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.