Final Act Drama is Sox-Mariners Split

Sept. 1 at Chicago – Bo Jackson (3) got a 3-2 Arthur Rhodes delivery belt-high, and he didn’t miss it. The score was 2-2 with 2 outs in the B9 with Frank Thomas (double) on second and Robin Ventura (IBB) on first. Jackson’s big fly to LCF powered the 1993 White Sox to a 5-2 win over the 2000 Seattle Mariners. Jose Paniagua (0-2) was actually tagged with the loss. Donn Pall (2-0) grabbed the relief win.

Sept. 2 at Chicago – The Postman Always Rings Twice – I don’t know what that has to do with Bo Jackson or baseball, but it was a good movie. Also, Jackson (4) “delivered” again for the ChiSox with another 9^th inning, walk-off home run and a 6-5 win at Comiskey Park. Bo knows drama. Ellis Burks was the primary mover and shaker for the Sox early on as his 2B in the 3^rd plated 3 runs and gave them a 4-2 lead. David Bell had doubled in the 2^nd to plate 2 for the Mariners. Both clubs exchanged runs in the 5^th, then Stan Javier (1) belted a 2-run HR in the 7^th to tie it at 5-5. End of the line relievers Brian Drahman (1-0) and Robert Ramsey (0-1) figured in the scoring totals.  

Sept. 3 at Seattle – The setting switched to Seattle for Act 3 and the final scene heroics also belonged to the Mariners. Mike Cameron doubled in the B11th to score Al Martin with the walk-off 2-1 winner. Both starting pitchers, Wilson Alvarez for Chicago (5.2 IP) and Freddy Garcia (8 IP) for the Navs, were strong. Jose Guillen’s RBI ground out in the 6^th and Lance Johnson’s RBI single in the 8^th sent us to overtime. Terry Leach (0-1) and Frank Rodriguez (1-0) were the pitchers of record.

Sept. 4 at Seattle – Stan Javier singled in Bell in the B9th for a 6-5 Mariners win and ended yet another cliff-hanger in walk-off fashion. Both managers, Justin Ryan of the Mariners and Bruce Thomas from Chicago, checked into local hospitals to have their hearts checked at the conclusion of this series. Jay Buhner (9, 10) homered twice and drove in 3 to power the Seattle offense. The “Big Hurt” (2B, HR) had 3 hits and 3 RBI for the Pale Hose. Brett Tomko (2-0) got the win in relief of Aaron Sele (7 IP) for the Mariners. Drahman (1-1) suffered the loss.

Cleveland Tomahawks Struggling Yanks

The 99 Indians take three of four from the struggling 80 Yanks, as the Tribe continues to club the opposition. Cleveland moves to 14-10 and is still a playoff contender, while New York falls to 10-14.

Game One: Neither Tribe starter Bartolo Colon nor Yanks pitcher Luis Tiant last past the fourth inning, as the Yankees maintain a 7-6 lead after six innings. Bob "Bull" Watson's three run homer (4) is the big blow for New York. But Cleveland scores three in the seventh, led by a Travis Fryman triple off Tim Lollar and a key drop in leftfield by Bobby Murcer that allows two runs to score. Paul Shuey pitches 1.2 innings of hitless ball, with two Ks, to hold down the Yanks late. Cleveland 9, New York 7.

Game Two: The Yankees bounce back by knocking around Dave Burba (1-1) for six runs in five innings, as Ruppert Jones drives in two with his fifth homer to lead the scoring. New York's ancient Gaylord Perry (2-0) shuts down the mighty Indians offense, and Mike Griffin pitches 3.1 innings of scoreless ball to earn game MVP. New York 6, Cleveland 2.

Game Three: Charlie Nagy (2-1) holds New York to three runs in 7.1 innings, while Cleveland knocks around Tommy John (2-4) for five runs on 13 hits in six innings. Triples from Richie Sexson and Robby Alomar both lead to runs. Mike Jackson gets his fourth save in a shaky 9th, allowing two singles but then settling down. Cleveland 5, New York 3.

Game Four: Ron Guidry (1-4) uncharacteristically walks six and gets hit for four runs in five innings, leaving with a 4-0 deficit. Robby Alomar ices the win in the sixth with a two run homer, his fourth, off reliever Doug Bird. Jaret Wright (2-2) again has a solid outing, only allowing one stingy run and five hits in 7.1 innings. Cleveland 8, New York 3.

Angels Eke Out Close Series Win Over Indians

The 86 Angels team and 99 Indians both came into this series with identical 10-7 records. The Angels took two of three in a rollercoaster ride of a series -- featuring a close, one run win, a dominant pitching performance and an absolute, one-sided blowout.

Game One: The Angels jumped out to a 5-0 lead, behind a 9 K performance from Mike Witt in his 6.1 innings of work and hitting up and down the lineup that dinged Cleveland starter Charles Nagy (who gave up 10 hits in six innings). But in the Indians score a run in each of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pull to 5-3 and setting up a possible comeback win. In the bottom of the ninth, California's Donnie Moore gives up a run and puts runners on the corners with two out and is relieved by Chuck Finley. Cleveland counters with Sandy Alomar Jr. vs. the lefty. But Finley wins the battle by getting Alomar to ground out to end it. Light hitting Dick Schofield hits a two run shot for the key blow.

California 5, Cleveland 4. W: Witt (3-2); L: Nagy (1-1). S: Finley (1). MVP: Schofield

Game Two: Kirk McCaskill is brilliant, going nine and only allowing seven hits and two runs off the powerful Indians lineup. California mugs Cleveland starter Jaret Wright for six runs in six innings. Reggie Jackson is the man, launching two homers and a double and driving in five as Cleveland never threatens.

California 8, Cleveland 4. W: McCaskill (3-1); L: Wright (1-2). MVP: McCaskill

Game Three: Cleveland, angry at its poor play in the series, takes out its vengeance against California starter Ron Romanick, scoring nine earned runs in the first three innings. Omar Vizquel and Manny Ramirez both have four hits and four RBIs in the rout, while both David Justice and Wil Cordero drive home three. Former California star Mark Langston goes six for the Tribe to take home his first win of the year in the blowout victory.

Cleveland 17, California 2. W: Langston (1-0); L: Romanick (0-2). MVP: Ramirez

Sahx take 2 of 3 from Twinkies with all 3 games being nail biters

GAME 1 - HHH Metrodome
Wakefield vs Radke
Red Sox 5, Twins 4 (11 inn)

Five solo homers, two by Mo Vaughn, were needed for the Sahx to power their way past the Twinkies.  Boston jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but Wake gave back 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th.  A one out solo blast in the top of the 11th by Troy O'Leary won the game.  Mike Maddux, who threw 2 innings of shutout ball got the win, and Stan Belinda's perfect bottom of the 11th was rewarded with a save.

GAME 2
Hanson vs Santana
Twins 2, Red Sox 1

Johan Santana threw 136 pitches in 6 2/3 innings, then handed the ball off to Reyes and Nathan, who prevented Boston's powerful offense from doing any damage.  Reyes got the win and Johan the ND.  The game was played in a cool 2 hours and 11 minutes.  The Twins scored what would be the winning run in the bottom of the 8th by recording back to back to back singles by Nick Punto, Lew Ford and Luis Castillo.  The latter knocking in Punto for the big run.

GAME 3 - Fenway Park
Liriano vs Clemens
Red Sox 3, Twins 1

Vintage Rocket minus the K's tonight.  Roger Clemens (3-1, 2.25) looked like the old Clemens and not an older Clemens.  Stan Belinda and Rick Aguilera combined for scoreless innings to finish off the Twins.  Mike Macfarlane's 4th homer of the season was a 2 run shot in the 2nd, which looked to be the difference maker for a long time until Luis Alicea's sac fly in the 8th provided a bit more breathing room.  Sahx are now 5-1 under their interim manager as they chase the hot Jays in the East.

O’s take 2 of 3 from Pale Hose

O's win their second series of the season taking two of three from Chicago.  Baltimore ace, and hard luck pitcher, Jim Palmer held Chicago to no runs and only two hits in game 2 over 10 innings.  Unfortunately the O's were held in check for 12 innings by six Chicago hurlers and won the game 1-0 in the bottom of the 12th.  Mike Cuellar returned the favor in game three shutting out Chicago as Baltimore took the series with a 5-0 win in the finale.
Great series.  Mostly very low scoring and just a lot of fun as the O's try to fight back from their poor start to KOD21.
Mark N
Baltimore

Tampa Bay 13 Edges Oakland 92 2 Games To 1

The 92 Oakland A's arrived in 13Tampa Bay riding a 9 game losing streak and needed a spark to turn things around early in the KOD21 season. Rickey Henderson provided the spark in Game 1.

Game 1: Oakland 3, Tampa Bay 2 (Tropicana Field)

The opening game of the series matched up Mike Moore (0-2) for the A's and Chris Archer (1-0)
for the home town Rays. Most of the scoring in this one happened in the first inning as Oakland's Rickey Henderson led off with a single, then proceeded to help himself to stealing 2nd and 3rd base. Willie Wilson's SacFly gave the A's the early lead.
Bottom of the 1st, saw a shaky Mike Moore give up 2 walks and a couple of singles and the Rays
take the early 2-1 lead. The score would remain that way until the 8th, Both starters hit the showers after 5 innings. In the Oakland 8th, Rickey Henderson's lead off double set the tone for a 2 run inning. Henderson went to third on a failed pick off attempt by reliever Jamie Wright. Mike Bordick
singled in Henderson and reached third on a Harold Baines single.
Wright looking rattled on the mound threw a wild pitch allowing Bordick to score the go ahead run. Dennis Eckersley earned his 4th save with 2 k's in the 9th. Oakland's losing streak over. Henderson had a huge game 3 for 5 and 2 runs scored.

Game 2: Tampa Bay 2 , Oakland 1 (Tropicana Field)

The second game of the series was another tough close game as Kelly Downs faced off against David Price. Oakland once again took an early lead with a Terry Steinbach solo home run in the second inning. Both starters were sharp as the score remained 1-0 Oakland into the bottom of the 8th.
Rick Honeycutt was called from the bullpen to relieve a tired Downs and Tampa jumped on him for three doubles by Myers, DeJesus and Molina to take a 2-1 lead.
David Price pitched a complete game with 8 strike outs and 3 hits allowed, to bump his record 2-1.

Game 3: Tampa Bay 6, Oakland 4 (Oakland Coliseum)

The rubber match featured the pitching match up of Jeremy Hellickson for the Rays and Dave Stewart for Oakland. Tampa built up a 4-1 lead after 3, only to have the A's claw back into it with a run in the 4th and 2 run game tying blast by Mark McGuire, game tied 4-4.
The Rays break the tie in the 8th with 4 straight 2 out singles off of Oakland reliever Gene Nelson who came into the game in the 7th. Desmond Jennings had the GWRBI and Evan Longoria who was held in check for most of the series batted in the insurance run. Fernando Rodney earned his 5th save of the year, but not before giving up a couple of walks to make it interesting until the final out was recorded.

Fun series to play. All three games were tight and tense until the final out.

Sahx sweep A’s

GAME 1 - Fenway Park
Stewart vs Hanson
Red sox 8, A's 7 (14 inn)

Both Andy Sexton and I agreed that this was an "ESPN Classic" game if there ever was one.  There were at least 7 or 8 moments where either team could have won or lost this game.  The five extra innings, while yielding just one run, was riveting.  In the end the game was when Mo Vaughn lined a single between 1st and second to score Tinsley with 2 out in the bottom of the 14th.  That same scenario could have played out a number of times along the way.  It just happened that the law of averages finally caught up and Vaughn was the delivery guy.  Besides Vaughn unheralded Reggie Jefferson (4-6, 4 RBI, 2 HR) was Boston's hitting star.  Oakland had 3 guys who posted 3 hits.  The game took almost 4 hours (Koch time) to play and 35 minutes of real time to play.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  What most surprised me about this game was the fact that "The Eck", who won the Cy Young in '92, gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in the bottom of the 9th to blow the save and force extras.  No one saw that coming that's for sure, least of all me.  When Oakland scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th to go up by 2 I put this one down as a loss.

GAME 2
Slusarski vs Sele
Red Sox 5, A's 3

Oakland's 3-1 lead was erased by 2 Boston runs in the 4th and in the 5th.  Mike Greenwell (2-4) hit two homers and Aaron Sele gave Red Sox Nation one of those (cough/cough) 6Ip/3ER quality starts for the win.  Aggie got the save, his second of the season.  His ERA is not "down to" 7.50.

GAME 3 - Oakland Coliseum
Z.Smith vs Darling
Red Sox 12, A's 6

Once again neither team received quality pitching and the Red Sox managed to get more offense.  Greenwell (5-6) hit another homer and had another monster day at the plate.  At one point Boston was up 5-0, but Oakland rallied back with 5 runs in the 4th to tie it.  Ron Darling (7.1IP/10R) was more generous than John Kerry at a nuclear negotiation with Iran.  Zane Smith was like a beer league softball pitcher who benefited from having the best hitters on his side.  A 6th run 8th inning by the Sahx sealed the deal in this one that had as much scoring as a Raiders Patriots game.  Red Sox catcher Mike Macfarland (0-5) was the only Red Sock to go hitless.  Tinsley and Alicea each had 3 hits.  In total 6 Boston players had double digit hits.  Oakland lost it’s 9th game in a row.

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GAME 1 - Nationals Park
Jimenez vs Zimmermann
Rox 8, Nats 1

Ubaldo Jimenz (2-0, 0.31) kept the Nats in check all day by allowing just 2 hits and 1 run in 7 1/3 innings of work.  The normally shaky Rox pen kept the good work going as the Nats dropped to 2-7 in their last 9 games.  Todd Helton (3-5 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI) had a bit day at the plate.  Tulo and Gonzo each had 2 hits with the former also knocking in 2.

GAME 2
Hammel vs Gonzalez
Nats 5, Rox 4

Gio (2 runs on 9 hits) was solid for 6 innings, but almost saw it all go by the wayside as Jerry Blevins came on in relief and surrendered 2 runs without getting an out in the 7th.  Thankfully the rest of the Nats pen was able to rise to the occasion and keep the potent Rox lineup for scoring another run.  It all came down to Soriano vs Barmes with one on and two out.  With a 1-1 count the latter hit a bomb to deep left that Bryce Harper made a leaping catch on to save the day.  Colorado outhit Washington 13-6, but the Nats maximized their output.  Seldom used light hitting utility man Kevin Frandsen went 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's including a huge two out hit.  The rest of the Nats bats stayed dormant.  Between Rendon-Werth-LaRoche the heart of the Nats lineup is hitting less than .230.

GAME 3 - Coors Field
Roark vs Marquis
Nats 2, Rox 0

With the Nats lineup mired in a deep funk the team needed a stellar performance from starter Tanner Roark (1-0, 2.20).  What they got in return was a near shutout.  Roark, who threw 110 pitches got to within the final out of the game before being lifted in favor of Ross Detwiler to get the coveted lefty/lefty matchup.  Detwiler gave up a single to Atkins (the only batter he faced) and was replaced by closer Soriano who doesn't enjoy coming in mid inning.  Soriano, who typically works with a tightrope walked Torrealba to load the bases.  For the second day in a row Barmes came to the plate with a chance to at least tie the game.  Instead of hitting a dramatic shot like the day before he grounded out weakly to Rendon at third to end it.  Soriano threw 9 pitches to two batters to record his 8th save.    Washington scored two solo runs in back to back innings (2nd and 3rd) and held tightly to that slim lead.  In the second Danny Espinosa doubled home Ryan Zimmerman with 2 outs.  In the third Adam LaRoche did the same thing to score Denard Span.  After going 2-7 in their past 9 games the Nats won 2 in a row to get back on track and boost their record to 12-5.  Colorado dropped to 6-11, but still is in the thick of it since there are no dominant teams in the NL West.

Indians Overthrow Royals with Game Three Heroics

1999 Cleveland continues on its recent roll by winning two of three from the 1978 Royals. Game three was a real doozy, a back and forth affair won in the bottom of the ninth on a bases loaded walk.

Game One: The Indians go up 4-0 in the first, as KC's Dennis Leonard gets pinged for a three run homer from Jim Thome. But Cleveland's Dwight Gooden continues to struggle, allowing KC to tie it on a big third inning that includes a double from Amos Otis and a triple by George Brett. But then Cleveland regains the edge in the sixth as Manny Ramirez busts a three run shot of his own to give Cleveland a 7-3 lead. Cleveland 7, KC 5. W: Gooden (2-1); L: Leonard (0-2); S: Jackson (3)

Game Two: KC scores early and often to blow out Cleveland. The Indians' Bartolo Colon has a bad start, giving up seven runs in six innings. Freddie Patek, Hal McRae and pinch hitter Tom Poquette (with a three run homer) all have three RBIs. KC's Paul Splittorff and Marty Pattin hold the powerful Indians lineup to two runs. The game is also marked by three ejections -- both Splittorff and Jim Thome are ejected after Thome charges the mound after getting hit with a pitch. KC 14, Cleveland 2. W: Splittorff (1-2); L: Colon (2-2); S: Pattin (1).

Game Three: Cleveland has a nice 4-0 lead after six, led by Omar Vizquel's double down the first base line that brings home two with two out. But KC strikes for four in the seventh, as Frank White singles in two to give the Royals the 5-4 lead and knock out Cleveland starter Dave Burba, who had been cruising. After Cleveland ties it at five, KC strikes again off reliever Paul Shuey, who is knocked around in the eighth.

But with KC leading 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Al "Mad Hungarian" Hrabowsky has trouble closing it out. He gives up a leadoff single to Kenny Lofton, who scores on a hit and run single from Robby Alomar to tie it. He then intentionally walks Manny Ramirez and gives up a key, one out walk to Sandy Alomar Jr. to load the bases. After getting Sexson to strike out on a 3-2 pitch, Hrabowsky goes to 3-2 on Wil Cordero. But Cordero takes ball four to bring home Alomar and give Cleveland the come from behind, 7-6 win. W: Karsay (2-1); L: Hrabowsky (0-2).

White Sox take 2 of 3 versus Rays.

The fourth week of the KOD 21 schedule matched up the 1993 Chicago White Sox versus the 2013
Tampa Bay Rays.

Game 1  (Chicago  7, Tampa Bay 3)

Game 1 from Tropicana Field in Tampa Florida, featured the pitching match up of Jack McDowell for the visiting Sox and Alex Cobb for the Rays.

The Pale Hose got on the board first, with a 2 run third inning. Tim Raines lead off with a double, a walk and rbi's by Lance Johnson and Frank Thomas gave the Sox the early lead.
Tampa catcher Jose Molina hit a solo home run in the bottom of the frame to make a one run game.
Chicago added single runs in the 4th and 5th innings and Tampa pushed a run across in their half of the 5th.
Top of the 9th and the White Sox lead 4-3. Manager Joe Maddon goes to the pen and brings in Jake McGee who walked 2 batters and gave up a 3 run 426 foot HR to Robin Ventura. 7-3 for the bad guys! Rays retired in order in the bottom of the frame.

Game 2  (Tampa Bay 3, Chicago 2 11 innings)

The second game of the series had Chicago pitcher Alex Fernandez against Chris Archer for the Rays.
Both pitchers cruised along until the Tampa 4th, when newly called up for the series David DeJesus belted a solo HR  down the right field line giving the Rays a 1 run lead.
The White Sox put 2 on the board in the 5th. Robin Ventura once again made his presence with an rbi double.
The Rays answered with a run in the 5th, thanks to a lead off double by DeJesus and a Desmond Jennings rbi single. Score all even at 2 apiece.
The score remained tied with 8 strong innings from Fernandez until the bottom of the 11 inning.
James Loney's double knocked in Jose Molina, who was almost pulled for a pinch runner in the 8th scored the game winning run to even the series at one a piece.

Game 3 (Chicago 4, Tampa Bay 2)

The series headed north to Comiskey Park. On the hill for the visiting Rays the lefty David Price and the White Sox sent out Wilson Alvarez.

The White Sox took advantage of 4 straight singles in the 4th off Price to take a 2-0 lead. Frank Thomas and Lance Johnson were both called safe on close plays at the plate.

Tampa got on the board in the 6th, Evan Longoria's rbi single knocked in Zobrist. Prior to that Jennings was waved home and called out on a Zobrist double.

The home town Sox added two insurance runs in the 8th. Rbi singles by Mike LaValliere and Ozzie Guillen gave them a 4-1 lead.

Tampa Bay tried to mount a comeback in the 9th, with Longoria doubling and a double by DeJesus made the score 4-2. That chased Alvarez and the Sox brought in reliever Jose DeLeon, who gave up a walk but retired the next 3 Rays batters to seal the victoy for the bad guys.

93 White Sox win the series 2 games to 1. A very fun series to play. All 3 games came down to the wire. Tampa couldn't get the clutch hits, and the Chicago starters were strong in all 3 games.

Cleveland Sweeps Oakland, Become the New Cardiac Kids

The '99 Indians allowed '92 Oakland to hang tough early in all three games, only to succumb in each to the powerful Tribe lineup of sluggers. At least Oakland gets an "A" for effort in a fun-to-play series.

Check out Game Two: It was a KOD classic.

Game One: Setting a theme for the series, Oakland jumps out to an early 3-0 lead, hitting Tribe starter Dave Burba early. Jose Canseco led the charge with a ripping double that scored two and another RBI single. But Cleveland recovered to knock out starter Ron Darling by scoring four runs in the fifth, including a Robby Alomar triple that plated two. Cleveland got four more in the seventh to blow it open and help Burba (1-0) to his first win. Cleveland 8, Oakland 3. 

Game Two: This wild game lived up to the the line that it's not over until it's over. Oakland looked to have this game won by the fifth inning, opening up a seemingly insurmountable 8-0 lead as Indians' starter Charlie Nagy was giving up the longball -- Oakland got early homers from Lansford, Baines, McGwire and Henderson.

But then Oakland's offense faltered against Tribe relievers, and the Indians took advantage, scoring eight times in the middle inning to tie it up 8-8. Oakland starter Mike Moore began getting hammered, as did reliever Gene Nelson, with the big blows coming in the three run sixth that included four hits and a walk. The Indians hitting barrage even included two runners getting thrown out at home.

The game moved into the bottom of the ninth tied at eight, when Oakland brought in Dennis Eckersley after the Indians got leadoff inning singles from Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome. Eckersley seemed to do the job, striking out Wil Cordero with a man on third and one out. But then Richie Sexson lined a two out single to give Cleveland the improbable win. Cleveland 9, Oakland 8.

Game Three: This one was finally a pitchers duel, as Oakland's Bob Welch and Cleveland's Jaret Wright were both sharp. The game was tied 2-2 after six innings, as Carney Lansford's third homer of the series helped Oakland keep pace. But the Indians got two more runs in the seventh and ninth, both on RBI singles from Omar Vizquel, to take a 4-2 lead. Closer Mike Jackson then nailed it down with a 1-2-3 ninth that included two Ks. Cleveland 4, Oakland 2.