Round 2–‘82 Bombers defeat ‘87 Bash Bros. in 4

—submitted by Jim Waldron--  
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GAME 1- The battle lines were drawn, both teams coming off convincing victories in round 1. Oakland sent Dave Stewart to the hill against the Gator, Ron Guidry. The Yankees jumped out to a early lead with a 3-run homer by John Mayberry. Oakland brought the score within one but in the 7th Jerry Mumphrey picked up a single followed by a double by Dave Winfield and singles by Graig Nettles and Butch Wynegar which opened up the lead to 6-2. After a few more runs each way the game ended with a 8-3 score and the Yankees leading the series 1-0.

Game 2- Well with one in the books the Yankees looked to go back home with a lead but knew that it would very tough. Like game 1 the Yanks jumped out by 2 in the 1st on a double by Ken Griffey. After that Curt Young began to strangle the Yankee offense in route to a solid 7 inning performance. While Young was taking care of the hitters from New York, Oakland’s bats began to wake up. In the 4th the Athletics jumped all over Yankee starter Dave Righetti. After Mark McGwire Struck out, up came Jose Canseco who started off the rally with a single, followed by a single by Mike Davis. Terry Steinbach struck out and then Tony Bernazard stepped to the plate and knocked in Canseco. Reggie Jackson followed with a double which gave Oakland its first lead of the series. Alfredo Griffin added single to send the score to 4-2. The Yankees got it within one, twice but was shut down by closer Dennis Eckersley.

Game 3- On the trip back to New York, Manager Jim Waldron was looking over the lineup knowing the series could not go back to Oakland cause that would lead to trouble. On the mound was the veteran starter Tommy John and for Oakland it was Steve Ontiveros. The game started out like the other two with New York taking the lead on singles and walks in the second inning, Butch Wynegar and Ken Griffey scoring RBI’s. From that point on it was the pitching that took center stage. Tommy John, Roger Erickson, Mike Morgan and closer Rich Gossage were the pitchers responsible for shutting out the big Oakland boppers for the next 7 innings.

Game 4- This was a must win for Oakland and Manager Keith MacDonald, who sent Storm Davis to the bump to get him back to Oakland. This time the game started out with the Yankees getting one in the 4th but in the Top of the 5th Oakland was able to get two off Yankee starter Shane Rawley. Carney Lansford walked, while Mark McGwire double him in. Jose Canseco walked and was followed by Yankee killer Mike Davis who was able to plate McGwire with single. Manager Jim Waldron felt the series was in the balance in the 6th made some gutsy decisions. After Lee Mazzilli flied deep to right for the first out, seldom used Dave Collins was at the plate in which he singled. Willie Randolph was given the sign to hit and run in which produced a ground out to third but moved Dave Collins into scoring position. Graig Nettles followed with a walk. So with first and second and two outs, Waldron gave Jerry Mumphrey the hit and run sign. So with the play on Collins and Nettles were off, Mumphrey missed and both runners were safe. So with 2nd and 3rd with two outs Mumphrey grounded a screamer between second and third which allowed Collins and Nettles to score and give the lead to the Yankees. The Yankees would get an insurance run in the 7th. Even though the Yankees had the lead the big bats of Oakland are always a threat to score runs and in a fast and furious manner. In the 9th Rich Gossage had a lineup that would scare almost any pitcher. 4-2 top of the ninth Carney Lansford grounded out, Mark McGwire walked, and Jose Canseco walked. So with one out and two on and Mike Davis who has not had a bad at bat in the series, he took his swing and grounded to first which lead to a 3-6-3 double play.

So with that the Yankees move on with a 3-1 win. I would like to say that this Oakland A’s team was a very tough opponent, Keith MacDonald is a class act as a manager and hopefully he can lead his 01 Red Sox teams to the Finals.