OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

Moriarty9 · 02-25-2009, 04:18 PM

Saberhagen strong in A's win
Chen falters as Devil Rays lose ALDS Game 3
October 8, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Game 3 of the American League Division Series was the first home playoff game in Tampa Bay Devil Rays history, but it was also the first post-season loss in franchise history.

More than 44,500 fans packed into Tropicana Field tonight, but most left disappointed as Bruce Chen and the Devil Rays were unable to win Game 3 and the series.

The AL West champion Oakland Athletics scored three runs in the first after a couple hits and a handful of walks, and the A's never looked back. Oakland won 6-2, but the game didn't feel as close as the final score indicates.

Chen, making his first postseason appearance, struggled right out of the gate. Joey Cora opened the game with a single and was joined by Miguel Tejada after a four-pitch walk. Chen struck out left-handed hitter Ben Grieve before walking Mark McGwire to load the bases with one out. Tony Batista hit a sacrifice fly to score Cora before Gabe Kapler hit a two-run double to cap off the top of the first inning. Chen danced out of trouble in the second inning, keeping Oakland off the board after giving up two hits in the inning. A couple walks and a Wil Cordero sacrifice fly led to another run in the third inning, and three consecutive hits led to another run in the fourth.

When all was said and done, Chen gave up five runs on seven hits and five walks in four innings of work. The southpaw left the game early but also left the game with a feeling that Tampa Bay was lucky the damage wasn't worse.

"I'm sure there were plenty of butterflies in the kid's stomach out there tonight," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "His control just wasn't there and that's really what did it. Walks kill you; they put guys on base, they drive up the pitch count, they prolong the inning, they put the guys in the field on their heels a little, and it gives the other team free scoring opportunities."

On the flip side was a fine performance from veteran right-hander Bret Saberhagen. Saberhagen gave up two runs on six hits and one walk over nine innings. No Tampa Bay batter had multiple hits.

"Sabes knows what he's doing out there, he's been here before," said Oakland skipper Ron O'Farrell — a rookie manager. "He's got talent but he's also so intelligent about the game and knows how to execute, what to execute, what works, what doesn't."

The A's hope to even the series at 2-2 tomorrow night when they send Mark Buehrle to the mound against Chad Ogea. Buehrle, a lefty who went 13-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 22 starts this year, was hit hard by Tampa Bay in Game 1, giving up seven runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work. Ogea went 8-15 with a 5.28 ERA in 31 starts this season and will be making his first post-season appearance.

02-25-2009, 04:18 PM	#151 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Saberhagen strong in A's win Chen falters as Devil Rays lose ALDS Game 3 October 8, 1999 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Game 3 of the American League Division Series was the first home playoff game in Tampa Bay Devil Rays history, but it was also the first post-season loss in franchise history. More than 44,500 fans packed into Tropicana Field tonight, but most left disappointed as Bruce Chen and the Devil Rays were unable to win Game 3 and the series. The AL West champion Oakland Athletics scored three runs in the first after a couple hits and a handful of walks, and the A's never looked back. Oakland won 6-2, but the game didn't feel as close as the final score indicates. Chen, making his first postseason appearance, struggled right out of the gate. Joey Cora opened the game with a single and was joined by Miguel Tejada after a four-pitch walk. Chen struck out left-handed hitter Ben Grieve before walking Mark McGwire to load the bases with one out. Tony Batista hit a sacrifice fly to score Cora before Gabe Kapler hit a two-run double to cap off the top of the first inning. Chen danced out of trouble in the second inning, keeping Oakland off the board after giving up two hits in the inning. A couple walks and a Wil Cordero sacrifice fly led to another run in the third inning, and three consecutive hits led to another run in the fourth. When all was said and done, Chen gave up five runs on seven hits and five walks in four innings of work. The southpaw left the game early but also left the game with a feeling that Tampa Bay was lucky the damage wasn't worse. "I'm sure there were plenty of butterflies in the kid's stomach out there tonight," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "His control just wasn't there and that's really what did it. Walks kill you; they put guys on base, they drive up the pitch count, they prolong the inning, they put the guys in the field on their heels a little, and it gives the other team free scoring opportunities." On the flip side was a fine performance from veteran right-hander Bret Saberhagen. Saberhagen gave up two runs on six hits and one walk over nine innings. No Tampa Bay batter had multiple hits. "Sabes knows what he's doing out there, he's been here before," said Oakland skipper Ron O'Farrell — a rookie manager. "He's got talent but he's also so intelligent about the game and knows how to execute, what to execute, what works, what doesn't." The A's hope to even the series at 2-2 tomorrow night when they send Mark Buehrle to the mound against Chad Ogea. Buehrle, a lefty who went 13-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 22 starts this year, was hit hard by Tampa Bay in Game 1, giving up seven runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work. Ogea went 8-15 with a 5.28 ERA in 31 starts this season and will be making his first post-season appearance.