Round 3–NY Yankees of ‘82 keep the ball rolling against the Friars of ‘92

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GAME 1- Well the series started off as expected Andy Benes on the hill vs The Gator Ron Guidry. Both pitchers came in having being the aces of their staff through Rounds 1 and 2. The Padres jumped out in front in the 1st on a Gary Sheffield sac fly that scored Tony Gwynn. Roy Smalley then came up in the bottom of the first and hit a solo homer to tie the game. The Yankees would score 2 more runs to get the lead to 3-1. With the game still in reach the Padres stayed with Benes into the 7th and then the flood gates opened. Two walks and three singles and Andy Benes was walking up the runway to the shower, smashing the light as he went. The final score was 7-1 and the Yankees took one game lead in the series.

Game 2- This game sent Dave Righetti to the mound to face left hander Craig Lefferts. The first five innings were all about the pitchers no runs and very few hits. In the sixth Jerald Clark doubled off the wall and Gary Sheffield singled him in. So with one run lead and moving to the top of the 8th the Padres added one more run so with a two nothing lead the game was looking grim for New York. So the bottom of the 8th inning started out with a single by Craig Nettles, and error which lead to Dave Collins reaching base. Willie Randolph singled in Nettles and moved Collins to third. Jerry Mumphrey grounded to second which lead to a double play but it scored Collins from third. So with a tie game, Roy Smalley came to bat where he earned a walk off Lefferts which was followed by a wild pitch and moved Smalley to second. Dave Winfield started his career in Sand Diego and was a true fan favorite for many years but he moved to New York in 1980. With Winfield at bat and Smalley at second danger was in the air. Winfield proceeded to single up the middle and score Smalley to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead going into the 9th. So with the lead manager Jim Waldron called on his stopper Rich Gossage to close the game, and like the plan he finished off the Padres and gave the Yankees a commanding lead going to San Diego.

Game 3- In San Diego Dave Winfield got a rousing ovation and welcome back. The Padres manager AJ Thomas was not as sentimental, down two games it was all about business. Bruce Hurst who has been a stalwart for the Padres was sent to the mound. The Yankees sent Tommy John to try and seal the series. The Padres didn’t even wait with two on and two out, Darrin Jackson blasted the Padres into the lead with a three run homer. The Yankees chipped one run out in the third but then the doors were blown open by Craig Shipley and his two run single and giving the Padres a 5-1 lead. Hurst along with Mike Maddux shut down the Yankees bat and gave the home fans a win and brought the Padres back into the series down only 1 game.

Game 4- Yankees manager Jim Waldron had his players at the park early for batting practice, in a brief statement “There’s not much to say, we were awful last game and if we don’t get our butts in gear we will be packing our bags and heading home from this tournament.” Shane Rawley, the Yankees starter knew he had to step up and be proactive in his approach. The Padres sent Frank Seminara to try to bring home another Padres win and force the series back to the big apple. The game started out the same with the same guys leading the way. Gary Sheffield and Craig Shipley knock in runs to give the Padres a 2-1 lead. In the sixth with the bases loaded Butch Wynegar grounds into a double play but Roy Smalley scored to tie the game. The game moved to the 8th, the Padres brought in Randy Myers for his first appearance of the series. Jerry Mumphrey is welcomed by Myers with a walk, Smalley follows with a strikeout. Knowing this was the moment, Waldron hit and run Dave Winfield which lead to single and allowed Mumphrey to go to third. So with one out and 1st and 3rd Ken Griffey at the plate, he proceeds to hit a deep fly ball which allowed Mumphrey to score and give the Yankees the lead and the chance to take the series. So moving to the bottom of the 9th the Yankees brought in closer Rich Gossage who mowed down the Padres with three strikeouts to give the Yankees a win in the game and the series.

In the postgame news conference Yankees manager Jim Waldron commended his team for a great effort in game 4. He also went on the say that manager AJ Thomas had his Padres well prepared and they were a very good team and really forced the Yankees to have bear down. The Yankees look forward to the next round.

--submitted by Jim Waldron--

Round 3–’64 Dodgers sneak by ‘77 Astros in 4

--submitted by Peter Daly--   Click here to view Series Box Scores

It took everything they had in 4 games but the 1964 Los Angeles Dodgers have made their way to the Elite 8 after a back and forth 4 game battle with the 1977 Houston Astros. Don Drsydale continued his dominance in the series with wins in games 1 and 4. Surprisingly, one of the stars of the entire tournament, Sandy Koufax, did not record a victory in his lone start in game 3.

GAME 1 : ’64 LA wins 3-1 WP: Don Drysdale (3-0) LP : JR Richard (0-3)

Don Drysdale notched his 3rd victory in as many starts in the tournament. Don was in charge throughout allowing just 3 hits and a walk while fanning 3 in his complete game. He actually raised his tourney ERA to 0.69 by giving up a run in the 9th. The Dodgers scored a run early in the 3rd but it was the all important insurance runs in the top of the 9th that proved to be the game winners. Tommy Davis’ 2nd homer of the tourney, a 2 run blast off Joe Sambito, in the top of the 9th gave Drysdale the cushion that he needed. Derrell Griffith (4 for5), alongside Davis, was the offensive star behind Drysdale. Richard was the tough luck loser for the 3rd time in as many series. Despite a miniscule 1.89 ERA, the hard throwing righty has yet to lead his Astros to victory.

GAME 2 : ’64 LA wins 9-6 WP : John Purdin (2-0) LP : Joe Neikro (1-1)

The bats were alive inside the Astrodome for both squads in Game 2. The two teams combined for 29 hits including an amazing 18 by the visiting Dodgers. The Dodgers had multi hits games by 7 of their 8 starting position players. Maury Wills set the tone as usual with 3 hits, a steal and 4 runs scored from atop the Dodger lineup. John Purdin did not have his “A” stuff but was able to battle through 5 innings allowing 2 runs, 1 earned. The Astros will probably look at this game as the one that got away when replaying the series in their heads. They had the lead early and seemed to have Purdins’ number but were just unable to fully capitalize. The Dodgers were able to seize control by pushing across 4 in the 6th inning to take an 8-2 lead. Houston was able to cut it to 8-6 with 4runs of their own in the 7th, but could not get any closer. Howie Reed shut the door with 2 scoreless innings to push Houston’s backs to the wall.

GAME 3 : ’77 Houston wins 2-1 WP : Joaquin Andujar (2-0) LP : Sandy Koufax (2-2)

Joaquin Andujar outdueled the Lefty. He went 7 innings allowing 1 run over his 7 innings. Koufax was no slouch with a complete game allowing 6 hits and fanning 8 in a losing effort. Houston scored 2 runs in the 2nd inning on a big 2 run double by Jose Cruz. The Astros then hung on tight while the Dodgers put runners on in almost every inning. The Dodgers were able to push a run across in the 6th and has the tying run in scoring postion but Andujar retired Frank Howard on an infield liner. Then in the 9th the game ended on an attempted suicide squeeze by Maury Wills. Houston pitcher, Ken Forsch calmy fielded the bunt from one of the best bunters in the game and threw to 1st for the 3rd out of the inning while Willie Crawford was breaking for the plate with the tying run.

GAME 4 : ’64 LA wins 2-1 WP : Don Drysdale (4-0) LP : JR Richard (0-4)

In a rematch of game 1 starters, it was once again the Dodgers big righty that came out on top. Drysdale again tried to climb out of the rather large shadow cast by teammate Sandy Koufax and prove to all that he is a big game pitcher. Drysdale showed no signs of fatigue coming back on 3 days rest. He threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 6 hits while striking out 5. Richard came up just short once again of matching the Dodger ace before being lifted for a pinch hitter after 6 innings. The offense of the Dodgers was once again sparked by Maury Wills. Wills led the game off with a bunt single and came around 1 batter later on a double by Derrell Griffith. Griffith scored a few batters later on a single by catcher Johnny Roseboro, Those 2 runs would have to stand as the Dodgers bats would be quiet the rest of the way. Drysdale gave way to a suddenly shaky Dodger bullpen who struggled to hold the lead for the righty. Jim Brewer could not make it out of the 8th after retiring 2 outs. Ron Perranoski was able to record the final out of the 8th with the Dodgers still clinging to a 1 run lead. However, in the 9th it was Perranoski who could not get the final out. With 2 outs and a runner on, Perranoski proceeded to throw 8 straight balls to load the bases. Art Howe came to the plate but he would not face Perranoski who had been looking to record his 4th save of the tournament. Instead, it was right hander Bob Miller making his way in from the Dodger bullpen. The move paid off as Howe was retired on a week grounder back to Miller to end the game.

THE DODGERS WILL NOW LOOK TO HOST THE 1975 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS IN ROUND 3. CAN THEY CONTINUE TO RIDE THE ARMS OF KOUFAX AND DRYSDALE? CAN THEY CONTINUE TO PLAY SMALL BALL AND MANUFACTURE JUST ENOUGH RUNS? THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED SOON ENOUGH…..

Round 2–‘73 Halo’s edge ‘2001 Bosox in 4

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Game 1 – Fenway Park - Castillo vs. Singer

California bunched 5 of its 9 hits in one big inning to score 6 times, with Bob Oliver’s 2-run HR being the icing on the cake. They would only muster 4 measly singles for the other 8 innings. But the damage was done, and Angels’ starter Bill Singer yielded only 1 run (unearned) over 7 innings, striking out 8 Boston hitters.

Game 2 – Fenway Park - Nomo vs. Wright

Boston returns the favor in Game 2 banging out 14 hits, including a 3-run HR by Many Ramirez and a 2-run HR by Dante Bichette. Nomar Garciaparra also contributed with 3 hits as the Red Sox seemed to have no trouble handling California starter Clyde Wright. Meanwhile, Red Sox starter Hideo Nomo coasted through 7 string innings striking out 7 and allowing only 1 run on 4 hits to tie the Series at 1 game each.

Game 3 – Angels Stadium - Ryan vs. Martinez.

It was a classic match-up for Game 3. And Nolan Ryan and Pedro Martinez did not disappoint. Ryan scattered 7 singles and fanned 8 over 7 innings giving up only 1 run. Martinez pitched even better, yielding only 1 run on 2 hits over 6.2 innings. That tying run scored on a Ken Berry squeeze bunt plating Bob Oliver, who had tripled with 1-out in the bottom of the 7th inning. Angels broke it open in the 8th against the Boston bullpen on an RBI Richie Scheinblum double and a Bobby Valentine single. California reliever Steve Barber pitched the final 2 frames to pick up the win.

Game 4 – Angels Stadium - May vs. Cone.

The Angels and Red Sox treated the crowed to another nail-biter in Game 4. California scored 1 unearned run in the bottom of the 1st inning on a Vada Pinson double and 2 Red Sox errors. That was all the Halos could muster until the bottom of the 8th, when they pushed across 1 more run on a couple of singles, a walk and an infield groundout. It wasn’t much offense. But it would be enough for California starter Rudy May, who masterfully held Boston at bay, surrendering only 2 hits and 4 walks over 7 strong innings. Against May only 1 Red Sox batter would even reach 2nd base. Boston’s Brian Daubach’s 1-out solo HR in the top of the 9th off reliever Aurelio Monteagudo put the Sox on the board and made it a 1-run game. But Monteagudo managed to get the final two outs to preserve the win and give California the Series 3 games to 1.

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

Round 2–“77 ‘Stros drop ‘05 Cubbies in 4

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Game 1 (Richard vs Prior)
The Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead through 2 innings as Howe and Meztger made errors and the Cubs made them pay. Astros starter J.R. Richard had his good stuff, as he struck out 11 in only 6 innings of work. Mark Prior was even better, though, as he struck out 11 in 8 innings and kept the Astros off the scoreboard until the bottom of the 9th. After scoring 2 in the bottom of the 9th, the Astros loaded the bases with only 1 out. Kerry Wood got Enos Cabell to pop out, then Ohman came on to induce a ground out from C Edd Herrmann and the Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the series with a 5-2 win.

Game 2 (Niekro vs Maddux)
The Astros sent veteran Joe Niekro to the mound against Greg Maddux in Game 2, desperately hoping to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole. Both pitchers were good through 6, but the Astros managed to eke out runs in the 2nd and 3rd to take a 2-0 lead. In the 7th, the Cubs pinch hit for Maddux. They threatened but Niekro and Astros relief ace Ken Forsch kept them off the scoreboard. In the bottom of the 7th, with Bill Wuertz on the mound, the Astros bats came alive. 7 Astros would reach base on a combination of hits, walks, Cubs errors, and a 3-run blast from the bat of light hitting shortstop Julio Gonzalez, and the Astros took an 8-0 lead into the 8th. A combination of relievers preserved the shutout, and the series was tied 1-1 as the 'Stros won 8-0.

 

Game 3 (Lemongello vs Zambrano)
Astros CF Cesar Cedeno doubled, then scored on a Joe Ferguson double to give the Astros a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Cubs immediately answered as Ronnie Cedeno scored on a Derek Lee single in the bottom of the 1st. Cubs took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the 2nd as OF Murton hit his 2nd homer of the series (he had homered in Game 1 as well). Astros tied it up in the top of the 4th as Bob Watson hit a solo shot. In the 5th, the Astros took a 3-2 lead as SS Roger Metzger singled and arms around to score on a Jose Cruz single. That was it for scoring until the bottom of the 8th. With the Astros clinging to a 3-2 lead, relief ace Ken Forsch took the mound to attempt to generate that most rare of feats, the 2-inning save. It was not to be though, as Cubs' Barrett, Murton (him again), and Hairston Jr. strung together 3 hits to score Barrett with the tying run. With Kerry Wood on the mound in the top of the 9th and 2 out, Enos Cabell singled, advanced to 2nd when Cliff Johnson was hit by a pitch, and scored on a PH Wilbur Howard single. With the Astros bullpen now somewhat depleted, Gene Pentz took the mound to try to close out the victory. Ronnie Cedeno lined a single to left and took 2nd on a Neifi Perez bunt. Now, with the ever dangerous Derek Lee due to bat, Astros manager Schneider opted to bring in starter Joaquin Andujar in relief. The move worked (at least in the short run), as Andujar induced a fly out from Lee and a ground from Burnitz to preserve the win 4-3. Astros now lead the series 2-1.

Game 4 (Andujar vs J. Williams)
Astros manager Schneider elected to bring Andujar back to start Game 4. This decision did not work out so well, as the Cubs scored 4 in the bottom of the 2nd (highlighted by an Aramis Ramirez 2-run homer) to chase Andujar. Floyd Bannister came in to get the last 2 outs of the 2nd, and preceded to hold the Cubs scoreless over the next 4 innings. Cubs starter surrendered 3 singles in the bottom of the 4th as the Astros clawed their way to a 4-4 tie. Tension continued to rise as the teams exchanged 0s through the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th innings. In the top of the 11th, with Mike Remlinger on the mound, the Astros went to work. Bob Watson singled, Art Howe (of Moneyball fame) walked. Enos Cabell then doubled home Watson and Howe and the Astros took a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish. Ken Forsch held the Cubs scoreless in the bottom of the 11th and the Astros took the series 3-1.
--submitted by Bill Schneider--  Very exciting series, well managed by Tom.

Round 2–“75 Amazin’s take drop ‘53 Sens in 4

--submitted by Chris Gotay--  Click here to view Series Box Scores

Game One

Clyde Vollmer has two hits and drives in two, while Bob Porterfield goes the dista. nce as the Senators stay unbeaten in the tournament with a 5-1 win in Griffith Stadium.

Game Two

A pitchers' duel between Jon Matlack and Spec Shea has to be decided in innings. With two outs in the top of the tenth, the Mets string together two singles, a hit batsman and a bases-loaded walk to Felix Millan to score the deciding run as the Mets finally post a number in the "L" column for Washington with a 2-1 win.

Game Three

Tom Seaver and Bob Apodaca shut the Senators out, scattering eight hits, and the Mets pound out twelve hits of their own and take the series lead with a 4-0 victory. Del Unser has three hits for New York.

Game Four

Wayne Garrett leads off the bottom of the first with a homer and the Mets also get homers from Rusty Staub and Ed Kranepool while Hank Webb goes the distance allowing only three hits as the Mets advance in the tournament with a 5-1 win. The Mets win the series three games to one.

Great series, played via Tunngle. Thanks for playing this morning Marvin.

Round 2–‘20 Brownies sweep ‘33 Tigers

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GAME ONE – St. Louis scored the first 5 runs of the game. Detroit answered with one in each of the final three frames, but it wasn’t enough as the Brownies take the lid lifter, 5-3. Infield outs in the 2nd and 3rd innings led to Brownie tallies. They put a crooked number on the board in the 6th on two more IF outs and Earl Smith singling home George Sisler. The Bengals were also hurt by 3 errors in the game. Dixie Davis tossed 8 strong innings for the win.

GAME TWO – Wally Gerber’s solo shot in the 3rd and Sisler’s 2-run jack in the 6th proved to be all the Browns would need in a 3-2 win at Briggs Stadium. Urban Shocker went the distance for the visitor’s, while Vic Sorrell turned in a CG loss. Detroit scored in the 2nd when Gee Walker tripled and scored on a Pete Fox sac fly. In the 5th Ray Hayworth trotted home from the 3rd on a Joe Gedeon error.

GAME THREE – Sisler’s 2nd hit of the game plated Jack Tobin in the B8 to lift St. Loo to a 2-1 win and a sweep of the series. Detroit lit the scoreboard first in the 4th inning on a Hayworth RBI single. Gedeon evened things out in the 6th with a single scoring “Baby Doll” Jacobson. Bill Burwell earned the win with two scoreless innings in relief of Allen Sothoron. Firpo Marberry went the distance in a tough-luck loss for the Tigers.

--Submitted by Bruce Thomas (ghostwriter)--

Round 2–‘92 Friars burn ‘93 M’s

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GAME ONE – Andy Benes fired 8 innings of 3-hit shutout ball as the Padres captured the opener 3-1. Gary Sheffield drove in the series first run in the 1st inning with a single after Darrin Jackson had doubled. Catcher Dan Walters swatted a solo homer in the 5th and DH Benito Santiago homered in the 7th to give the Friars a 3-0 lead. An unearned run in the 9th off Randy Myers was the lone tally for the Mariners.

GAME TWO – Bruce Hurst and Larry Andersen combined to shutout the Navs on just 4 hits as San Diego took a commanding two game advantage with a 4-0 win. The Pads went up 3-0 in the 2nd on a Kurt Stillwell RBI double, a Tony Gwynn RBI single and a Jack Clark sac fly. Gwynn added a solo shot in the 4th and Hurst (7 inn.) and Andersen took it the rest of the way. One run in two games for the Mariners at the Kingdome . . . Go figure.

GAME THREE – However, in sunny San Diego Ken Griffey, Jr. and Tino Martinez warmed up their long ball swings. Martinez 2-run blast equaled the Griffey’s 2-run knock in the first and Seattle had a 4-0 lead for the “Big Unit” Randy Johnson. Johnson would yield just 1 run on 2 hits in 7 innings to earn the 6-4 win.

 

GAME FOUR – Seattle proved beyond a doubt that southern California is to its liking with a lopsided 18-0 victory to even the series. It was also a great day to be a Martinez. Both Tino and Edgar hit grand slams and drove in 5 runs each. Omar Vizquel collected 4 of the 17 Mariners hits and also scored 4 runs. Rich Amaral delivered 3 hits and tallied 4 runs. In the 6th inning alone, the Mariners sent 15 men to the plate and plated 10 runs. Dave Fleming (7 IP) and Dennis Powell (2 IP) were the beneficiaries of this offensive largesse.

GAME FIVE – Back to the Northwest for the finale and wouldn’t you know it, Seattle again cannot find home plate. This time Jose Melendez (7 IP) and Andersen (2 IP) do the whitewashing. “DJ” Darrin Jackson handles the offense with a solo shot in the 1st and a 2-run double in the 8th. Vizquel and Amaral have 3 hits apiece at the top of the Navs lineup, but the big guns were quiet.

The visiting teams win each of these games and Seattle outscores San Diego 25-14, but the Friars move on.

--Played by AJ, submitted by his ghostwriter Bruce Thomas--