Round 1–‘88 Expos sweep ‘81 Chisox, but did not dominate

1988 Montreal Expos (Marc Weiss) vs 1981 Chicago White Sox (Bruce Thomas)

GAME 1 - Comiskey Park
D.Martinez vs Burns
Expos 3, White Sox 2 (12 inn)

The Pale Hose drew first blood when "the Bull", Greg Luzinski hit a towering 2 run shot off of El President (Dennis Martinez) with one out in the bottom of the fourth.  Montreal cut the lead in half the following inning when Luis Rivera scored on a Rex Hudler DP, which prevented the big inning from happening.  A two out clout by Andres "El Ghatto" Galarraga in the 6th tied the game at 2-2.  Chicago threatened to put it away in the bottom of the 9th with runners on 1st and second ad 1 out.  Reliever Jeff Parrett came on to strike out Harold Baines for the second out.  Mike Squires grounded out to end the threat and off we went to extra innings.  Chicago again threatened with two runners on in the 10th, but Parrett once again had magic in his right arm to fan Rusty Kuntz to end the rally.  Galarraga led of the top of the 12th with a triple off of reliever Dennis Lamp.  Hubie Brooks grounded a single deep in the hole, just out of the reach of Bill Almon, to score "El Ghatto" easily.  Lamp was able to get out of the inning without allowing additional runs.  To close out the game Joe Hesketh took the hill for the 'Spos and retired pinch hitter Wayne Nordhagen with an easy fly to center.  Ron LeFlore grounded weakly to second for out number two and Tony Bernazard did the same to short for the final out.
Expos lead series 1-0

GAME 2
Perez vs Dotson
Expos 8, White Sox 6 (13 inn)

How do you top a 12 inning extravaganza in game 1?  You go 13 innings and have 5 lead changes in game 2.  After 6 1/2 innings of play the Expos were clinging narrowly to a 4-3 lead.  After nursing starter Pascual Perez through 6 innings the Expos manager tried to squeeze one more frame out of him.  Bad move.  Perez got just out in the 7th before handing the ball over to Andy McGaffigan who got the final 2 outs, but not before giving up 3 runs and the lead.  At one point the Southsiders had 3 consecutive hits and a walk.  Bill Almon and Carlton Fisk each had RBI knocks to give the Pale Hose a 6-4 lead.  Chicago's 3rd pitcher on the day, La Marr Hoyt served up a big fly to Galarraga in the 8th to make it a 1 run ball game.  Kevin Hickey (CHW's 4th pitcher) was a victim of small ball as the Expos tied the game in the top of the 9th.  After Rex Hudler led off with a pinch hit single and stole second, Rivera singled and moved him to third.  Nixon squeezed Hudler home and the game was now all squared and headed to overtime.  The next 3 innings provided little action and no additional score.  The top of the 13th started out as if it was going to be another one of those ho-hum innings until "the Rock, Tim Raines, single with 2 outs and immediately stole 2nd.  A rattled Francisco Barrios walked Hubie Brooks to put runners on 1st and 2nd.  Andres Galarraga came through again with an RBI single to put the visitors up 7-6.  For good measure Tim "Eli" Wallach followed suit to plate Brooks and put his team up 8-6.  Tim Burke, who already pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings set the Chisox down in order in the bottom of the 13 to seal his win in this instant classic game played in the rain.  Tim Wallach (4-7, 2 RBI) had an incredible day at the plate.  Dave Martinea, Wallach and Harold Baines each went yard.
Expos lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Stadie Olympique'
Trout vs B.Smith
Expos 5, White Sox 0

After 2 "edge of your seat" games no one knew what to expect in game three.  The Expos returned home up 2-0, but could have easily been down 2-0, so there was no sense of false confidence spreading in their locker room.  For the first 3 1/2 innings the game remained scoreless.  The sense around these parts was that we were in for another cliff hanger mirroring the first 2 contests.  Then in the bottom of the 4th catcher Nelson Santovenia hit a 3 run shot off of Steve "Rainbow" Trout, to put the Expos up 3-0.  With Bryn Smith throwing up goose eggs on the scoreboard one sensed that those 3 runs would loom large.  In the bottom of the 5th Galarraga tripled home Hudler to make it 4-0.  Surprisingly after 6 shutout innings Smith was lifted from the game in favor of John Dopson.  After throwing just 96 pitches Montreal's bearded hurler was done.  Dopson was just as clean throwing 3 scoreless innings to share the shutout.  Hubie Brooks would hit a solo shot in the 7th to make the final score 5-0 Expos.  Galarraga (3-4, RBI) finished the series hitting .467 to nab MVP honors.
Expos win series 3-0
Click here to view series box scores

Round 1 - 59 Tigers win 3 of 5 from 67 Pirates

--submitted by Gene Couture--  Click here to view series box scores

Game 1 saw an unusual for that era Frank Lary beaned Manny Alou and was ejected in the 5th inning. Alou charged the mound and also was tossed. Detroit scores 2 in bottom of 8th to break a 4-4 tie and defeat the Bucs in game 1 6-4

Game 2 Pirates rebound to win 3-2 as Elroy Face  picks up the win in relief , Donn Clendenon had 4 hits for the victors

Game 3 shifted to Forbes Field but the Tigers win 3-1 as Don Mossi scattered 5 hits in the win

Game 4 Pirates tie score 2-2 in the eighth and win on a Tiger error in the ninth 3-2

Game 5 Tigers bats come alive in Tiger Stadium blasting the visitors 9-1

Round–01: 2010 Tigers drop 2009 Brewers in 4

Game 1:  For 7 innings, the Brewers could get only 4 hits and 1 run off Tiger starter Justin Verlander.  Meanwhile, the Tigers started the fifth with a single and a double.  Two outs later, Austin Jackson drove home the two runners.  With Verlander gone to start the 8th, the Brewers started kicking up their heels.  With a runner on and one out, Prince Fielder made it a one rune game with a two run shot to right.  The Tigers came right back and scored three times on a hit batsman, two walks and two singles.  The 7-3 lead looked safe.  Especially with the "Big Potato" Jose Valverde taking the mound.  Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Ryan Braun with two outs.  And Ryan showed why he would be a future MVP (steroids notwithstanding) by hammering the potato into the seats for a grand slam.  Fielder followed with a single but that was the end of the offense for the Brewers for the evening.  They would only manage one walk the rest of the way.  Two walks opened the 11th and after one out, Brennan Boesch singled home the winning run.  Jeremy Bonderman won the game in relief.
Tigers 8  Brewers 7
 
Game 2:  Max Scherzer scattered five hits and struck out 7 in 7 and 2/3 innings.  Joel Zumaya and Phil Coke each pitched two-thirds of an inning as the Tigers shut out the Brewers.  Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta homered for the Tigers.
Tigers 4   Brewers 0

Game 3:  Miguel Cabrera hit a two run homer to lead the Tigers to a 3-0 advantage as they looked to sweep the Brewers.  But Milwaukee wasn't done and in the bottom of the 6th, they put their first four batters on, scoring twice.  Then, with two out, pinchhitter Casey McGehee singled home to give the Brewers the lead.  Trevor Hoffman and Claudio Vargas closed out the victory for Jeff Suppan.
Brewers 4  Tigers 3

Game 4: Miguel Cabrera hit a two run homer in the first, his third of the series.  In the 4ht, with a runner on second and two out, he singled home a run.  In the 7th, with runners on second and third and two outs, he drove home another run.  Johnny Damon hit a solo homer and the Tigers carried a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the 9th.  Papa Grande again took the mound, with his first game nemesis 6 batters away.  Valverde was nothing, if not dramatic.  In a scene reminiscent of Ricky "Wildman" Vaughan intentionally walking a batter to get to Parkman, Valverde gave up a single and two walks to bring Rick Braun to the plate with two out and the chance to tie the game with a grand slam.  This time Valverde won the confrontation as Braun grounded to third and sent the Tigers to the second round.
Tigers 6  Brewers 2
Click here to view series box scores

--submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--

Round 1–’81 Royals comeback down 2-0 to beat ‘73 Amazin’s

Game 1 saw Leonard vs Seaver, a game with not many hitting expectations. The Mets struck first in the bottom of the 2nd when Jones led off with a single between 3rd & SS, with one out Fregosi walked followed by a single by Harrison driving in Jones. NYM 1-0  KC got it back in the top of the 4th when McRae singled with one out and Aikens then drove one over the right center field wall. KCR 2-1  The game stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the 9th when Harrelson reached on an error by Washington. Quisenberry was summoned to shut the door. Grote hit a slow roller that Washington could only get the out at first. With two outs, Staub grounded a single into right scoring the tying run. 2-2 The Royals manage to get two aboard in the top of the 10th but failed to score. Quisenberry still pitching for KC in the bottom of the 10th. He walked Garrett, then Jones grounded a ball into left field to advance Garrett to 2nd. Runners on 1st and 2nd, no one out. Quisenberry pitched to Willie Mays. BANG a double off the wall and Quisenberry picks up the loss with Parker in relief picking up the win.  Mets lead series 1-0

Game 2 had a pair of lefties facing each other Gura of KC and Koosman from NY.  KC struck first in this game in the top of the 2nd when with two outs, Motley doubled, Washington singled him home and was followed by a two run shot from Frank White. KC 3-0 The Mets picked up a single tally in the bottom of the 3rd and in the bottom of the 4th.  KC 3-2  KC rebounded by scoring a single run in the top of the 6th and it stayed that way 4-2 until the bottom of the 9th.  After Wright gave up a lead off single in the inning, Quisenberry was brought in. Grote promptly doubled, Boswell singled followed by a single by Harrelson. Still no one out.  Quisenberry dealt to Millan, who bunted to first, safe bases loaded and score 4-4 Ken Brett was brought in to face Staub with the bases full and score tied. On a 1-0 Rusty Staub ripped a single past Aikens outstretched glove. NYM 5-4 Quisenberry took his second loss raising his ERA to 27.00 while Koosman went all the way picking up the win. NYM 2-0
Well we all know what a hat trick is, 3 goals in a game, hockey or soccer. So now you can kind of know what a MET TRICK is...

Game 3 moved to KC where the fans were hoping something good would happen.  The Mets threw George Stone against the Royals, Mike Jones.  Both pitchers again were lefties and both had pitched pretty well during the regular season.  Neither team could score through the first five. The Royals broke the ice in the bottom of the 6th after McRae doubled with one out, with two outs Motley homered to center field. KC 2-0 The Mets scored in the top of the 7th on singles by Jones, Hahn and Grote. KC 2-1  In the bottom of the 7th Stone weakened. Washington reached 2nd on an error, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout. Otis walked, George Brett doubled him home, Aikens singled him home. KC scored 4.  KC 6-1 The Royals scored a single tally in the 8th on a solo shot by Frank White.  KC wins 7-1  The Met Trick was not today.

Another home game followed for the Royals and this time the lefties were the hapless Paul Splittorff against Jon Matlack.  The Mets scored early as Millan singled in the top of the 1st with 1 out. Garrett tripled with Millan walking home.  NYM 1-0 after 1.  The Mets reached Splittorff again in the 4th, this time for 2 runs. The Mets bunched 5 singles together and if not for a base running blunder by Harrelson could have potentially scored more. In the bottom of the 4th Brett led off with a seeing eye single. Wathan then doubled scoring Brett. Three more singles and a double to deep left by Grote put 4 on the board and KC took their first lead. 5-3  The Mets game right back in the top of the 5th on a double by Hahn and a 2 base throwing error by Brett. KC 5-4  In the top of the the 8th the Mets tied the game when with two outs Millan singled, Staub singled, Rich Gale came into the game in relief and promptly gave up the game tying single to Garrett. 5-5 in the bottom of the 9th KC scored nothing.. 2 Ks and a little pop out is all they could muster against Parker of the Mets. In the top of the 10th, Garrett led off with a single, Jones hit a fly out but Mays grounded a single into center.  Milner then grounded a single into right field scoring Garrett.....no WAIT he was out at the plate on a great throw by Cesar Geronimo! After 10 still 5-5. In the botom of the 12th with two outs Geronimo! received a walk, Grote then walked, Ray Sadecki was brought in to face UL Washington. The Royals countered with Lee May. 1-1 count, 2 outs, May singled up the middle and Geronimo! scores!!! KC 6-5 Series Tied
AND THE MET TRICK WAITS ONE MORE DAY

The Mets were home and they were glad, Tom Terrific would go to the mound for them, they were undefeated at home and although the series was tied, the odds were in their favor.  The Royals countered with the ace, Dennis Leonard.  Seaver didn't have it, the Royals opened the game in the 1st with 3 runs on a 3-run homer by Willie Mays Aikens.  Leonard was tough, he limited the Mets to 3 hits while only throwing  84 pitches in the 9 inning complete game.  The Royals scored 4 more times against the Met pitching. The Royals win the series in their own version of the reverse Met Trick.  Click here to view series box scores.
--submitted by Orion Bell--

Round 1–‘32 Phightin’s beat ‘01 Amazin’s in 4

Round 1 - 1932 Phillies 3, 2001 Mets 1
1932 Phillies (John Clingan) vs 2001 Mets (Marc Weiss-sub)

GAME 1 - Shea Stadium
Ed Holley vs Kevin Appier
Phillies 4, Mets 2 (10 inn)

Phils grab a 2-0 lead with single runs in the 4th and 5th thanks to a sacrifice fly and wild pitch.   Mets scored single runs in the 7th (Tsuyoshi Shinjo HR) and 9th (sac fly) to tie the game.  In the 10th, a 2-out bases loaded single by Pinky Whitney puts the Phils on top.  Ed Holley pitches a perfect 10th for the complete game win. Timo Perez went 4 for 4 for the Mets.

GAME 2
Lou Benge vs Al Leiter
Mets 4, Phillies 0

Al Leiter comes up huge with a 2 hit shutout and struck out 8.  The Mets led the game 4-0 by the 4th due to home runs by Mike Piazza and Jay Payton.  The series is tied heading to Philly.

GAME 3 - Baker Bowl
Snipe Hansen vs Steve Trachsel
Phillies 7, Mets 6 (10 inn)

The Mets get out to a 3-0 lead after Rey Ordonez smacks a 2-run single in the 6th. However, after Trachsel gives up a one out double to Chuck Klein, he strikes out Don Hurst and the dugout calls for an intentional walk of Spud Davis.  Pinky Whitney comes through with a towering Grand Slam home run to ignite the home fans.  Hal Lee followed with a solo HR and its a 6-3 lead for the Phillies. Regg Grabowski comes in relief in the 8th and allows the bases to load up with Mets.  Shinjo comes through again for New York with a bases clearing double to tie the game at 6.  All quiet until the 10th  when a Spud Davis triples scores Hurst with the winning run.

Game 4
Flint Rhem vs Rick Reed
Phillies 4, Mets 1

Mets once again score first with a no out bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Robin Ventura, but the Phillies are able to get out of the inning allowing only the one run.  It would be the last runner the Mets get to 3rd base.  Hal Lee's solo homer in the 5th tied the game at one, and Spud Davis' 3 run home run in the 8th proved to be the series winning hit.

Spud Davis is named the series MVP with winning hits in game 3 and 4.  Phillies' Pinky Whitney knocked in 7 runs in the 4 games. The Mets were led by Tsuyoshi Shinjo who hit .353 with 2 doubles, HR, and 4 RBI.  Click here to view series box scores.
--submitted by John Clingan--

Round 1–‘01 Bosox outlast ‘73 Bombers in 5

1973 NY Yankees (Marc Weiss) vs 2001 Boston Red Sox (Keith MacDonald)
GAME 1 - Fenway Park
Medich vs Martinez
Red Sox 8, Yankees 3

Pedro turned in his 6 quality innings (6 IP / 3 ER) and handed the ball off to "Wake" up 6-3.  Boston scored 2 more in the 8th to put the game out of reach.  Doc Medich gave up all 8 (4 earned) Red Sox runs.  Boston hit 3 homers and the Yankees made 3 errors.  Jose Offerman (3-5, 2 RBI) hit one of those bombs.  Daubach and Varitek hit the other two.  Matty Alou ws 3-5 for New York, but only managed to score once.
Red Sox lead series 1-0

GAME 2
Stottlemyre vs F.Castillo
Red Sox 4, Yankees 3 (12 inn)

"Stick" Michael, who doubled with one out in the top of the 9th scored on a Horace Clarke grounder to put the Bombers up 3-2.  Former Red Sox Sparky Lyle needed 3 outs in the bottom of the inning to notch the save.  With one out and one on Nomar Garciaparra singled home Offerman to tie the game up and eventually send it to extra innings.  No one scored for the first 2 and a half innings of OT.  Trot Nixon singled to lead off the bottom of the 12th.  An error by Michael at short put runners on the corners with nobody out.  Brian Daubach singled up the middle to score Nixon for the walk off win.
Red Sox lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Yankee Stadium
Nomo vs Peterson
Yankees 3, Red Sox 2 (11 inn)

Two days later the Bombers reversed their fortunes by winning in 11.  Nursing a 2-0 lead for 6 innings Fritz Peterson final made a mistake when Offerman doubled home Nixon and Bichette to tie it.  It remained tied until Bobby Murcer hit a walk off homer in the bottom of the 11th off of Rod Beck.
Red Sox lead series 2-0

GAME 4
Yankees 6, Red Sox 0
Cone vs McDowell

Vintage Sudden Sam McDowell tell the full story in a must win game 4 for the Bronx Bombers.  McDowell, who seems to be on the down side of his career, turned the clock back to his prime when he could blow the fastball by anyone.  McDowell fanned 6 on his way to a neat 4 hit shutout.  Mike Hegan (2-4, 3 RBI's) made a spot start for his glove and rewarded his mates with a fine day at the bat.  Clarke, Murcer and Ron Blomberg all chipped in with 2 hits with the latter also knocking in 2.
Series tied 2-2

GAME 5 - Fenway Park
Medich vs Martinez
Red Sox 5, Yankees 4

A rematch of game one starters saw Sahx managre MacDonald have an "oh crap" moment in the top of the 3rd when Pedro had to leave the game with pain in his throwing elbow.  MacDonald went to Rolando Arrojo, who was Pedro like in 4 1/3 innings, where he gave up just 1 run on 4 hits.  Boston's bats woke up after yesterday's silencing to make Arrojo's way a bit easier.  Offerman hit a solo shot with one out in the bottom of the 3rd.  After Nixon reached base off a Horace Clarke error, Carl Everett hit a 2 run shot to make it 3-0.  Thurman Munson scored the Yankees first run of the day by tagging up on a long fly from Jim Ray Hart.  Boston answered back with 2 more in the bottom of the inning when Nomar hit a 2 run shot.  The Yankees looked dead and buried until the top of the 8th when they scored 3 runs to make it a 1 run game.  Graig Nettles two out knock plated 2 and had the Fenway faithful thinking another collapse was on it's way.  Rod Beck and Rich Garces combined efforts to silence the Yankee bats in the 9th to clinch the series.

Click here to see series box scores
Red Sox win Series 3-2

Round 1–2004 Indians 3, 1981 Brewers 1

1989 Brewers (Curtis Roeglin) vs 2004 Indians (Jim Mott)
GAME 1 - Jacobs Field
Bosio vs Westbrook
Indians 6, Brewers 5

Milwaukee battled back to score 3 runs in the top of the 9th of reliever David Riske, but Paul Mirabella blew the game in the bottom of the frame.  With 2 out Lou Merloni doubled home Broussard to end it.  Jake Wesbrook (7.2 IP / 1 ER) was set to get the win, but had to settle for the no decision.
Indians lead series 1-0

GAME 2
Higuera vs Sabathia
Brewers 4, Indians 3

Teddy Higuera (6 IP / 1 ER) had a 4 run lead when he handed the ball off to the pen.  Things got a bit anxious when Jeff Peterek and Tony Fossas gave up runs in the 7th to make it a one run ball game.  Dan Plesac was called on to get a 6 out save, which he did.  Greg Brock (2-3, 3 RBI) carried the offense for the Brew Crew.
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - County Stadium
Elarton vs Navarro
Indians 4, Brewers 2

Travis Hafner (3-4, 3 RBI) and Ronnie Belliard (3-4) had half of Cleveland's hits as the Tribe doubled up the Brew Crew 4-2.
Indians lead series 2-1

GAME 4
Lee vs Bosio
Indians 3, Brewers 1

Tied 1-1 after 4 the Tribe gets the go ahead runs on a 2 run single by Travis Hafner thanks to an error by Gary Sheffield at short.  Rumor has it that the young "Shef of the Future" wants out of Milwaukee and is purposely tanking it.  In any case he cost his team dearly, because neither team scored the rest of the way and the Indians clinched the series.  Cliff Lee gets the win with 5 innings of one run ball.  Matt Miller was the unsung hero getting a 7 out save with a perfect outing.
Indians win series 3-1

Click here for box scores from all 4 games