1966 Pittsburgh Pirates clinch KOD14 World Championship in 4 straight games

GAME 4 - Forbes Field
Mike Flanagan (3-3) vs Vern Law (6-3)
Pirates 6, Blue Jays 0

3 hit shutout plus a 2 run homer

Down three games to none the Jays put the ball in the hands of late season acquisition Mike Flanagan.  Pittsburgh turned to the 1960 Cy Young award winner, Vern "The Deacon" Law.  Flanagan, who stumbled a bit down the stretch was tasked with the unenviable job of trying to break the momentum of a Buc team that got hot at just the right time.  Pittsburgh started out fast in this game and never looked back.  With runners on 1st and 3rd in the bottom of the first Roberto Clemente hit a deep fly to the warning track to score Alou easily.  Flanagan was able to get Stargell to hit in to a 3-6-3 double play to end the inning without any further damage.  The bottom of the 2nd would turn out to be Flanagan's Waterloo.  The crafty lefty walked the lead off batter (Clendenon), then served up a 1 out single to Pagan to put runner's on the corners.  Maz lifted a sac fly to left to make it 2-0, but with 2 outs Flanagan looked to have limited the damage once again.  With the opposing pitcher Law batting Flanagan let his guard down and threw a straight change right down the middle of the plate.  Most ordinary pitchers would have swung through that pitch for strike one.  Law, who is an accomplished batsman, jumped all over the crippled pitch and sent it high and far over the ivy in left center to make it 4-0.  Law, who had his up's and down's on the mound all season long never had such troubles at the plate hitting a crisp .444 in 10 starts.  Facing a 4-0 deficit in the game and a 3-0 deficit in the series, the Jays looked very much down and quite possibly out.  In the bottom of the 6th Roberto Clemente (the eventual series MVP) hit a solo blast to make it 5-0.  Four batters later Jose Pagan narrowly missed hitting a 2 run shot, but settled for a sac fly to score Clendenon to make it 6-0.  Those six runs began to loom large as Law was completely locked in on the mound.  Toronto would manage to get just 3 hits off of he Deacon with 2 of them coming in the top of the first.  No Toronto baserunner advanced past first over the final 8 innings of play.  With 2 out in the 9th George Bell refused to be the final out of the series by lining a single to right.  Ernie Whitt had the dubious honor of being the final out as Law threw him high heat and struck him out on 3 pitches to clinch the Series for the Bucs.  Clemente, who hit .353 would be the star of the series, but Law who tossed a tidy 3 hit shutout would be the star of the day.

Pirates win series 4-0

World Series MVP with a .353 avg

Editor's Note:  The poor fans attending this series were treated to rain during all 4 games.  The "Lake Erie" series had it's share of precipitation.  George Bell was the lone Blue Jay who came to hit.  Collectively the Jays hit .189.  Pittsburgh hit well over 100 points higher.  Special nod to Blue Jays manager Robert Chisholm, who did a masterful job getting to the series in just his second full season behind the bench.  No manager could have overcome a collective team batting drought like the Jays exhibited.  "Chis" made all the right moves, but in the end his players let him down.  With 2 complete game shutouts (Fryman & Law), and one almost shutout (Blass), the much maligned Pirate rotation managed to make their manager look good and take the focus away from the team's overworked pen that only saw mop up duty in limited action.  Closer Pete Mikkelsen, who saved 10 games this season didn't even get to warm up in the pen.  Only Al McBean saw action in relief.  Matty Alou, who hit over .400 in the regular season was injured in the 5th sliding into 3rd and was replaced by Manny Mota.

Game 3: Pirates 8, Blue Jays 4

GAME 3 - Forbes Field
Jim Clancey (5-3) vs Steve Blass (7-1)
Pirates 8, Blue Jays 4

8 2/3 innings of shutout ball

Pittsburgh headed home in the enviable position of needing just 2 wins to clinch the KOD World Championship.  Wasting no time the potent Buc offense, which has been firing on all cylinders, posted a quick 3 spot in the bottom of the first.  RBI hits by Stargell, Clendenon and Bob Bailey got the party started right from the get go.  The Bucs added 3 more in the bottom of the 6th, when pitcher Steve Blass doubled home Bailey and Maz with 2 outs to help is own cause.  Matty Alou followed that up with an RBI double of his own to make it 6-0.  A Bob Bailey solo shot to lead off the 8th made it 7-0 and a Matty Alou RBI single later in the inning gave Blass a commanding 8-0 lead.  Blass entered the top of the 9th needing 3 outs for a shutout victory.  After walking Rick Leach and giving up singles to Liriano and Mulliniks to load the bases it became apparent that he had run out of gas.  Blass looked his manager straight in the eye and said, "Skip, I'm running on fumes, but I still have enough left to get the shutout".  Blass then got Ernie Whitt to pop out to his opposite number (Pagliaroni) behind he plate and Barfield to hit an elevator in a silo to shortstop Gene Alley.  With 2 outs Blass needed to find something left in his tank to get the scrappy Tony Fernandez.  Blass' first offering was a called strike right down Broadway.  His second offering was a slider on the outside corner.  With the count 0-2 Glass needed to make Fernandez hit a pitcher's pitch to end it.  Instead Blass put one right down Broadway and Fernandez hit an opposite field rocket that split the gap between Alou and Stargell.  When the dust finally settled Fernandez was standing on 3rd with a bases clearing triple and the score was now 8-3 Pirates with 2 out in the top of the 9th.  Al McBean was brought in to replace the weary Blass and immediately served up a 2 out single to Lloyd Moseby to make it a 8-4 game.  McBean then walked the "Crime Dog", Fred McGriff and had to face the hard hitting George Bell, who turned on a 1-0 fastball that Pagan had to elevate for just off the 3rd base line.  Pagan safely corralled the ball to end the game.

Pirates lead series 3-0

Game 2: Pirates 4, Blue Jays 0

GAME 2 - Exhibition Stadium
Woodie Fryman (6-3) vs Jimmy Key (8-2)
Pirates 4, Blue Jays 0

In a battle of soft tossing crafty lefties, Woodie Fryman came out on top thanks to some fine Pirate defense and fine clutch hitting.  After 5 innings of scoreless ball the Bucs solved Key with 4 runs in the top of the 6th.  After "Bob" Clemente led off with single, Willie Stargell lined a bullet to center for out number 1.  Donn Clendenon, who shines bright in World Series competition, deposited a 1-2 Jimmy Key offering into the left field pavilion to break the scoreless deadlock.  With the score 2-0 Pittsburgh DH Manny Mota doubled to deep center and scored on Jose Pagan's double to the exact same spot.  With 2 outs the ever so clutch Bill Mazeroski doubled down the rightfield line to make it 4-0.  With Fryman locked in like he was those 4 runs felt like 20.  Toronto would get just 2 hit over the next 4 innings as Fryman would go the distance and record the 4-0 shutout.

Pirates lead series 2-0

KOD 14 World Series: 1966 Pirates vs 1987 Blue Jays

GAME 1 - Exhibition Stadium
Bob Veale (5-3) vs Dave Stieb (4-5)
Pirates 13, Blue Jays 3

The Bucs jumped all over Dave Stieb in the top of the first and when the dust settled 6 runs were able to cross home plate.  The first 6 batters were able to reach base successfully before Toronto even recorded an out.  The Jays chipped away and got two runs back with 1 in the bottom of the first and another in the bottom of the third.  The Bucs broke the game open with another 6 run inning in the top of the 6th to send the hometown fans toward the exits.  Pirate starter Bob Veale went 7 and gave up 3.  His goal, on a day where runs were plentiful, was to throw strikes and not worry about being too fine.  Willie Stargell was the hitting star with a grand slam in the 6th and 5 RBI's on the day.  Roberto Clemente and Matty Alou both had 3 hit days.  Bill Mazeroski hit a solo shot off reliever John Cerutti  in the 7th.  George Bell hit 2 solo shots, which accounted for 2 of Toronto's 4 hits and 2 of their 3 runs.

Pirates lead series 1-0

NLCS Game 5: Pirates 3, Braves 2...Bucs win NL Pennant

GAME 5 - Forbes Field
John Smoltz vs Bob Veale
Pirates 3, Braves 2

Up 3 games to 1 the Bucs sent Bob Veale to the hill to close the game out.  Veale's escape artist performance would have made the great Houdini proud.  After Otis Nixon led the game off with a clean single to center Jeff Blauser wound up on first courtesy of a rare dropped ball in right by the great Clemente.  David Justice legged out a infield single to load the bases with nobody out.  Ron Gant walked on 4 pitches to make it 1-0 and the makings of a big inning were right there for the taking.  Instead Veale went deep into his book of magic striking out McGriff and Pendleton and forcing Berryhill to ground back to the box.  The Braves got 1 run, but they did not take full advantage of the bases loaded situation that they had.  A one out single by Stargell in the bottom of the inning scored Matty Alou to tie the game a 1 all.  The game remained tied until the top of the 5th when Veale walked Blauser with 1 out and Gant with 2 out, then was victimized by a Texas Leaguer to right by McGriff to score Blauser and make it 2-1.  Pendleton was up next and he hit a bullet to right.  Gant, feeling his oats, decided to take a shot at scoring.  Most times it's a great decision to draw the throw and tempt the arm of the outfielder, that is unless the outfielder's name is Roberto Clemente.  "Bob" came up throwing and threw a dart to the plate for Pagliaroni to easily tag Gant for the final out of the inning.  Atlanta clung to a tenuous 1 run lead heading into the bottom of the 7th.  Smoltzie fanned pinch hitter Jerry Lynch to start the inning and looked to have an easy second out when catcher Damon Berryhill dropped a pop up in front of the plate and the speedy Alou ran down the line and reached 1st easily.  After Gene Alley singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd, Clemente struck out for the second out of the inning.  Stargell, who was 2 for 2 with a walk to this point was unintentionally walked by Smoltz to face the righty Donn Clendenon, who lined a single to left to score Alou and Alley and give the Bucs a 3-2 lead.

Atlanta managed just a harmless walk in the top of the 8th vs reliever Don Schwall.  Pittsburgh threatened to score in the bottom of the inning but reliever Kent Mercker was able to get 3 out in a row and strand a Buc runner at third with what might have been a coffin nail run.  That new life paid off dividends immediately as pinch hitter Deion Sanders walked on 5 pitches off of closer Pete Mikkelson.  With the speedy Sanders on 1st the Bucs started paying him more attention than pinch hitter Sid Bream.  Sanders got himself a nice running lead and headed for second as Bream lined one to first that the nimble Clendennon layed out for and caught in the webbing of his glove.  Sanders was nearly on second when Clendenon caught the ball and was a dead duck at first as Clendenon rose to his feet to double up the 2 sport star.  With 2 out Otis Nixon worked the count to 3-2 and eventually walked.  Atlanta was not going to go down without a fight.  Mikkelson, who was obviously laboring, still had the ball in his hand since no one was warming in Pittsburgh's pen.  Jeff Blauser stepped to the plate and he too worked the count to 3-2.  On the pay off pitch Mikkelson painted the black with a hard sinker that Blauser swung over for strike 3 to end the series

Special thanks to Ron Burnette who had a fabulous season with the Braves and battled right down to the wire for the NL Pennant.  Even though this series went just 5 games, all of the games were tight and could have gone either way.  Ron's a fantastic competitor and one of the great recent additions to the KOD family.
Pittsburgh wins series 4-1

NLCS Game 4: Pirates 5, Braves 3

GAME 4 - Forbes Field
Steve Avery vs Tommy Sisk
Pirates 5, Braves 3

Atlanta drew first blood when Otis Nixon scored easily on a 4-6-3 DP off the bat of Ron Gant.  Avery was sharp and had a no hit bid going until the 6th when of all people pitcher Tommy Sisk broke it up with a slow roller that no one could get to in the infield.  Matty Alou, the NL Batting Champ, lined a single to right on a perfectly executed hit and run play to put runners on the corners with 1 out.  Gene Alley, the goat of game 1 for his huge 2 out error, delivered a 2 run double off the ivy in left center to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead.  Terry Pendleton's RBI single in the top of the 7th knotted the game up a 2-2.  "Bedrock", Steve Bedrosian, was brought on to start the 7th in relief of Avery.  Catcher Jim Pagliaroni walked on 4 pitches then scored on a opposite field double by Jose Pagan.  Maz singled to move Pagan up 90 feet.  Manny Mota was called on to pinch hit for Sisk, who did a great job on the hill today.  Bedrock uncorked consecutive wild pitches to score Pagan and move Maz to third.  Mota finally got a pitch to hit and he lined a double over Nixon's head in center to make it a 5-2 game.  Damon Berryhill's sac fly in the 8th cut Pittsburgh's lead to 2.  Lefty Bill O'Dell was solid in relief, but after allowing Gant to single with 2 out he was replaced by Mikkelson, who got Justice to line out to first to end it with the tying run on base.
Pirates lead series 3-1

editor's note:  The remaining games in the series will be completed Sunday night @10pm EST.  So stay tuned to see which NL team will get to face Toronto in the KOD14 World Series.

NLCS Game 3: Pirates 3, Braves 1

GAME 3 - Forbes Field
Tom Glavine vs Steve Blass
Pirates 3, Braves 1

Steve Blass took a page out of Woodie Fryman's book and scattered 10 hits over 8 innings and notched himself a 3-1 victory.  Blass didn't allow a free pass which forced the Braves to hit their way on.  Atlanta got their "knocks", but just couldn't bundle them together.  Tommy Glavine went 7 2/3 and gave up 3 runs, which turned out to be enough for Pittsburgh to hang on and win.  The Bucs scored solo runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 6th innings.  Ron Gant had a huge 3 for 4 day and scored Atlanta's lone run.  Matty Alou, Jose Pagan and surprise starter (at catcher) Jerry May each had RBI singles.  Pete Mikkelsen got back on the horse after falling off in game 1, and pitched a perfect 9th inning to get the save.
Pirates lead series 2-1

NLCS Game 2: Pirates 6, Braves 1

GAME 2 - Fulton County Stadium 
Woodie Fryman vs Greg Maddux
Pirates 6, Braves 1

Pittsburgh scored early and late in this game to provide what looks in the scorebook as a comfortable margin for victory.  Rest assured there was no comfort on this day as Woodie Fryman circled in and out of trouble over and over again.  Fryman, who gave up 11 hits in 8 1/3 innings of work, was masterful getting out of one jam after another.  Inning after inning the Braves had him on the ropes, but he didn't crumble.  1966 NL MVP Roberto Clemente had a breakout day with the stick.  "Bob" went 3 for 5 with a homer, 2 RBI's and 3 runs scored and a huge diving catch in right that saved 3 runs from scoring.  Fryman himself got into the act offensively going 2 for 4.  Cy Young candidate Greg Maddux went 6, but gave up 3, while fanning 5.  Reliever Mike Stanton gave up 2 runs late in the game to give the Bucs some much needed insurance.
Series tied 1-1

NLCS Game 1: '93-ATL 6, '66-PIT 5 (10 inn)

GAME 1 - Fulton County Stadium
Bob Veale vs John Smoltz
Braves 6, Pirates 5 (10 inn)

Things couldn't have looked brighter for the visiting Bucs who brought a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the 8th inning.  After going 6 innings, Bob Veale ran out of gas.  Atlanta's lineup forced the hard throwing southpaw to expend a lot of energy.  After throwing 125 pitches in just 6 innings Veale handed the ball over to Roy Face, who has had his challenges this season.  Today would be no different.  Atlanta would touch him up for 2 runs in the 8th to make it a tense 1 run game.  After walking the lead off batter (McGriff), Face nearly served up a homer to Jeff Blauser.  He would not be so lucky with the next batter, Damon Berryhill, who launched a 2 run shot.  Still, the Bucs carried a 1 run lead into the bottom of the 9th.  Normally reliable closer Pete Mikkelsen was brought on to close the game out for the Pirates.  On a one hop comebacker to the mound Mikkelsen slipped and had to eat the ball.  He recovered to strike out David Justice, who was immediately presented with the non-coveted "Golden Sombrero" for fanning 4 times on the day.  Ron Gant singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd, but when the "Crime Dog", Fred McGriff went down looking the Braves were down to their last out.  Mikkelson tried to nibble at the corners and wound up walking Blauser to load the bases.  Up stepped Berryhill who grounded to Gene Alley at short, who saw the ball "clank" off his glove for a costly error that tied the game up at 5 apiece.  By this point the tomahawk chop was out in full force and the un-nerving hum of the Florida State chant began to engulf Fulton County Stadium.  Mikkelson, to his credit, struck out Mark Lemke to end the inning, but the momentum was clearly on the side of the Braves who rallied successful back from a 3-0 deficit.  Pittsburgh went down in order in the top of the 10th thanks to some fine pitching by "Bedrock".  Mikkelson started the bottom of the 10th and walked pinch hitter Deion Sanders.  The Florida State "hum" and the tomahawk chop began once again.  Deion easily stole second and then came around to score the winning run on a Otis Nixon "bleeder" through the three / four hole.  Lost in the mix was the outstanding 5 RBI / 2 homer performance by Pirate second baseman Bill Mazeroski.  "Maz", who comes up big in big moments hit a 3 run shot in the first and a 2 run blast in the 6th, which all but put the game away for the Bucs, until Atlanta turned up the heat which caused Pittsburgh to melt.
Braves lead series 1-0

ALCS Game 6: Blue Jays 5, A's 4 - Toronto Wins AL Pennant

Oakland 4 Toronto 5
Tim Hudson vs Jimmy Key(W)

Exhibition Stadium

Rally Rally Rally a few of the Oakland faithful made the trip back to Toronto. It was working with 1 out, Terrence Long doubled  off the wall,Jason Giambi singled, Eric Chavez walked with bases loaded Jimmy Key was not off to a good start. Jermaine Dye doubled off the wall clearing the bases. The rally was alive and Oakland up 3-0. In the 2nd Toronto replied with Fred McGriff walking to leadoff the inning, Ernie Whitt, Lloyd Moseby and Willie Upshaw all singled and Nelson Lariano sacrificed. The Blue Jays quieted the A's faithful as they tied it at 3. They took the lead in the 3rd when Fred McGriff scored on a Willie Upshaw single. Jimmy Key had settled down and was baffling Oakland batters but in the 7th the Oakland few started once again Rally Rally Rally and Jimmy Key got mad and took it out on Frank Menechino and hit him in the mid section. With 2 out Terrence Long doubled scoring Frank Menechino. Game tied 4-4. Oakland went to Mike Magnante and 3 up 3 down.Toronto stayed with Jimmy Key even though he had already shown he was tiring but he got 3 up and 3 down. Oakland went to Jeff Tam in the Toronto 8th. Jesse Barfield lead off with a single between third and short. Nelson Lariano failed on a bunt attempt and poped it up. Tony Fernandez then doubled sending Jesse Barfield to 3rd. Rance Mullineks sibled to right and Jesse Barfield got the go ahead run and trying to add to the lead the coach waved Tony Fernandez home but was thrown out on a bullet of a throw by Jermaine Dye. With the game and the chance to end the series Toronto went to their ace in the top of the 9th who had lost in game 5. Jeremy Giambi grouned out and Ramon Hernandez struck out. Rally Rally Rally was heard and Billy McMillon walked. Tom Henke threw a heater at Johnny Damon and he popped up to Tony Fernandez and the Jays stormed the feild in celebration as they defeated the A's to win the American League Pennant. Jimmy Key got the win going 8 innings with 6 hits and 5 stikeouts and 4 earned runs, and Tom Henke the save. Jeff Tam took the loss. Willie Upshaw was Game MVP and was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs. 

Toronto wins the AL Pennant 4 games to 2. 

Thanks to Marc for the great series.

--game by game write-up's submitted by Robert Chisholm--

ALCS Game 5: A's 6, Blue Jays 5 (13 inn)

Toronto 5 Oakland 6 (13 innings)
Jim Clancy vs Barry Zito

NA Coliseum

Rally caps were on the A's players in the dugout. For the 2nd game in a row Oakland 's starter was tagged for 5 run. By the end of 4 it was 5-1 Toronto. In the 7th Barry Zito and Jim Clancy were gone, but Jeff Musselman walked Johnny Damon then Terrence Long flew out, but walked jason Giambi, Ernie Whitt couldn't handle the next pitch and you could hear the A's fans chanting rally rally rally, Tejada singled scoring Johnny Damon, Eric Chavez walked but Jermaine Dye struck out. More chants rally, rally, rally. Gant came in to pinch hit and an error by Manny Lee made it 5-3. A walk to Ramon Hernandez and Jeff Musselman was pulled in favor of John Cerutti, bases still load and he walks Frank Menechino and gets a blown save. Game tied 5-5. He then got Johnny Damon to strikeout. Oakland went through a string of pitchers Jeff Tam, Mark Guthrie, Chad Bradford, Jason Isringhausen and Mike Magnante. Toronto replied with John Cerutti until the 13th.. Oakland pitchers were limiting Toronto hitter to only 1 hit. With John Cerutti tiring Toronto went to thier ace Tom Henke in the 13th. Rally Rally Rally Miguel Tejeda singled, Eric Chavez singled and Jermaine Dye singled scoring Miguel Tejeda. The A's win. Game MVP Miguel Tejeda was 3 for 7 scoring 2 runs. Mike Magnante got the win and Tom Henke the loss. Oakland left 16 on base and Toronto 12. 

Toronto leads the series 3-2.

ALCS Game 4: A's 5, Blue Jays 4 (10 inn)

Toronto 4 Oakland 5 (10 innings)
Joe Johnson vs Cory Lidle

NA Coliseum

Could Toronto get the sweep. It started out that way. Ernie Whitt walked to start the 2nd, Lloyd Moseby grounded to Jason Giambi who errored. Jesse Barfield tripled scoring both and Nelson Lariano sacrificed scoring Jesse Barfield. 3-0 Blue Jays. It was 4-0 when Rance Mullineks homered over right field line in the 4th. Toronto starter Joe Johnson who had been activated for the series was strong through 4 but allowed 2 in the 5th and 6th. In the 5th Ramon Hernandez singled followed by a Jermaine Dye triple and Terrence Long ground out scoring him. In the 6th Jeremy Giambi singled and Hernadez homered tying it at 4. Cory Lidle was strong for the A's allowing only 4 hits over 8 innings. Joe Johnson was pulled and Mark Eichhorn came in. Mike Magnante took over for the As and ran into trouble in the Toronto 9th with 1 out and the bases loaded, Jim Mecir came to the mound and got Rick Leach on strikes and Tony Fernandez to fly out. He was solid in the 10th. Mark Eichhorn on the other hand hit Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejeda singled and a wild pitch advanced them to 2nd and 3rd. Wells took over but allowed Jeffery Giambi to single in Jason Giambi. Jim Mecir got the win, Mark Eichhorn the loss. Cory Lidle was Game MVP and avoided a sweep. 

Toronto lead series 3-1

ALCS Game 3: Blue Jays 9, A's 1

Toronto 9 Oakland 1
Dave Stieb (W) Mark Mulder (L)

NA Coliseum

If Oakland thought a change of venues returning back home would get things going. Think again. After 2 innings Mark Mulder was rocked for 7 runs. He was pulled in the 6th after allowing 8 runs in total. Dave Stieb pitched a solid 6 innings allowing 5 hits and only 1 run but was replaced by Game MVP Jeff Musselman who got the save allowing 1 hit over 3 innings. Lloyd Moseby and Juan Beniquez were 3 for 5 and Juan Beniquez had 3 RBIs. Things went so bad for oakland even catcher Ernie Whitt stole a base. Toronto left 11 runners stranded where Oakland left only 8. Interestingly enough Juan Beniquez was credited with the Game Winning RBI but his RBI was the 1st of the game, it was in fact Jesse Barfield who had a 3 run homer in the 1st that it should be credited to. 

Toronto leads the series 3-0.

ALCS Game 2: Blue Jays 5, A's 4 (12 inn)

Oakland 4 Toronto 5 (12 innings)
Tim Hudson vs  Jimmy Key

Exhibition Stadium

Jimmy Key was strong early on allowing only 5 hits over 7 innings. Tim Hudson on the other hand allowed 7 hits and 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings. Miguel Tejeda opened the scoring in the 2nd after a single and Eric Chavez advanced him to 3rd with a double. Ramon Hernandez sacrificed to center allowing him to score. With Willie Upshaw and Ernie Whitt on base Tony Fernandez tripled in the bottom of the inning to score 2 and he came home when Fred McGriff grounded to 2nd. Mark Guthrie came to the mound to face Tony Fernandez in the Toronto 6th and gave up a single but shut door after that. In the 7th Jimmy Key gave up a solo 336 shot down the left field line to Jermaine Dye. Mark Eichhorn took over in the 8th and blew the save but wasn't helped when Tony Fernandez errored on a grounded by Frank Menechino, he then threw a wild pitch, walked jason Giambi intentionally. It worked as they got a double play third to first. Fearing Eric Chavez but with Jason Giambi on 2nd and 1st open they walked him by Greg Myers pinch hit and doubled scoring both. The game was tied at 4. The game went to extra innings and Oakland went to Jeff Tam and Mike Magnante, where Mark Eichhorn continued until the 12th inning. John Cerutti came in to clear the side.Jim Mecir came to the mound for Oakland but Tejada errored on a Jesse Barfield grounder. Rance Mullineks singled to left center and Jesse Barfield advanced to 3rd. Ernie Whitt grounded to Frank Menechino at 2nd an he errored and Jesse Barfield scored the winning run. Ironically Mark Eichhorn who blew the save was the Game MVP, John Cerutti got the win and Jim Mecir the loss. 

Toronto leads the series 2-0.

ALCS Game 1: 87-TOR 10, 01-OAK 5

Oakland 5 Toronto 10
Barry Zito (L) Jim Clancy (W)
Exhibition Stadium

Hitting was the name of the game. Leadoff batter Johnny Damon was issued a walk by Jim Clancy and after Terrence Long struckout Johnny Damon took off and stole 2nd. He advanced to third when Jason Giambi groundout. He scored on a Miguel Tejeda single. Toronto took the lead when Jesse Barfield singled and Cecil Fielder was issued a walk. Manny Lee lined a single to score both. An error by Manny Lee allowed the A's to load the bases, a single to Jesse Barfield allowed Terrence Long to score and third base coach signalled Jason Giambi home but he was gunned down at the plate when Ernie Whitt applied the tag. When Barry Zito hit Ernie Whitt in the 4th Toronto rallied as Manny Lee and Tony Fernandez hit back to back singles with Ernie Whitt scoring. They both advanced on a wild pitch and Tony Fernandez scored on a George Bell single to right. Terrence Long replied with a single and Jason Giambi doubled. Terrence Long scored when Tejada ground out and Jason Giambi scored when Eric Chavez singled. Jim Clancy and Barry Zito settled down for the next at bats, but Barry Zito was pulled in the Toronto 6th and Gil Heredia came in and held Toronto in the 6th. Jeff Musselman took over from Jim Clancy in the 7th. Gil Heredia unraveled in the 7th giving up singles to Jesse Barfield, Fred McGriff (pinch hitting for Cecil Fielder), and Ernie Whitt. Then a walk to Manny Lee, and when Tony Fernandez stepped to the plate doubling off the wall in left center.4 runs scored. Toronto added another in the 8th when George Bell put a 367 footer over the left feild wall. Oakland tried to rally in the 9th but only Eric Chavez scored after getting on base with a Willie Upshaw error. Jeff Musselman got the save. Tony Fernandez was Game MVP and was 2 for 5 with 4 RBIs. Oakland was unable to cash in on the opportunities of 3 Toronto errors as they left 14 on base.

Toronto leads the series 1-0.

ALDS Game 5: Blue Jays 8, Angels 7

California 7 Toronto 8
Frost vs Flanagan

Exhibition Stadium

 

With 1 out Grich doubled off the wall in left center. Downing singled and Baylor notched a 381 foot blast over left center. The Angels were flying high in this the deciding game. Fernandez walked and McGriff doubled, Bell grounded out and Fernandez scored. An error by Carew allowed moseby to reach first, leach singled to left centre and barfield loaded them up with a single. Lariano walked scoring Moseby. Frost who had started his 2nd game of the series threw a wild pitch scoring Leach. Fernandez flew out scoring Barfield and McGriff singled scoring Lariano, Frost had thaw out and Knapp came in to relieve him, he got Whitt and Mulliniks to fly out but not before Toronto took the lead 5-3. Toronto added to the lead when Whitt pushed on over the opposite wall in right 334 feet. The Angels didn't give up and as Ford lead off the 6th with a double and scored on an Anderson single. Carew singled and Rudi pooped up. Eichhorn was brought in for the Blue Jays and walked Miller, struck out Lanford , allowed gfrich to single but walked in the tying run when he walked Downing and Carew scored. Finally he got Baylor to flyout. With the score tied California brought in Tanana to pitch to Leach but he was called back and Beniquez came to the plate and he powered a 340 foot blast over left which was the first Tanana had allowed all season. In the 8th Eichhorn with 2 out tossed a gopher ball to grich who made no mistake and it sailed 334 feet over left field to once more tie the game at 7. In the bottom of the 8th Tanana faced Beniquez again and this time made no mistake and had him pop out to third. He then walked Barfield and Lee Fernandez then singled scoring Barfield and struck out Mcgriff but was then pulled when Bell came to the plate and Clear had him ground out. With a 1 run lead the Blue Jays brought in Henke to meet the heart of the Angels lineup Baylor hit one down the right field line and Barfield rushed over to catch it. One out. Next up ford again hit hard to right but Barfield was under again it 2 out. Thon came to the plate as a pinch hitter and Game MVP Tom Henke ended the Angels season with a strikeout. the Blue Jays win the series 3 games to 2. Eichhorn was credited with the win and Tanana the loss. Thanks to Doug for the hard fought battled series. Now Toronto goes on to do battle with the Sunshine States other AL team the Oakland A's.

--full series writeup submitted by Robert Chisholm--

Toronto wins series 3-2

ALDS Game 4: Angels 10, Blue Jays 7

Toronto 7 California 10
Nunez (L) Aase (W)

Anaheim Stadium

 

Scores can be so misleading. Miller singled and Grich tripled bringing him home. In the 4th The Heavenly Angels sang loud and cast Nunez out of heaven. A walk by Carew and Lansford followed by a Campaneris sacrifice bunt forced Nunez to walk Miller hoping for a double play. Instead Downing singled scoring 2. When Grich struck out things appeared to be turning around but the Angel trumpets blew and baylor singled and Game MVP Willie Aikens homered by innings end 6 scored. With a 7-1 lead Moseby got one back with a solo homer. In the 6th a single by Lee, an error by Campaneris and a walk to McGriff gave the Blue Jays some hope with George Bell up nobody out and bases loaded.The Angels had Bell popup to Campaneris. Pinch hitter Moore sacrifice bunted scoring one and Mullineks singled scoring 2 more. It was now 7-4 but Willie Aikens powered one out of the park to take an 8-4 lead. In the 8th Grich doubled of the wall, Baylor was walked and Joe Rudi came in to pinch hit for Willie Aikens and he singled, Ford walked and Harlow singled in another run. The Blue Jays down 10-4 rallied in the 9th with 3 lead off singles to Moore, Mullineks and Moseby, Upshaw popped up, Leach singled scoring 2, Lee sacrificed for another run and Fernadez singled, Clear had enough and got McGriff to flyout to end the game.

Series tied at 2 games each.

ALDS Game 3: Blue Jays 5, Angels 3

Toronto 5 California 3
Key (W) Barr (L)

Anaheim Stadium

 

With 2 out George Bell singled in the first and scored when Ernie Whitt doubled off the wall. In the 2nd Lloyd Moseby bunted for a single and advanced to 2nd when Willie Upshaw grounded out. With 2 out Liriano singled scoring Moseby. In the third Bell singled with 1 out, Mulliniks later walked with 2 out and Game MVP Lloyd Moseby hit a three run homer 376 feet over the right center wall. Baylor lead off the Angels 4th with a single to left. With 2 out Joe Rudi singled to left and then Bob Clark tripled scoring Baylor and Rudi cutting the lead to 5-2. With 2 out in the 7th Jimmy Key walked Lansford and Grich. Downing singled scoring Lansford. Key then intentionally walked Baylor loading them up for a force out but Dan Ford lined to 2nd. With 1 out in the 8th Mark Eichhorn came in to relieve Key and put the side down. For the 9th Musselman came in to face leadoff hitter Rod Carew but he was called back to the dugout and Thon went to the plate and struck out. Tom Henke came in from the bullpen and struckout Lansford and got Grich to flyout for the save

Toronto leads series 2-1

ALDS Game 2: Angels 3, Blue Jays 0

California 3 Toronto 0
Ryan (W) Stieb (L)

Exhibition Stadium

A pitchers duel early on. In the third Bert Campaneris singled on an infield hit and Rick Miller walked. Dave Stieb then got Brian Downing out on strikes and Bobby Grich to popup, over confident he hit Don Baylor with bases loaded Willie Aikens lined a single over second scoring 2. Game MVP Nolan Ryan had all he needed and glided on Angels wings through the end of 8 allowing only 4 hits. In the ninth with 1 out Carney Lansford tripled and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Anderson. California ties the series 1 game each.

Series Tied at 1-1

ALDS Game 1: 1987-TOR 11, 1979-CAL 6

California 6 Toronto 11

Exhibition Stadium
Frost (L) Clancy (W)

Clancy started off rough with a Miller single followed by a wild pitch. He got Downing to strikeout but Grich followed up with a single. To save the inning Clancy then struck out Baylor and Ford. Frost didn't start out to well either a single to Fernandez and a walk to McGriff. He got Bell to popup. Whitt grounded out and Rance Mulliniks singled. In the third Clancy ran into trouble again after getting out leadoff batter Campaneris as Miller tripled, Downing followed up with a single, Walks to Grich and Baylor and singles by Ford and Aikens by then end 4 runs scored. Things were looking up for the Angels but McGriff walked to leadoff the Blue Jays bottom of the third. Bell singled and Whitt advanced them on a groundout. Mulliniks followed up with a double scoring both followed by a Moseby single once again knotting up the score. Frost and Clancy settled down again in the 4th. In the 5th Baylor doubled with 1 out and with 2 out Aikens brought him home and Lansford brought him home with a single. Things were looking heavenly for the Angels. Frost walked Bell to leadoff the Blue Jays 5th by was tagged out when Whitt hit it back to him but Whitt beat the throw relay to 1st. Game MVP Rance Mulliniks singles and Moseby then walked. Bases were loaded and Upshaw struckout, then all hell broke loose as Barfield singled to right, Liriano doubled to right and Fernandez kept it going with his own single to right. The Blue Jays were now up 9-6. Angels Starter Frost was pulled in the seventh after Upshaw singled and Barlow got them out of the inning. In the 8th with Clancy tiring Wells was brought in with 1 out and got Carew to ground out and struck out Anderson. Fernandez lead off the 8th by doubling to the wall in right-center, McGriff moved him to third on a single, Bell singled scoring Fernandez. Whitt struck out and Mulliniks sacrificed to left center scoring McGriff. Wells held on getting the save. 

--submitted by Robert Chisholm--

Toronto lead series 1-0

NLDS Game 5: Braves 4, Astros 3

Game 5 – Astros 3 – Braves 4

Shane Reynolds vs. Steve Avery

This was a classic game 5. We had a rematch of two hot pitchers from game 1. The ebb and flow of the series looked to favor the Astros. But the Braves, a seasoned bunch, who ran away with the regular season title, were buoyed by the sold-out crowd, an unusual occurrence in the ATL.

The game started out like it would be a high scoring American League game. Jeff Bagwell hit a 2 run homer to give the Astros the lead before the most of the late arriving crowd was in their seats. Otis Nixon, who would go 5 for 5 in game 5, singled and stole 2nd. Justice drove him home and Ron Gant added his own 2 run homer to give the Braves a 3-2 lead after 1. The Braves added a run in the 4 th on a Steve Avery single. Manager Ryan wondered who the heck the hitting coach was as Braves pitcher had quite a few hits and RBIs in this series. Maybe Charlie Lau?

Meanwhile Steve Avery was pitching great. After that rough first inning, he retired 15 in a row before Bagwell’s single in the 7th. The Astros finally got to a tiring Avery pushing across a run in the 8th as that Bell and Gutierrez combo made the score 4-3 Braves. Manager Burnette decided to bring in a well-rested Greg McMichael to close this game out. He struck out Carl Everett leading off the 9 th. Bagwell walked on 4 pitches and true to form promptly stole second. Stan Javier, pinch hit for game 4 hero Tony Eusebio, grounded out to Lemke with Bagwell taking third. This brought up the hot hitting Spiers. Manager Burnette thought long and hard about putting Spiers on but decided to pitch him, trusting in McMicheal. Greg got him to line out to a well-positioned Mark Lemke to end the game and allow the
Braves to advance to the next round.

Congrats to Justin Ryan on a well-played series

Braves win the series 3-2

NLDS Game 4: Astros 5, Braves 4 (10 inn)

Game 4 – Braves 4 – Astros 5 10 Innings
Tom Glavine vs. Chris Holt

On paper this looked like a mismatch. Glavine was one the best hurlers of the 90s while Holt – well he wasn’t. And the Braves got the early jump as a struggling Ron Gant hit a 429’ 3-run homer in the 1st and it looked like the Braves were off and running. But again these Astros would not give up. They responded with 3 runs of their own in the 2nd as Jeff Bagwell, Tony Eusebio and that man Billy Spiers had consecutive singles and Manager Ryan was executing his ‘small ball’ to perfection. The Braves broke the tie in the sixth thanks to 2 errors by the usually dependable Bagwell. Otis Nixon got the RBI as the Braves finally got a hit with RISP. They struggled mightily with this during the entire series.

But these Astros are a confident bunch. They came back to tie the game in the 7 th on a single by Derek Bell, a sacrifice bunt by Barker and RBI single by Ricky Gutierrez. It would stay that way until the bottom of the 10th. Kent Mercker, who was pitching his 3rd inning of relieve, retired the first two batters. Then he hit Carl Everett. While I’m sure every pitcher threw at Everett one time or another during his career, why Mercker choose that spot to do it – we may never know. Everett then promptly stole second.  Bagwell was intentionally walked to get to Eusebio. But after a great duel, Tony Eusebio grounded 3-2 curveball into left for the game winning hit. A wild celebration took place on the field. It was now the Astros who boarded their plane back to Atlanta full of confidence and fully believing they can win this series.
Series tied 2-2

NLDS Game 3: Astros 6, Braves 5

Game 3 – Braves 5 – Astros 6
Greg Maddux vs. Jose Lima

This game could not have started out better for the Braves if Hollywood had written the script. Greg Maddux, a Cy Young candidate, retired the first 11 batters before Carl Everett grounded a single to left in the 4th. The Braves bats finally went to work in the 5th. They batted around scoring 4 runs. Maddux even added to the onslaught leading off the inning with a single and grounding out to end it. Braves fans were already anticipating their rematch against the Pirates.

Then the unthinkable happened. Billy Spiers, who may have been the Astros best player, led off the 5th with a double. Paul Bako followed with a single that scored Spiers and the Astros seemed to gain confidence that maybe Maddux wasn’t at his best. After getting the next 2 batters, Maddux then allowed 3 straight hits and the Astros had closed to 4-3. They added a run on a Bako sacrifice fly in the 6th to tie it up. Mo’ that fickle lady had clearly moved to the Astros bench. The Braves broke the tie in the 7th on a run-scoring single by Sid Bream. Manager Burnette trusting in his ace left Maddux in to the close the deal. But alas it was not meant to be. Hidalgo walked to lead off the 7 th. Craig Biggio smacked a RBI single scoring Hidalgo. Then with two outs Carl Everett smacked the 1 st pitch he saw between short and third for the game winning hit. The much maligned pen closed out the game as Butch Henry pitched a perfect 8th and Billy Wagner closed it out in the 9th. Scott Elarton picked up the win in relieve as Manager Ryan astutely pulled a struggling Lima in the 5th.
Braves lead the series 2-1

NLDS Game 2: Braves 7, Astros 4

Game 2 – Astros 4 – Braves 7
Mike Hampton vs. John Smoltz

This game was eerily similar to game 1. Hampton and Smoltz were locked in another pitching duel. It was all tied at 2 going into the bottom of the 7th. Otis Nixon, who with Steve Avery was the Braves MVP, led off the 7th with a single and then stole 2nd. Blauser followed with a run scoring double to give the Braves the lead and also ended Hampton’s night. Before the nightmare was over the Braves tacked on 4 more runs against 2 Astros relievers. Smoltz was the winner.

And with Greg Maddux and Tommy Glavine up next in the rotation they were happy bunch as they boarded the plane to Houston.
Braves lead the series 2-0

NLDS Game 1: 1993-ATL 5, 1999 HOU 1

KOD14 – Playoffs Round 1 – 1993 Atlanta Braves vs. 1999 Houston Astros

On paper this series looked like a mismatch. The Braves had rolled through the regular season with the best record. On the other hand the Astros had to wait until the final game just to get into the tourney as the 2nd wild card. But as some great scribe once said, that’s why they play the games.

This series was anything but a mismatch and went to the final pitch before victory could be declared.

Game 1 – Astros 1 – Braves 5
Shane Reynolds vs. Steve Avery

This was a great pitching match-up for the first 6 innings. The Astros scored first with an unearned run in the 5th on a throwing error by Terry Pendleton, a sacrifice bunt, fly out to left and a wild pitch. With the way Reynolds was pitching it looked like this run would hold up and give the Astros game 1. But the Braves, who had been stymied by Reynolds, were finally able to break through against the Astros bullpen. They struck for 5 runs against 3 different pitchers. The big blow came from Jeff Blauser who hit a 2-run homer.

Braves lead the series 1-0

--submitted by Ron Burnette--

NLDS Game 3: Pirates 6, Dodgers 4

GAME 3 - Forbes Field
Kaz Ishii vs Vern Law
Pirates 6, Dodgers 4

2 for 4 with a HR & a double & 4 RBI

The series shifted back East with the Bucs lucky to have a two games to none advantage thanks to two winning two close one's late.  The "Deacon" Vern Law was tapped for the clincher.  The 1960 Cy Young Award winner has had a season where he's pitched to the level of his competition.  If the Bucs score 6, he gave up 5.  Today would be no different.  Law would go 7 2/3 innings and give up 12 hits, but just 4 runs.  If his counterpart, Kaz Ishii, was capable of supplying his team with a "quality start" the Dodgers could have easily won this game.  Instead the Pittsburgh offense came to life and victimized Ishii for 6 runs in just over 5 innings on the bump.  The opening salvo, a 3 run blast by catcher Jim Pagliaroni, set the pace for what would be a great day in Forbes field for the home team.  LA made it a 1 run game with 2 runs in the 5th.  LA probably should have gotten some more that inning, which would eventually loom large later on.  Encarnacion led off the frame with a single.  Bradley doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.  On an 0-2 pitch law hung a curve that Ishii served into shallow center to score Encarnacion.  On Izturis' force play Bradley scored the second run.  Dave Roberts made the second out by fouling out to the catcher.  Beltre singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd.  Lo Duca's single to right should have loaded the bases for Shawn Green.  Instead, the inning was over thanks to poor base running by Izturis, who tried to leap over the bounding ball, but instead kicked it with his left foot for the third out.  A potential big inning was thwarted by a base running gaffe.  The Bucs would get 1 run back in the bottom of the inning with a 376 foot blast off the bat of the great Clemente.  In the bottom of the 6th the Bucs would hit back to back to back doubles to make it 6-2.  Donn Clendenon, Jose Pagan and Pagliaroni accomplished the run scoring trifecta.  Law, who had give up just 2 runs in 7 innings was brought back out for the 8th where he got sloppy and gave up a two out 2 run single to Jayson Werth to make it a 2 run game.  That hit signified the end of the Deacon's day and Don Schwall was brought on in relief instead of Face or Mikkelson, who were still tired after the 14 inning extravaganza two days earlier.  Schwall, not known for his relieving prowess was able to get Izturis to ground out to second to end the 8th.  In the 9th he was able to get Dave Roberts to pop up to short then get an game ending 6-4-3 DP off of the bat of LoDuca (after Beltre singled) to end the game and the series.
Pittsburgh wins series 3-0

 

NLDS Game 2: Pirates 2, Dodgers 1 (14 inn)

GAME 2 - Dodgers Stadium
Woodie Fryman vs Odalis Perez
Pirates 2, Dodgers 1 (14 inn)

Both starters were outstanding today.  Neither could get enough run support to come out on the winning side of the ledger.  A two out solo blast by Roberto Clemente in the top of the first staked Fryman to a 1-0 lead.  That run would be the last run that Perez would give up on a day where he fanned 6, walked just 1 and gave up just 3 hits in 8 innings of stellar work.  In the bottom of the 2nd Shawn Green grounded a single between 1st and 2nd to score Jayson Werth, who singled earlier with 1 out and moved to second on a fielder's choice.  The game would remain hopelessly deadlocked for the next 11 innings.  Heading into the top of the 14th Wilson Alvarez took the hill for LA for his second inning of relief work.  Alvarez was masterful in striking out the great Clemente, but let up ever so slightly against Willie Stargell, who launched one 385 feet to put the Bucs up 2-1.  Alvarez had a huge lefty vs lefty advantage over Stargell, who is a young lefty slugger who feasts on righty pitching.  When it comes to lefty pitching Stargell hits well below .200.  Today the odds shifted to his favor and the Pirate faithful watching back in Pittsburgh were ecstatic that it did.  Long reliever Don Cardwell, who pitched a perfect bottom of the 13th came back in the 14th to close it out.  Cardwell got Werth to fly to center, struck out Cora and lucked out when Green's sinking liner to short was sneered by Gene Alley to end this 14 inning marathon.
Pittsburgh leads series 2-0

NLDS Game 1: 1960-PIT 5, 2004-LAD 3

GAME 1 - Dodger Stadium
Bob Veale vs Jeff Weaver
Pirates 5, Dodgers 3

Veale gave up just 1 run in 7 innings of work and handed the ball over to the normally reliable pen to protect the lead.  Roy Face fanned the first 2 Dodgers he faced in the bottom of the 8th  Beltre and Werth, LA's two top guns both went down swinging.  Paul LoDuca singled up the middle and Milton Bradley worked out a 2 out walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd for Shawn Green, who doubled to left center to give LA a 3-2 lead.  Yhency Brazoban started the 9th for LA and struggled after getting Jesse Gonder to ground out back to the box.  Matty Alou walked and stole 2nd.  Brazabon was then replaced by close Eric Gagne, who is not used to entering a game in the middle of an inning.  This scenario upset the big guy's rhythm as evidenced by the RBI single he served up to Roberto Clemente to tie the game at 3-3.  Gagne still wasn't able to find his composure and Willie Stargell took full advantage by depositing a long fly ball 340 feet from home for a go ahead 2 run blast.  Don Clendenon followed with a gapper, but got greedy trying to stretch a long single into a double.  Pete Mikkelsen came on in the bottom of the 9th to finish it off for Pittsburgh.  Itzturis hit a long fly ball that Clemente tracked down just shy of the warning track in right.  Cora grounded weakly to short for the second out.  Beltre, who would go 3 for 4 with a walk on the day, singled to keep LA's slim hopes alive.  Werth walked to bring up the go ahead run in the form of catcher Paul LoDuca.  On a 2-0 count LoDuca hit a 1 hop bullet to Gene Alley at short to to force Werth at second to end the game.
Pittsburgh leads series 1-0

ALDS Game 3: A's 7, Yankees 5

GAME 3 - Yankee Stadium
Mark Mulder vs Mike Mussina
A's 7, Yankees 5

Neither Mulder nor the Moose had enough stuff to baffle the hitters from these two potent lineups.  After 4 innings the A's held on to a 4-3 lead.  Oakland threatened to blow it open in the 5th, but Kyle Farnsworth came on mid inning and allowed just one of Moose's runners to score to keep the game within 2 runs.  Oakland tacked on 2 more in the top of the 8th thanks to a Robbie Cano error on Hernandez' weak grounder.  Johnny Damon, an unlikely power source, hit a 2 run shot moments later to put the A's up 7-3.  The fans in the "Big Ball Orchard in the Bronx" began to grow weary and restless as the game was really starting to slip away.  It was time for some "mystique and aura" to take over in the bottom of the 8th.  With 6 outs remaining in their season New York battled back against a tiring Mulder.  Matsui led the inning off with a walk and moved to third on A-Rod's double.  Posada walked to load the bases with nobody out.  Robbie Cano, atoning for his error in the top of the inning, hit a bullet up the middle that was so hard, the runners could only advance one base.  Matsui scored on the play to make it 7-4.  New York's version of Johnny Damon served an opposite field single to left to score A-Rod and make it a 2 run game with nobody out and the bases still full.  Mike Magnante was summoned from the pen to do some damage control and protect a 2 run lead that was looking shakier by the moment.  The "Gee-am-bino" popped out to shallow right. Posada was unable to score on the pop out.  Shelly Duncan then popped out to short for out number 2.  Up stepped the captain, Derek Jeter, with the bases loaded and two out, down by 2.  In the turning point of the game "Jeets" hit a bullet to third that Chavez knocked down then threw to second to force Damon to end the inning.  New York scored two to make it 7-5, but they missed a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and nobody out to turn around their fortunes.  

After a scoreless top of the 9th the Bombers came to the plate needing 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th vs ace closer Jason Isringhausen.  Bobby Abreu led off the inning with a clean single to left that went under Long's glove.  Damon easily pulled into second with nobody out and the heart of the order coming up.  Matsui grounded to short and failed to advance the runner.  A-Rod, being his usual clutch self [sic] fouled out to the catcher for out number 2.  Posada, who has the intensity of category 5 hurricane refused to make the last out and worked out a walk in a 9 pitch at bat.  That left it up to Robbie Cano, who needed an extra base hit to tie it or a homer to win it.  Cano hit and opposite field bullet that Chavez backhanded at third on one hop and threw to second to force Posada for the final out of the game and the series.  Oakland somehow managed to up New York in 3 straight to move on to the LCS.  New York manager Gotay said after the game, "It was a case off too many Damon's & Giambi's with Oakland have the better versions".  Both Oakland and New York's version of Jason Giambi hit homers as did Oakland's Damon.  Izzy continues his hot streak in relief, by saving another game and not giving an earned run up all season.

Oakland wins series 3-0