more than a run in any one inning but managed to score
one run in each of the first four innings to put this game out of reach
early. No really hitting star in this game as everyone except Graig Nettles
and Willie Randolph collected at least one hit for the game.
This game was another close one that was not decided until the final inning.
For a while it looked like The Dodgers were going to win their second game
in a row as they held a 5-1 into the sixth inning. With the game tied at one
apiece going into the third inning, Kirk Gibson connected for this second
homerun in two games but this time it was good for three big runs. Fernando
Valenzuela got into the act with an RBI double in the sixth inning to add to
Los Angeles's lead. The Yankees offense got rolling in the bottom of the
seventh inning. The Yankees got 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh and
leading off the 8th, veteran Paul Blair hit a leadoff homerun to get things
started. The blast was Blair's first homerun of the year. New York added
another run in the 8th to tie the game at 5 through 8 innings. Tim Crews was
on the mound in the ninth inning for the Dodgers and the first batter he
faced was captain
Thurman Munson,
who promptly singled for his third hit of the game. One out and a walk to
Graig Nettles, Mickey Rivers was sent up to pinch hit for Paul Blair. Rivers
lined a clutch double into the rightfield gap to score Munson giving the
Yankees a great 6-5 victory. The Yankees were jubilant as they appeared dead
for most of the game but were inspired by Munson, who refused to give up.
Tim Crews(0-1) got the lost and Ken Clay(2-0) earned the victory for New
York.
Game
4, at Yankee Stadium, This game was a classic pitchers duel between
Ron Guidry
and
Tim Belcher. Both pitchers did a great job of
holding the opposing offense down for most of the game. The Dodgers scored
the first run of the game in the fourth inning as Pedro Guerrero singled and
Mike Marshall walked. The next batter, John Shelby grounded out to third but
it moved the runners up to second and third with only one out. Jeff Hamilton
hit a rountine grounder to shortstop to score Guerrero to make the score 1-0
in favor of Los Angeles. Belcher
was doing a great job of holding down the Yankee offense as he held the big
bats to no runs on only one hit through 7 innings. The Dodgers added an
insurance run in the 8th inning with a Marshall sacrifice fly to deep
centerfield scoring Steve Sax, who doubled to lead off the inning. Jay
Howell came in to pitch for Dodgers in the eighth inning a threw 2 innings
of shutout ball to earn his 2nd save of the year. Tim Belcher evens his
record at 2-2, while Guidry moves to 3-2. Final score...Dodgers 2....Yankees
0.
Game
1 at Dodger Stadium, Another close hardfought game for the
Dodgers as this time they played host to the "Lumber Company" 1979
Pirates. Both teams battled throughout the game with the final tally
being scored on the game's final play. The scoring began in the first
inning as Willie Stargell doubled in Bill Madlock off Dodger starter
Tim Leary. The Dodgers knotted the game up at 1 in their half of the
second when Kirk Gibson led off with a walk and then stole second
base. For the game, both teams combined for 9 stolen bases. Gibson
later scored on a clutch 2-out single to right by shortstop Dave
Anderson. Both teams tallied a run in the fourth. The Dodger run came
on a solo homerun to right by Kirk Gibson. Pittsburgh retook the lead
in the 5th on a single and a stolen base by Omar Moreno(the second of
his 3 stolen bags on the day.) Dave Parker drove Moreno home on a
sacrifice. The Pirate lead did not last long as the Dodgers scored a
run in the 6th as Shelby lead off with a triple, and Gibson drove him
in with a single. Los Angeles took the lead in the 7th on a leadoff
homerun to leftcenter by backup catcher Rick Dempsey, his 1st of the
year. Jay Howell came in the ninth inning for the Dodgers but could
not hold the lead as he surrendered the tying run. The score was tied
at 4 going into the bottom of the ninth. Grant Jackson was on the hill
for Pirates when the Dodgers came to bat in the 9th. With 2 outs Steve
Sax walked and stole second base. On the attempted steal, Steve
Nicoscia's throw sailed into centerfield for a 1 base error. Mike
Davis was called back and
Mike Marshall was sent up to pinch hit.
Marshall rewarded his skipper with a clutch game winning single to
make the final score 5-4 in favor of Los Angeles.
the series as they had their ace Orel Hershiser on the mound but
sometimes the best laid plans do not work out. Hershiser's mates
spotted him to an early 1-0 lead in the first but that changed in the
Pirates half of the third.
Willie
Stargell took a Hershiser hanging slider and bombed it
deep into the rightfield pavillion with two runners on to give
Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. The Pirates increased their lead in the 6th
inning as Bill Madlock connected for yet another Pittsburgh 3 run
homerun. After 6 innings, the Pirates led 6-1. Hershiser exited the
game after 7 innings and 78 pitches. Only 3 of his runs were earned
but none-the-less his record falls to 1-3 with a spectacular 2.44 ERA!
Bert Blyleven(2-1) got the win for Pittsburgh as he went 8 innings
surrendering 2 runs on 10 hits and striking out 6 batters.
Game
3, at Three Rivers Stadium,
Jim
Bibby and lefty Fernando Valenzuela battled in the
third game of the series. Fernando was battered around as he lasted
only 5 innings as he surrendered 6 runs on 10 hits. Ed Ott and Willie
Stargell connected for homeruns off Valenzuela to put this game out of
reach. Bill Robinson also had a big day at the plate for the Pirates
as he went 3 for 3 with a run scored. Bibby threw 6 innings of 4 hit
ball to earn his first victory of the year against 4 setbacks. Enrique
Romo earned his first save of the year as he pitched the final three
innings of the game for the Pirates. Final score....Pirates
6.....Dodgers 1.
win a rare blowout game. Tracy Woodson and Rick Dempsey both hit
homeruns in the Dodger 9-3 victory. Los Angeles erupted for 14 hits in
the game to give veteran righty Don Sutton his 1st victory of the
season. Sutton went 6 innings and surrendered 3 runs on 8 hits. He
also struck out a season high eight batters on the night. The "Candy
Man" John Candeleria started for the Pirates and pitched a solid game
of 6 inning ball but the wheels fell off as the Pirate Bullpen got
into the act. First was Dave Roberts, who entered the 7th inning in a
3-3 tie. Roberts surrendered 5 runs on 6 hits in 1.1 innings. Next
came Dock Ellis, who gave up 1 run in an inning and two thirds. The
Dodgers tallied 5 runs in the eighth inning to put this game out of
reach. John Shelby and
Steve Sax collected 3 hits each in this game
as the Dodgers displayed a rare show of offense....Special
note...Steve Sax went 9 for 17 in the series with 5 runs scored and 2
stolen bases as the Dodgers split the 4 game series with the powerful
Pittsburgh Pirates.
GAME
1: (Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD) Crafty lefties Bob
Ojeda and Dave McNally
hooked up for a classic pitcher's duel. McNally got 2 runs, Ojeda
got 0 and the O's took the opener. Brooks Robinson hit a tape
measure shot off Ojeda in the 2nd to open the scoring. McNally
himself participated in the offense as he singled in the 5th and
moved to second when Met RF'er Darryl Strawberry booted the ball and
let it go all the way to the wall. Two batters later Davey Johnson
singled him home for all the runs that the O's would need on the
day.
and Sid Fernandez were less than impressive. Cueller hung around
longer to notch the win to got 5-0, but this game was all on the
offense. Up 5-3 in the 6th Randy Myers couldn't hold the game and
the O's went on top to win 6-5.
George Foster
hit 2 big homers for the Mets, who thought it was going to hold up.
Oriole magic saw to that not happening. Chico Salmon pinch hit for
Cuellar in the 6th and triggered a huge rally with 2 outs. Frank
Robinson doubled in 2 in a huge 3 running inning for the birds.
GAME
3: (Shea Stadium, Flushing, NY) This contest saw
Ron Darling
no hit the O's for 5 innings and look extremely comfortable riding a
5 run 1st inning offense explosion by his teammates. The O's being
as magical as they are didn't panic and scored 6 runs in the top of
the 9th and the shocked fans at Shea expecting miracles of their own
just fell silent. The O's had 6 consecutive batters reach base,
which included back to back homers by Frank Robinson and Boog
Powell. Paul Blair had the GWRBI with a sac fly. He has truly been
Baltimore's MVP. Lefty Pete Richert came on to notch his 3rd save on
the season in the bottom of the 9th.
outing. In his stead journeyman
Jim Hardin
took the hill vs Met act Dwight Gooden. Doc has been an enigma for
the Amazin's all season. Management can not figure out why someone
with all of his talent is faltering game in game out. Speculation in
the NY press is that Doc has a substance abuse problem. Manager Andy
Weinrib, not being a physician, has been forced to trot Doc out
every 5th day and hope he reverts to his 1985 Cy Young form. This
game turned into a laugher by the 6th inning. Both pitchers kept the
game scoreless for the first 3 innings, but the O's errupted to
score 7 off Gooden and put the game out of reach. Gooden gave up 4
of Baltimore's 5 homers on the day. Boog Powell hit his 9th and
Frank Robinson hit his 8th. Even pitcher Tom Hardin found the
blueprint for the long ball.
Game
one saw
Don Drysdale
notch win number four, going the distance in a 7-4 Los Angeles
win. Drysdale struck out four and walked only one in his route
going performance. With Whitey Ford on the hill for the visitors,
you would think this would be a low scoring game. But Ford didn’t
have it this time. The Dodgers opened the scoring in third,
scoring three runs on a
walk
to Junior Gilliam, singles by Tommy Davis and Frank Howard, a
two-run double off the bat of Ron Fairly, and a single by Doug
Camilli. The Dodgers added two in the fifth, but the Yankees made
it a one run game when
Yogi Berra
flashed some of his old magic and touched Drysdale for a grand
slam.
lead and held up for a 5-4 Bomber victory. Little
Bobby
Richardson hit the seventh inning shot, his first of
the year.
The
best game of the series started out looking like a Yankee
cakewalk, as the Bombers poured four runs across in the first
inning off of usually reliable Dodger starter
Johnny Podres. After fellow lefty Bud Daley
blanked LA in the top half of the first, the Yankees jumped all
over Podres. Bobby Richardson started the inning with a single.
Hector Lopez then walked, as did Roger Maris. Podres got Mickey
Mantle to ground to third, which scored Richardson. Elston Howard
then jumped on a Podres fastball and deposited the ball over the
left field wall for a three run homer.
flashed around the bases. It looked like Wills would put the
Dodgers up as he flew around third, challenging the weak throwing
arm of Hector Lopez. But Lopez made a perfect play on the ball and
pegged a one-hopper to the plate, where Elston Howard blocked out
Wills and applied the tag, keeping the game tied.
GAME
1: Saw both Mike Garcia and Fernando Valenzuela go the distance.
Garcia gave up only 1 run and Fernando gave up 3 to come up short. The
offense centered around Al
Rosen who knocked in all 3 of the Indians' runs. Rosen
doubled home 2 runs in the first and hit a solo shot in the 6th with 2
out.
lead
in the third, but became a victim of the weather more so than a victim of
the jaugernaut O's. The heavens opened up and doused Baltimore with close to
30 minutes of rain. After the delay Sutcliffe didn't have much left in his
arm and was removed in favor of Dave Goltz who served up 5 runs. Baltimore
won this one 6-1. Even though he gave up 1 (unearned) run, Baltimore starter
Jim
Palmer had a no-hitter going into the ninth, but ran out of
gas and had to be lifted. In the post game interview Baltimore's manager
downplayed the no hit opportunity and said no one even paid attention to it
since it wasn't a shutout. Palmer (6-0, 1.39), wouldn't comment on it when
interview. The young hard throwing righty who battled injuries all season
knew it was the right move as the team's one goal is a World Championship.
GAME
3: (Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA) - The change in venue did not
help the Dodgers as Baltimore scored early and often. Veteran Dodger hurler
Jerry Reuss just didn't have it as he gave up all ten runs and was not
afforded any relief help. Sometimes during a season a manager asks a pitcher
to "take one for the team" Reuss took this one on the chin. Baltimore
starter Tom Phoebus went the distance and only gave up 1 run.
Boog Powell continued his hot hitting with 2 huge homers and
6 RBI's on the day. Powell's linescore read 3-5 as he increased his batting
average to .331. Merv Rettenmund and Don Bufford also had 3 hits and catcher
Andy Etchebarren had 4 as Baltimore knocked out 16 hits on the afternoon in
this rout. 
respective
starters. The difference here was that Baltimore made their hits count for
more. Entering the top of the 6th the Dodgers had a 3-2 lead, but the O's
exploded for 3 runs + 2 more in the following inning. Boog Powell was again
the catalyst as he led off the inning with a double. Subs Merv Rettenmund
and Dave May both had key hits.
Davey Johnson was the offensive star of the show going 4-5
with 3 RBI while increasing his average to .361.
Game
1 at Dodger Stadium, The Yankees and Dodgers faced off in the first
of a four game set. The Yankees drew first blood with a run in the second
inning. The Dodgers came back with a run in the bottom half of the second
inning as pitcher drove in the first of his three runs with a sacrifice fly.
Roger Maris
hit a two run homerun in the top half of the third to give the Bronx Bombers
a renewed 3-1 lead. Los Angeles tied the game in the bottom half of the
third and took the lead in the fourth inning with two runs. The Dodgers
added two more runs in the 5th and that was all they would need. The Yankees
added a run in the ninth to make the final score 6-4 in favor of Los
Angeles. Tim Belcher pitched 6 innings and gave up 4 runs but earned his 3rd
win of the year against 2 losses. Sheldon got the start for the Yankees and
got hung with the loss. Sheldon's record stands at 1-2.
pitching
duel. Both pitchers threw well. Stafford threw a complete game for the
Yankees and Tim Leary threw 8 innings of 2 runs. Fortunetly for Los Angeles
scored 4 runs for a 4-2 victory.
Steve Sax
connected for his first homerun of the year to aid in the Los Angeles
victory. Tim Leary improves to 2-2 on the year and Jay Howell pitched a
scoreless ninth inning to earn his 3rd save of the year. Stafford fell to
3-3 on the year.
Congrats
to Mike Roberts who jumped in and took over the 1962 Dodgers in time for
series #5 and piloted them to a division title !!! Scott Dyer resigned as
manager with the team sitting at 6-10 and in turmoil. Mike Roberts came on
board and "righted the ship". Finishing 12-8 down the stretch including a
final series where he took 3 of 4 from the 1977 Yanks Mike won the division
title ! Kudos to Mike and the Dodgers, who got an MVP type performance out
of
Tommy Davis
(.378-7-32) and a Cy Young performance out of Double D, Don Drysdale (6-3,
2.08). I find it spectacular that Mike was able to win all those games down
the stretch when Maury Wills hit only .242 and had a .298 on base % and
Sandy Koufax finished with a dismal record (2-3, 4.19)
In
an unusual case of mediocrity 3 NL teams finished tied for the 2 Wild
Card slots with identical 17-19 records. The 1986 NY Mets split their
final series as did the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates. The 1988 Dodgers got to
this point by pulling off the improbable sweep of the 1981 Dodgers, who
were favored in that series.The playoff to get in the playoff will be decided by the league's tie
breaking system.
The 1986 NY Mets will receive the bye and thus get awarded the 1st wild card slot. This is because they were tied with the 1988 LA Dodgers with 9-7 divisional records, but the Mets beat the 1988 Dodgers 3 of 4 times head to head. The 1979 Pirates finished with an 8-8 divisional record, so they automatically were relegated to the play in game.
The league conducted a coin flip (as per rules) and determined that the 1979 Pirates will host the play in game at three Rivers Stadium.
Pittsburgh
- (AP): On a cold, windy, overcast night in Pittsburgh, the Dodgers
and Pirates matched up to see who would play the 1986 Mets in the wild
card series. The Dodgers came in with a 4 game winning streak but still were
considered underdogs. Los Angeles had a well rested
Orel Hershisher
going while Pittsburgh had their ace
John Candelaria on
the hill. Pittsburgh scored first on a Tim Foli RBI in the second but was
quickly tied during the top half of the third inning on a Kirk Gibson RBI
single to plate Steve Sax. 
Game
1 at Dodger Stadium,Dodgers 5.......Mets 1 During the regular season,
the Mets had little trouble with the Dodgers as they defeated the blue crew 3
games out of 4. However, that was then and this was now. The Dodgers are one
of the hotest teams in the league right now and threw Tim Belcher on the mound
as he went against Met ace Dwight Gooden. The Mets got on the board first with
a run in the third inning as spark plug Lenny Dykstra drove in George Foster
with a base hit. The score held until the bottom of the 7th. Jeff Hamilton was
hit by a Gooden pitch to lead off the inning. Dave Anderson followed with a
walk to put runners on first and second. Tim Belcher was due up but was lifted
for pinch hitter Tracy Woodson. Woodson singled up the middle to score
Hamilton to knot the game up at 1. The hottest Dodger Steve Sax came up next
and untied the game with a hit to hit as Anderson scored. After Scioscia
grounded out Gibson walked. Roger McDowell came in to relieve a tired Gooden.
Marshall hit a deep fly ball to right field to score Sax from third to make
the score 3-1 Dodgers. Franklin Stubbs then lined a double down the right
field line for two more runs to make the score 5-1 after 7 innings. Brian
Holton and Tim Crews came in to nail down the victory for the Dodgers in game
1. Winning pitcher was
Tim Belcher (5-2).
Gooden(1-5) received the loss.
evened the series with a late rally to keep their playoff hopes alive. A pair
of southpaws got the start. Sid Fernandez for the Mets and John Tudor of the
Dodgers. It looked like Los Angeles was going to settle the series quickly as
they erupted for two runs in the first inning on a 2-RBI double by third
baseman Tracy Woodson (who has driven in 3 runs in the series so far). Los
Angeles plated two more runs in the 5th inning on a throwing error by
Fernandez and an RBI hit by Steve Sax. Going into the bottom of the 5th inning
LA lead 4-0. The Mets would not go down without a fight. New York scored 2
runs in their half of the 5th inning to make the score 4-2 in favor of the
Dodgers. In the seventh inning, the Mets got to John Tudor as five straight
batters reached base. Strawberry lined a game tying 2 RBI double to center
field and
Gary Carter drove in the go ahead run with a base hit to
left field. On the single, left fielder Kirk Gibson bobbled the ball allowing
another run to score. New York added an insurance run in the 8th inning to
make the final score 7-4 and a series tie. The victory went to Terry Leach
(1-0) and John Tudor(2-1) suffered his first loss of the year.
Game
3, Shea Stadium The deciding game was played on an overcast day and
matched up veteran pitchers Don Sutton of Los Angeles and Bobby Ojeda for the
Mets. Lenny Dystra walked to lead off the first for the Mets and then promptly
stole second base. Gary Carter drove him in with a line drive basehit. Both
pitchers were on top of their games as they held the opposing offenses in
check. In the fourth inning, .207 hitting Alfredo Griffin tied the the game
with a duck snort down the left field line to score Mike Marshall who singled
earlier. That would be the only scoring for the next 11 innings as relief
pitching dominated both teams. Steve Sax lead off the Dodger 16th inning with
a double to left. The next batter was
John Shelby. Shelby
bunted the ball in
front of the plate. It looked like an easy play for catcher Gary Carter but
his throw to third base floated over Ray Knight's head allowing Sax to score
the go ahead run. Brian Holton was on the hill for the Dodgers in the bottom
of the 16th inning and surrendered a lead off hit to Keith Hernandez. Gary
Carter swung at a split finger fast ball and hit into a 6-4-3 double play. The
Dodgers only needed one out to advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs but
Strawberry singled followed by a Ray Knight hit that sent Strawberry to third.
Runners at first and third with two outs and rookie slugger
Kevin
Mitchell due up. On a 2-1 slider, Mitchell was fooled and
rolled a routine grounder to Griffin at shortstop, who cleanly fielded the
ball and threw to first well ahead of Mitchell to end this hard fought game.
Final score in 16 innings...Dodgers 2...Mets 1. Winning pitcher Brad Havens
(1-0) and Holton earned his second save. Doug Sisk (0-3) got the lost. The
1988 Dodgers will face the 1962 Dodgers in the best of 5 games NLCS. -contributed
by Joey Scigliano-
Game
2: In the opener starter Early Wynn went the distance and
gave up only 1 run as the Tribe scored 7 off of Ralph Terry and rolled to an
easy victory. Larry Doby
was the hitting star with a huge 3 run clout in the Indians 4 run 5th
inning. The victory put the Bombers on the brink of elimination in this best
of 3 series. Wynn kept the Yankee hitters off stride all day and fell
into a nice comfortable groove once he got that big lead to protect.
Good pitching beats good hitting. The 1969 O's have both and then some.
With a starting rotation that features 3 ace's (Palmer, Cuellar and
McNally) the O's are a tough team to beat. Cleveland's staff is nothing to
sneeze about either, but they unfortunately did not have their rotation
setup due to having played the '61 Yankees in the ALDS, where Early Wynn
and Bob Lemon both took to the hill.
The
opener saw a classic matchup of HOF'ers with
Jim Palmer
matching up against Rapid
Robert (Bob) Feller.
Both pitchers were on their game. Palmer's was A+. Feller ran out of gas
in the 7th and yielded 3 big insurance runs as the O's won 5-0. Palmer
fanned 10 Indian batters and yielded only 3 hits enroute to the complet
game shutout. Baltimore struck first in the opening stanza after Don
Bufford walked and Paul Blair singled him home a few batters later. The
O's scored again in the 3rd after Mark Belanger led off with a walk and
Brooksie brought him home with a sac fly. As the late great Bob Murphy
would say, "oh those bases on balls...they'll get you everytime". Feller
was pitching fine, but this O's lineup is strong from top to bottom and
they are very selective hitters. The 8th inning saw Feller laboring, but
Cleveland's manager kept him in since his opposing number was scheduled
to lead off. With nothing left in the tank Feller yielded a lead off
double to Palmer who scored along with Mark Belanger on a Frank Robby
triple. For good measure Boog Powell hit a sac fly to knock Frank in and
increase the lead to 5-0 where it would stay.
Game
2 saw a classic pitcher's duel between lefty
Mike Cuellar
and his unlikely opponent Al Houtterman. Both went the distance, but
Houtterman wound up on the short side of the ledger as Cuellar tosses a
3 hitter. The O's would score all of their runs in the 2nd and 3rd
innings respectively, but with the way Cuellar was dealing he didn't
need more. With 2 outs in the bottom of the second catcher Ellie
Hendricks drilled one to deep left center to break the ice and put the
O's up 1-0. In the 3rd catlyst Don Bufford lead off with a double. Frank
Robby singled him over to 3rd and big John Wesley "Boog" Powell hit a
sac fly to bring him in and put the Tribe on the brink of elimination.
Game
3 saw the series shift to the "mistake by the lake". The Tribe had
reason to feel confident as ace
Early Wynn
would be on the hill. The O's were trotting out their 3rd ace in a row,
lefty Dave McNally. Cleveland struck first as they loaded the bases and
Al Smith hit a sac fly to bring in Hank Majeski. This was Cleveland's
first run of the series, and sadly for the hometown faithful their last.
Unable to capitalize on a 1 out bases loaded scenario the Tribe had to
hope that Wynn could keep the O's in check and be near perfect, and for
6 innings he was. The top of the 7th saw Baltimore find a chink in
Wynn's armor and tag him for 2 runs, which is all they would need to
put away the Tribe's anemic offense. Big guns Frank Robinson and Boog
Powell lead off with singles. Paul Blair bunted them up a base and the
stage was set for Brooks Robinson to deliver. With everyone sitting on
the edge of their seats Wynn got Robinson to ground to short. The ball
was hit neither hard, nor soft enough for the runner to advance, so with
2 out the O's looked to be in trouble. Sensing the moment of destiny was
at hand Wynn threw a ball that got too much of the plate and back up
catcher
Andy
Etchebarren
delivered a big 2 run triple that took all the air out of Municipal
Stadium.
With
the score 2-1 the O's lifed McNally for a pinch hitter and put the ball
in their bullpen's hands. Dick Hall blanked the Tribe in the 8th and
faced 1 batter in the 9th to give way to lefty Pete Richert who got the
one lefty he faced. That put the ball in the hands of closer Ed Watt who
made things interesting by walking Al Rosen and giving up a 2 out single
to Al Smith. Cleveland went to the bench and brought in Vic Wertz to
pinch hit for Dave Philley. Wertz hit a bullet to gold glover Mark
Belanger deep in the hole at short, who calmly flipped it over to Davey
Johnson who was covering second to record the final out of the series.
Game
1, Dodger Stadium Game 1 matched up to gutty
righthanders, Don Drysdale and Orel Hershiser. Both pitchers
did not have their "A" stuff but competed hard in this one.
Both teams scored a pair of runs in the first inning with 2
run homeruns. Pedro Guerrero hit a 2 run shot in the first for
the 88 Dodgers and in the bottom of the first inning, Willie
Davis retaliated with a 2 run blast of his own. The series was
on! Steve Sax hit his second homerun of the season in the
third inning. The score after sax's homerun was 3-2 in favor
of 88 Dodgers. The Reagan era Dodgers added three more runs in
the fifth inning on the power of
Mike Marshall's
three run tater, his 4th of the year. 1962 Los Angeles scored
two runs in the bottom half of the fifth on the combination of
walks, singles, and outs. After 5 innings, 6-4. The final
score was 6-5 as Alejandro Pena and Jay Howell came in relief
to seal the victory in game 1. Orel Hershiser(3-4) earned the
win. Hershiser went 7 innings and surrendered 5 runs on 7 hits
but he gave up a season high 8 walks.
Game 2,
Dodger Stadium, Johnny Podres and Tim Leary were the starters
in game 2. The
1962 Dodgers got out to an early lead and held on for most of
the game. The game was close for most of the game and became
closer in the 9th inning as the 88 squad tied the game at 3.
In the bottom of the 9th, with Brian Holton on the mound, the
first two Dodgers were retired. However, a walk to Ron
Perranoski was followed with a single by Maury Wills. "3
Dog"
Willie Davis
hit a basehit to right field to score Perranoski and knot the
series up at 1-1. The winning pitcher was Perranoski and loss
went to Brian Holton (0-4).
Game
3, Dodger Stadium,
Sandy Koufax
and Tim Belcher faired up in game 3 and this one was not even
close. The 1962 club pounded out 15 hits and got out to a 7-0
lead by the fifth inning. Belcher stayed in and was taken out
after 6 innings but surrendered 7 runs on 10 hits. Sandy
Koufax (3-3) evened up his record as he threw 7 innings and
struck out 6 batters. The 1962 Dodger offense was lead by
catcher Johnny Roseboro as he hit a three run homerun in the
5th inning. Tommy Davis contributed 2 hits that accounted for
4 RBI. Final score...62 Dodgers 9...88 Dodgers 3. 62 Los
Angeles leads the series 2 games to 1.
the Championship against the 1969 Orioles. For the 1988
Dodgers, it was do or die. Veteran Don Sutton got the start
for the 88 club and swing man Stan Williams began the game for
the 1962 team. The 62 Dodgers wanted to squelch any 88 Dodger
hopes as they knocked out Don Sutton in the first inning as
the first 6 Dodgers reached base on hits and Sutton was gone
after 6 batters. Sutton's line for the day 0 innings
pitched.....5 runs on 6 hits. Brian Holton came in relief and
stopped the bleeding. Holton pitched very well in relief as he
threw 5.2 innings of 2 hit and no run ball. However, this was
not enough as the Dodger offense took a day off. The 1988 team
managed 4 runs on 9 hits for the day but they could not get
over the early lead the 1962 team got off to.
Tommy Davis
had 3 hits and 1 RBI to lead the Dodgers in the game that
wrapped up the NLCS for the 1962 squad. The final score 1962
Dodgers 6....1988 Dodgers 4. Stan Williams (3-0) earned the
win with 6 innings of 5 hit ball and allowed 3 runs and struck
out 6 batters. Perranoski, Sherry, and Richert threw 3 innings
of solid relief to ice the victory for the Dodgers. Congrats
to the 1962 Dodgers as they played a strong series.
The
first KOD World Series opened in Baltimore at venerable Memorial Stadium.
The powerhouse Orioles cruised through the American League regular season,
and advanced to the Series by sweeping the 1954 Cleveland Indians in the
ALCS. The Dodgers won the National League regular season despite a .500
record, then took the NLCS three games to one over their cousins from the
1988 Los Angeles club.
.
Ace
righty Jim
Palmer took the mound and had the world on his shoulders.
His
opponent was the cool lefty
Johnny Podres who
incidentally was the 1955 World Series MVP as he led Brooklyn to their only
World Championship.
Palmer
was in cruise control as he gave up only 3 hits well into the 8th where he
opened the inning by striking out Dodger pinch hitter Wally Moon. All looked
right for the O's, even as pinch hitter Duke Snider singled up the middle.
Maury Wills followed Snider's hit up by grounding into a fielder's choice
for the second out of the inning. Palmer looked good to go, when he made a
mistake and hung a curve to fleet footed
Willie Davis who
promptly sent it out of Memorial Stadium. With 2 outs in the top of the 8th
the Baltimore faithful became silent. Most fans will tell you that they
weren't throwing in the towel, but this reporter will vouch for the fact
that at least 20% of them began heading for the exits.
Paul
Blair, who has been clutch all season, lead off the 9th with a solid single
to center off of Dodger fireman
Ron Perranoski who
came on for one out in the 8th. Perranoski promptly induced Brooks Robinson
to hit into a force play, which came very close to being a double play. With
1 out and a man on first catcher Andy Etchebarren singled to move Brooksie
into scoring position. Mark Belanger battled Perranoski and finally singled
to right to score Robinson and move Etch
over
to 3rd. The game was now tied and life began to breathe back into the
stadium on 33rd st. Curt Motton came up to pinch hit for reliever Dick Hall
and barely missed a game winning hit as he lined to short. With 2 outs and 2
on switch hitter
Don Bufford
strolled to the plate. Bufford didn't crack the starting lineup, but did
pinch hit for Rettenmund in the 7th. On a 2-1 pitch Perranoski's fastball
caught a little bit too much of the plate and entirely too much of Bufford's
bat as it wound up on the grass in centerfield as Etch scored the winning
run.
The
series shifted coasts as game 3 moved to O'Malley's brand new playground in
Chavez Ravine. With the series knotted at 1 game apiece the underdog Dodgers
were feeling exceptionally confident. If not for a 9th inning comeback by
Baltimore
the Dodgers could, and probably should, have been up 2 games to none. On the
hill for Los Angeles was emerging superstar
Sandy Koufax. The
Brooklyn born lefty came into his own in 1962 after years of promise and
little dividends. The Orioles countered with the unhearalded
Tom Phoebus.
Pundits saw this game as LA's chance to take a 2-1 lead in the series as
Koufax at times can be unhittable.
The
hitting star for the O's was
Brooks
Robinson, who blasted 3 homers and accounted for 9 runs batted
in. Usually known for his leather Brooksie, who was having a miserable
offensive season to this point, finally broke out in a big way. Catcher Andy
Etchebarren went 4 for 5 and Boog Powell and Frank Robby each hit the long
ball. Wally Moon, who entered the game as a pinch hitter, went 3 for 3 and
third sacker Andy Carey had three hits as well.
time
before the Orioles hoisted the championship trophy, or could this club somehow
regroup after the game three pounding and make it a series?
two games apiece. The only run Williams surrendered was in the fifth, and
scored on a wild pitch.
ball.
did
the job. Maury Wills then singled, but Roseboro was held at third. Hall was
then replaced by a somewhat older Pete Richert, now holding down a spot in the
Baltimore bullpen. Oriole Richert got Jim Gilliam to pop out to short, but
team MVP Tommy Davis
then rifled a ringing single to center to send Roseboro home with the winning
run. -contributed by Mike
Roberts-
With
the series knotted at 2 both teams went back to their aces and expected to
see a replay of the series opener. Neither starter would disappoint. In
1962 Don Drysdale
emerged as Los Angeles ace posting 25 regular season wins.
Mike
Cuellar, who was aquired from the Astros the previous year
(1968), found his grove in 1969 and posted 23 W's. Drysdale is a big
intimidating left hander who would sooner put a ball in your ribs than put
one over the plate. Cuellar is an unassuming control pitcher who owns the
black and changes speeds faster than a Shelby Mustang on the Pacific Coast
Highway.
on
the next at bat when
Frank
Robinson lined a homerun into the left field pavillion,
which was quite reminicient of the shot he hit in the 1966 series vs these
same Dodgers. Drysdale, like most power pitchers found his slot and got the
final two outs in the first.
with a clean single. Lumber first baseman
Boog Powell
doubled down the right field line to score Robinson all the way from first.
Paul Blair stepped to the plate and hit a hot smash to second, which
normally sure handed Junior Gilliam booted. With nobody out the O's had
runners at the corners and were threatening to break it open. Mere mortals
would crack under this type of pressure. Drysdale is no mortal. Summoning
courage from within "Double D" was able to get the next 3 hitters to either
pop out or ground out, thus ensuring that Baltimore would not get that much
needed extra run. In that inning the O's lost their starting catcher Ellie
Hendricks to an undisclosed leg injury. Andy Etchebarren was summoned to
replace Elrod to start the 5th.
The
bottom of the 5th saw the Dodgers inch closer as
Darryl Spencer notched a
1 out single to left. Cuellar then threw a low curve that went past
Etchebarren, who was charged with a passed ball. Spencer moved up to second
and manger Weiss began second guessing himself for not putting Clay
Dalrymple behing the plate instead of Etch. That passed ball would prove
costly as Johnny Roseboro promptly delivered an RBI double to cut the Oriole
lead to 1.
nailed
Junior by a stride for the first out. All world Tommy Davis promptly singled
to left with one out. Jumbo Frank Howard came to the plate with the ability
to win it with one might swing from his potent bat. Instead Frank put a
dribbler in front of the plate, which backstop
Andy
Etchebarren promptly bungled and threw past Boog Powell at
first. With runners at 2nd and 3rd and one out the O's decided to stick with
Cuellar and let him win it. Willie Davis, who already homered, fought off
one of Cuellar's best offerings and lined to Mark Belanger at short. Down to
their last out LA's hopes rested on the shoulders of Ron Fairly, a great
contact hitter. With the classic matchup of contact hitter vs control
pitcher the control pitcher won out. Fairly lined a 2-2 pitch to his
opposite number, Boog Powell, to end the game.
The
Orioles put their hopes on the shoulders of 23 year old fireballer
Jim
Palmer,
who brought an 8-0 KOD record into the game. Los Angeles had their
backs up against the proverbial wall, so they entrusted their fate to
one of the franchises most clutch performers,
Johnny Podres. For
those of you not up on your baseball history, Podres at the tender age
of 23 tossed a complete game shutout to close out the 1955 World
Series and give Brooklyn it's only World Championship.
For
the next 6 innings Baltimore would score at least 1 run. In the bottom
of the 3rd they scored two to break the ice. Andy Etchebarren singled
and was bunted over to
second by Mark Belanger. Palmer, who is adept with the lumber, pushed
him up one more base by grounding out to the right side. With 2 outs
Don Buford can through with an RBI single and
Davey
Johnson followed that up by doubling him in to stake
the O's to a 2-0 lead they would never relinquish. The O's
scored 1 in the fourth off of Podres when Boog Powell doubled and
Brooks Robinson singled him home. the fifth saw the floodgates open as
well as Podres departure. Baltimore chased the veteran lefty with 4
big runs. Podres gave up 7 runs in 4 innings worth of work. The big
blow came off the bat of slugger
Boog
Powell who hit a towering grand slam into the right
field bleachers.
The O's would tack on another run in the 6th to increase their lead to
8-0. At this point the outcome wasn't in question. The only question
was what the final score would be and how cold could the champagne
get. Palmer was cruising along until he gave up 3 runs to LA in the
top of the 7th. LA might have been down, but they are a prideful
organization that will keep on fighting until the final bell sounds.
At this point Palmer looked either disinterested or tired. In either
case he should have been
removed
from the game, but manager Weiss felt a sense of loyalty to his ace
and wanted to see him close out the game and the series. Finally by
the 9th inning Weiss went to the pen and brought in lefty
Pete
Richert, who by chance was also on the LA roster...go
figure ? Richert, got Maury Wills to fly to right, struck out Willie
Davis and ended the series by having Tommy Davis fly out to Don
Buford.
Needless to say the crowd bum rushed the field and the players. Redemption is sweet, victory is sweeter. The Orioles answered their critics by posting an incredible 38-8 run in the KOD inaugural season. The were the pre-season and post-season favorites and they didn't disappoint, even though their detractors said otherwise. Hats off to the '62-Dodgers who won and improbable pennant and tested the O's like no team had before.
This
1969 team has become the darlings of the cyber world. What they couldn't
celebrate in real life, they began celebrating on computers everywhere. As
in real life this squad was the prohibitive favorite, but opposite of real
life they actually won it all. For years, when interviewed, Frank Robinson
said, "The Mets didn't win that World Series, we lost it...the better team
did not win". From most accounts that would be viewed a sour grapes, but not
taken in the context of when it was said and the team that it described.
ace Tom Seaver. That's when overconfidence and a nasty slump took over. 4
games later the Miracle Mets were sipping the bubbly and planning for a
parade in the canyon of heroes.
During
this project I gained a real appreciation for the team that
Frank
Cashen assembled. 4 Gold Glove fielders (Brooks, Belanger,
Blair and Johnson) and a pitching staff that
had 3 aces (Palmer, Cuellar and McNally). Overlooked was their bullpen,
which had three guys with sub 2.00 ERA's (Watt, Hall & Richert).
pitching
duel between NYY ace Ford and LA ace Valenzuela. Things were quiet early
on
That was about as good as it gets for NY in this game. NY held their 2-0
lead until the 4th – where Cey (2) hit a solo shot. In the 5th,
LA scored 2 on a double by Russell and a couple of singles from
Landreaux and Baker. In the 7th, LA scored 4 more on a double
by Baker and
of
their own by getting doubles from Garvey and Russell. Both pitchers were
hitting their marks and getting defensive help, as the game remained at
1-1 going into the 6th – where LA scraped together a run with
3