Baseball in the Pythagorean Universe: 1994

Here's Desmond with the rest of the AL games from Tuesday, September 20:

NY Yankees 15, Milwaukee 5
W - Terry Mulholland (10-11)
L - Bob Scanlan (7-9)
HR - NYY: Bernie Williams (25), Paul O'Neill (30) , Luis Polonia (3), Pat Kelly (8)
MIL: John Jaha (17)

Summary: Every starter had at least one hit for the Yanks, and seven had at least one RBI.

Toronto 6, Detroit 3
W - Dave Stewart (10-11)
L - Tim Belcher (9-18)
HR - TOR: Joe Carter 2 (44)

Summary: Another multiple-dinger game for Carter; he drove in five runs for the Jays, who are back to within a game of the Tigers for third place in the East.

Here are your American League standings to the moment:

Yankees: 96-62 (clinched)
Orioles: 90-70- 7 GB
Tigers: 75-83- 21 GB
Blue Jays: 74-84- 22 GB
Red Sox: 68-88- 27 GB

In the Central:

Indians: 99-57 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 8 GB
Royals: 81-75- 18 GB
Brewers: 76-85- 25.5 GB
Twins: 61-96- 38.5 GB

Next: We continue our completion of the American League with September 21.

Thoughts?
 
Now here's Desmond with the rest of the American League action from Wednesday, September 21:

Detroit 4, Toronto 3
W - Joe Boever (12-6)
L - Mike Timlin (1-4)
S - Mark Gardiner (7)
HR - TOR: Joe Carter (45)

The difference in this game was a wild pitch by Timlin in the seventh inning that brought home Alan Trammell. Carter hit five home runs in the three-game series. The Tigers' magic number to clinch third place in the East is three.

Yankees 8, Milwaukee 2
W - Jim Abbott (15-9)
L - Bob Scanlan (7-10)
HR - NYY: Bernie Williams 2 (27)

Summary: Williams hit two home runs, which gave him four for the series, and drove in six runs.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 97-61 (clinched)
Orioles: 90-70- 8 GB
Tigers: 76-82- 21 GB
Blue Jays: 74-84- 23 GB
Red Sox: 68-88- 28 GB

In the Central:

Indians: 99-57 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 8 GB
Royals: 81-75- 18 GB
Brewers: 76-85- 25.5 GB
Twins: 61-97- 39 GB

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
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Now here's Desmond with the rest of the American League action from Thursday, September 22:

Toronto 16, Detroit 4
W - Dave Stewart (11-11)
L - Tim Belcher (9-19)
HR - TOR: Joe Carter (46), John Olerud (14), Roberto Alomar (14), Ed Sprague (14)
DET: Junior Felix (19)

Summary: It was a night to forget for Belcher, as he gave up nine runs on ten hits in an inning and two-thirds. Carter's homer gave him six for the four-game series.

NY Yankees 3, Milwaukee 0
W - Terry Mulholland (11-11)
L - Jaime Navarro (5-10)
HR - NYY: Don Mattingly (15)

Summary: Mulholland (who pitched eight innings) and Steve Howe combined to shut out the Brewers on six hits.

Here are your American League East standings to the moment:

Yankees: 98-61 (clinched)
Orioles: 90-70- 8.5 GB
Tigers: 76-83- 22 GB
Blue Jays: 75-84- 23 GB
Red Sox: 67-88- 29 GB

In the Central:

Indians: 97-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 8 GB
Royals: 81-75- 18 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 26 GB
Twins: 61-95- 36.5 GB

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
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I'm still working through the rest of Desmond's contributions for the American League. Next, we'll look at the Twins-Orioles games from September 19 and 21.

Here's September 19:

Minnesota 5, Baltimore 3
W - Pat Mahomes (11-10)
L - Mike Mussina (19-9)
HR - MIN: Kirby Puckett (30), Dave Winfield (14)
BAL: Brady Anderson (21)

Summary: Puckett and Winfield's homers were the difference in the Twins' victory.

Here's September 21:

Baltimore 7, Minnesota 5
W - Mark Williamson (7-2)
L - Mark Guthrie (4-3)
S - Lee Smith (40)
HR - MIN: Kirby Puckett (31), Kent Hrbek (14)
BAL: Jeffrey Hammonds (19), Cal Ripken Jr. (23)

Summary: Hammonds' homer broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning.

Here are your American League East standings to the moment:

Yankees: 98-61 (clinched)
Orioles: 91-71- 8.5 GB
Tigers: 76-83- 22 GB
Blue Jays: 75-84- 23 GB
Red Sox: 67-88- 29 GB

In the Central:

Indians: 97-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 6.5 GB
Royals: 81-75- 17.5 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 24.5 GB
Twins: 62-96- 36.5 GB

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
Here's Desmond with the remainder of the AL East action from Saturday, September 24:

NY Yankees 8, Minnesota 1
W - Jim Abbott (16-9)
L - Jim Deshaies (7-18)
HR - NYY: Bernie Williams (28), Pat Kelly (9)
MIN: Kirby Puckett (32)

Summary: Williams continued to swing a hot bat, driving in five of the Yanks' eight runs in support of Abbott (six hits, one run, eight strikeouts in seven and a third innings)

Boston 5, Toronto 4 (14 innings)
W - Ken Ryan (6-4)
L - Tony Castillo (5-5)
HR - BOS: Mo Vaughn (41), Mike Greenwell (15)

Summary: John Valentin's single in the top of the fourteenth won it for Boston.

Cleveland 12, Detroit 7
W - Jack Morris (17-7)
L - John Doherty (8-9)
HR - CLE: Albert Belle 2 (56), Carlos Baerga (23), Jim Thome (29)
DET: Travis Fryman 2 (29)

Summary: Four home runs helped the Tribe build an 11-1 lead before the Tigers' comeback. With two games remaining for each team, the Tigers still lead the Blue Jays by a game for third place in the East.

Here are your American League East standings to the moment:

Yankees: 99-61 (clinched)
Orioles: 91-71- 9 GB
Tigers: 76-84- 23 GB
Blue Jays: 75-85- 24 GB
Red Sox: 68-88- 29 GB

In the Central:

Indians: 98-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 7 GB
Royals: 81-75- 17 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 25 GB
Twins: 62-97- 37.5 GB

Next: Desmond's look at the American League East action for September 25.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the rest of Desmond's American League East Report for Sunday, September 25:

Minnesota 3, NY Yankees 1
W - Pat Mahomes (12-10)
L - Melido Perez (14-5)

Summary: Mahomes, a native of the Bronx, threw seven strong innings to shut down the Yanks.

Toronto 9, Boston 8
W - Woody Williams (3-5)
L - Ken Ryan (6-5)
HR - TOR: Joe Carter (46), Devon White (17)
BOS: Andre Dawson (27), Scott Cooper (18)

Summary: Ed Sprague's walkoff RBI single scored two runs and capped a Blue Jays comeback from 8-2 down.

Cleveland 13, Detroit 4
W - Jack Morris (18-7)
L - Tim Belcher (9-20)
HR - CLE: Albert Belle 4 (60)
DET: Kirk Gibson (35)

Summary: More home run history was made at Tiger Stadium when Belle joined the short list of players with four home runs in a game. He's now just one behind Roger Maris' American League record of sixty-one, and a continuation of his current pace will put Matt Williams' all-time mark of sixty-five in danger.

In other news, the Tigers and Blue Jays are tied for third place in the East with one game remaining for each team.

Here are the American League East standing to the moment:

Yankees: 99-62 (clinched)
Orioles: 91-71- 8.5 GB
(tie) Tigers: 76-85- 23 GB
(tie) Blue Jays: 76-85- 23 GB
Red Sox: 68-89- 29 GB

In the Central:

Indians: 99-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 7.5 GB
Royals: 81-75- 17.5 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 25.5 GB
Twins: 63-97- 37.5 GB
 
Here's Desmond with the rest of the AL East action from Friday. September 23:

Boston 5, Toronto 4 (12 innings) (ABC: Bob Ley, Buck Martinez)
W - Scott Bankhead (5-3)
L - Woody Williams (3-6)
S - Ken Ryan (14)
HR - BOS: Mike Greenwell (16)

Summary: Greenwell's three-run dinger gave the Red Sox the lead in the top of the twelfth. In the bottom of the inning, back-to-back singles following a throwing error drew the Jays closer, but Ryan struck out Pat Borders to end the contest.

Minnesota 7, NY Yankees 3 (ABC: Bob Carpenter, Reggie Jackson)
W - Kevin Tapani (15-11)
L - Sterling Hitchcock (4-2)
HR - MIN: Kirby Puckett 2 (34), Alex Cole (5)

Summary: The Twins went deep three times in their easy victory.

Detroit 5, Cleveland 0 (ABC: Chris Berman, Tommy Hutton)
W - Mike Moore (14-14)
L - Charles Nagy (12-11)
HR - DET: Kirk Gibson (36)

Moore pitched a complete game three-hitter, and the Tigers clinched third place in the East.

Here are your American League East standings to the moment:

Yankees: 99-63 (clinched)
Orioles: 91-71- 8 GB
Tigers: 77-85- 22 GB
Blue Jays: 76-86- 23 GB
Red Sox: 70-89- 27.5 GB

In the Central:

Indians: 101-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 8.5 GB
Royals: 81-75- 18.5 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 26.5 GB
Twins: 64-97- 38 GB

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
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Now here's my report of the Red Sox-Indians series from September 20-22. First, September 20:

Indians 8, Red Sox 0

Jason Grimsley and Jose Mesa combined on the shutout. On offense, Albert Belle tied Roger Maris for the all-time American League home run record with Number 61 off of Sox reliever Cory Bailey in the fourth. Paul Sorrento also went deep for the home team. The Bosox managed eight hits, but leave the bases loaded twice.

W- Grimsley (7-4)
L- Finnvold (0-6)

HR- CLE: Belle (61), Sorrento (21)

Here's September 21:

Indians 6, Red Sox 2

Offensively, Carlos Baerga led the way for Cleveland; his two-run double in the seventh broke open a 2-0 game. Alvaro Espinoza, who's filled in brilliantly at short while Omar Vizquel has battled assorted leg injuries, drove home another and scored twice to boot. Other RBIs came from Eddie Murray and Kenny Lofton. On the mound, Dennis Martinez no-hit the Bosox for six and a third innings before giving up a one-out single to Mike Greenwell in the seventh. He tired in the ninth, giving up two runs, including an upper-deck home run to right from Mo Vaughn, but got a standing ovation from the sellout crowd upon his exit. Jose Mesa got the final out on three pitches to record the save. By the way, Belle went 0 for 4.

W- Martinez (19-7)
S- Mesa (6)
L- Clemens (13-10)

HR- BOS: M. Vaughn (42)

Finally, here's September 22:

Indians 5, Red Sox 4

The Cleveland bats did nothing all day, as Aaron Sele was working on a three-hit shutout through seven innings, Meanwhile, Andre Dawson was leading the Boston offense; he ended up three for four with a pair of RBIs. He had help from backup catcher Rich Rowland and left fielder Lee Tinsley, who drove in the other Red Sox runs. But it all fell apart in the bottom of the eighth, as the Indians tallied four times to tie the game. A pair of two-run singles did the damage; one came from Baerga, the other from Sorrento. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Jim Thome led off against Boston reliever Tony Fossas, whose first pitch was a called strike. Here's Herb Score on the Indians Radio Network:

"All tied up four and four, last of the ninth. A tremendous comeback by the Tribe, but there's still some work to do. Thome pounds his bat on the plate, he's ready to go and so is Fossas. Has the sign from Rowland, curveball, ready, throws......FLY BALL, RIGHT CENTER, NO CHANCE FOR NIXON, AND YOU CAN START YOUR ENGINES! JIM THOME WINS IT FOR CLEVELAND!.............0-1 delivery right over the middle, Fossas didn't want it there, obviously, and Jimmy deposited it in the first row in right center field. Jose Mesa gets the win, and Tony Fossas takes a tough, tough loss."

Thome's homer was the only one of the game, which means that Belle finished tied with Maris for the all-time American League home run record of sixty-one.

W- Mesa (10-5)
L- Fossas (2-1)

HR- CLE: Thome (29)

First, your American League Central standings to the moment:

Indians: 104-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 93-67- 10 GB
Royals: 81-75- 20 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 28 GB
Twins: 64-97- 39.5 GB

Now, your final American League East standings:

Yankees: 99-63 (clinched)
Orioles: 91-71- 8 GB
Tigers: 77-85- 22 GB
Blue Jays: 76-86- 23 GB
Red Sox: 70-92- 29 GB

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?
 
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Now for the other two games of the Rangers-Athletics series in Oakland, courtesy of Joe Ray. First, September 19:

Athletics 11, Rangers 6

Stan Javier's leadoff homer helped the A's to a 3-0 first inning lead, and they never looked back. A Jose Canseco triple got the Rangers on the board, but Terry Steinbach's two-run double in the third made it 5-1. Javier's second home run of the game gave the visitors a 7-1 lead in the fourth, but the Rangers came back to within 7-4 in the fifth. They left the bases loaded, however. Manuel Lee's double brought the Lawmen within 7-6 in the seventh, but a Jeff Frye error led to a three-run eighth for Oakland; they also added a run in the top of the ninth. The Rangers left two on in the last of the ninth after only scoring one run.

The A's thus kept their faint hopes of moving up in the final AL West standings alive. They trail the Mariners by two and a half games for third place with four games to play, and they're still within three games of the Angels for second.

W- Ontiveros (10-5)
L- Rogers (14-11)

HR- OAK: Javier 2 (13)

Now, September 21:

Athletics 4, Rangers 1

The A's took two out of three from the AL West champs, sending them into the postseason in a tailspin. Brent Gates' double and Javier's single gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the fifth, and Gates singled in another run in the seventh. Geronimo Berroa's solo homer in the eighth closed out the scoring for Oakland. Dean Palmer's solo shot in the bottom of the fifth provided the Rangers' only run. In the last of the ninth, A's closer Dennis Eckersley stated by hutting Juan Gonzalez in the leg, but retired the next three batters in order to get the save.

The A's are now just a game and a half behind the third-place Mariners and two behind the second-place Angels. The A's finish their season at home against the Royals, while the Mariners visit Kansas City and the Angels complete an already-begun series against the White Sox at Comiskey Park.

W- Ontiveros (11-5)
S- Eckersley (26)
L- Dettmer (0-8)

HR- OAK: Berroa (17)
TEX: Palmer (23)

Your American League West standings to the moment:

Rangers: 77-85 (clinched)
Angels: 73-87- 3.5 GB
Mariners: 72-87- 4 GB
Athletics: 70-89- 5.5 GB

Next: More AL West games.

Thoughts?
 
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I've decided to cover the remaining series in AL Central cities first, since they'll have a direct impact on the race for second in the West. Let's begin in Kansas City, where the Royals are hosting the Mariners from September 19-21. Here's September 19:

Mariners 4, Royals 2

Ken Griffey Jr. went one for three plus a walk, the hit being a first-inning single. As for the rest of the action, no one on either team had more than two hits or one RBI. Reggie Jefferson's sixth-inning single drove in Jay Buhner with the go-ahead run.

The Mariners are now tied with the Angels for second in the West.

W- Cummings (6-5)
S- Ayala (27)
L- Gubicza (8-14)

Now, September 20:

Royals 16, Mariners 3

The Royals thrashed the Ms thanks to a twenty-hit attack. Seattle starter Roger Salkeld gave up four runs on four hits in the first and was removed before he can record an out, and things really went down the drain for Seattle in the third, when the Royals sent twelve men to the plate and scored nine times. The biggest stick of all belonged to designated hitter Bob Hamelin, who went four for six with five RBIs, including a massive three-run homer in the third that's estimated at 408 feet to deep right, which is only 330 at Kauffman Stadium. Mike Macfarlane drove home four runs, and Terry Shumpert, who got the start at second due to Chico Lind's pulled hamstring, went three for five and drove in three runs. On the mound, David Cone went all the way, striking out eight. About the only bright spot for the Mariners came in the top of the first, when Griffey belted Number 55 , a two-run shot to left that landed neatly in the glove of Goose Gossage in the Seattle bullpen.

The Mariners are back in third place by themselves; they trail the Angels for second by half a game. They finish here at Kauffman Stadium tomorrow.

W- Cone (19-9)
L- Salkeld (5-8)

HR- SEA: Griffey (55)
KC: Hamelin (32)

Finally, here's September 21:

Royals 20, Mariners 3 (ESPN: Look-ins for Griffey at-bats with Royals announcers Denny Matthews, Paul Splittorff)

For the second time in their three-game series, the Royals humiliated the Mariners, this time scoring twenty runs on twenty-four hits. Only second baseman Terry Shumpert didn't drive in a run, and he went one for four and scored twice. Gary Gaetti led the offense, going four for five with a home run and five RBIs. Bob Hamelin could only manage two for three, but he too had a home run and four RBIs and scored four times. Greg Gagne goes four for six with an RBI and a run scored, and so on, and so on, and so on. Mariners starter Dave Fleming couldn't get out of the first inning, and reliever Jeff Nelson, one of the most reliable arms in the Seattle pen, was rocked for ten runs on eight hits in two and two-thirds innings. To make it worse, the Mariners walked an embarrassing twelve men. Their only bright spot was Dan Wilson's eighth inning inside-the-park home run that cut their deficit to seventeen. Counting their win on Monday, they were outscored 38-10 in the three-game series.

The Mariners now trail the Angels by a game for second place; the best they can hope for is that the White Sox win their last two games against the Angels, which would leave the two teams tied for second. They could also finish tied for third if the A's sweep the Royals in the season's final series at the Oakland Coliseum. If both of the above things happen, there will be a three-way tie for second.

W- Gordon (15-9)
L- Fleming (7-15)

HR- KC: Hamelin (33), Gaetti (20)
SEA: Wilson (5)

Now let's go to Comiskey Park for the two remaining games between the White Sox and the Angels. First, here's September 19:

Angels 7, White Sox 3

The Angels clinched second place in the West by soundly defeating the Pale Hose. Tim Salmon led the offense with two home runs and five RBIs. The big blow was his third-inning grand slam that erased a 2-0 Chicago lead. Damion Easley and Chris Turner had the other RBIs for California, while Robin Ventura had two hits and drove in a pair for the Sox. As for Frank Thomas, he not only went 0 for 4, but struck out three times.

W- Finley (14-11)
L- McDowell (11-13)

HR- CAL: Salmon 2 (34)

Now, here's September 21:

White Sox 8, Angels 7 (ESPN: Look-ins for Thomas at-bats with White Sox announcers Hawk Harrelson, Tom Paciorek)

The Pale Hose came back from deficits of 4-0, 5-2, and 7-4 to stun the Halos in the bottom of the ninth. It was Robin Ventura's two-run double that won it for the Sox, but his earlier two-run homer prevented a Halos runaway, and Number 60 from The Big Hurt got the Sox back to within one in the eighth. Harold Reynolds goes deep for California, while Jim Edmonds went two for four with three RBIs and Tim Salmon also went two for four and scored twice. For posterity, here's how Hawk Harrelson called Number

"0-1 from Leiter.........FLY BALL, LEFT CENTER FIELD, BACK GOES CURTIS, ON THE TRACK, AT THE WALL, AND YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOOOOOOOOOOARD............YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!! IT'S NUMBER 60 FOR FRANK!..........Not only that, but now it's a ballgame again, as the Angels' lead is 7-6. No time for curtain calls this time, but maybe if he comes up again later, he can do it again. Of course, that means we're probably in extra innings."

W- McCaskill (3-6)
L- B. Patterson (1-1)

HR- CAL: Reynolds (3)
CWS: Thomas (60), Ventura (30)

Here are your American League Central standings to the moment:

Indians: 104-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 94-68- 10 GB
Royals: 83-76- 19.5 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 28 GB
Twins: 64-97- 39.5 GB

In the West:

Rangers: 77-85 (clinched)
Angels: 74-88- 3 GB
Mariners: 73-89- 4 GB
Athletics: 70-89- 5.5 GB

Next: The final three American League games of the year, as the A's host the Royals. Plus, the game that should have been played on September 8, as the Angels host the Twins.

Thoughts?
 
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Here are the last three games of the American League season, as the A's host the Royals at the Oakland Coliseum. First, September 23:

Royals 6, A's 4 (ABC: Gary Thorne, Dave Campbell)

The Royals scored five runs in the first, the A's answered with four in the third, and there was no more scoring until the eighth, when Felix Jose's single drove in Brian McRae with a much-needed insurance run. Closer Greg Montgomery retired the home squad one-two-three in the bottom of the ninth.

The Athletics' loss ensured that they will finish last in the AL West.

W- Meacham (5-4)
S- Montgomery (38)
L- Van Poppel (9-14)

HR- OAK: Berroa 2 (18)

Next, September 24:

Royals 5, A's 0

David Cone pitched a four-hit shutout, and Chico Lind's double in the sixth scored Gary Gaetti with the only run that the Royals would need. They added another run in the seventh and three more in the ninth.

W- Cone (19-9)
L- Witt (9-14)

Finally, September 25:

Royals 9, A's 3

Bob Hamelin's three-run homer in the sixth gave the visitors a 5-2 lead, which they never relinquished. They added three more in the seventh, and Wally Joyner's single in the ninth wrapped up their scoring. In other news, Vince Coleman stole three bases, and starter Mark Gubicza scattered ten hits while allowing three runs in seven innings. The A's loaded the bases in the eighth while down 8-3, but they couldn't score,

W- Gubucza (9-14)
L- Karsay (1-4)

HR- KC: Hamelin (34)

Now for the game that should have been played on September 8, as the Angels host the Twins:

Angels 4, Twins 2

The Halos finished their season on a high note when Chili Davis smacked a two-run homer off of Carl Willis in the bottom of the ninth inning before a sellout crowd at the Big A. Damion Easley had singled to lead off the inning and set up Davis' heroics. Bo Jackson was the hitting star for the Angels, going three for four with a run scored. Harold Reynolds and Gary DiSarcina had the other California RBIs, while Kent Hrbek and Matt Walbeck drove in the Minnesota runs.

W- Schwarz (1-0)
L- Willis (5-6)

HR- CAL: Davis (42)

Here are your final American League West standings:

Rangers: 77-85 (clinched)
Angels: 74-88- 3 GB
Mariners: 73-89- 4 GB
Athletics: 70-92- 7 GB

Your final American League Central standings:

Indians: 104-58 (clinched)
White Sox: 94-68- 10 GB
Royals: 86-76- 18 GB
Brewers: 76-86- 28 GB
Twins: 64-98- 40 GB

Next: We turn to the National League.

Thoughts?
 
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Now let's turn to the National League. We begin with the Pirates-Mets results from September 26-27, courtesy of Desmond. Here's September 26:

NY Mets 8, Pittsburgh 6
W - Roger Mason (5-4)
L - Jon Lieber (8-8)
S - John Franco (40)
HR - NYM: David Segui (21), Todd Hundley (26)
PIT: Al Martin (15), Orlando Merced (14)

Summary: Martin's and Merced's homers were back-to-back in the top of the ninth, but Franco regrouped and retired the side.

Now, September 27:

NY Mets 10, Pittsburgh 6
W - Pete Smith (8-12)
L - Steve Cooke (4-17)
HR - PIT: Al Martin (16), Jeff King (8)
NYM: Ryan Thompson (24)

Summary: The Mets broke a 4-4 tie with Thompson's grand slam in the sixth inning.

I might as well put the other two games of this series here while I'm at it. Here's September 28:

Pittsburgh 4, NY Mets 0
W - Denny Neagle (12-13)
L - Mauro Gozzo (7-10)
HR - PIT: Al Martin (17)

Summary: Three Pirates pitchers combined to shut out the Mets on six hits.

Finally, here's September 29:

NY Mets 11, Pittsburgh 4
W - Doug Linton (9-3)
L - Zane Smith (11-10)
HR - NYM: Bobby Bonilla (30), Todd Hundley (27), Ryan Thompson (25)
PIT: Al Martin (18), Andy Van Slyke (9)

Summary: The Mets led 10-0 after four and cruised to victory.

Here are your National League East standings to the moment:

Expos: 94-64 (clinched)
Braves: 89-69- 5 GB
Mets: 82-78- 13 GB
Phillies: 79-79- 15 GB
Marlins: 68-90- 26 GB

In the Central:

Reds: 92-68 (clinched)
Astros: 84-76- 8 GB
Cubs: 70-85- 19.5 GB
Cardinals: 68-88- 22 GB
Pirates: 61-99- 31 GB

Next: More games from NL East parks.

Thoughts?
 
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Now for the Phillies-Braves results from September 28:

Atlanta 10, Philadelphia 2
W - Greg Maddux (21-6)
L - David West (6-14)
HR - ATL: David Justice 2 (32), Javy Lopez (21), Fred McGriff (52)

Summary: The Braves hit four homers in an impressive tuneup for their Division Series against the Reds.

Your National League East standings to the moment:

Expos: 94-64 (clinched)
Braves: 91-69- 4 GB
Mets: 82-78- 13 GB
Phillies: 81-79- 14 GB
Marlins: 68-90- 26 GB

Next: The Expos battle the Marlins on September 28 and 29.

Thoughts?
 
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Now for the games between the Expos and the Marlins on September 28 and 29. First, September 28:

Montreal 7, Florida 5
W - Kirk Rueter (11-5)
L - David Weathers (8-17)
HR - FLA: Jerry Browne (6), Jeff Conine (23)
MTL: Darrin Fletcher (13)

Summary: The Expos rested most of their starters, but still came out on top.

Now, September 29:

Florida 3, Montreal 2
W - Richie Lewis (3-4)
L - Mel Rojas (4-4)
HR - FLA: Bret Barberie (10)

Summary: The Marlins' game-winning run was unearned, as Cliff Floyd had reached on an error by Wil Cordero.

Let's continue with Desmond's report for Saturday, October 1:

Montreal 6, Atlanta 1
W - Pedro Martinez (17-6)
L - Steve Avery (10-9)
HR - MTL: Marquis Grissom (18)
ATL: David Justice (33)

Summary: Martinez made one final statement before the playoffs with a complete game five-hitter.

Philadelphia 7. Florida 4
W - David West (7-14)
L - Pat Rapp (11-13)
HR - PHI: Mickey Morandini (6), Pete Incaviglia (18)
FLA: Dave Magadan (3)

Summary: Morandini went six for six for the Phillies.

St. Louis 10, NY Mets 4 (11 innings)
W - Brent Eversgerd (4-4)
L - Josias Manzanillo (5-4)
HR - STL: Todd Zeile 2 (28), Bernard Gilkey (11)
NYM: David Segui (22)

Summary: Zeile's second homer keyed a six-run eleventh inning for the victorious Redbirds. The Mets' loss combined with the Phils' win leaves the two teams tied for third place in the East entering the final day of the season.

Your National League East standings to the moment:

Expos: 96-65 (clinched)
Braves: 91-70- 5 GB
(tie) Mets: 82-79- 14 GB
(tie) Phillies: 82-79- 14 GB
Marlins: 69-92- 27 GB

In the Central:

Reds: 92-68 (clinched)
Astros: 84-76- 8 GB
Cubs: 70-87- 21.5 GB
Cardinals: 69-88- 21.5 GB
Pirates: 61-99- 31 GB

Next: We finish up the NL East:

Thoughts?






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Here's Desmond with the National League East Report for Friday, September 30:

St. Louis 7, NY Mets 0 (NBC: Greg Gumbel, Jim Rooker)
W - Omar Olivares (5-6)
L - Bobby Jones (14-14)
HR- STL: Bernard Gilkey (12), Mark Whiten (22)

Summary: Olivares took a no-hitter into the eighth before Jeff Kent broke it up with the Mets' only hit of the night. The Redbirds are now tied with the Cubs for third place in the Central.

Atlanta 5, Montreal 2 (NBC: Marv Albert, Tom Seaver, Mary Ann Grabavoy)
W - Kent Mercker (13-8)
L - Jeff Fassero (10-9)
HR- ATL: Ryan Klesko 2 (25)

Summary: Klesko's pair of dingers lead the National League's first-ever wild card to victory.

Philadelphia 13, Florida 1 (NBC: Dan Hicks, Mike Schmidt)
W - Shawn Boskie (6-9)
L - David Weathers (8-18)
HR- PHI: Darren Daulton (22), Mickey Morandini (7), John Kruk (9)

Summary: In the sixth inning, the Phils sent twelve men to the plate and scored seven runs on ten hits. This win coupled with the Mets' loss means that the Phils finish third in the East.

Now to the Central. First we look at the games between the Reds and Astros from September 30 and October 1. Here's September 30:

Astros 2, Reds 0 (NBC: Charlie Jones, Johnny Bench)

Pete Harnisch and John Hudek combined to toss a six-hit shutout at the Reds and give the Stros back-to-back shutouts. Jeff Bagwell, who went three for three on the evening, and Luis Gonzalez provided the Houston RBIs, and Harnisch went eight before giving way to Hudek. Even though the race was already decided, and Cincinnati substituted liberally to keep players fresh, there was still a playoff atmosphere at the Astrodome, as the Stros wanted to prove to the Reds that they'll be a threat to Cincy's division crown in 1995. "They may be champs for this year, but we'll be heard from next year, and we want them to know that," said Astros skipper Terry Collins afterward. Thomas Howard was the only Red with more than one hit tonight; he had two.

W- Harnisch (13-7)
S- Hudek (24)
L- Schourek (12-5)

Now for October 1:

Astros 2, Reds 1

The Stros ended their year on a positive note, taking two straight from the NL Central champs. Luis Gonzalez's fourth-inning two-run homer provided all the offense the home team needed. John Hudek survived Bret Boone's ninth-inning dinger to notch back-to-back saves, this one for starter Brian Williams, who went seven and two-thirds innings and struck out seven. John Smiley, the Game 1 starter for the Reds in Atlanta on Wednesday, took the loss. "Losing three in a row isn't the way we'd like to go into the playoffs," said Reds manager Davey Johnson afterward, "but we're resilient enough to bounce back. We'll be just fine."

W- Williams (8-9)
S- Hudek (25)
L- Smiley (16-13)

HR- CIN: Boone (15)
HOU: Gonzalez (10)

The National League Central standings to the moment:

Reds: 92-70 (clinched)
Astros: 86-76- 6 GB
(tie) Cubs: 70-87- 19.5 GB
(tie) Cardinals: 71-88- 20 GB
Pirates: 61-99- 31 GB

The final standings in the National League East:

Expos: 96-66 (clinched)
Braves: 92-70- 4 GB
Phillies: 83-79- 13 GB
Mets: 82-80- 14 GB
Marlins: 69-93- 27 GB

Next: More NL Central games.

Thoughts?
 
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Now for some more games from the National League Central. We'll begin with the Cardinals-Cubs series from September 26-28. Here's September 26:

Cardinals 6, Cubs 1

Omar Olivares gave up just three hits in seven and two-thirds innings, one of his best starts of the year, and Mark Whiten and Bernard Gilkey hit home runs for the Cards. Mark Grace had two hits and the Cubs' lone RBI, while Ryne Sandberg went one for four and scored the only Chicago run. There are now just four games left in the Ryno era in Chicago. Meanwhile, the Cards have taken over third place in the Central.

W- Olivares (6-6)
L- Banks (12-16)

HR- STL: Gilkey (13), Whiten (23)

Next, September 27:

Cubs 8, Cardinals 7 (10 innings)

Eddie Zambrano's tenth-inning base hit capped off a wild evening at The Friendly Confines. The Cardinals used eight pitchers and the Cubs six; and both squads used their benches liberally as well. Steve Buechele smacked two homers to lead the way for the home club, while Gregg Jefferies went three for four and drove in three for the visitors. Buechele's totals for the evening: four for five with two runs scored (his own) and four RBIs. Ryne Sandberg continued his final homestand as a Cub by going three for four and knocking in two runs. Luis Alicea went deep for the Redbirds and scored three runs on the evening; Derrick May crossed the plate three times for the Cubbies. Time of the game: four hours and twenty-four minutes.

The Cubs and Cardinals are once again tied for third place in the Central.

W- Pall (1-0)
L- Frascatore (1-2)

HR- STL: Alicea (7)
CHC: Buechele 2 (25)

Now for September 28:

Cubs 6, Cardinals 5

Ryne Sandberg didn't start, but still scored the winning run as the Cubbies topped the Cardinals. The Cards had a 5-4 lead entering the bottom of the ninth, but after a Rick Wllkins single, Sandberg batted for starting second baseman Ray Sanchez and strokes another hit. After another hit by pinch hitter Eddie Zambrano loaded the bases, Tuffy Rhodes took reliever John Frascatore to three balls and two strikes before stroking a fourth straight single. Sandberg trotted home with the winning run, sticking one last dagger in the Cubs' fiercest rival. He'll conclude his career against the Pirates this weekend. Rhodes and Sammy Sosa went deep for the home club, while Ray Lankford belted a long one for the Redbirds, who fall into fourth place in the Cenrral. Congratulations to Cubs reliever Blaise Ilsley on his first major league win!

W- Ilsley (1-0)
L- Frascatore (1-3)

HR- STL: Lankford (24)
CHC: Sosa (36), Rhodes (13)

Now for the final two games between the Pirates and the Cubs. We begin with September 30:

Cubs 8, Pirates 1 (NBC to Pittsburgh and Chicago: Dick Enberg, Fred Lynn, Chet Coppock)

The Cubs hammered the Bucs early and often at Wrigley before a surprisingly large crowd, scoring four in the second on their way to victory. Leading the way was catcher Rick Wilkins, who smacked a pair of homers and drove in five runs. Shawon Dunston also went deep for the home team, while the Bucs got their only run on a dinger from Andy Van Slyke. On the mound, Anthony Young and former Pirate Dave Otto combined on a five-hitter. The victory clinched third place in the Central for the Cubs, while the Bucs suffered their hundredth loss of the season.

Highlight of the day: Dick Enberg took time out from his play-by-play duties to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at the seventh inning stretch. Forbidden by his broadcast ethics to add "Let's score some runs!", he substituted a patented "Oh, my!" and still drew a standing ovation from the bleacher bums at Wrigley.

W- Young (6-8)
L- Cooke (4-18)

HR- PIT: Van Slyke (10)
CHC: Dunston (16), Wilkins 2 (9)

Finally, here's October 1:

Cubs 6, Pirates 5

The Bucs have a 5-1 lead at the seventh-inning stretch, but the home team took Harry Caray's exhortation "Let's score some runs!" literally, scoring five from that point on. By the end of eight, it was 5-4. Bucco reliever Joel Johnston got two quick outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Tuffy Rhodes, inserted as a defensive replacement in center field two innings earlier, took the first pitch he saw some four hundred feet over the left center field wall to tie the game. Then, the stuff of storybooks: Ryne Sandberg ended his career (for the moment at least) the way a legend should when he batted for Ray Sanchez. Here's Harry:

"We're tied at five, and here comes Ryno!...................made his last full start yesterday, Sanchez started against Lieber today, and he'll make a token appearance tomorrow before hanging it up, playing a half-inning in the field, then having one last at-bat. Right now, though, he's up there to get on base for Grace and Sosa to follow. First pitch from Johnston............DRIVEN DEEP TO LEFT! IT MIGHT BE..........IT HAS TO BE.............HOME RUN SANDBERG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...................THEY'RE CARRYING HIM AROUND THE BASES!!!!!!!!!! HERE HE COMES AROUND THIRD!!!!!!!! Four or five people making sure he touches all the bases, then picking him back up..........IT'S OFFICIAL!...............I almost hope there's no game tomorrow, much as I hate to say it, because nothing can possibly top this. Gracie and Sammy embracing him, and I think he's crying, and who can blame him? My God, the storybooks are true! Here he comes out of the dugout, and they're going absolutely crazy for Sandberg! I'm gonna shut the hell up and join 'em!"

(Author's note: As most baseball fans know, Sandberg came out of retirement to play a final year in 1996.)

W- Pall (2-0)
L- Johnston (1-1)

HR- CHC: Rhodes (14), Zambrano (11), Sandberg (8)

The final National League Central standings:

Reds: 92-70 (clinched)
Astros: 86-76- 6 GB
Cubs: 74-88- 18 GB
Cardinals: 72-90- 20 GB
Pirates: 61-101- 31 GB

Next: We wrap this timeline up for good by examining the last day in the National League West.

Thoughts?
 
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Now here's the National League West action for Saturday, October 1:

Rockies 16, Padres 8

The Rox scored four in the third, six in the fourth, one in the fifth, and five in the eighth, and the two teams combined for twenty-four runs on thirty-two hits. Leading the way for Colorado was left fielder Howard Johnson, who drove in five runs, three of them with a third-inning homer that tied the game at three and jumpstarted the Rox' offensive explosion. Dante Bichette went four for six and drove in four more runs, and Walt Weiss had three hits, drove in three runs and scored three times. Ellis Burks homered for the third time in four games. The Padres got two hits and three RBIs from Phil Plantier, and Bip Roberts went five for five, scoring three runs and driving in three more. As for the man everyone came to see, Tony Gwynn went two for four, scored a run, and was thrown out at the plate trying to score another. He finished the year batting .406, which equals Ted Williams' average in his historic 1941 season.

W- Reynoso (7-4)
L- Sanders (8-10)

HR- COL: Burks (17), Johnson (11)

Dodgers 3, Giants 0

Pedro Astacio fired a dominating two-hitter, striking out eight and facing just one batter over the minimum. The only two Giants baserunners are Todd Benzinger, who singled leading off the third and was erased on a double play, and Mark Carreon, who singled in the eighth and was left stranded. Astacio threw just eighty-eight pitches, and the game was over in two hours and two minutes. Tim Wallach and Raul Mondesi had the Dodgers' RBIs, and Mike Piazza went three for four and scored a run.

With the victory, the Dodgers clinched second place in the West.

W- Astacio (11-10)
L- Burkett ( 7-12)

The final National League West standings:

Padres: 85-77
Dodgers: 83-79- 2 GB
Giants: 82-80- 3 GB
Rockies: 77-85- 8 GB

That's it once and for all, folks. Thanks for reading!
 
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