Round 3–‘75 Amazin’s drop ‘57 Motown in 4

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Game One – The Mets get an RBI double from Joe Torre and RBI single from Felix Millan to erase a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the seventh. The game goes to extras, where Rusty Staub leads off the bottom of the 14th with a homer to give the 75 Mets a 3-2 win.

Game Two – The Tigers get a solo homer from Al Kaline in the second and a sacrifice fly from Charlie Maxwell to take a 2-0 lead behind the pitching of Duke Maas. In the bottom of the ninth, Del Unser and Ed Kranepool hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the inning to chase Maas, but Lou Sleater and Jim Stump get the three outs needed as the Bengals knotted the series with a 2-1 win.

Game Three – The Mets take an early 3-0 lead, but a double by Frank House followed by a two-run homer by Jay Porter tied the game at 3. Dave Kingman leads off the top of the sixth with his sixth homer of the tournament to give the Mets a 4-3 lead, and Jon Matlack and Bob Apodaca make it stick to give the Mets a two games to one series lead.

Game Four – Detroit scores four runs in the first three innings off of Hank Webb to get a line forming back at Shea for a prospective Game Five, but the Mets wouldn’t quit. Down 4-2 going into the top of the ninth, the Mets string together a Wayne Garrett double, singles by Joe Torre, Unser, Kranepool and Staub; followed by a Kingman two-run homer for six runs. The Mets’ bench gets short-handed due to Yogi getting confused, resulting in Torre taking the field at shortstop in the bottom of the ninth, but the Mets win 8-5 to take the series in four games. The Mets complete their trip through the top of the Cos region, beating three teams from the 50’s to advance (52 Red Sox, 53 Senators and now the 57 Tigers).

--submitted by Chris Gotay--

Round 3–‘85 Sahx knock of ‘79 LA in 4

 

Game #1 Sutcliffe vs. Clemens
The Rocket (Roger Clemens) threw 7 2/3 innings of shut out ball before turning the game over to Clear and Stanley, who each blanked the Dodgers for 2/3 of an inning.  Sutcliffe went the distance, pitching 8 strong innings.  In the bottom of the third, Marty Barrett lined a single to center that scored Steve Lyons from 2nd to give Boston the only run it would need in this one.  Final Score BOS 1  LAD 0  WP - Clemens (2-0)  LP - Sutcliffe (1-2)  Sv - Stanley (3)

Game #2 Sutton vs. Boyd
The Red Sox welcomed Don Sutton to the Fens by scoring three runs in the first, capped by a Jim Rice 2 run HR.  In the third inning, Davey Lopes put LA on the board, scoring Dusty Baker on a sac fly.  Boston came back in the bottom half, scoring one on a Glenn Hoffman double.  Steve Garvey hit a solo shot in the 6th to make the score 4-2 Boston, but in the bottom of the 6th the Red Sox scored three runs when Barrett walked with the bases loaded, Mike Easler scored from third on a Buckner 4-6-3 DP and Gedman singled to left to score Tony Armas.  Boston scored one more in the 8th, and the Dodgers mounted a rally in the 9th, scoring three runs before Rob Woodward ended the rally.  Boston goes to 8-0 for the tourney, winning this one 8-5.  WP - Boyd (3-0)  LP - Sutton (1-2)

Game #3  Hurst vs. Hooten
All good things must come to an end, and in this one the Red Sox winning streak and the scoreless pitching by Bruce Hurst both game to an abrupt end.  The Dodgers made the first the worst for Hurst as they scored 5 runs on a Ron Cey 3 run blast and a Dusty Baker 2 run shot.  LAD scored another one in the 7th when Lopes led off with a triple and then scored on a Derrell Thomas suicide squeeze.  Meanwhile, all was good in Burt Hooten's world as he mowed down the Red Sox batters for 7 2/3 before he tired.  Brett, Hough and Forster continued to hold Boston off the board to hand Boston it's first loss.  Final Score LAD 6  BOS 0  WP - Hooten (2-1)  LP - Hurst (2-1)

Game #4  Nipper vs. Reuss
All Nipper got his first start, and he was treated as rudely in this one as Hurst was in Game 3 The Dodgers scored 4 times in the first inning, one on a Steve Garvey sac fly and then three more on another Dusty Baker HR.  Boston got on the board in the 3rd on back to back doubles by Jim Rice and Rich Gedman.  In the fifth inning LA extended their lead to 5-1 on a double by Gary Thomasson and a rbi single by Garvey.  Boston closed the gap in the 6th when Dwight Evans walked and scored on a Mike Easler double.  That was followed by a Tony Armas 2 run homer and the Sox were within one.  The score remained 5-4 LA until the 8th inning, when the fireworks started.  With one out, Rick Miller and Glenn Hoffman walked.  Wade Boggs singled to score Miller.  Marty Barrett walked to load the bases and Bill Buckner brought Hoffman and Boggs home to take the lead 7-5.  In the bottom of the 8th Von Joshua singled and Bill Russell doubled him home, making the score 7-6 heading to the ninth.  And in the 9th, Boston scored 6 runs to cement their lead and take the final game, 13-6.  Nipper pitched 5, allowing only the 4 runs the gave up in the first.  Rob Woodward worked a strong 6th and 7th to get the win.  WP - Woodward (1-0)  LP - LaGrow (0-1)

'85 Boston makes it to the Great 8 and now faces their hated rivals from the Bronx, circa 1982.  --submitted by Tom Landers—

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Round 3–‘73 Halos outlast ‘56 Redbirds in 5

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Game 1 – Sportsman’s Park - Dickson vs. Singer

Starters Murry Dickson and Bill Singer each dominated the opposing hitters. The scoreless tie was broken in the bottom of the 7th with a 2-out RBI single by Red Schoendienst. But the Angels tied it suddenly on Vada Pinson’s surprise solo HR in the top of the 8th. Still tied at 1 after 9 innings, the game went into extras. Bobby Valentine doubled off reliever Ellis Kinder to drive in Jeff Torborg with the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th, and Steve Barber pitched out of a jam in the bottom half of the inning to earn the victory.

Game 2 – Sportsman’s Park - Mizell vs. Ryan

California struck early with a 1st inning 3-run HR by Frank Robinson. By the end of the 8th innings the Angels offense had come alive and built a seemingly insurmountable 7-3 lead. But the first 4 Cardinals batters reached in the bottom of the 9th. With the sacks full Redlegs, no outs and the tying run on first base, Steve Barber was called on to get his team out of another jam. An infield groundout brought St. Louis within 2 runs, with runners on the corners and Stan Musial at the plate. To the disappointment of the home crowd, the Cardinals’ captain hit a grounder to 3rd base that went ‘round the horn for a game-ending double play. Barber saved the game for Nolan Ryan, who struck out 12 in 7 innings of work.

Game 3 – Angels Stadium - Wright vs. Poholsky.

The Cardinals’ bats came roaring back as the series moved to southern California. Ken Boyer homered, Eldon “Rip” Repulski drove in 3 runs, and Stan Musial redeemed himself with 3 hits including a triple, as the St. Louis took advantage of 13 hits and 5 California errors to cruise to a 9-3 victory. Cardinals starter Tom Poholsky tossed 8 innings for the win, as St. Louis avoided a series sweep.

Game 4 – Angels Stadium - May vs. Wehmeier

St. Louis center fielder Bobby Del Greco stunned the crowd and both benches with a hitting performance that carried his team to a 6-1 victory. After leading off the game with a solo HR against Rudy May, Del Greco followed with an RBI double in the 5th inning, and a 3-run HR off May in the 6th to put the game out of reach. His 5 RBIs were more than enough for Cardinals starter Herm Wehmeier, who yielded 10 hits in 7.1 innings. But only California 1 hit went for extra bases, and Wehmeier always seemed to get an out when he needed it. With the win, the series was now tied 2-2 and heading back to St. Louis

Game 5 – Sportsman’s Park - Dickson vs. Singer

The Game 1 starters returned for the deciding game of the series. Each was less dominant than in Game 1, with both teams scoring in the first 2 innings to make the score 3-3. St Louis scored 2 runs in the 4th on a single, walk and 3 California errors to take a 5-3 lead. A Vada Pinson solo HR and an Alvin Dark RBI double over the next 2 innings kept the difference at 2 runs to the good for the Cardinals going into the 7th inning. With reliever Jackie Collum on the mound for the home team, the Angels mounted a comeback. Frank Robinson knocked in 1 with a single and Mickey Rivers tied the game with a fielder’s choice groundout. The game was tied with runners on the corners and only 1 out when Jeff Torborg executed a perfect suicide squeeze to score Richie Scheinblum with the go-ahead run. St. Louis managed to get the tying run in scoring position with only 1 out in the 8th inning. But California reliever Steve Barber induced an inning-ending double play, and a perfect 1-2-3 9th inning to save the game and seal the series win for the Halos.  --submitted by Douglas Zaner--

Round 3–‘20 Brownies nip Nats in 5

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GAME ONE – A wild one at Sportsman’s Park opened the series. The Nationals roared back from a 9-5 deficit with 5 runs in the final two innings to win 10-9. Ian Desmond led off the series with a home run. St. Louis hit back with 4 in B1. Doubles by “Baby Doll” Jacobson and George Sisler (4-3-4-3) plus RBI singles from Earl Smith and Wally Gerber paved the way. Michael Morse cracked a 2-run shot in the 3rd and Laynce Nix went solo in the 4th to tie it at 4-4. A Ryan Zimmerman error in B4 allowed Hank Severeid (Brown’s manager AJ Thomas’ great, great, great uncle) to score. The Nats would overcome 5 errors in the contest.  Sisler’s solo bomb in the 5th gave the Browns a 6-4 lead. Alex Cora’s single in the T6 brought in Jayson Werth to make it 6-5.  Another Sisler RBI hit and a 2-run Smith double put another crooked number up for the Brownies in the B6 to make it 9-5. Werth began the Nats comeback with a 2-run blast in the T8. Roger Bernadina followed with a triple and scored on a Rick Ankiel IF out. In the 9th Danny Espinosa tripled and scored on Morse’s single. He would score the winning run later in the inning on a Werth sac fly.   

GAME TWO – St. Louis again jumped out to a big lead (7-0), but this time they held off a late Washington charge for a 9-5 win to even the series. Sisler’s triple drove in a pair and Joe Gedeon brought him in with a sac fly for a 3-0 1st inning lead. The Brownies stacked on 4 more in the 2nd on consecutive RBI hits from Jack Tobin, Jacobson and Ken Williams, then another error by the Nats. The visitors booted 3 more in this one. Espinosa singled in Washington starter Livan Hernandez in the 3rd. Both clubs then took a couple of innings off from scoring. A rarity in this series. Each team tallied a run in the 6th with Bernadina and Smith knocking in runs for their respective clubs, 8-2 St. Loo. Werth got the Nats much closer with a 3-run clout in the 8th.  Gedeon batted in one more in the B8 for the Brownies.

GAME THREE – Rick Ankiel’s bases loaded pinch-hit double highlighted a 4-run Washington rally in the B8 to lift the Nats to a 6-5 comeback win. The D.C. 9 plated a pair in the 1st on RBI knocks from Zimmerman and Werth. The Browns tied it in the 3rd on a Jacobson RBI triple followed by a Williams single. The visitor’s went up 5-2 the next inning when an error (2 more E’s for the Nats) and a passed ball led to 3 runs. The score remained the same until the Washington explosion in the 8th. Espinosa, Zimmerman and Morse all singled to load ‘em up. Werth popped out. Nix followed with a 2-run single and Ankiel doubled.

GAME FOUR – It continued to be offensive in Washington (isn’t that oxymoronic?). Both clubs combined for 26 more hits, but St. Louis made better use of their 14 safeties to even the series with a 7-3 victory. Jacobson led the parade with 3, including a 2-run double to highlight the Brownies 3-run 8th. The Senators (I need it for this analogy) were very wasteful in Washington. Desmond, Zimmerman and Morse collected 3 hits apiece at the top of the lineup, but only scored twice between them. Overall the Nats left 13 men stranded. An oversight committee is being formed somewhere.  George Sisler was tapped for MVP honors going 2-4 with a homer a double and 3 RBI.

GAME FIVE – Calls are now going up for a special prosecutor after this 13-5 debacle in favor of St. Louis. Rookie phenom Stephen Strasbourg is lit up for 5 earned runs on 11 hits in 6 IP?!? In the 7th, the Brownies plate 6 unearned runs when the Nats commit two more miscues. The evidence mounts. St. Louis cannot be faulted with 16 hits, including 4 each by Tobin and Gerber. Baby Doll Jacobson drove in 4.

So with the the nation’s capital swirling in scandal, the Browns head to sunny California to take on the 1973 Angels in the Elite 8. What can happen out there? It is closer to Vegas… Hmmmm!

-- Submitted by Ghostwriter Bruce Thomas

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--