Baseball in the Pythagorean Universe: 1994

Okay, let's start the makeup games. Just to clarify, time is stopped, or rather it hasn't been started yet.

We'll begin with a doubleheader caused by the roof collapse at the Kingdome. as the Orioles take on the Mariners. For the sake of convenience, we'll move these games to Camden Yards.

Orioles 13, Mariners 1 (Game 1)

The Os generously agreed to allow the Mariners to bat last in both ends of the doubleheader, but that's where their generosity has ended, at least so far. Catcher Chris Hoiles did most of the damage in Game 1, with a three-run homer in the second paving the way for a five-RBI evening. Right fielder Jeffrey Hammonds and designated hitter Harold Baines also went deep for the home squad, while shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. added a pair of hits and a pair of RBIs. Jay Buhner, who started in center in this one for the M's, homered in the last of the seventh to break up Ben McDonald's shutout bid. The young ace in the making went all the way on the mound, giving up just a run ion six hits while walking two and striking out four in a hundred and eight pitches. Dave Fleming took the loss for Seattle, giving up six runs on six hits in five innings.

W- McDonald (15-7)
L- Fleming (7-12)

HR- BAL: Hoiles (20), Baines (17), Hammonds (9)
SEA: Buhner (22)

Orioles 7, Mariners 3 (Game 2)

The Os picked up where they left off in Game 1. A four-run first sealed Seattle's fate, as Hoiles launched a three-run homer to continue his offensive showcase. Third baseman Leo Gomez and second baseman Mark McLemore each had two hits and an RBI for the home squad, which also got RBIs from Ripken and left fielder Brady Anderson. Left fielder Eric Anthony's two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh pulled the "home" team to within 5-3, but that was as far as they got. Shortstop Luis Sojo had the other Mariner RBI. Mike Mussina gave up three runs on six hits in six and two-thirds innings to get the win for Baltimore, while Randy Johnson pitched a complete game in a losing cause for Seattle, giving up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits while walking four and striking out twelve. He threw an astronomical one hundred and forty-eight pitches.

The doubleheader sweep means that the O's have taken a half-game lead over the Indians in the Wild Card race and also moves them to within a game and a half of the first-place Yankees in the East. The Mariners, meanwhile, have fallen a game behind the A's in the West.

W- Mussina (17-5)
L- Johnson (13-7)

HR- BAL: Hoiles (21)
SEA: Anthony (11)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 68-45
Orioles: 67-47- 1.5 GB
(tie) Blue Jays: 56-59- 13.5 GB
(tie) Tigers: 56-59- 13.5 GB

Red Sox: 51-64- 18 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 53-61
Mariners: 52-62- 1 GB
Rangers: 50-64- 3 GB
Angels: 47-68- 6.5 GB

In the Wild Card:

Orioles: 67-47
Indians: 66-47- .5 GB

Next: More makeup games.

Thoughts?
 
Next up are the other two makeup games that don't involve the Indians. Since we're already thinking about the Orioles, let's see how they fare when they welcome the Red Sox to Camden Yards:

Orioles 9, Red Sox 7

The Os ran their winning streak to three and continued their march on first place in the East by turning back the Bosox. Center fielder Mike Devereaux paced the offense this time, driving in five runs. Three if them came on a third-inning homer that gave the home squad an 8-6 lead. Earlier, he'd doubled in two runs in a five-run first for the Os. Leo Gomez hit a two-run homer in that inning as well. First baseman Rafael Palmeiro and Cal Ripken Jr. drove in the other Baltimore runs. Catcher Damon Berryhill drove in five of the seven Boston runs. His big hit was a three-run homer in the Boston third that gave the visitors a 6-5 lead. He also doubled in a run in the second. Mark Williamson got the win in relief for Baltimore, while Boston ace Roger Clemens took the loss after gibing up eight runs in six hits and three walks in three innings.

The O's now lead the Indians by a game in the Wild Card race and are just a game behind the Yankees for first place in the East.

W- Williamson (4-1)
L- Clemens (9-8)

HR- BOS: Berryhill (7)
BAL: Gomez (16), Devereaux (10)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 68-45
Orioles: 68-47- 1 GB
(tie) Blue Jays: 56-59- 13 GB
(tie) Tigers: 56-59- 13 GB

Red Sox: 51-65- 18.5 GB

In the Wild Card:

Orioles: 68-47
Indians: 66-47- 1 GB

Next: More makeup games.

Thoughts?
 
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I might as well play a couple of the Indians' games while I'm at it. There are four in all, three at Jacobs Field. Let's start with a visit from the Mariners:

Indians 14, Mariners 0

The Tribe began its makeup homestand by throttling the reeling Mariners. A four-run first and a five-run fifth did the bulk of the damage, with right fielder Manny Ramirez socking a three-run homer in the first and two-run singles from center fielder Albert Belle and second baseman Carlos Baerga doing most of the work in the fourth. Belle also hit a three-run homer in the fifth, and designated hitter Eddie Murray contributed a solo shot in the eighth. Dennis Martinez did his part on the mound, throwing a five-hit shutout. Three of the Seattle hits came from second baseman Felix Fermin. Starter Chris Bosio lasted just three and two-thirds innings and took the loss, giving up eight runs on four hits and five walks.

The Indians are now within two and a half games of the White Sox for the lead in the Central and a half-game of the Orioles in the Wild Card race. The Mariners are now a game and a half behind the A's in the West.

W- D. Martinez (12-6)
L- Bosio (4-11)

HR- CLE: Belle (37), Murray (18), Ramirez (18)

Now a visit from the cellar dwellers in the West, the Angels:

Indians 4, Angels 3

The Tribe made it two in a row, scoring four runs over the final two innings to upend the Angels in front of a sellout crowd at the Jake. The Halos had just scored twice in the top of the eighth, and starter Chuck Finley was shutting out the hone squad on eight hits when the roof caved in. Belle reached on a throwing error from shortstop Spike Owen and scored when Murray spanked a double down the left field line. Mark Leiter then came in to pitch to first baseman Jim Thome, and Thome smacked the first pitch he saw over the fence in right center field for a game-tying two-run homer. In the ninth, Kenny Lofton singled to right with one out, stole second, and scored on right fielder Wayne Kirby's double down the right field line.

Shortstop Gary Disarcina had two hits and drove in a pair for California., with first baseman J.Y. Snow providing thee other ribbie. Jose Mesa ended up with the relief win after starter Jack Morris gave up just three runs on five hits in seven and a third innings despite also walking six.

The Indians and Orioles are now tied for the lead in the Wild Card race, and the Tribe is also within two games of the White Sox for the Central Division lead.

W- Mesa (8-5)
L- Leiter (4-8)

HR- CLE: Thome (21)

Finally, the East-leading Yankees come to town:

Yankees 4, Indians 3

The winning streak was halted at two, as left fielder Luis Polonia's leadoff homer in the top of the ninth spelled victory for the Pinstripes. The Tribe had trailed 3-1 at the seventh-inning stretch after the Yanks had pushed across a pair on the top pf the seventh, but Paul Sorrento tied things up again with a two-run homer. Ramirez had led off the inning with a single to left. Belle had the other Cleveland RBI. First baseman Don Mattingly and center fielder Bernie Williams had the other RBIs for New York. Ramirez stroked a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth to put the tying run on base for the Tribe, but Yankee closer Steve Howe struck Sorrento out swinging and got catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to fly to Williams in left center to end the game.

The Yankees now lead the Orioles by a game and a half in the East, while the Tribe has slipped half a game behind them in the Wild Card race. They also trail the White Sox by two and a half in the Central.

W- Wickman (6-4)
S- Howe (16)
L- Plunk (7-3)

HR- NYY: Polonia (2)
CLE: Sorrento (15)


The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 69-45
Orioles: 68-47- 1.5 GB
(tie) Blue Jays: 56-59- 13.5 GB
(tie) Tigers: 56-59- 13.5 GB

Red Sox: 51-65- 19 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 53-61
Mariners: 52-63- 1.5 GB
Rangers: 50-64- 3 GB
Angels: 47-69- 7 GB

In the Wild Card:

Orioles: 68-47
Indians: 68-48- .5 GB

In the Central:

White Sox: 69-44
Indians: 68-48- 2.5 GB
Royals: 61-54- 9 GB
Brewers: 54-61- 16 GB
Twins: 49-64- 20 GB

Next: More makeup games.

Thoughts?
 
You have a point, Nivek, so since I have extra time tonight, I'll do Game 4 of the NLCS. Here are the umpires:

Home Plate: Terry Tata
First Base: Harry Wendelstedt
Second Base: Randy Marsh
Third Base: Eric Gregg
Left Field: Steve Rippley
Right Field: Jeff Kellogg

It's time for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series! Yesterday afternoon, the Cincinnati Reds came within one win of locking up the National League pennant by defeating the Montreal Expos 9-5. So the Spos are fighting to stay alive, and they send Kirk Rueter to the mound against the Reds' John Roper. Roper hasn't pitched so far in the postseason, but Rueter was the losing pitcher in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Padres last Sunday.

As far as lineup changes go, Deion Sanders is once again absent from the Reds, and it has to do with the 49ers. Down to five healthy defensive backs due to injuries going into their game with the Falcons, the Niners asked permission for Prime Time to fly to Atlanta and be on the roster for their game today against the Falcons. As luck would have it, he not only played, but returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown in the Niners' 42-3 victory. He's on his way to Olympic Stadium via private plane, but Jacob Brumfield will take his place in the starting lineup. Also, Hal Morris isn't feeling well, so Lenny Harris will start at first base in his place. For the Spos, Darrin Fletcher still isn't back, so Lenny Webster remains behind the plate. Mike Lansing is feeling much better and should last the whole game at second. Most importantly, Larry Walker's back, although he's starting at his "safe" position of first base due to his bad back. Cliff Floyd's knee continues to limit him to pinch-hitting duty. Can the Reds pull off the sweep? Will the young Spos live to fight another day? Will Deion show up? Let's start answering these and other questions right now!

The Big Red Machine starts up right away in the top of the first. After one out, Bret Boone walks and is forced by Barry Larkin. Rueter decides to pitch around the big bat of Kevin Mitchell and walks him too, which brings up Harris. Lenny lashes Rueter's first pitch down the right field line to score Larkin and Mitchell, and the Reds are up 2-0 right off the bat. Reggie's groundout ends the inning, but the Reds' supersub has already made his presence felt in a big way by staking them to a 2-0 lead. Now it's the Expos' turn.

Roper gets Marquis Grissom to fly out on the first pitch, but White doubles to left, and after Alou strikes out, Walker grounds one through the middle to plate Rondell and cut the Cincinnati lead to 2-1. Suddenly, Roper can't find the plate, walking Wil Cordero and Webster to load the bases. But Sean Berry grounds to Fernandez at third to end the inning. Still, the home team has answered with a run of its own, and might be starting to wear down the nervous youngster Roper already.

The Reds go down in order in the top of the second, and Rueter's single in the bottom of the inning is wiped out by a force play from Grissom and a fly to left center from White. The Reds extend their lead in the top of the third when Brumfield singles, then Berry muffs a simple grounder from Boone. Larkin's line drive into right scores the speedy Brumfield, and the Reds are up 3-1. With two still on, the pressure's on Rueter, who gets Mitchell on a fly pop into shallow left, gets Harris to pop to Walker, and strikes out Reggie.

Alou's leadoff double does nothing for the Spos in the bottom of the third, and the Reds go in order in the top of the fourth, with Brian Hunter batting for Fernandez. In the bottom of the fourth, Hunter, whose lone appearance in the playoffs came as a defensive replacement for Reggie in right field in the ninth inning of the Game 2 blowout in Atlanta, takes over at first, and Harris shifts to third. In the midst of all of this, the Spos tie the game. Berry pops one onto the warning track and over the left field wall for a ground-rule double and scores on Lansing's hard single to left. Needing offense in a hurry, Felipe decides to lift Reuter, but he wants to save Floyd for later, so he calls on Juan Bell. Bell takes one deep to left that Mitchell catches against the fence, and Lansing holds at first. But Grissom gets the job done by lofting one over Brumfield's head in center to score Mike and tie things at three. Roper gets White and Moises to ground out to end the inning, but The Big O has come back to life thanks to some big hits from its Spos, and we're tied at three after four.

New pitcher Butch Henry sets the Reds down in order in the top of the fifth, and Cordero's infield hit against Pete Schourek in the Montreal fifth is harmless. In the Cincy sixth, Harris singles with one out and steals second, but henry strikes out Reggie, and after walking Hunter gets Dorsett to pop to Lansing to end the inning. Lansing brings hope to Spos fans when he doubles leading off the bottom of the sixth, and home plate umpire Terry Tata calls a balk on Schourek to advance Lansing to third with two out, but White grounds to Larkin to kill the threat. Morris's pinch-hit single leading off the top of the seventh is wasted by a Brumfield force play. This paves the way for the home team to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh against new Reds pitcher Johnny Ruffin. Alou grounds his first pitch to short, but Larkin's throw to first pulls Hunter off the base, and Moises is on. Ruffin then walks Walker on five pitches, but cleans up the mess for the moment when Cordero hits into a double play. Webster works another walk, however. and Berry drops one into left for a base hit to score Alou and give the Expos a 4-3 lead. Lansing's fielder's choice ends the inning, but the Spos have a rare lead in this series at the end of seven.

That lead is short-lived, as the Reds vault back in front against a tired Mel Rojas, who's making his sixth postseason appearance in nine games. With one out, Harris singles to right center, then steals second. Reggie is frozen by a Rojas slider for strike three and out number two, but Hunter walks on four straight pitches to put two on. Dorsett then grounds one between third and short to score Harris and tie the game at four, and then the moment America has been waiting for, as Deion comes out to bat for Ruffin:

Bob Costas: "For those of you who may be wondering, today's double-dip wasn't Deion's idea; the 49ers called the Reds after yesterday's game and asked permission to use Deion as insurance for the game against the Falcons due to injuries in the secondary. Well, he was insurance all right, running back an interception 93 yards for a touchdown. Now he can put his team ahead here in the eighth, down a strike. Rojas gets the sign from Webster, and here's the 0-1.......line drive, base hit right field! Hunter scores, the Reds lead 5-4, and the legend of Prime Time is bigger than ever!"

Joe Garagiola: "I'm sorry, Deion. I officially eat my words right here and now. Just incredible!"

Costas: "He got here about an hour and a half ago, and wore his Niners jersey to the stadium because he was in such a hurry to leave Atlanta that he hadn't changed."

Jerome Walton comes up to bat for Brumfield in order to get the Reds some insurance, but he grounds one to Berry, who steps on third to force Dorsett and end the inning. Still, thanks to a dose of Neon, the Reds hold a 5-4 lead, and are just six outs from the World Series.

The Man of the Hour replaces Brumfield in center in the bottom of the eighth, but the Spos steal the spotlight quickly. With one out, Grissom bloops one between Mitchell and Deion for a hit. New pitcher Chuck McElroy strikes out White, but Grissom takes second base on strike three. McElroy then gets wild, walking Alou and Walker to load the bases. This would be a perfect spot for Floyd, but there's no one to replace Cordero at short, so it's up to Wil, and he grounds to Harris at third to end the inning, leaving the bases loaded. New pitcher Jeff Shaw gets the first out of the Cincinnati ninth quickly, but Larkin lines the first pitch he sees into right center for a double. Mitchell then drops one in front of Grissom to score Barry, and it's 6-4 Cincy. Harris's groundball snakes into left for another hit that brings home Mitchel lto make it 7-4, and Reggie drops one pretty as you please in front of White to bring Harris home and make it 8-4. Hunter's liner finds Walker's glove just before it creases his head for out number two, but Dorsett's dying bloop finds a home in left center to bring Reggie home with a 9-4 Cincy lead. Deion has a chance to deliver another big hit, but instead grounds to Berry, ending the inning. Still, the Reds have scored four insurance runs, and are now just three outs from the National League pennant with a 9-4 lead.

Hector Carrasco has a chance to be the pennant clincher for the Reds, and he starts in fine style when Webster lines to Hunter for out number one. But Hector walks Berry, and Lansing's base hit puts runners on first and second. Floyd now bats for Shaw, and he scorches one into the corner in left. By the time Mitchell can dig it out and throw anywhere, Berry and Lansing have both scored to trim the lead to 9-6, and the Big O is going wild. With no time to fool around, skipper Davey Johnson summons closer Jeff Brantley to end the threat and wrap up the National League pennant for the visitors. It doesn't start out so well, as Brantley walks Grissom and falls behind White 3-0. But he comes back to strike out Rondell for out number two, and then it's up to Alou:

"Alou can tie it with one swing, but he might be wiser trying for a hit to keep the inning going if he can get it. One and one, with Floyd at second and Grissom at first. Grissom can fly; Floyd has trouble walking, let alone running, with his bad knee, but Felipe Alou is almost out of players. Floyd trying his best to take a lead off second, and here's the one-one pitch........to Larkin, he's got it........THE REDS ARE THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS IN FOUR STRAIGHT!!!!!!!!!!...........They're running to center field to mob the hero, who just nine hours ago helped the 49ers crush the Falcons. Now, tonight, he gets the game-winning hit to send the Reds to the World Series. Ruffin gets the win, Brantley the save, his third of the series, Rojas takes the loss. As for the MVP, it's probably between Deion and Jose Rijo, who struck out fifteen in Game 1. We'll all find out together in just a few moments. The Reds beat the Expos 9-6 and sweep the NLCS, and we'll be back to the victorious clubhouse right after these messages and a word from your local station."

It's Rijo who gets the MVP, but it's Harris who does the interview. "What a night and what a team. I'm sorry Hal couldn't play tonight, but I'm thrilled that I was able to contribute." He ends up four for five, with two runs scored and three runs batted in. Talk about Deion; what does his presence mean to the club? "Aw, man, what is he made of? I know I'd like some. We were watching him today, and how he could play as well as he did for Frisco and then come here and do what he did for us? I've never seen anything like it, or this guy (Rijo) either." Any preference for the World Series? "Nope. Just happy to be going and, hopefully, winning."

"This was a shock," Felipe Alou tells Hannah Storm. "We never expected to be beaten four in a row, I know this club is better than that, but we never showed it." What about the injuries to Walker, Fletcher, and others? "Injuries are never an excuse. We had twenty-five guys just like they did, and theirs were better." How about the talk that this team will be broken up in the offseason? "We'll compete with those we have. If this is our one and only run, we did the best we could. Whether we stay as is or not is for management to decide."

And that'll do it from Olympic Stadium. The Reds sweep the Expos in four games to win the National League pennant, Best of luck to Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver, and the rest of the ABC crew throughout the remainder of the postseason. We'll be back next year, and it'll be our turn to focus on the American League. Our thanks to everyone at Major League Baseball, particularly National League President Leonard Coleman's office, for all their help this year. Coming up next, Greg and the crew in New York run down all the scores from both baseball and football on the Prudential Postgame Report, followed by your late local news. For Tony Kubek, Joe Garagiola, Jim Gray, Hannah Storm, and all the hard-working people at NBC Sports, I'm Bob Costas saying good night from Olympic Stadium. The final score again: the Cincinnati Reds 9, the Montreal Expos 6, and the Reds win the National League pennant four games to none. As we leave you, here's how Marty Brennaman called the last out and told the Ohio Valley that, in his immortal words, this one belongs to the Reds. So long, everybody!

"Stretch by Brantley, here's the one-one..........down to Larkin, throw to first..........THE REDS HAVE DONE IT! THEY'VE SWEPT THE EXPOS!!!!!!!...............No one gave them a ghost of a chance against the young turks of the National League, but they did it in four straight, and the series-winning hit was provided by someone who was scoring a touchdown in Atlanta just a few hours before! What a scene it'll be at the airport! By the way, if you see someone in a 49ers football jersey, it's not a fan, it's Deion; he hasn't got any other clothes! The Reds beat the Expos 9-6 here in Game 4, and before I forget: THIS PENNANT BELONGS TO THE REDS!!!!!!!"

Finally, Vin Scully:

"One-one pitch grounded to Larkin, over to Hunter.......in time, and the Reds get the sweep!.............And in true Hollywood fashion, the hero rides into town and saves the day in the last act, from Atlanta no less! Touchdowns, game-winning hits, if he could shoot a puck or dribble a basketball, he'd have the market cornered! At any rate, the Refs move on to the World Series as they defeat the Expos 9-6."

W- Ruffin (1-0)
S- Brantley (3)
L- Rojas (0-1)

MVP: Jose Rijo, Cincinnati Reds

Next: More American League makeup games.

Thoughts?
 
I'm now going to do the games we never did in the original project: the games of Sunday, October 2. If you'll remember, all of our playoff spots had been clinched the day before, so we used it as a "strike day".

We'll begin with the games in the Central parks:

Brewers 9, Blue Jays 8

The Brewers blew a 6-0 lead after three, but came back with two in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Jays. Left fielder Greg Vaughn and catcher Dave Nilsson went back-to-back for the Crew in the third, and third baseman Kevin Seitzer added an RBI double. The Jays clawed their way back to within 7-4 heading to the top of the ninth, then teed off on Milwaukee closer Mike Fetters. Right fielder Mike Huff stroked a two-run single, left fielder Joe Carter's base hit to left center tied the game at seven, and first baseman John Olerud knocked in Huff with a base hit to give Toronto the lead.

The Jays thought they'd dodged a bullet in the bottom of the ninth when they caught Brewers shortstop Jose Valentin trying to steal second after his leadoff single, but Seitzer kept the inning alive with a base hit to right center, which brought up Vaughn. Greg settled the matter on the first pitch he saw, taking Jays pitcher Darren Hall four rows back in right center field for the game-winning homer. Jesse Orosco ended up with the relief win for Milwaukee.

The Blue Jays have now fallen into sole possession of fourth place in the East.

W- Orosco (4-1)
L- Hall (2-4)

HR- MIL: Vaughn 2 (21), Nilsson (13)

Rangers 7, Twins 2

The Rangers hammered the Twins at the Metrodome to keep pace in the West. First baseman Will Clark's two-run homer in the top of the first set the tone, and the Lawmen also got home runs from left fielder Juan Gonzalez in the sixth and designated hitter Jose Canseco leading off the seventh. Clark doubled in another run as well. Kirby Puckett, who started this game in left field instead of his customary center, had both RBIs for Minnesota. Kevin Brown pitched a brilliant game for Texas, giving up just two runs on seven hits and striking out seven in eight innings. Twins starter Jim Deshaies left with a blister on the ring finger of his pitching hand after just twelve pitches and two-thirds of an inning, but that was enough for him to suffer the loss.

The Rangers are now within just two and a half games of the A's for first place in the West.

W- Brown (8-9)
L- Deshaies (6-13)

HR- TEX: Canseco (32), Gonzalez (20), Clark (14)

Indians 7, Orioles 1

The Tribe took over the Wild Card lead with a convincing win over the Os at The Jake. Omar Vizquel and Sandy Alomar Jr. led the way offensively with three RBIs apiece. Vizquel's major contribution was a two-run homer to dead venter in the second, while Alomar's three-run blast in the seventh put the game away for Cleveland. Carlos Baerga singled in the other run for the Tribe in the first. Jeffrey Hammonds' double to right in the third produced the only run for Baltimore. On the mound, the day belonged to the Tribe's Mark Clark, who pitched a complete game, allowing just one run and three hits while walking three and striking out six in a hundred and fourteen pitches. Orioles starter Sid Fernandez took the loss, lasting just five innings and giving up four runs on seven hits.

The Indians now trail the White Sox by two games for first place in the Central, the same amount that the Orioles now trail the Yankees by in the East.

W- Clark (12-3)
L- Fernandez (6-7)

HR- CLE: Alomar Jr. (15), Vizquel (2)

Royals 6, White Sox 5

We have our second walk-off win of the day, as the Royals beat the Pale Hose in the last of the ninth. The Royals had leads of 3-0 and 4-2 before the Royals tied it with two in the top of the sixth. Second baseman Joey Cora tripled in shortstop Ozzie Guillen, and was in turn knocked in by center fielder Lance Johnson. The Royals got the lead back in the bottom of the sixth when shortstop Jose "Chico" Lind bounced into a fielder's choice, but catcher Ron Karkovice's single retied it for Chicago in the seventh.

In the bottom of the ninth against Sox closer Roberto Hernandez, left fielder Brian McRae led off by beating out an infield hit, then stole second after two out. Hernandez then walked designated hitter Bob Hamelin and right fielder Felix Jose to get to catcher Mike McFarlane, who ended the game with a base hot to right center, scoring McRae with his third run of the day; he also ended up a perfect four for four at the plate.

First baseman Frank Thomas hit a two-run homer in the fifth for the White Sox, his thirty-ninth of the year.

The Sox now lead the Indians by just a game and a half in the Central.

W- Pichardo (6-3)
L- Hernandez (4-5)

HR- CWS: Thomas (39)

The standings in the Central to the moment:

White Sox: 69-45
Indians: 69-48- 1.5 GB
Royals: 62-54- 8 GB
Brewers: 55-61- 15 GB
Twins: 49-65- 20 GB

In the East:

Yankees: 69-45
Orioles: 68-48- 2 GB
Tigers: 56-59- 13.5 GB
Blue Jays: 56-60- 14 GB
Red Sox: 51-65- 19 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 53-61
Mariners: 52-63- 1.5 GB
Rangers: 51-64- 2.5 GB
Angels: 47-69- 7 GB

In the Wild Card:

Indians: 69-48
Orioles: 68-48- .5 GB

Next: October 1 in the West.

Thoughts?
 
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Now for October 2's games in the Western parks:

Tigers 8, Mariners 4 (Candlestick Park)

The Mariners lost another chance to make up ground on the A's, as they fell to the Tigers before a surprisingly spirited crowd at their new home away from home, San Francisco's Candlestick Park. Catcher Mickey Tettleton gave the visitors the lead with a two-run homer in the third, and shortstop Chris Gomez added another two-run blast in the fourth. Right fielder Juan Samuel also had two hits and drove in three runs for the Tigers, while left fielder Tony Phillips had three hits and scored three times. Edgar Martinez's two-run homer in the sixth brought the M's back to within 7-4, but they could get no further.

On the mound, Tim Belcher got the win for Detroit, going five innings and allowing four runs on eight hits. Mike Henneman got Felix Fermin to fly out to right center with two on in the ninth to record the save. Greg Hibbard took the loss for Seattle, lasting just two innings and giving up two runs on four hits.

The Mariners are two games behind the A's in the West, depending on the outcome between the A's and the Angels.

W- Belcher (8-15)
S- Henneman (9)
L- Hibbard (1-6)

HR- DET: Tettleton (18), Gomez (9)
SEA: E. Martinez (14)

More to come about the Mariners' situation shortly.

Angels 7, A's 3

The Angels thumped the A's at the Coliseum, which means that Oakland's lead in the West is still a game and a half. Third baseman Spike Owen led the California offense, going three for four and driving in two runs. First baseman J.T. Snow and catcher Greg Myers added two hits and two RBIs apiece, and second baseman Damion Easley started everything off with a first-inning homer off of A's starter Ron Darling. Meanwhile, the A's got their RBIs from first baseman Troy Neel, second baseman Brent Gates, and third baseman Scott Brosius. Phil Leftwich picked up the win, giving up two runs on eight hits and striking out five in seven innings. Mike Butcher recorded the save.

Despite being twenty-one games under .500, the Angels sit just six games behind the A's in the West.

W- Leftwich (6-10)
S- Butcher (2)
L- Darling (10-12)

HR- CAL: Easley (7)

The standings in the West to the moment:

Athletics: 53-62
Mariners: 52-64- 1.5 GB
Rangers: 51-64- 2 GB
Angels: 48-69- 6 GB

In the East:

Yankees: 69-45
Orioles: 68-48- 2 GB
Tigers: 57-59- 13 GB
Blue Jays: 56-60- 14 GB
Red Sox: 51-65- 19 GB

Next: October 2 in the Eastern parks.

Thoughts?
 
Now for a couple of makeup games from Fenway Park in Boston. First, the Red Sox host the White Sox in a "regular" makeup game:

Red Sox 2, White Sox 1

Shortstop John Valentin drove in the winning run for Boston in the last of the eighth by bouncing into a force play that scored second baseman Tim Naehring. The other Bosox run came in the last of the fourth on a home run by Scott Cooper. Aaron Sele pitched a complete game, holding the Central leaders to just five hits. Two of the hits came from first baseman Frank Thomas, but neither of them was a home run. A sacrifice fly from left fielder Tim Raines tied the game for Chicago in the fifth. Chisox closer Roberto Hernandez absorbed the loss. The home team was also held to five hits, two of which came from their first baseman, Mo Vaughn.

The Sox' lead over the Indians in the Central now stands at a game.

W- Sele (9-7)
L- Hernandez (4-6)

HR- BOS: Cooper (14)

Now to October 2, when the Sox are entertaining the Yankees:

Yankees 16, Red Sox 5

The East leaders pounded the division's cellar-dwellers to the tune of sixteen runs and eighteen hits. First baseman Don Mattingly led the hit parade, going four for five while driving in a run and scoring three. As far as runs batted in went center fielder Bernie Williams led the way with four. Red Sox starter Joe Hesketh walked him with the bases loaded in the first, and his two-run double staked the Yanks to a 7-0 lead in the second. He singled in a run for good measure in the eighth. Third baseman Wade Boggs and right fielder Paul O'Neill homered for the Yanks, while designated hitter Andre Dawson hit a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to give the Red Sox fans a small reason to cheer. Right fielder Tom Brunansky drove in the other Boston run. Jim Abbott got the win for the Yanks, who are now two and a half games ahead of the Orioles for first place in the East.

W- Abbott (10-8)
L- Hesketh (8-6)

HR- NYY: O'Neill (22), Boggs (12)
BOS: Dawson (17)

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 70-45
Orioles: 68-48- 2.5 GB
Tigers: 57-59- 13.5 GB
Blue Jays: 56-60- 14.5 GB
Red Sox: 52-66- 19.5 GB

In the Central:

White Sox: 69-46
Indians: 69-48- 1 GB
Royals: 62-54- 7.5 GB
Brewers: 55-61- 14.5 GB
Twins: 49-65- 19.5 GB

Next: The Royals host the Indians in our final makeup game.

Thoughts?
 
I'm going to switch gears just a bit here and talk about the Mariners' situation.

In the original project, Joe Ray (who handled the West, if you remember) had them playing half of their games at Husky Stadium at the University of Washington and the other half at the Superdome in New Orleans. Neither of these is a baseball stadium, and I don't believe that the players' union would have let them play in either place anyway. For the purposes of this timeline, they've reached an agreement to play their remaining home games at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, even when the Giants are at home. On those days, the Mariners will play first, the stadium will empty, and then the Giants will play.

Over the next several posts, we'll be detailing how the M's fared at Candlestick. Their first series there was August 22-24 against the Blue Jays, so we'll start there.

August 22:

Mariners 4, Blue Jays 1

The M's scored win number one in their new home away from home before a crowd of over 30,000. Leading the way as expected was Ken Griffey Jr., who gave the Bay Area's newest team a welcome gift with a first-inning homer off of Jays starter Pat Hentgen. He went two for three and scored a pair of runs to lead the offense, which also got RBIs from Edgar Martinez, Jay Buhner, and Felix Fermin. Starter Roger Salkeld toughed out seven innings for the win, and Bobby Ayala earned the save. Hentgen threw a complete-game loss for the Jays, who got their lone RBI from shortstop Dick Schofield..

W- Salkeld (3-5)
S- Ayala (19)
L- Hentgen (13-9)

HR- SEA: Griffey Jr. (41)

August 23:

Blue Jays 8, Mariners 3

The Jays evened the series thanks mostly to their offense, which was led by right fielder Joe Carter. Carter went three for five with two home runs, a solo shot in the fifth and a two-run dinger in the eighth. Second baseman Roberto Alomar and center fielder Mike Huff each contributed three hits, and in fact Huff was a perfect three for three at the plate plus two walks on the evening. All three Seattle runs came via the homer; first baseman Tino Martinez went deep in the second and fourth, while Ken Griffey Jr. hit Number 42 in the bottom of the eighth. Dave Stewart pocked up the win for the Jays, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out seven in seven and a third innings, while losing pitcher Jim Converse didn't get out of the first inning, lasting only two outs and twenty pitches while giving up two runs on three hits.

W- Stewart (8-8)
L- Converse (0-6)

HR- TOR: Carter 2 (29)
SEA: Griffey Jr. (42), T. Martinez 2 (22)

August 24:

Mariners 3, Blue Jays 2 (10 innings)

The M's rallied to take two out of three from the Jays before a third straight crowd of over 30,000. The Jays grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third on an RBI single by Schofield that scored Ed Sprague and a bases-loaded walk to Carter that forced in catcher Pat Borders, but the home squad chipped away, cutting the Toronto lead to 2-1 when designated hitter Reggie Jefferson bounced into a double play to bring home shortstop Luis Sojo. The red-hot Ken Griffey Jr. tied things at two in the eighth when he belted his third homer of the weekend off of Jays starter Al Leiter, which was also Number 43 for the year. In the tenth, Junior started the game-winning rally by lining a single off the glove of Schofield at short. He moved to second on a groundout by Buhner and scored on Edgar Martinez's base hit to left.. The relief win went to Bill Risley, while Tony Castillo took the loss for the Jays.

W- Risley (10-6)
L- Castillo (5-3)

HR- SEA: Griffey Jr. (43)

The standings in the West to the moment:

Athletics: 53-62
Mariners: 54-65- 1 GB
Rangers: 51-64- 2 GB
Angels: 48-69- 6 GB

In the East:

Yankees: 70-45
Orioles: 68-48- 2.5 GB
Tigers: 57-59- 13.5 GB
Blue Jays: 57-62- 15 GB
Red Sox: 52-66- 19.5 GB

Next: The Twins invade The Stick from August 25-28.

Thoughts?
 
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I know it's confusing as hell, but I want to make sure I do the Mariners games myself while I'm thinking of it instead of accidentally using the games from the other project. Just bear with it and all will come out right in the end, I promise.
 
Now for the four-game series between the Twins and the Mariners:

August 25:

Mariners 9, Twins 1

The M's hammered the Central cellar-dwellers in Game 1 of this weekend series. Offensively, Jay Buhner set the tome with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first. Edgar Martinez hit a two-run homer in the eighth, and Felix Fermin contributed a two-run triple. On the mound, The Big Unit lived up to his name, as Randy Johnson went the distance, giving up just one run on seven hits and striking out twelve. Shane Mack's solo homer in the sixth provided the Twins with their only run. Losing pitcher Kevin Tapani had a once-in-a-lifetime pitching line: six and two-thirds inning, six runs, all earned, six walks, and six strikeouts.

W- Johnson (14-7)
L- Tapani (11-8)

HR- MIN: Mack (16)
SEA: Buhner (23), E. Martinez (15)

August 26:

Mariners 4, Twins 0 (ABC: Bob Carpenter, Reggie Jackson)

The M's ran their record at Candlestick to 4-1 by shutting out the hapless Twins. All four Seattle runs were scored in the bottom of the first: Buhner's single knocked in Edgar, and Tino blasted a three-run homer to deep left center. Chris Bosio and Bill Risley combined on the seven-hit shutout. Twins starter Scott Erickson have up all four runs on three hits and a walk and departed after just a third of an inning. Second baseman Chuck Knoblauch was the only Twin with more than one hit.

W- Bosio (5-11)
L- Erickson (8-12)

HR- SEA: T. Martinez (23)

August 27:

Mariners 11, Twins 7

The Ms hit five home runs to help themselves win this slugfest. Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. each had a pair, with the other coming from second baseman Rich Amaral. Edgar went deep off of Twins starter Pat Mahomes leading off the game; his second homer was one of three that the home squad hit in the sixth and also gave the M's the lead for good. The others belonged to Junor and Amaral. Junior had also gone deep in the second. Fermin went three for four with three RBIs to lead the way offensively, and right fielder Eric Anthony drove in a pair of runs as well.

The Twins scored six of their seven runs in the sixth to take a 7-6 lead. The key hits were a two-run triple by third baseman Scott Leius and a two-run double by center fielder Alex Cole. Shortstop Jeff Reboulet and designated hitter Dave Winfleld, each making hs first start of the series, had three hits apiece in a losing cause.

W- T. Davis (3-2)
L- Casian (1-4)

HR- SEA: E. Martinez 2 (17), Griffey Jr. 2 (45), Amaral (5)

August 28:

Twins 8, Mariners 4

The Twins salvaged the final game of the series with the help of six first-inning runs, feasting on Mariners pitching to the tune of eighteen hits. The hitting star of the day for Minnesota is third baseman and future Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale, who went four for four plus a walk, scored twice, and drove in a pair. His ground-rule double in the aforementioned first netted him both of his RBIs. Knoblauch also went four for six and drove in a run.

Twins starter Carlos Pulido went six and two-thirds innings to get the win, giving up three runs on five hits; no Mariner had more than one hit. Mariners starter Roger Salkeld gave up five runs on four hits in just a third of an inning and took the loss. The lone Seattle bright spot came in the eighth, when Junior blasted Number 46, his sixth home run at Candlestick in seven games.

W- Pulido (4-7)
L- Salkeld (3-6)

HR- SEA: Griffey Jr. (46)

The standings in the West to the moment:

(tie)Athletics: 53-62
(tie)Mariners: 57-66
Rangers: 51-64- 2 GB
Angels: 48-69- 6 GB

In the Central:

White Sox: 69-46
Indians: 69-48- 1 GB
Royals: 62-54- 7.5 GB
Brewers: 55-61- 14.5 GB
Twins: 50-68- 20.5 GB

Next: The Brewers come in for three between September 6-8.

Thoughts?
 
I'm a tad under the weather tonight, so I'm going to do the other two games of the M's season-ending series with the Tigers, then get back to the Brewers next time.

September 30:

Mariners 6, Tigers 5 (ABC: Gary Thorne, Dave Campbell)

Down 5-2 going to the bottom of the ninth, the M's scored four times to pull off an improbable comeback win. Tino Martinez stroked a leadoff single against Tigers starter Mike Moore, then Eric Anthony and Mike Blowers walked back-to-back to load the bases. Dan Wilson grounded a base hit to left center to score both Anthony and Tino and cut the Detroit lead to one. A wild pitch moved the runners up ninety feet, and second baseman Torey Lovullo walked to load the bases again. Tigers manager Sparky Anderson called on closer Mike Henneman to finish off the home squad, and he got Felix Fermin to pop up to second for the first out. But he walked Reggie Jefferson, which forced in Blowers to tie the game. Ken Griffey Jt. then completed the comeback by lining Henneman's first offering up the middle for a base hit which scored Wilson with the winning run.

Mickey Tettleton and Cecil Fielder homered for the Tigers, and Juan Samuel was three for four with a run scored. Jefferson's sixth-inning double and Blowers' sacrifice fly each knocked in one of the Mariners' other runs. Bobby Ayala ended up the winning pitcher for Seattle, while Moore took the loss for the Tigers.

W- Ayala (5-4)
L- Moore (11-11)

HR- DET: Tettleton (19), Fielder (29)

October 1:

Tigers 8, Mariners 4

The Tigers took the series, winning by the identical score that they would on Sunday. Kirk Gibson's three-run homer in the first paced the way. and Tettleton added a two-run shot as part of the five-run fifth that pit the game out of reach for Detroit. Gibson also singled home a run in that inning to give himself four RBIs on the night. Second baseman Lou Whitaker and third baseman Travis Fryman had the other Detroit RBIs. The Mariners got all four of their runs on a pair of two-run homers: Eric Anthony's on the fourth and Jefferson's in the bottom of the ninth. Tiger starter Bill Gullickson only allowed two runs on four hits in five and two-thirds innings to get the win, while losing pitcher Dave Fleming gave up six runs on seven hits in four and a third.

W- Gullickson (5-5)
L- Flwming (7-13)

HR- SEA: Anthony (12), Jefferson (9)
DET: Tettleton (20), Gibson (24)

The East standings to the moment:

Yankees: 70-45
Orioles: 68-48- 2.5 GB
Tigers: 58-60- 13.5 GB
Blue Jays: 57-62- 15 GB
Red Sox: 52-66- 19.5 GB

In the West:

(tie) Athletics: 53-62
(tie) Mariners: 58-67
Rangers: 51-64- 2 GB
Angels: 48-69- 6 GB

Next: The Brewers series.

Thoughts?
 
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Now for the visit from the Brewers:

September 6:

Brewers 2, Mariners 0

Greg Vaughn's two-run homer in the top of the first was all the offense the Brew Crew needed. Randy Johnson shut them out the rest of the way on four hits and struck out eleven, but Brewers starter Ricky Bones tossed a complete-game seven hitter, walking one and striking out four in just a hundred and twelve pitches. Felix Fermin had three of the hits for the Mariners and Edgar Martinez two. Right fielder Matt Mieske was the only Brewer with more than one hit.

W- Bones (11-9)
L- Johnson (14-8)

HR- MIL: G. Vaughn (22)

September 7:

Mariners 4, Brewers 0

It was the home squad's turn to record the shutout on this night. Chris Bosio gave up ten Milwaukee hits. but was so efficient that he only needed a hundred and four pitches for the game. Eric Anthony, Ken Griffey Jr., and Jay Buhner all had RBis. and Buhner led the M's with three hits. Center fielder Turner Ward was a perfect three for three at the plate for Milwaukee, while Vaughn and first baseman John Jaha had a pair apiece. Starter Bill Wegman took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks through seven innings.

W- Bosio (6-11)
L- Wegman (8-5)

September 8:

Brewers 4, Mariners 2

Matt Mieske's three-run bomb in the second off of Mariners starter Greg Hibbard overcame a 2-0 Seattle lead after one, and Ward added a solo homer for insurance in the fourth. Meanwhile, Brewers starter Teddy Higuera and closer Mike Fetters combined to hold the M's to just two hits: Edgar Martinez's two-run double in the bottom of the first and a one out double by Junior in the sixth that came to nothing. Ward was the only player on either team with more than one hit, and the Brewers' staff had separate string of eleven Mariners retired in a row and ten in a row.

W- Higuera (2-5)
S- Fetters (18)
L- Hibbard (1-7)

HR- MIL: Mieske (11), Ward (10)

The standings in the Central to the moment:

White Sox: 69-46
Indians: 69-48- 1 GB
Royals: 62-54- 7.5 GB
Brewers: 57-62- 14 GB
Twins: 50-68- 20.5 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 53-62
Mariners: 59-69- .5 GB
Rangers: 51-64- 2 GB
Angels: 48-69- 6 GB

Next: The Indians visit from September 9-11.

Thoughts?




 
Now for the Indians' visit to Candlestick:

September 9:

Indians 10, Mariners 3 (ABC: Chris Berman, Tommy Hutton)

The Tribe certainly brought their hitting shoes to the City by the Bay, as they used a three-run first and a three-run third to put the M's away early. Carlos Baerga and Eddie Murray each had three hits for Cleveland, and Sandy Alomar Jr, added three RBIs, two of them coming on a ninth-inning homer. Albert Belle also went deep for the visitors. Felix Fermin had three hits and an RBI for the home squad, who got their other RBIs from Ken Griffey Jr. and Jay Buhner. Eric Plunk was the winner in relief for Cleveland, while Roger Salkeld was the loser for the Mariners after giving up sis runs on six hits in just two and a third innings.

W- Plunk (8-3)
L- Salkeld (3-7)

HR- CLE: Belle (38), Alomar Jr. (16)

September 10:

Indians 8, Mariners 1

The Tribe pocked up where they left off offensively on Friday night. Kenny Lofton led the way with three hits and a pair of ribbies, and his first-inning triple drove in Albert Belle and put the home squad in a hole from which they never dug out. Jim Thome drove in three runs to lead the Tribe in that department, and Dennis Martinez did the rest from the mound, pitching a complete game and limiting the Mariners to one run on five hits over a hundred and one pitches. Luis Sojo homered in the eighth to break up El Presidente's shutout bid, while Mike Blowers was the only Mariner with more than one hit. Starter Jim Converse took the loss to drop his record to 0-7.

W- D. Martinez (13-6)
L- Converse (0-7)

HR- SEA: Sojo (7)

September 11:

Indians 18, Mariners 6

The Tribe finished their shellacking of the M's with an eighteen-run, eighteen-hit performance. Beerga led the way spectacularly, going five for six, scored three times, and drove in an incredible nine runs. He singled in Bella in the first, singled home both Belle and Jim Thome in the second, and cleared the bases twice, first with a triple in the fifth and again with a double in the sixth. He finished a home run short of the cycle; Paul Sorrento hit the only longball of the game for the Tribe. Manny Ramirez and Sandy Alomar Jr. each had three RBIs to help the Tribe's cause. The big hit for Seattle was Tino Martinez's bases-clearing double in the ninth that established the final score. Buhner, Fermin, and Dan Wilson had the other Seattle RBIs.

Jack Morris got the win, giving up jut one run on four hits over six and a third innings, while Dave Fleming was hammered for seven runs on eight hits in an inning and two-thirds and suffered the loss. In case you're not in the mood to do the math, the Tribe outscored the Mariners 36-10 over the weekend.

W- Morris (11-6)
L- Fleming (7-14)

HR- CLE: Sorrento (16)

The standings in the Central to the moment:

Indians: 72-48
White Sox: 69-46- .5 GB
Royals: 62-54- 8 GB
Brewers: 57-62- 14.5 GB
Twins: 50-68- 21 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 53-62
(tie) Mariners: 59-72- 2 GB
(tie) Rangers: 51-64- 2 GB

Angels: 48-69- 6 GB

In the Wild Card:

White Sox: 69-46
Orioles: 68-48- .5 GB

Nest: The A's cross the Bay for a showdown from September 12-14.

Thoughts?




 
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I might as well get the last non-Mariners makeup/different site game out of the way while I'm at it. It's the Indians taking on the Royals in Kansas City:

Royals 8, Indians 3

The Royals scored four times in the fifth to overcome a 3-2 deficit, then tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth to seal the victory. Third baseman Gary Gaetti's two-run homer gave the Royals the lead for good, and first baseman Wally Joyner contributed a two-run single later in the inning. Gaetti singled in another run in the eighth, and catcher Mike Macfarlane added a sols homer. Joyner had socked a two-run homer in the first to giver Kansas City a 2-1 lead. On the mound, Kevin Appier went all the way, giving yo three runs on ten hits while walking four and striking out seven in a taxing one hundred and thirty-eight pitches.

Carlos Baerga had two hits and knocked in a pair of runs for Cleveland, while Kenny Lofton was three for four and scored twice, Omar Vizquel had the other RBI. Starter Charles Nagy gave up six runs on six hits in four and two-thirds innings and was charged with the loss.

The Indians are now tied for first place with the White Sox in the Central, and the Pale Hose will have the opportunity to open up an unopposed lead, as they'll visit the Mariners in the M's' final series at Candlestick Park three games from now.

W- Appier (8-6)
L- Nagy (10-9)

HR- KC: Macfarlane (15), Gaetti (13), Joyner (9)

The standings in the Central to the moment:

(tie) White Sox: 69-46
(tie) Indians: 72-49

Royals: 63-54- 7 GB
Brewers: 57-62- 14 GB
Twins: 50-69- 21 GB

In the Wild Card:

(tie) White Sox: 69-46
(tie) Indians: 72-49

Orioles: 68-48- .5 GB

Next: The A's and the Mariners meet at Candlestick.

Thoughts?
 
Here's the action between the A's and the Mariners.

September 12:

Mariners 6, Athletics 5

The M's took Game 1 of this huge series, but they had to fight off a ninth-inning comeback from the A's to do it. Designated hitter Mike Blowers was four for five and scored a run, while Felix Fermin and Ken Griffey Jr. each drove in a pair of runs to bolster the Seattle attack. Fermin's two-run single in the seventh gave the Mariners a 5-2 lead, and they made it 6-2 with another run in the eighth. But the A's scored three in the ninth against a tiring Randy Johnson. After two out, center fielder Rickey Henderson walked. Designated hitter Geronimo Berroa singled to right, then right fielder Ruben Sierra hit a three-run homer over the wall in left center to make it 6-5. Closer Bobby Ayala gave up a single to first baseman Troy Neel, but got catcher Terry Steinbach to take a game-ending called third strike. Second baseman Brent Gates knocked on the other two Oakland runs with a fourth-inning base hit.

Johnson got the win after throwing an astronomical one hundred and fifty-six pitches, and there's growing concern in the Mariner organization that the Big Unit is headed down the road to injury through overuse. He gave up five runs on nine hits, walked seven and struck out twelve. Bobby Witt took the los for the A's after giving up five runs in ten hits through six and two-thirds innings.

W- Johnson (15-8)
S- Ayala (20)
L- Witt (8-11)

HR- OAK: Sierra (24)

September 13:

Athletics 4, Mariners 2

The A's evened the series before a sellout crowd at Candlestick, most of whom were A's fans. Steinbach's two-run homer in the fourth set the A's on the right path, and he added a run-scoring single in the sixth. Gates had the other Oakland RBI. On the mound, Todd Van Poppel was brilliant, allowing just three Seattle hits over eight innings. The M's had been held to one hit through seven, nut made a comeback in the eighth on an RBI double by Junior and an RBI single by Jay Buhner. Dennis Eckersley allowed a one-out single to Fermin in the ninth, then slammed the door as usual. Chris Bosio took the loss for the M's, giving up all four Oakland runs on ten hits over six innings.

W- Van Poppel (8-10)
S- Eckersley (20)
L- Bosio (6-12)

HR- OAK: Steinbach (12)

September 14:

Athletics 10, Mariners 7

The third and final game of the series was slugfest that was won by the visitors. Neel's three run homer in the top of the first off of Mariners starter Greg Hibbard set the tone, and the A's also got a solo homer from third baseman Scott Brosius in the fourth and a three-run shot from Sierra in the fifth. Neel and Sierra combined to drive in eight of the ten Oakland runs on the night. The Mariners got a solo homer from Tino Martinez in the second and a two-run homer from Edgar Martinez in the first. Tino led the way offensively for Seattle with four RBIs; in addition to his homer, he smacked a two-run double in the fifth and drove in another with a sacrifice fly. Right fielder Keith Mitchell provided the other RBI for the M's. Losing pitcher Greg Hibbard didn't record an out, and left after giving up Neel's homer.

By losing two out of three to the A's. the Mariners have dropped into third place in the West, three games behind the A's for first and a game behind the Rangers for second. In their last series at Candlestick, they'll entertain the Central-leading White Sox.

W- Ontiveros (7-4)
S- Eckersley (21)
L- Hibbard (1-8)

HR- OAK: Sierra (25), Neel (16), Brosius (15)
SEA: E. Martinez (18), T. Martinez (24)

The standings in the West to the moment:

Athletics: 55-63
Rangers- 51-64- 2.5 GB
Mariners: 60-74- 3 GB
Angels: 48-69- 6.5 GB

Next: The M's say goodbye to Frisco with their series against the Pale Hose (September 27-29).

Thoughts?
 
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Now for our final Mariners series at Candlestick Park, as they host the White Sox:

September 27:

Mariners 5, White Sox 4

The M's scored a pair of seventh-inning runs to complete a comeback from down 4-1. Jay Buhner singled to left center with one out, then Tino Martinez walked. Felix Fermoin doubled in Buhner to tie the game at four, and Eric Anthony's sacrifice fly pushed Tino across the plate with the winning run. Dan Wilson and Rich Amaral also had RBIs for Seattle, and Ken Griffey Jr. energized the crowd by hitting Number 47 off of Sox starter Jason Bere in the third. Center fielder Lance Johnson had two hits for the visitors, one of which was a two-run double in the sixth. Center fielder Tim Raines also had two hits, and Frank Thomas drove in the other Chicago run. Tim Davis got the win in relief, and Bobby Ayala the save. while Bere took the loss for the Sox.

W- T. Davis (4-2)
S- Ayala (21)
L- Bere (12-3)

HR- SEA: Griffey Jr. (47)

September 28:

White Sox 8, Mariners 5

The Sox evened the series, scoring seven of their eight runs in the first two innings and knocking Mariners starter Jim Converse out of the game after just two outs and twenty-five pitches. Johnson and Robin Ventura each had two hits and three RBIs to pace the Chicago offense, and Thomas added his fortieth homer of the season in the sixth. For the M's, Junior's on a homer tear again, as he clouted Number 48 in the bottom of the first. The Mariners played catchup all night using the longball, as Buhner and catcher Dan Wilson also went deep .Junior ended his evening three for four with a homer and three runs scored.

On the mound, Alex Fernandez got the win despite giving up five runs on twelve hits pver eight and a third innings. Roberto Hernandez recorded the save.

W- Fernandez (12-7)
S- Hernandez (15)
L- Converse (0-8)

HR- CWS: Thomas (40)
SEA: Griffey Jr. (48), Buhner (24), Wilson (4)

September 29:

White Sox 9, Mariners 8 (12 innings)

Julio Franco's base hit scored Joey Cora with the winning run as the Sox took the series. The visitors had built an 8-2 lead through three innings, with the big inning being the fifth, when they scored five rimes. Franco finished the evening four for seven with a pair of RBIs, and Thomas and Tim Raines also contributed three hits apiece, including Raines' homer in the third. The M's got back to within 8-5 on Eric Anthony's three-run homer, and tied the game at eight on Buhner's three-run bomb in the bottom of the ninth. The same two pitchers who got decisions last night got them tonight, as Alex Fernandez pitched the final two innings to grt the win for the Sox, and Jim Converse absorbed his ninth loss in a row for Seattle.

W- Fernandez (13-7)
L- Converse (0-9)

HR- CWS: Raines (11)
SEA: Buhner (25). Anthony (13)

The standings in the Central to the moment:

White Sox: 71-47
Indians: 72-49- .5 GB
Royals: 63-54- 7.5 GB
Brewers: 57-62- 14.5 GB
Twins: 50-69- 21,5 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 55-63
Rangers: 51-64- 2.5 GB
Mariners: 61-75- 3.5 GB
Angels: 48-69- 6.5 GB


Next: We finally begin play on August 12.

Thoughts?
 
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Here's the American League Report for Friday, August 12. We begin with my Central report:


Brewers 4, Indians 3 (ABC; Gary Thorne, Dave Campbell)

The big hitters for each squad went deep, but it's Greg Vaughn's three-run third-inning blast that made the difference. Albert Belle went deep for the Tribe. Brew Crew first baseman Kevin Seitzer had to be helped off the field after he ended the game by knocking the wind out of himself while smothering Paul Sorrento's line drive that would have most likely won the game for Cleveland had it gone down the right field line. Dennis Martinez went all the way for the Tribe in a losing cause. Sign of the night: "TGIB" (Thank God It's Baseball).

W- Mercedes (3-0)
S- Fetters (19)
L- D. Martinez (13-7)

HR: MIL- G. Vaughn (23)
CLE- Belle (39)

White Sox 6, Twins 3 (ABC; Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat)

The Pale Hose showed a national television audience why they're the defending American League West champions, and why they're on top in the new AL Central. Alex Fernandez pitched a complete game six-hitter, and designated hitter Julio Franco drove in the go-ahead runs with a third-inning single. The Big Hurt, Frank Thomas, went deep for the Sox, while Dave Winfield did the same for the Twinkies. The Sox get a rousing standing ovation as they leave the field from the New Comiskey faithful, who are overjoyed that another possible pennant run will continue.

W- Fernandez (14-7)
L- Tapani (11-9)

HR- MIN: Winfield (11)
CHI: Thomas (41)

Royals 7, Rangers 5 (ABC; Chris Berman, Tommy Hutton)

The Royals put away the Rangers with a four-run seventh in front of a rabid sellout crowd at Kauffman. The four ruins in the seventh came on a pair of two-run homers, one by shortstop Greg Gagne and one by catcher Mike McFarlane. DH Bob Hamelin drove in two more for the Royals. The play of the game was made by left fielder Keith Miller, who gunned down Ranger third baseman Dean Palmer at the plate on a potential bases-clearing double in the top of the ninth. First baseman Will Clark homered for the Rangers, while second baseman Doug Strange went three for four and drove in two runs.

W- Appier (9-6)
S- Montgomery (28)
L- Rogers (11-9)

HR: TEX- Clark (15)
KC: Gagne (8), McFarlane (16)

Now here's Anthony in the East:
Blue Jays 8 Yankees 6 (ABC: Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver)

The Jays got four RBIs from Mike Huff and a solo homer from Ed Sprague in the sixth to help them beat the division-leafing Yankees.

WP- Dave Stewart (9-8)
LP- Scott Kamieniecki (8-7)
SV- Darren Hall (18)
HR- TOR: Ed Sprague (12)
NYY: Wade Boggs (13)

Baltimore 11, Boston 3 (ABC: Jon Miller, Joe Morgan. Peter Gammons)

Rafael Palmeiro drove in six runs for Baltimore, with his big hit being a bases-clearing double as part of a six-run third. Ben McDonald did his part by pitching a complete game

WP- Ben McDonald (16-7)
LP- Joe Hesketh 8-7
HR- BOS: Andre Dawson (17)

Detroit 18 California 5 (ABC: Bob Carpenter, Reggie Jackson)

The Tigers dominated by going yard six times. including two by Kirk Gibson.

WP- Mike Gardiner (3-2)
LP- Phil Leftwich (6-11)
HR- DET: Samuel (6), Gibson 2 (26), Fielder (30), Gomez 2 (11)

Now to Joe Ray in the West:

Mariners 9, Athletics 5 (ABC: Bob Ley, Buck Martinez)
W: Roger Salkeld (4-7))
L: Bobby Witt (8-12)
HR: Jay Buhner 2 (26-27, 1st, 2-run, 8th, 2-run), Felix Fermin (7th, solo, 2)

This game, seen by almost the entire nation and 20,809 in Oakland, showcased the Mariners as a division contender, even though they were fourteen games below .500. Jay Buhner hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Mariners a 2-0 lead they never gave back. In the second, the Mariners added three more runs, as Edgar Martinez hit a two-run single, scoring Fermin and Eric Anthony, and an error by Oakland second baseman Brent Gates scores Torey Lovullo to give the M's a 5-0 lead.

In the third, Lovullo hits into a fielder's choive, and Anthony scores again to make it 6-0 M's. In the third, the A's put together a mini-rally, scoring two runs on three hits. Mike Bordick and Stan Javier stroked back-to-back singles, then Rickey Henderson doubled to score them both and make it 6-2. The inning ended after a Reuben Sierra groundout.

The Mariners added three more in the seventh and eighth with big HRs by Fermin (seventh) and Buhner (eighth). In the ninth, Goose Gossage comes in and gives singles to Sierra and Troy Neel, followed by a Mike Bordick double and a two-run single by Gates, but they ended up leaving two men on. The AL West race could be very exciting, with all four teams within six and a half games.

The standings in the East to the moment:

Yankees: 71-45
Orioles: 69-48- 2.5 GB
Tigers: 58-59- 13.5 GB
Blue Jays: 58-62- 15 GB
Red Sox: 52-67- 20.5 GB

In the Central:

White Sox: 72-47
Indians: 72-50- 1.5 GB
Royals: 64-54- 7.5 GB
Brewers: 58-63- 15 GB
Twins: 50-70- 22.5 GB

In the West:

Athletics: 55-64
Mariners: 62-75- 2 GB
Rangers: 51-65- 2.5 GB
Angels: 48-70- 6.5 GB

In the Wild Card:

Indians: 72-50
Orioles: 69-48- .5 GB

Next: We look at the games of August 13.

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