Best Baseball team of all time

[bwburke94]

Typo alert!

Originally Posted by Nick Soulis

GIANTS TAKE HEART OUT OF YANKS
Giants Jump All Over Ralp Terry And Yanks 13-1

"Ralp" should be "Ralph" if you didn't figure that out.

[Nick Soulis]

Originally Posted by bwburke94

Typo alert!



"Ralp" should be "Ralph" if you didn't figure that out.

Im the king of typos. Thanks!

[Nick Soulis]

Giants Complete Sweep Behind Big Six
Great Mathewson Ends Series On Mound

Polo Grounds - The last place you want to be as a team that is down in a series and facing elimination, is in the batters box against Christy Mathewson. Mathewson took the mound with all the confidence and support with him in the Polo Grounds and from the opening inning it was apparent that the 1905 Giants were just way too much for the overwhelmed 1961 Yankees.

Whitey Ford on the other hand is the perfect man the Yankees wanted on the mound with their backs to the wall, but the 'chairman' just didnt have the start he needed. In the end the series that had so much anticipation ends completely one sided, and the Giants and John McGraw shut out their opponents 9-0 for the sweep.

McGraw actually played in this game and tripled in the first inning to score a run and later would come around to score himself. In the second inning the Giants continued to apply the pressure as Bill Dahlen and Art Devlin drove in runs and minutes into this crucial game the Giants were up by four runs and had Mathewson on the mound.

When Mickey Mantle struck out in the first inning it was clear that the Giant ace had his good stuff. In the 3rd the Yanks had their biggest threat as Roger Maris came to the plate with two out and the bases loaded. Maris however hit a shot to second where McGraw made the stab and stepped on the bag to end the inning.

In the 5th Maris would come up again with two men on but Matty struck him out and another threat was gone. The power of Mathewson was just too much for the fast ball hitting Maris.

In the 6th the Giants knocked Ford out of the game and scored two more runs as the anticipation started at the ball park. In the 7th, Mathewson himself singled and scored to put the Yankees in an eight run hole. In the 8th the Yankees made one more effort and loaded the bases, this time with one out, Clete Boyer however hit into an inning ending double play and the Yanks were doomed to strand 21 runners in the game.

Tony Kubek fittingly struck out to end the game and the series. Mathewson struck out eight in his shutout and no one will want to face him going forward.

The Giants of 1905 are standing and representing the early era of baseball well, as they move on in this tournament with conviction.
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Game 4
1905 Giants win series 4-0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E New York Yankees 1961 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 1 New York Giants 1905 2 2 0 0 0 2 2 1 X 9 6 1
New York AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI L. Thomas 1B 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 T. Kubek SS 4 0 0 0 1 3 3 .000 0 0 M. Mantle CF 4 0 2 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 R. Maris RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 7 .000 0 0 E. Howard C 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 .000 0 0 Y. Berra LF 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 C. Boyer 3B 4 0 0 0 0 1 5 .000 0 0 B. Richardson 2B 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 W. Ford P 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 J. Coates P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 a-T. Tresh PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 B. Turley P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 A. Ditmar P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-J. Blanchard PH 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 35 0 9 0 2 9 21 a - T. Tresh pinch hit for J. Coates in the 7th b - J. Blanchard pinch hit for A. Ditmar in the 9th BATTING Doubles: J. Blanchard (0, 9th Inning off J. McGinnity, 0 on, 1 out) Total Bases: W. Ford , Y. Berra 3 , L. Thomas , B. Richardson , M. Mantle 2 , J. Blanchard 2 Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , R. Maris 2 , T. Kubek GIDP: C. Boyer Sac Bunt: W. Ford Team LOB: 12 FIELDING Errors: T. Kubek	New York AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI A. Devlin 3B 4 2 1 1 1 0 1 .000 0 0 J. McGraw 2B 3 1 1 1 0 0 1 .000 0 0 a-B. Gilbert 2B 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Donlin CF 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-B. Hall CF 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 .000 0 0 R. Bresnahan C 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 .000 0 0 S. Mertes LF 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .000 0 0 S. Strang RF 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 .000 0 0 D. McGann 1B 2 1 1 1 2 1 0 .000 0 0 B. Dahlen SS 4 1 1 1 0 0 3 .000 0 0 C. Mathewson P 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 C. Elliott P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-F. Bowerman PH 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 .000 0 0 J. McGinnity P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 29 9 6 8 7 2 10 a - B. Gilbert substituted for J. McGraw in the 7th b - B. Hall substituted for M. Donlin in the 7th c - F. Bowerman pinch hit for C. Elliott in the 8th BATTING Doubles: D. McGann (0, 6th Inning off W. Ford, 1 on, 2 outs) B. Dahlen (0, 2nd Inning off W. Ford, 1 on, 1 out) Triples: R. Bresnahan (0, 6th Inning off W. Ford, 0 on, 1 out) J. McGraw (0, 1st Inning off W. Ford, 1 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: C. Mathewson , R. Bresnahan 3 , D. McGann 2 , J. McGraw 3 , B. Dahlen 2 , A. Devlin 2-out RBI: D. McGann , A. Devlin Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: B. Dahlen , A. Devlin , S. Mertes Sac Fly: F. Bowerman Team LOB: 4 BASERUNNING SB: B. Dahlen (0) CS: S. Mertes (0) FIELDING Errors: B. Dahlen Double Plays: 1 (Devlin-Gilbert-McGann)
New York IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA W. Ford L (0-1) 5.2 5 6 5 3 2 0 89 50 7.94 J. Coates 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0.00 B. Turley 1.0 1 2 2 2 0 0 22 12 18.00 A. Ditmar 1.0 0 1 1 2 0 0 15 5 9.00 PITCHING Game Score: W. Ford 36 Batters Faced: W. Ford 25, J. Coates 1, B. Turley 6, A. Ditmar 5 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: W. Ford 11-3, J. Coates 0-1, B. Turley 3-0, A. Ditmar 1-2 Pitches - Strikes: W. Ford 89-50, J. Coates 4-2, B. Turley 22-12, A. Ditmar 15-5 Inherited Runners - Scored: J. Coates 1-0 WP: W. Ford 2	New York IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA C. Mathewson W (1-0) 7.0 7 0 0 1 8 0 102 65 0.00 C. Elliott 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 14 8 0.00 J. McGinnity 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 20 10 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: C. Mathewson 70 Batters Faced: C. Mathewson 30, C. Elliott 4, J. McGinnity 4 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: C. Mathewson 7-6, C. Elliott 1-1, J. McGinnity 0-2 Pitches - Strikes: C. Mathewson 102-65, C. Elliott 14-8, J. McGinnity 20-10 Inherited Runners - Scored: C. Elliott 1-0
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Christy Mathewson Ballpark: Polo Grounds III Weather: Rain (70 degrees), wind blowing in from right at 15 mph Start Time: 2:00 pm Time: 3:49 Attendance: 40250 Special Notes: Rain delay of 61 minutes in the 8th inning.

[Nick Soulis]

1944 St. Louis Cardinals vs 1995 Atlanta Braves

1995 Atlanta Braves
Round 1: Defeated 1986 Red Sox 3-1
Record: 90-54
Finish: Won World Series over Cleveland
Manager: Bobby Cox
Ball park: Atlanta Fulton County Stadium
Runs scored: 645
Runs allowed: 540
Team AVG: .250
Team ERA: 3.44
Home Runs: 168
Stolen bases: 73
Key players: Greg Maddux SP (19-2, 1.63), Fred McGriff 1b (.280, 27, 93), Ryan Klesko OF (.310, 23, 70)

1995 Atlanta Braves Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com



1944 St. Louis Cardinals
Round 1: Defeated 1917 White Sox 3-2
Record: 105-49
Finish: Won World Series over St. Louis Browns
Manager: Billy Southworth
Ball park: Sportsman Park
Runs scored: 772
Runs allowed: 490
Team AVG: .275
Team ERA: 2.67
Home Runs: 100
Stolen bases: 37
Key players: Mort Cooper SP (22-7, 2.46), Whitey Kurowski 3B (.270, 20, 87), Stan Musial OF (.347, 12, 94)

1944 St. Louis Cardinals Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com



Series Analysis

Hitting - Good representatives of these two team's offense are the young 23 year old future Hall of Famers that lead the offenses, Chipper Jones and Stan Musial. Both players settled in the middle of two efficient offenses with the Braves havimg more pop and the Cardinals more on base potential. Freed McGriff and Ryan Klesko along with Jones and David Justice make the Braves dangerous for the big inning, however most expect these games to be tight and low scoring. Many of the numbers being equal, most would say most more of the talent lies in Atlanta.
ADVANTAGE: 95 BRAVES

Pitching - This is where both teams will battle it out and win the series. The Braves arms are well known and in some circles considered the best staff to come together. Greg Maddux had a season for the ages, while John Smoltz and Tom Glavine excelled in the steroid era with location. The Cardinals however actually had a much lower team ERA, and were lead by four pitchers that won over 15 games; lead by Mort Cooper this foursome all had ERA's under 3.00. In the end despite the numbers it is the Braves Hall of Fame rotation that gets the edge and by all intent should be able to hold back the St. Louis offense.
ADVANTAGE: 95 BRAVES

Overall - The war years were an interesting time in baseball when many stars were out of the game and many say the competition wasnt what it could have been. Although true, the Cardinals still won 105 games and had stars that were good after the war was done, including winning it all in 1946. The Braves had some issues winning the big game but always had the talent and pitching to better themselves, this team was in the middle of an incredible unmatched 14 year consecutive postseason run. Both champions the series should be filled with pitching and close games but many will agree that the Braves should win, unless they find a way to beat themselves again.
PREDICTION: 95 Braves in 5

Probable pitching matchups
Game 1 at Sportsman Park: Greg Maddux (19-2, 1.63) vs Mort Cooper (22-7, 2.46)
Game 2 at Sportsman Park: Tom Glavine (16-7, 3.08) vs Max Lanier (17-12, 2.65)
Game 3 at Fulton County Stadium: Harry Brecheen (16-5, 2.85) vs John Smoltz (12-7, 3.18)

[Nick Soulis]

Maddux Again Cant Win Big One
Cardinals Jump Up In Series Behind Cooper Shutout

Sportsmans Park - It takes quite an effort for anyone to beat Greg Maddux in his prime, but it seems often times in the big game Madux cant close out the tight games, and in this opener the trend continued as Maddux met his match and then some. Both righthanders went the distance in the opening game in front of a fullhouse, and the Cardinals won their type of game 2-0.

Stan Musial eyed Greg Maddux in the first inning as two greats of the game matched wits. Musial got around on an inside Maddux slider and drilled a shot over the right field wall to give the home team the lead and send a message that St. Louis would pester the Braves ace arms in this series. At the time few knew it, but that shot would be all the Cardinals would need on this afternoon.

Mort Cooper was the hero on this day and showed the true definition of an ace. Cooper was given the early lead and pitched with a confidence found throughout this St. Louis club through this game. Braves hitters never got a good lick on Coop, and the results followed suit. Through five innings the righthander did not allow a hit although walking a man, at the end of the day he would allow only three players to scratch.

Greg Maddux didnt lose his focus and kept the game close. Maddux was even the one ho broke up the Cooper no hit bid with a single to start the sixth inning. Maddux was left on the basebaths and in the bottom of the same inning Ray Sanders tripled to open the inning. Maddux appeared to pitch around the hit and got the next two men out, but Whitey Kurowski singled up the middle to plate the crucial second insurance run and the Braves began to run out of confidence and time to come back.

Their best chance came in the 8th inning when Jeff Blauser and Maquis Grissom singled with two outs putting the tying runs on base. Luis Polonia pinch hit in the biggest at bat of the game. Polonia had a good atbat and lined a shot to center but Johnny Hopp had a good jump on the ball and put the inning away.

In the 9th reacting to a standing ovation Cooper found the strength to finish the job getting the Braves in order and giving the underdog Cardinals the first win of the series.

It was just one day but the fundamentals of the Cardinal team along with the confidence of their stars will make the Braves do all they can to make the most of their talent advantage. Tom Glavine gets his chance in game two.

David Justice made a telling statement after the game, "it just seemed like they knew they were going to win today all along. We have to match their confidence"
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Game 1
1944 Cardinals lead series 1-0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Atlanta Braves 1995 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 St. Louis Cardinals 1944 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X 2 7 0
Atlanta AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI M. Grissom CF 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .250 0 0 M. Lemke 2B 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 a-L. Polonia PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 b-E. Giovanola 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 D. Justice RF 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 .000 0 0 R. Klesko LF 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000 0 0 F. McGriff 1B 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .000 0 0 C. Jones 3B 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 J. Lopez C 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 J. Blauser SS 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .333 0 0 G. Maddux P 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .500 0 0 Totals 28 0 3 0 3 8 10 a - L. Polonia pinch hit for M. Lemke in the 8th b - E. Giovanola substituted for L. Polonia in the 8th BATTING Total Bases: G. Maddux , J. Blauser , M. Grissom Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: L. Polonia Sac Bunt: G. Maddux Team LOB: 5 BASERUNNING CS: C. Jones (1) FIELDING Double Plays: 1 (Grissom-Lemke)	St. Louis AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI J. Hopp CF 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .250 0 0 R. Sanders 1B 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .500 0 0 S. Musial RF 4 1 1 1 0 1 2 .250 1 1 W. Cooper C 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .333 0 0 a-K. O'Dea C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Kurowski 3B 3 0 2 1 0 1 1 .667 0 1 D. Litwhiler LF 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000 0 0 M. Marion SS 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 0 0 E. Verban 2B 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Cooper P 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 30 2 7 2 0 8 8 a - K. O'Dea substituted for W. Cooper in the 8th BATTING Doubles: W. Cooper (1, 1st Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 2 outs) R. Sanders (1, 3rd Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 2 outs) Triples: W. Kurowski (1, 4th Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 1 out) R. Sanders (1, 6th Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 0 outs) Home Runs: S. Musial (1, 1st Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 2 outs) Total Bases: W. Cooper 2 , J. Hopp , W. Kurowski 4 , S. Musial 4 , R. Sanders 5 2-out RBI: W. Kurowski , S. Musial Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: W. Kurowski , M. Marion , S. Musial Team LOB: 4
Atlanta IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA G. Maddux L (0-1) 8.0 7 2 2 0 8 1 108 73 2.25 PITCHING Game Score: G. Maddux 68 Batters Faced: G. Maddux 30 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: G. Maddux 9-6 Pitches - Strikes: G. Maddux 108-73	St. Louis IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA M. Cooper W (1-0) 9.0 3 0 0 3 8 0 129 77 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: M. Cooper 86 Batters Faced: M. Cooper 32 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: M. Cooper 8-10 Pitches - Strikes: M. Cooper 129-77
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Mort Cooper Ballpark: Sportsman's Park IV Weather: Partly Cloudy (68 degrees), wind blowing in from center at 11 mph Start Time: 1:05 pm Time: 2:17 Attendance: 33740

[Nick Soulis]

Cardnals OutClass Braves In Tight Game Again
Musial Goes 3-3 As Early Lead Is Enough For 2nd Win

Sportsman's Park - Games at this level between two very closely matched teams are sure to be close where every play has a deeper significance. The big players tend to shine in moments like this, something that after two games is beginning to differenciate itself in this series. The 1944 Cardinals once again held off the 1995 Atlanta Braves by one run in a game that they didnt even play their best, and now hold a 2-0 series lead heading to Turner Field and Atlanta.

The Cardinals broke out to an early lead and have shown that patience and situational hitting are a strong formula against the Braves ace starters. Tom Glavine was the target man in this one and in the 2nd inning ran into trouble. An inning where the Cardinals didnt have to hit Glavine at all plated three runs, Glavine walked two men on borderline pitches and then allowed a wild pitch and a single by Emil Verban to manufcture the runs. Glavine, as was Maddux in game one, was frustrated at his inability to get the outside pitch called for a strike.

Max Lanier proved to be alot more vulnrable then Mort Cooper was on the Cardinal mound although he started off strong. In the 5th inning Jeff Blauser lofted a two run home run to cut the Cardinal lead to one on an offspeed pitch. The Cardinals however are so good at coming right back at a team when they get scored on.

In he bottom of the 5th the home team scored two more runs off Glavine. Whitey Kurowski doubled in Stan Musial and Marty Marion later scored him to give the Cards a 5-2 lead.

With outs running thin, the Braves knew they had to put something together late and they did. Little Mark Lemke doubled with one man out in the 8th before pinch hitter Mark Sharperson then also doubled to score a run. Marquis Grissom then slugged the biggest hit of the Braves series thus far taking Lanier deep over the left field wall to tie the game at 5.

Glavine remained strong and in the bottom of the 8th got the first two men out. Ray Sanders however, who has had a great couple of games, drew another walk to get on. Glavine would end up walking four crucial men in this game, three of which scored. Up then came Stan Musial in a crucial spot and his greatness came through. Musial drilled a pitch behind in the count over the centerfielder's head to score the go ahead run and put the Cardinals in position to win this game.

"Musial doesnt feel pressure" said Ray Sanders who scored on the play, "he applies pressure."

Max Lanier however didnt make the 9th comfortable when he allowed two runners to get on base with only one out, and the time came for one of those crucial moments for games to be decided. Jeff Blauser hit a line shot to first where Ray Sanders knocked it down threw to second for one, and got the relay throw back in time for a 3-6-3 double play to end this game, a great play to preserve the win.

Now the series moves to Atlanta where game three starter John Smoltz has a reputation of throwing well in big games; for his team's sake he better.
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Game 2
1944 Cardinals lead series 2-0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Atlanta Braves 1995 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 5 6 0 St. Louis Cardinals 1944 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 X 6 11 2
Atlanta AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI M. Grissom CF 4 1 1 2 0 0 0 .250 1 2 F. McGriff 1B 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 0 0 D. Justice RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 R. Klesko LF 4 0 1 0 0 2 0 .125 0 0 C. Jones 3B 3 1 0 0 1 0 2 .000 0 0 b-M. Kelly PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 J. Lopez C 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .143 0 0 J. Blauser SS 4 1 1 2 0 1 2 .286 1 2 M. Lemke 2B 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 .167 0 0 T. Glavine P 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 a-M. Sharperson PH 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1.000 0 1 M. Wohlers P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 33 5 6 5 1 8 8 a - M. Sharperson pinch hit for T. Glavine in the 8th b - M. Kelly pinch ran for C. Jones in the 9th BATTING Doubles: M. Lemke (1, 8th Inning off M. Lanier, 0 on, 1 out) M. Sharperson (1, 8th Inning off M. Lanier, 1 on, 1 out) Home Runs: J. Blauser (1, 5th Inning off M. Lanier, 1 on, 2 outs) M. Grissom (1, 8th Inning off M. Lanier, 1 on, 1 out) Total Bases: J. Lopez , J. Blauser 4 , R. Klesko , M. Grissom 4 , M. Lemke 2 , M. Sharperson 2 2-out RBI: J. Blauser Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: D. Justice GIDP: J. Lopez , J. Blauser Team LOB: 4	St. Louis AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI J. Hopp CF 5 0 1 1 0 1 2 .222 0 1 R. Sanders 1B 4 1 1 0 1 0 2 .375 0 0 S. Musial RF 3 1 3 1 2 0 0 .571 1 2 W. Cooper C 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 .143 0 0 a-K. O'Dea C 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 W. Kurowski 3B 3 2 2 1 1 0 3 .667 0 2 D. Litwhiler LF 3 1 0 0 1 0 3 .000 0 0 M. Marion SS 4 1 2 1 0 1 2 .286 0 1 E. Verban 2B 4 0 2 1 0 0 1 .286 0 1 M. Lanier P 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 33 6 11 5 5 2 20 a - K. O'Dea substituted for W. Cooper in the 8th BATTING Doubles: W. Kurowski (1, 5th Inning off T. Glavine, 1 on, 1 out) S. Musial 2 (2, 1st Inning off T. Glavine, 0 on, 2 outs; 8th Inning off M. Wohlers, 1 on, 2 outs) R. Sanders (2, 6th Inning off T. Glavine, 1 on, 1 out) Total Bases: J. Hopp , E. Verban 2 , W. Kurowski 3 , M. Marion 2 , S. Musial 5 , R. Sanders 2 2-out RBI: M. Marion , S. Musial Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: W. Cooper , W. Kurowski , M. Marion , R. Sanders 2 , K. O'Dea Sac Bunt: M. Lanier 2 Team LOB: 10 FIELDING Errors: M. Marion , R. Sanders Double Plays: 2 (Verban-Marion-Sanders, Sanders-Marion)
Atlanta IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA T. Glavine 7.0 10 5 5 4 2 0 143 87 6.43 M. Wohlers L (0-1) 1.0 1 1 1 1 0 0 20 9 9.00 PITCHING Game Score: T. Glavine 35 Batters Faced: T. Glavine 35, M. Wohlers 5 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: T. Glavine 10-9, M. Wohlers 0-3 Pitches - Strikes: T. Glavine 143-87, M. Wohlers 20-9 WP: T. Glavine	St. Louis IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA M. Lanier W (1-0) 9.0 6 5 5 1 8 2 133 85 5.00 PITCHING Game Score: M. Lanier 62 Batters Faced: M. Lanier 34 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: M. Lanier 8-9 Pitches - Strikes: M. Lanier 133-85
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Stan Musial Ballpark: Busch Stadium II Weather: Clear skies (53 degrees), wind blowing in from left at 11 mph Start Time: 1:05 pm Time: 2:57 Attendance: 49631

[Nick Soulis]

Hard Ball Smoltz To The Rescue
Braves Win At Home With Three Long Balls At 9 Smoltz K's

Fulton County Stadium - Bobby Cox let it be known that his team was not going to be punched out without a figjht and went to his best brawler to pitch his way to a win. The Braves had been outclassed in the first two games of this series in St. Louis, but back at home the Braves had some pop left in their tank.

Whenever a team has a big game that it needs to win a strong start is a key factor. In the first inning of this game with the tomahawk chop out, Marquis Grissom hit a leadoff home run showing rare power with his second of the series. Chipper Jones would get a two out RBI single in the same inning off Red Munger and the Braves were up two.

Smoltz had it all working and it became obvious that the two run first inning lead he was given would be tough to turn around. Smoltz threw inside and challanged the Cardinal hitters, avoiding the need to locate his pitches perfectly like Maddux and Glavine. Smoltz struck out 9 men in the process and didnt even feel as if he needed any thought of bull pen relief on the night.

The score held up until the 6th inning when Chipper Jones dug in again and doubled the margin. Jones lined a home run to right center with a man on and the feeling through the park was that the Braves were not done as many thought in this series.

The game moved to the seventh and Ted Wilks was the man in the cooker for the Cardinals. Wilks made a mistake to the wrong man and Fred McGriff had his first home run of the series with a man on, the third long ball of the day for the Braves who loved being back at the "launching pad".

The only question remained to if Smoltz could close out the deal and get a shutout. Ray Sanders however continued his strong series and singled in a run in the 8th, in the end however this run was only a footnote.

Atlanta quiet the Cardinals momentum and now game four creates quite a situation as Greg Maddux has another chance to win a big game. Maddux pitched well in game one, but was out performed by Mort Cooper.
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Game 3
44 Cardinals lead series 2-1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E St. Louis Cardinals 1944 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 8 1 Atlanta Braves 1995 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 X 6 10 0
St. Louis AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI J. Hopp CF 4 1 2 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 R. Sanders 1B 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .000 0 0 S. Musial RF 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 .000 0 0 W. Cooper C 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .000 0 0 W. Kurowski 3B 4 0 2 0 0 1 2 .000 0 0 D. Litwhiler LF 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 M. Marion SS 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .000 0 0 E. Verban 2B 4 0 1 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 R. Munger P 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 0 0 T. Wilks P 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 a-A. Bergamo PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 Totals 33 1 8 1 1 9 21 a - A. Bergamo pinch hit for T. Wilks in the 9th BATTING Doubles: D. Litwhiler (0, 9th Inning off J. Smoltz, 0 on, 0 outs) Triples: J. Hopp (0, 8th Inning off J. Smoltz, 0 on, 1 out) E. Verban (0, 3rd Inning off J. Smoltz, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: J. Hopp 4 , E. Verban 3 , W. Kurowski 2 , R. Sanders , D. Litwhiler 3 Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: W. Kurowski , S. Musial , A. Bergamo GIDP: E. Verban , M. Marion Team LOB: 10 FIELDING Errors: M. Marion	Atlanta AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI M. Grissom CF 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Lemke 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 D. Justice RF 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 R. Klesko LF 4 2 1 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 a-L. Polonia LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 F. McGriff 1B 4 2 3 2 0 0 1 .000 0 0 C. Jones 3B 4 1 2 3 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-E. Giovanola 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 J. Lopez C 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 J. Blauser SS 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000 0 0 J. Smoltz P 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .000 0 0 Totals 34 6 10 6 2 4 12 a - L. Polonia substituted for R. Klesko in the 8th b - E. Giovanola substituted for C. Jones in the 8th BATTING Doubles: J. Lopez (0, 4th Inning off R. Munger, 0 on, 1 out) F. McGriff (0, 1st Inning off R. Munger, 1 on, 2 outs) Home Runs: F. McGriff (0, 7th Inning off T. Wilks, 1 on, 1 out) C. Jones (0, 6th Inning off R. Munger, 1 on, 0 outs) M. Grissom (0, 1st Inning off R. Munger, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: J. Lopez 3 , F. McGriff 7 , C. Jones 5 , R. Klesko , M. Grissom 4 , D. Justice 2-out RBI: C. Jones Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: J. Smoltz , J. Lopez , M. Lemke Sac Bunt: J. Smoltz Team LOB: 7 FIELDING Double Plays: 2 (Jones-Lemke-McGriff, Blauser-Lemke-McGriff)
St. Louis IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA R. Munger L (0-1) 5.1 8 4 3 1 4 2 99 65 5.06 T. Wilks 2.2 2 2 2 1 0 1 44 28 6.75 PITCHING Game Score: R. Munger 41 Batters Faced: R. Munger 26, T. Wilks 11 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: R. Munger 8-4, T. Wilks 4-4 Pitches - Strikes: R. Munger 99-65, T. Wilks 44-28 Inherited Runners - Scored: T. Wilks 1-0	Atlanta IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA J. Smoltz W (1-0) 9.0 8 1 1 1 9 0 124 82 1.00 PITCHING Game Score: J. Smoltz 75 Batters Faced: J. Smoltz 36 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: J. Smoltz 10-6 Pitches - Strikes: J. Smoltz 124-82 HB: J. Smoltz 2
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: John Smoltz Ballpark: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium Weather: Partly Cloudy (62 degrees), wind blowing out to right at 14 mph Start Time: 7:05 pm Time: 2:39 Attendance: 41754

[Nick Soulis]

Maddux Endures To Bring Atlanta Even
Braves Ace Allows Four Hits And Walks None In Dramatic Braves Win

Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - Greg Maddux has to be tired about hearing that he doesnt have what it takes to win a big game, but until you actually do it the critics will be vocal. On this night Maddux put all questions to rest with a performance so many have seen from him throughout his career. Maddux fell behind but his mates picked him up and held on to the dramatic final out as this series now starts from ground zero all even a two games each.

The Braves look like a different team playing at home rather then in the first two games playing good defense and limiting their mistakes. Mort Cooper who threw so well in game one had the same type of effect on this night and early on it was obvious that few runs and hits would be on the menu in this game.

Johnny Hopp did lead off the game with a double and tagged to third on a fly ball. Stan Musial then grounded hard to the hole in short and Jeff Blauser only had one play to allow the run to score. Maddux at this point knew his opposition and seemed to know that he had to hold the visitors right there at one.

The game then moved along with Cooper and Maddux looking sharp indeed. The Braves had two on in the fourth when Chipper Jones hit into an inning ending double play. And with a man at second in the 5th, Marquis Grissom could not come through.

The 6th inning proved to be the big chance the Braves would need. Mark Lemke and David Justice opened the inning with walks putting two men on. Ryan Klesko flied out deep and Lemke moved to third a breath away from tying the game. Fred McGriff then singled to tie the game and send Justice to third. Chipper Jones then hit a ground ball to second but Emil Verban muffed it at the worse possible time and the go ahead run came accross. The tomohawk chop was out and the Braves fans were beside themselves at the error.

Maddux wouldnt even risk being in toruble again in the final three innings as only one man would reach base and no one would make it to second or beyond. Maddux worked quickly and needed no help from his pen the rest of the way. Musial flied out to center and the game was history.

There is a feeling that we may just see this pitching matchup again in a game seven down the line as all is even in this series battle.
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Game 4
Series tied at 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E St. Louis Cardinals 1944 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 1 Atlanta Braves 1995 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 X 2 5 0
St. Louis AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI J. Hopp CF 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 R. Sanders 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 0 0 S. Musial RF 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Cooper C 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 W. Kurowski 3B 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 D. Litwhiler LF 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Marion SS 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 E. Verban 2B 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 a-A. Bergamo PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 c-G. Fallon 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Cooper P 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-K. O'Dea PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 R. Munger P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 30 1 4 1 0 4 6 a - A. Bergamo pinch hit for E. Verban in the 8th b - K. O'Dea pinch hit for M. Cooper in the 8th c - G. Fallon substituted for A. Bergamo in the 8th BATTING Doubles: J. Hopp (0, 1st Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: J. Hopp 3 , M. Marion , S. Musial GIDP: W. Kurowski Team LOB: 3 FIELDING Errors: E. Verban Double Plays: 2 (Marion-Verban-Sanders, Marion-Verban-Sanders)	Atlanta AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI M. Grissom CF 3 0 0 0 1 2 1 .000 0 0 M. Lemke 2B 3 1 2 0 1 0 1 .000 0 0 D. Justice RF 3 1 0 0 1 1 2 .000 0 0 R. Klesko LF 2 0 0 0 1 1 3 .000 0 0 a-L. Polonia LF 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 F. McGriff 1B 2 0 2 1 2 0 0 .000 0 0 C. Jones 3B 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 .000 0 0 b-E. Giovanola 3B 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 J. Lopez C 3 0 1 0 0 1 2 .000 0 0 J. Blauser SS 3 0 0 0 0 3 3 .000 0 0 G. Maddux P 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 26 2 5 2 6 9 17 a - L. Polonia substituted for R. Klesko in the 8th b - E. Giovanola substituted for C. Jones in the 8th BATTING Total Bases: J. Lopez , F. McGriff 2 , M. Lemke 2 Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: J. Blauser , M. Grissom GIDP: C. Jones 2 Sac Bunt: G. Maddux Team LOB: 8 BASERUNNING CS: E. Giovanola (0) FIELDING Double Plays: 1 (Blauser-Lemke-McGriff)
St. Louis IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA M. Cooper L (1-1) 7.0 5 2 1 5 8 0 129 79 0.56 R. Munger 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 16 7 4.26 PITCHING Game Score: M. Cooper 64 Batters Faced: M. Cooper 30, R. Munger 3 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: M. Cooper 7-4, R. Munger 1-0 Pitches - Strikes: M. Cooper 129-79, R. Munger 16-7	Atlanta IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA G. Maddux W (1-1) 9.0 4 1 1 0 4 0 96 67 1.59 PITCHING Game Score: G. Maddux 79 Batters Faced: G. Maddux 30 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: G. Maddux 13-9 Pitches - Strikes: G. Maddux 96-67
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Greg Maddux Ballpark: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium Weather: Partly Cloudy (58 degrees), wind blowing right to left at 8 mph Start Time: 7:05 pm Time: 2:22 Attendance: 40833

[Nick Soulis]

Braves Third In a Row Turns Series On Its Head
10th inning Fight Goes To Braves Behind Super Justice

Fulton County Stadium - When Johnny Hopp lead off game five of this series with a solo home run off of Steve Avery the ground work was set again for the home Braves. The Cardinals would add another run and were quickly up by two runs and the Braves needed to keep their composure and be patient for their chances.

Avery would settle down and trusted his offense to make up the ground. What he could not have emvisioned was the heroic play of Braves star outfielder David Justice, who on this night would not let his team lose this game.

The Cardinals extended the lead to three runs behind starter Harry Brecheen who works quickly but can be hit if you lay off his best pitch. In only the third inning the Braves struck once again through the middle of their order and via the long ball. Fred McGriff took a fastball over the right field wall with a man and and then the next batter Justice, was ahead on the count 3-0 and with the green light hit a line shot over the left field wall and the game was tied after a back to back attack.

Steve Avery worked out of quite a few jams on this night but seemed ready and confident enough to make the big pitch and get the big out. Walker Cooper did put the Cards back up with a solo shot in the 5th but the damage was limited with no one on. In the bottom of the 5th Justice again did almost the identical thing he did in his last atbat smoking a lined home run over the right center field wall for his second of the game to tie the score.

Justice would ground out his next time up as both teams stiffened at four runs each and once again the tension of this crucial game was on display for all. Mark Wohlers came on for the Braves while Brecheen stayed in there and the score remained tied through the ninth inning.

The Cardinals offered two hits in the final four innings and the familiar face of Red Munger came on for Brecheen in the tenth to try and keep his team in it. With one out Marquis Grissom turned a single into a double with hustle and the winning run was in scoring position. Fred McGridd then singled sharply and Grissom was held. With runners on the corners the Cardinals decided not to walk the nemisis Justice and face him with the game on the line.

When asked why he pitched to Justice, Billy Southworth just said, "Id rather not talk about it."

Justice again went to right field and hit a lazy fly ball but deep enough for a play at he plate. Grissom MAY have left a split second early but his speed was enough and his slide beat the tag by plenty to end game five in Georgia.

The Braves after hearing how they had no chance in this series have come back and won three in a row sending the series back to St. Louis with the Cardinals asking most of the questions.

"He is just a dream player to have in the big game" said winner Greg McMichael. "Justice is a Hollywood star in a baseball uniform."
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Game 5
95 Braves lead series 3-2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E St. Louis Cardinals 1944 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 9 0 Atlanta Braves 1995 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 10 1
St. Louis AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI J. Hopp CF 6 1 3 1 0 3 1 .000 0 0 R. Sanders 1B 3 1 1 0 2 1 2 .000 0 0 S. Musial RF 4 0 1 1 1 1 4 .000 0 0 W. Cooper C 4 1 2 2 0 1 2 .000 0 0 c-A. Bergamo PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 d-B. Keely C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Kurowski 3B 3 0 1 0 2 1 2 .000 0 0 D. Litwhiler LF 4 0 0 0 1 0 3 .000 0 0 M. Marion SS 5 0 0 0 0 2 6 .000 0 0 E. Verban 2B 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 .000 0 0 a-K. O'Dea PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-G. Fallon 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 e-D. Garms PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 g-J. Antonelli 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 H. Brecheen P 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .000 0 0 f-P. Martin PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 R. Munger P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 39 4 9 4 7 11 25 a - K. O'Dea pinch hit for E. Verban in the 8th b - G. Fallon substituted for K. O'Dea in the 8th c - A. Bergamo pinch hit for W. Cooper in the 9th d - B. Keely substituted for A. Bergamo in the 9th e - D. Garms pinch hit for G. Fallon in the 10th f - P. Martin pinch hit for H. Brecheen in the 10th g - J. Antonelli substituted for D. Garms in the 10th BATTING Doubles: H. Brecheen (0, 2nd Inning off S. Avery, 0 on, 0 outs) S. Musial (0, 1st Inning off S. Avery, 1 on, 0 outs) Triples: R. Sanders (0, 1st Inning off S. Avery, 0 on, 0 outs) Home Runs: W. Cooper (0, 5th Inning off S. Avery, 0 on, 0 outs) J. Hopp (0, 1st Inning off S. Avery, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: H. Brecheen 2 , W. Cooper 5 , J. Hopp 6 , W. Kurowski , S. Musial 2 , R. Sanders 3 2-out RBI: W. Cooper Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: H. Brecheen , E. Verban , W. Kurowski , S. Musial 2 GIDP: M. Marion Team LOB: 12 BASERUNNING SB: J. Hopp (0) FIELDING Double Plays: 2 (Marion-Fallon-Sanders, Fallon-Marion-Sanders)	Atlanta AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI M. Grissom CF 5 2 2 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 F. McGriff 1B 5 1 2 2 0 1 0 .000 0 0 D. Justice RF 4 2 2 3 0 0 1 .000 0 0 R. Klesko LF 3 0 2 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 C. Jones 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 J. Lopez C 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 J. Blauser SS 3 0 0 0 1 2 1 .000 0 0 G. McMichael P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Lemke 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 S. Avery P 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 .000 0 0 a-C. O'Brien PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 M. Wohlers P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-M. Mordecai SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-L. Polonia PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 36 5 10 5 2 9 9 a - C. O'Brien pinch hit for S. Avery in the 7th b - M. Mordecai substituted for M. Wohlers in the 10th c - L. Polonia pinch hit for M. Mordecai in the 10th BATTING Doubles: M. Grissom (0, 10th Inning off R. Munger, 0 on, 1 out) Home Runs: F. McGriff (0, 3rd Inning off H. Brecheen, 1 on, 1 out) D. Justice 2 (0, 3rd Inning off H. Brecheen, 0 on, 1 out; 5th Inning off H. Brecheen, 0 on, 2 outs) Total Bases: J. Lopez 2 , F. McGriff 5 , R. Klesko 2 , M. Grissom 3 , D. Justice 8 2-out RBI: D. Justice Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: J. Lopez , M. Lemke GIDP: C. Jones , M. Lemke Sac Fly: D. Justice Team LOB: 6 FIELDING Errors: J. Blauser Double Plays: 1 (Lemke-Blauser-McGriff)
St. Louis IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA H. Brecheen 9.0 8 4 4 2 9 3 135 84 4.00 R. Munger L (0-2) 0.2 2 1 1 0 0 0 13 11 5.14 PITCHING Game Score: H. Brecheen 62 Batters Faced: H. Brecheen 35, R. Munger 4 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: H. Brecheen 8-8, R. Munger 0-2 Pitches - Strikes: H. Brecheen 135-84, R. Munger 13-11	Atlanta IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA S. Avery 7.0 7 4 4 6 7 2 133 77 5.14 M. Wohlers 2.2 2 0 0 1 3 0 40 23 2.45 G. McMichael W (1-0) 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 3 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: S. Avery 48 Batters Faced: S. Avery 34, M. Wohlers 11, G. McMichael 1 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: S. Avery 7-6, M. Wohlers 4-1, G. McMichael 0-0 Pitches - Strikes: S. Avery 133-77, M. Wohlers 40-23, G. McMichael 5-3
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: David Justice Ballpark: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium Weather: Clear skies (63 degrees), wind blowing out to center at 17 mph Start Time: 6:05 pm Time: 3:16 Attendance: 43512

[Nick Soulis]

Cardinals Punch Back To Bring Expected Game 7
Fifteen Hits Punishes Glavine And Braves 11-6

Sportsmans Park - Comfort is something a team on the brink of a series loss has a hard time finding, the 44 Cardinals however were obviously happy to be home to defend themselves in a game they couldnt lose. The Cardinals overwhelmed Tom Glavine and the Braves, never letting up and leaving so room of error in this 11-6 win.

MaX Lanier won the second game he started of this series and seems to influence his teamates into playing well for him. It was a 2-1 Cardinal lead into the fourth inning when Stan Musial hit a long shot over the center fielders head that went for three bases and scored two runs. Walker Cooper then drove in Musial with a ringing double and the Cardinal fans were on their feet with a 5-1 lead.

The rolled into the later innings and Fred McGriff made his mark. McGriff has been having an outstanding series and hit his third homerun in as many games with a man on base to cut the Cardinal lead to two, the crime dog is really locked in at the moment.

Facing a two run game the Cardinals were focused to put this game away and did so in the bottom of the inning. Five runs came on five hits including a Johnny Hopp triple that scored two and a double by pitcher Max Lanier did the job. Fans and players had to become making their plans for a game seven with a seven run St. Louis lead.

The Braves did have a good ninth inning scoring three runs but Max Lanier closed the deal striking out Javy Lopez to end the game. Its gives birth to a crucial game seven where Mort Cooper and Greg Maddux prepare to take the mound with everything on the line. A great series should have a great close.
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Game 6
Series tied at 3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Atlanta Braves 1995 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 6 8 2 St. Louis Cardinals 1944 1 1 0 3 0 0 5 1 X 11 15 2
Atlanta AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI M. Grissom CF 4 1 3 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 d-M. Mordecai PH 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 F. McGriff 1B 4 2 1 2 1 2 3 .000 0 0 D. Justice RF 4 0 1 1 1 1 4 .000 0 0 R. Klesko LF 4 0 0 0 1 2 2 .000 0 0 C. Jones 3B 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 a-C. O'Brien PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 b-E. Giovanola 3B 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 J. Lopez C 5 0 0 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 J. Blauser SS 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 M. Lemke 2B 3 2 1 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 T. Glavine P 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 A. Pena P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-M. Sharperson PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 Totals 36 6 8 5 5 12 17 a - C. O'Brien pinch hit for C. Jones in the 8th b - E. Giovanola substituted for C. O'Brien in the 8th c - M. Sharperson pinch hit for A. Pena in the 9th d - M. Mordecai pinch hit for M. Grissom in the 9th BATTING Doubles: M. Grissom (0, 7th Inning off M. Lanier, 0 on, 2 outs) M. Lemke (0, 3rd Inning off M. Lanier, 0 on, 1 out) Home Runs: F. McGriff (0, 7th Inning off M. Lanier, 1 on, 2 outs) Total Bases: F. McGriff 4 , M. Grissom 4 , D. Justice , M. Lemke 2 , E. Giovanola , M. Mordecai 2-out RBI: F. McGriff , M. Grissom , E. Giovanola Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: J. Lopez , J. Blauser , D. Justice Sac Bunt: T. Glavine Team LOB: 9 FIELDING Errors: T. Glavine 2	St. Louis AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI J. Hopp CF 5 3 2 2 0 0 2 .000 0 0 R. Sanders 1B 5 1 4 1 0 0 2 .000 0 0 S. Musial RF 4 1 1 3 0 0 3 .000 0 0 W. Cooper C 4 1 3 1 0 0 1 .000 0 0 a-K. O'Dea C 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Kurowski 3B 4 1 1 1 1 0 3 .000 0 0 D. Litwhiler LF 4 2 1 1 0 1 2 .000 0 0 M. Marion SS 5 1 1 1 0 1 2 .000 0 0 E. Verban 2B 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 M. Lanier P 4 1 1 1 0 1 0 .000 0 0 Totals 40 11 15 11 1 3 17 a - K. O'Dea substituted for W. Cooper in the 8th BATTING Doubles: M. Lanier (0, 7th Inning off T. Glavine, 2 on, 2 outs) W. Cooper 2 (0, 3rd Inning off T. Glavine, 0 on, 1 out; 4th Inning off T. Glavine, 1 on, 2 outs) Triples: J. Hopp (0, 7th Inning off T. Glavine, 2 on, 2 outs) S. Musial (0, 4th Inning off T. Glavine, 2 on, 2 outs) Home Runs: W. Kurowski (0, 8th Inning off A. Pena, 0 on, 1 out) D. Litwhiler (0, 2nd Inning off T. Glavine, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: M. Lanier 2 , W. Cooper 5 , J. Hopp 4 , E. Verban , W. Kurowski 4 , M. Marion , S. Musial 3 , R. Sanders 4 , D. Litwhiler 4 2-out RBI: M. Lanier , W. Cooper , J. Hopp , S. Musial , R. Sanders Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: W. Kurowski , M. Marion , R. Sanders Sac Fly: S. Musial Team LOB: 8 FIELDING Errors: E. Verban , W. Kurowski
Atlanta IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA T. Glavine L (0-1) 6.2 13 10 7 1 2 1 132 83 7.90 A. Pena 1.1 2 1 1 0 1 1 18 11 6.75 PITCHING Game Score: T. Glavine 15 Batters Faced: T. Glavine 37, A. Pena 6 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: T. Glavine 10-9, A. Pena 1-2 Pitches - Strikes: T. Glavine 132-83, A. Pena 18-11 Inherited Runners - Scored: A. Pena 1-1 WP: T. Glavine HB: T. Glavine	St. Louis IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA M. Lanier W (2-0) 9.0 8 6 6 5 12 1 154 93 5.50 PITCHING Game Score: M. Lanier 54 Batters Faced: M. Lanier 42 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: M. Lanier 9-6 Pitches - Strikes: M. Lanier 154-93 WP: M. Lanier
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Johnny Hopp Ballpark: Sportsman's Park IV Weather: Rain (57 degrees), wind blowing in from left at 18 mph Start Time: 2:05 pm Time: 3:07 Attendance: 35586

[Nick Soulis]

Braves And Cards Down To The Final Out
Maddux and Braves Hold On To Win Series In Seven

Sportsmans Park - In the end it came down to a man and his glove as Greg Maddux had to watch the dramatic 9th inning from the dugout and his prayers were dully answered. Maddux had pitched 8 strong willed innings and gave his team a three run lead before Bobby Cox went to Mark Wholers to close the game and the series out.

The Series had everything and game seven was going to be no different. Mort Cooper also made his third start for the Cardinals and their ace was all that and more as he and Maddux battled in this game just as they had done in their previous two meetings. The first run of the game did not come until the 5th inning when Whitey Kurowski took Maddux out for a solo home run.

In the top of the sixth the most unlikely of all power swings came from little infielder Mark Lemke who turned on a Cooper pitch and hit it almost 400 feet to tie the game. Cooper pitched around the dangerous David Justice but then Ryan Klesko turned the biggest hit of the game taking the ball out over the left field wall just out of reach of Stan Musial to give Atlanta a 3-1 lead.

With the lead Maddux looked more in control then ever and is maybe the smartest pitcher to ever play. In the 7th a single by Marty Marion set a play at the plate where Walker Cooper was thrown out by Ryan Kelsko when he was waved around, the run would prove to be crucial in the end. In the 8th the Cardinals had the runner on third with one out and Maddux got Ray Sanders to hit into a double play and end the inning. Maddux was done for the day and had a truly great series.

With two outs Mark Sharperson doubled in a run and the Braves lead was 4-1 heading into the bottom of the 9th.

Stan Musial who has also had a super series opened the 9th off Wholers with a triple never hesitating to take the extra base. Walker Cooper then doubled in the run to bring the tying run to the plate. Wholers bore down and got the next two hitters to then face Ken O'Dea for the final out. Bobby Cox had made a defensive substitution and brought on Luis Polonia to replace Ryan Kelsko in left. A sinking linedrive proved the move to be a perfect one as Polonia used his speed to get down and make a fine catch and just like that, finally, this series was over.

"Who could have asked for a better series" said Maddux after the clinching win. Few couldnt agree with him more.
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Game 7
1995 Braves win series 4-3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Atlanta Braves 1995 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 4 6 0 St. Louis Cardinals 1944 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 10 2
Atlanta AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI M. Grissom CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Lemke 2B 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 D. Justice RF 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 R. Klesko LF 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 .000 0 0 a-L. Polonia LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 F. McGriff 1B 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 C. Jones 3B 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 b-E. Giovanola 3B 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 J. Lopez C 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 J. Blauser SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 G. Maddux P 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 0 0 c-M. Sharperson PH 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Wohlers P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 33 4 6 4 3 5 10 a - L. Polonia substituted for R. Klesko in the 8th b - E. Giovanola substituted for C. Jones in the 8th c - M. Sharperson pinch hit for G. Maddux in the 9th BATTING Doubles: F. McGriff (0, 9th Inning off R. Munger, 0 on, 0 outs) M. Sharperson (0, 9th Inning off R. Munger, 2 on, 2 outs) Home Runs: R. Klesko (0, 6th Inning off M. Cooper, 1 on, 1 out) M. Lemke (0, 6th Inning off M. Cooper, 0 on, 1 out) Total Bases: J. Lopez , F. McGriff 2 , R. Klesko 4 , D. Justice , M. Lemke 4 , M. Sharperson 2 2-out RBI: M. Sharperson Team LOB: 5 FIELDING Double Plays: 2 (Lemke-Blauser-McGriff, Lemke-McGriff)	St. Louis AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI J. Hopp CF 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 R. Sanders 1B 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 S. Musial RF 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Cooper C 4 0 4 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Kurowski 3B 4 1 1 1 0 1 3 .000 0 0 D. Litwhiler LF 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .000 0 0 M. Marion SS 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 b-K. O'Dea PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 E. Verban 2B 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 M. Cooper P 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 a-A. Bergamo PH 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 R. Munger P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 32 2 10 2 1 4 15 a - A. Bergamo pinch hit for M. Cooper in the 8th b - K. O'Dea pinch hit for M. Marion in the 9th BATTING Doubles: W. Cooper 3 (0, 2nd Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 0 outs; 7th Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 0 outs; 9th Inning off M. Wohlers, 1 on, 0 outs) Triples: S. Musial (0, 9th Inning off M. Wohlers, 0 on, 0 outs) Home Runs: W. Kurowski (0, 5th Inning off G. Maddux, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: W. Cooper 7 , J. Hopp 2 , W. Kurowski 4 , M. Marion 2 , S. Musial 3 Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: M. Marion , K. O'Dea GIDP: R. Sanders 2 Team LOB: 6 BASERUNNING CS: W. Cooper (0) , J. Hopp (0) FIELDING Errors: W. Cooper , S. Musial
Atlanta IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA G. Maddux W (2-1) 8.0 8 1 1 1 3 1 97 58 1.44 M. Wohlers SV (1) 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 0 24 15 3.86 PITCHING Game Score: G. Maddux 64 Batters Faced: G. Maddux 29, M. Wohlers 5 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: G. Maddux 8-8, M. Wohlers 1-1 Pitches - Strikes: G. Maddux 97-58, M. Wohlers 24-15 HB: G. Maddux	St. Louis IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA M. Cooper L (1-2) 8.0 4 3 3 2 5 2 122 76 1.50 R. Munger 1.0 2 1 1 1 0 0 18 10 5.63 PITCHING Game Score: M. Cooper 65 Batters Faced: M. Cooper 31, R. Munger 5 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: M. Cooper 10-9, R. Munger 1-1 Pitches - Strikes: M. Cooper 122-76, R. Munger 18-10
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Greg Maddux Ballpark: Sportsmans Park Weather: Partly Cloudy (59 degrees), wind blowing out to center at 9 mph Start Time: 7:05 pm Time: 2:37 Attendance: 32043

[Nick Soulis]

1980 Kansas City Royals vs 2002 Anaheim Angels

2002 Anaheim Angels
Round 1: Defeated 1912 Red Sox 3-0
Record: 99-63
Finish: Won World Series over San Francisco
Manager: Mike Scioscia
Ball park: Edison Field
Runs scored: 851
Runs allowed: 644
Team AVG: .252
Team ERA: 3.69
Home Runs: 152
Stolen bases: 117
Key players: Garret Anderson OF (.306, 29, 103), Troy Percival CL (4-1, 1.92, 40 S), David Eckstein SS (.293, 21 SB, 107 R)



2002 Anaheim Angels Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

1980 KC Royals
Round 1: Defeated 1996 Yankees 3-2
Record: 97-65
Finish: Won AL Pennant; Lost World Series to Philadelphia
Manager: Jim Frey
Ball park: Royals Stadium
Runs scored: 809
Runs allowed: 694
Team AVG: .286
Team ERA: 3.83
Home Runs: 115
Stolen bases: 185
Key players: George Brett 3B (.390, 24, 118), Larry Gura SP (18-10, 2.95, 113 K), Willie Wilson OF (.326, 79 SB, 230 H)



1980 Kansas City Royals Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

Series Analysis

Batting - The offensive production of this Royals team could be deemed as something truly special with George Brett who almost hit .400 and Willie Wilson who chased the alltime hits record and scored over 130 runs. Add to this the clutch hitting of Hal McRae and the power of Willie Aikens and you have a complete offense. The Angels for their part do get on base on a regular basis but still lack the power and pure hitting talent that the Royals have. The big bats of Troy Glaus and Garet Anderson can not afford to be cold and even the likes of Tim Salmon will have to produce. Still there is no doubt the Royals have the much better offense.
ADVANTAGE: 80 Royals

Pitching: This is where the teams are alot more close with the numbers edge likely going to the Angels. Anaheim doesnt have the dominant ace but has a rotation of four that make them deep in a series like this. Kevin Appier and Jarod Washburn will have their hands full but will be happy to have the tough as nails Troy Percival for the late innings. Larry Gura and Denis Leonard won 38 games between them and Dan Quissenberry is no picnic as a closer either. Both teams have sloid arms but the depth as well as the management of Mike Sciocia in a given game should give the Angels a slight edge. Remember however that the Angels arms will have the tougher outs to chase.
ADVANTAGE: 02 ANGELS

Overall: The Angels may not have even been the best team in 2002 or in some people's eyes the best team that Mike Scoiscia has ever fielded. Still this team came together in a unique way and has the players and the heart to win under any odds. The Royals are almost the opposite, a team of immense talent that doesnt usualluy win the big series, not from a lack of competitiveness however. If the series is close I like the Angels to pull it out in the end, but there is the chance that the Royals could just run away with this matchup, much like they did against a good 1996 Yankees team. Look for George Brett to have a big series and the Royals to move on.
SERIES PREDICTION: 1980 Royals in 5

Probable pitching matchups
Game 1 at Edison Park: Larry Gura (18-10, 2.95) vs Jarrod Washbuern (18-6, 3.15 ERA)
Game 2 at Edison Park: Dennis Leonard (20-11, 3.79) vs Ramon Ortiz (15-9, 3.77)
Game 3 at Royals Stadium: Kevin Appier (14-12, 3.92) vs Pete Splittorff (14-11, 4.15)

[Nick Soulis]

Quick Start Too Much For Angels To Overcome
Royals Jump On Washburn And Take Game 1 On The Road

Edison Field - The 1980 Royals know alot about big games and dually know that stealing a game on the road early in the series is a big step to success. The Royals opened this game one with four straight singles against Angels starter Jarrod Washburn and scored two quick runs.

With the pressure on early Adam Kennedy then muffed an easy double play ball hit by Darrell Porter to score another run. It was 3-0 before a single man was out and before the inning was over the Royals had a four run lead and gave their starter Larry Gura the confidence be needed. The early effort by the powder blues also took the load fans in Anaheim out of the game. Willie Aikens added to the lead in the second inning with another RBI single to stabalize the early lead at 5-0.

Gura on the other hand had good defense behind him and kept the Angels on their heels until the 4th inning when Brad Fullmer smacked a solo home run. The Angels have a legendary reputation for being able to come from behind when they are down. In the 6th inning their best hitter Garret Anderson hit another big home run, this time with a man on base and the Royals lead was down to two runs at 5-3.

In the 7th Tim Salmon made a bad looking error off of a George Brett line drive that scored Dave Chalk who had opened the inning with a single. The error put the Royals back in a more comfortable position and were ahead by three runs. Gura gave the final inning duties to one of the best in Dan Quissenberry who didnt miss a beat.

"Our defense just let us down" said Mike Scioscia after the loss. "nerves and a lack of concentration cost us and I will take some responsibility for that."

Dennis Leonard will battle Ramon Ortiz in game two.
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Game 1
80 Royals lead series 1-0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Kansas City Royals 1980 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6 9 1 Anaheim Angels 2002 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 6 3
Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI W. Wilson LF 5 0 1 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 H. McRae DH 5 1 0 0 0 0 4 .000 0 0 G. Brett 3B 4 1 3 1 0 1 0 .000 0 0 W. Aikens 1B 4 1 2 2 0 0 1 .000 0 0 a-P. LaCock 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 C. Hurdle RF 4 1 1 1 0 0 2 .000 0 0 D. Porter C 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 .000 0 0 A. Otis CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 F. White 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 0 0 D. Chalk SS 3 2 2 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 37 6 9 6 1 3 13 a - P. LaCock substituted for W. Aikens in the 8th BATTING Total Bases: W. Aikens 2 , G. Brett 3 , D. Chalk 2 , C. Hurdle , W. Wilson 2-out RBI: W. Aikens , G. Brett Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: W. Aikens , C. Hurdle GIDP: F. White Team LOB: 6 FIELDING Errors: W. Aikens Double Plays: 1 (White-Chalk-Aikens)	Anaheim AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Eckstein SS 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 A. Kennedy 2B 3 1 0 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 G. Anderson LF 4 1 1 2 0 0 1 .000 0 0 B. Fullmer DH 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 T. Glaus 3B 3 0 2 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 T. Salmon RF 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .000 0 0 S. Spiezio 1B 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 D. Erstad CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 0 0 S. Fasano C 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 Totals 32 3 6 3 3 4 8 BATTING Home Runs: B. Fullmer (0, 4th Inning off L. Gura, 0 on, 2 outs) G. Anderson (0, 6th Inning off L. Gura, 1 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: B. Fullmer 4 , T. Glaus 2 , D. Eckstein , G. Anderson 4 , S. Spiezio 2-out RBI: B. Fullmer Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: S. Spiezio , D. Erstad GIDP: G. Anderson Team LOB: 6 BASERUNNING CS: D. Eckstein (0) FIELDING Errors: A. Kennedy 2 , T. Salmon Double Plays: 1 (Glaus-Kennedy-Spiezio)
Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA L. Gura W (1-0) 8.0 6 3 2 3 4 2 118 68 2.25 D. Quisenberry SV (1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 6 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: L. Gura 61 Batters Faced: L. Gura 32, D. Quisenberry 3 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: L. Gura 4-14, D. Quisenberry 2-1 Pitches - Strikes: L. Gura 118-68, D. Quisenberry 10-6	Anaheim IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA J. Washburn L (0-1) 6.2 9 6 3 0 1 0 90 62 4.05 S. Shields 2.1 0 0 0 1 2 0 31 21 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: J. Washburn 39 Batters Faced: J. Washburn 30, S. Shields 8 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: J. Washburn 7-11, S. Shields 3-2 Pitches - Strikes: J. Washburn 90-62, S. Shields 31-21 Inherited Runners - Scored: S. Shields 1-0
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Larry Gura Ballpark: Edison International Field Weather: Partly Cloudy (69 degrees), wind blowing out to left at 13 mph Start Time: 7:05 pm Time: 2:34 Attendance: 40927

[Nick Soulis]

Who Can Rally Better Then The Angels?
Down four runs in the 8th Anaheim Storms Back To Tie Series In Extras

Edison Field - It may sound silly to talk of a rally monkey when some of the best teams in baseball history are involved. Sometimes things can be that simple and that unexplained however as witnessed in game two of this series where the Angels fought back late in comeback that even made the monkey proud.

George Brett has a swing sweeter then most have seen and in the third inning of this game he showed it off to Ramon Ortiz to the tune of a three run home run to give the visitors an early lift. Brett can hit so many different pitches one can only hope to avoid him alltogether with runners on base. In the 6th inning Clint Hurdl doubled in Brett as the Royals addded two more and took a 6-2 lead. Royals starter Dennis Leonard looked comfortable with the lead; maybe too comfortable.

In the 8th inning Adam Kennedy doubled with one out and then Will Aikens made a poor error to start the ominous rally. Scott Spiezio singled in a run and Leonard was pulled from the game and replaced with Ken Brett; Jim Frey felt it wasnt quite Dan Quissenberry time yet.

With two on Brad Fullmer tied the game with one swing of the bat, punishing a fast ball that just wasnt located very well and a four run 8th inning had the game level and the Royals whimpering.

In the 9th and the 10th inning the Royals had a runner on 2nd but Troy Percival was used and came out of both jams with clutch pitching. Quissenberry did come on for the Royals for the extra frames and looked strong. He was pulled however in the 11th, another move that would haunt Jim Frey in this game. Craig Chamberlain came on and let up a lead off single to David Eckstein. Eckstein was moved along to second with one out and Orlando Palmeiro coming to plate.

Mike Scioscia showed his style as he sent Eckstein to try and swipe third base. Jaimie Quirk was the late game catcher and he made a quick throw to third base but it was a bad one; George Brett could not corall it and it went down the third base line, he should have likely held on to the throw. Accross of course came Eckstein with the winning run. The Angels now were all even heading to Kansas City.

The management decisions of Jim Frey late have some making accusations, but of course hindsight is always 20/20.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Game 2
Series tied at 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E Kansas City Royals 1980 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 6 12 2 Anaheim Angels 2002 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 7 11 1
Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI W. Wilson LF 6 1 1 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 D. Porter C 4 1 2 0 1 0 1 .000 0 0 a-D. Chalk PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-J. Quirk C 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 G. Brett 3B 4 2 2 3 2 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Aikens 1B 5 1 2 0 1 2 4 .000 0 0 C. Hurdle RF 6 0 3 1 0 0 3 .000 0 0 A. Otis CF 5 1 1 0 1 2 5 .000 0 0 S. Braun DH 4 0 0 1 1 0 4 .000 0 0 U. Washington SS 5 0 1 1 1 0 4 .000 0 0 F. White 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 c-H. McRae PH 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 d-R. Mulliniks 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 44 6 12 6 8 6 28 a - D. Chalk pinch ran for D. Porter in the 9th b - J. Quirk substituted for D. Chalk in the 9th c - H. McRae pinch hit for F. White in the 10th d - R. Mulliniks substituted for H. McRae in the 10th BATTING Doubles: W. Aikens (0, 3rd Inning off R. Ortiz, 0 on, 2 outs) A. Otis (0, 8th Inning off M. Wise, 0 on, 1 out) C. Hurdle 3 (0, 2nd Inning off R. Ortiz, 0 on, 1 out; 6th Inning off S. Shields, 2 on, 0 outs; 11th Inning off B. Donnelly, 1 on, 1 out) Home Runs: G. Brett (0, 3rd Inning off R. Ortiz, 2 on, 2 outs) Total Bases: D. Porter 2 , W. Aikens 3 , U. Washington , G. Brett 5 , A. Otis 2 , C. Hurdle 6 , W. Wilson 2-out RBI: U. Washington , G. Brett Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: S. Braun , W. Aikens , U. Washington 2 , C. Hurdle 2 , J. Quirk Sac Fly: S. Braun Team LOB: 14 BASERUNNING SB: W. Wilson (0) CS: W. Wilson (0) FIELDING Errors: W. Aikens , J. Quirk	Anaheim AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI A. Kennedy 2B 5 1 1 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 S. Spiezio 1B 5 2 2 1 0 0 1 .000 0 0 G. Anderson LF 5 1 2 1 0 2 1 .000 0 0 B. Fullmer DH 5 1 1 3 0 0 2 .000 0 0 T. Glaus 3B 4 0 2 0 1 0 1 .000 0 0 T. Salmon RF 5 0 0 0 0 1 3 .000 0 0 D. Eckstein SS 5 1 1 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 D. Erstad CF 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 a-J. DaVanon PH 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-S. Wooten C 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 S. Fasano C 3 1 1 1 0 1 0 .000 0 0 b-O. Palmeiro PH, CF 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 Totals 43 7 11 6 1 5 14 a - J. DaVanon pinch hit for D. Erstad in the 9th b - O. Palmeiro pinch hit for S. Fasano in the 9th c - S. Wooten substituted for J. DaVanon in the 10th BATTING Doubles: A. Kennedy (0, 8th Inning off R. Eastwick, 0 on, 1 out) G. Anderson (0, 1st Inning off D. Leonard, 1 on, 1 out) Home Runs: S. Fasano (0, 3rd Inning off D. Leonard, 0 on, 0 outs) B. Fullmer (0, 8th Inning off K. Brett, 2 on, 1 out) Total Bases: S. Fasano 4 , B. Fullmer 4 , A. Kennedy 2 , T. Glaus 2 , D. Eckstein , G. Anderson 3 , S. Spiezio 2 , J. DaVanon Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: T. Glaus Team LOB: 6 BASERUNNING SB: D. Eckstein (0) FIELDING Errors: S. Spiezio
Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA D. Leonard 6.0 5 2 2 0 5 1 81 53 3.00 M. Pattin H (1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 5 0.00 R. Eastwick 0.1 1 2 1 0 0 0 11 7 27.03 K. Brett BS (1) 0.2 2 2 2 1 0 1 21 12 27.03 D. Quisenberry 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 33 18 0.00 C. Chamberlain L (0-1) 0.1 1 1 0 0 0 0 10 5 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: D. Leonard 59 Batters Faced: D. Leonard 23, M. Pattin 3, R. Eastwick 3, K. Brett 5, D. Quisenberry 8, C. Chamberlain 2 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: D. Leonard 6-7, M. Pattin 1-2, R. Eastwick 0-1, K. Brett 1-1, D. Quisenberry 4-2, C. Chamberlain 1-0 Pitches - Strikes: D. Leonard 81-53, M. Pattin 10-5, R. Eastwick 11-7, K. Brett 21-12, D. Quisenberry 33-18, C. Chamberlain 10-5 Inherited Runners - Scored: M. Pattin 1-0 , K. Brett 1-1	Anaheim IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA R. Ortiz 5.0 5 5 5 2 3 1 80 45 9.00 S. Shields 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 9 0.00 F. Rodriguez 1.0 1 0 0 1 2 0 21 11 0.00 M. Wise 1.1 3 1 1 1 0 0 31 19 6.75 T. Percival 2.0 0 0 0 3 1 0 37 15 0.00 B. Donnelly W (1-0) 0.2 2 0 0 1 0 0 19 9 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: R. Ortiz 38 Batters Faced: R. Ortiz 22, S. Shields 4, F. Rodriguez 5, M. Wise 8, T. Percival 9, B. Donnelly 5 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: R. Ortiz 6-5, S. Shields 1-2, F. Rodriguez 1-0, M. Wise 3-1, T. Percival 2-3, B. Donnelly 0-2 Pitches - Strikes: R. Ortiz 80-45, S. Shields 11-9, F. Rodriguez 21-11, M. Wise 31-19, T. Percival 37-15, B. Donnelly 19-9 Inherited Runners - Scored: S. Shields 2-2 , T. Percival 2-0 WP: M. Wise , T. Percival
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: George Brett Ballpark: Edison International Field Weather: Rain (58 degrees), wind blowing in from right at 16 mph Start Time: 7:05 pm Time: 4:24 Attendance: 44787 Special Notes: Rain delay of 29 minutes in the 5th inning.

[Nick Soulis]

Anaheim Does It Again
Yet Another Come Back; Angels Take Series Edge In 11

Royals Stadium - The seven game series was even and turned into a series of best of five as the Royals looked to rebound after their tough loss in game two. It almost seems as Mike Scoiscia and his men feel more comfortable playing from behind and wouldnt know what to do if they had a lead.

Kevin Appier did his part by putting his team in a hole early as he obviously didnt have his best stuff. Appier let a two run lead slip from his grasp as in the 3rd inning George Brett hit a sacrafice fly and Clint Hurdle drilled a triple to tie the game at two. Paul Splitorff for the home team can be deceptive and the left hander seemed more effective then Appier.

The tie remained until the 7th when Willie Wilson did what he does best and hit a triple to the opposite field. George Brett singled in the go ahead run and knocked Appier from the game for Scott Shields. Willie Aikens later made the lead two runs with a sacrafice fly and a two run lead seemed healthy enough for the Royals and their bullpen.

In the 8th a Garret Anderson double would produce a run to cut the lead to one as the game came to the 9th inning. In the 9th of course the Royals go t their stopper who is Dan Quissenberry. The "Quiz" would seem just the man to close the door on the rally happy Angels. His great control didnt show however as he walked Scott Spiezio to start the 9th inning.

Jeff DaVanon then singled to bring up pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro. Palmeiro also singled to tie the game and the Royals had blown another lead with their best on the mound. They would get out of the ninth with a nifty double play and the game would eventually go to extra frames.

In the 11th it was Spiezio again who hit a hustle triple with one out to left field. Shawn Wooten added to the list of obscure names that help the Angels win as he hit a deep sacrafice fly to center and put the visitors up one.

On came George Brett in the 11th and lead off the inning with a double, his third hit of the game. Brett was moved to third on a sacrafice and Clint Hurdle went to first on a walk putting the winning run on with one out and Brett only 90 feet away. The bg chance fell to Amos Otis, but the right hander popped a pitch up for an easy out. Steve Braun was then the last hope and Ben Weber dug deep for something extra on the mound. Braun watched a breaking pitch pass by him for a third strike and the Angels took game three and all the momentum in this series.

Another great game between these two teams and many are aclaiming Mike Scioscia as the man of the series so far as it would seem all of his late game moves seem to be working out perfectly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Game 3
02 Angels lead series 2-1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E Anaheim Angels 2002 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 5 12 0 Kansas City Royals 1980 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 14 1
Anaheim AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Eckstein SS 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 .000 0 0 A. Kennedy 2B 5 0 1 0 0 0 5 .000 0 0 G. Anderson LF 5 2 2 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 B. Fullmer DH 5 0 2 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 T. Glaus 3B 5 0 0 1 0 1 4 .000 0 0 T. Salmon RF 4 1 0 1 1 1 1 .000 0 0 S. Spiezio 1B 4 2 2 0 1 0 1 .000 0 0 D. Erstad CF 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 a-J. DaVanon PH 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-S. Wooten C 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 S. Fasano C 2 0 0 1 0 0 4 .000 0 0 b-O. Palmeiro PH, CF 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 41 5 12 5 2 2 23 a - J. DaVanon pinch hit for D. Erstad in the 9th b - O. Palmeiro pinch hit for S. Fasano in the 9th c - S. Wooten substituted for J. DaVanon in the 9th BATTING Doubles: G. Anderson (0, 8th Inning off P. Splittorff, 0 on, 0 outs) D. Erstad (0, 7th Inning off P. Splittorff, 0 on, 0 outs) Triples: S. Spiezio (0, 11th Inning off R. Eastwick, 0 on, 1 out) Total Bases: B. Fullmer 2 , A. Kennedy , G. Anderson 3 , D. Erstad 4 , S. Spiezio 4 , J. DaVanon , O. Palmeiro Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , A. Kennedy 2 , T. Glaus , S. Spiezio GIDP: S. Fasano , B. Fullmer , A. Kennedy Sac Bunt: S. Fasano Sac Fly: S. Wooten Team LOB: 8 FIELDING Double Plays: 1 (Spiezio-Eckstein-Appier)	Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI W. Wilson LF 6 2 4 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 D. Porter C 4 2 1 0 2 0 1 .000 0 0 G. Brett 3B 5 0 3 2 0 0 3 .000 0 0 W. Aikens 1B 2 0 0 1 1 1 3 .000 0 0 a-P. LaCock 1B 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 C. Hurdle RF 4 0 2 1 2 1 2 .000 0 0 A. Otis CF 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 .000 0 0 S. Braun DH 4 0 2 0 2 1 2 .000 0 0 U. Washington SS 5 0 2 0 0 2 6 .000 0 0 F. White 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .000 0 0 b-H. McRae PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-R. Mulliniks 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 43 4 14 4 7 6 28 a - P. LaCock substituted for W. Aikens in the 8th b - H. McRae pinch hit for F. White in the 10th c - R. Mulliniks substituted for H. McRae in the 11th BATTING Doubles: U. Washington (0, 4th Inning off K. Appier, 0 on, 1 out) G. Brett (0, 11th Inning off B. Weber, 0 on, 0 outs) C. Hurdle (0, 3rd Inning off K. Appier, 1 on, 2 outs) Triples: W. Wilson 2 (0, 3rd Inning off K. Appier, 0 on, 0 outs; 7th Inning off K. Appier, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: D. Porter , U. Washington 3 , G. Brett 4 , C. Hurdle 3 , W. Wilson 8 , S. Braun 2 2-out RBI: C. Hurdle Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , U. Washington 2 , G. Brett , C. Hurdle , F. White 2 , A. Otis , S. Braun GIDP: W. Aikens Sac Fly: W. Aikens , G. Brett Team LOB: 15 BASERUNNING CS: W. Wilson (0) FIELDING Errors: P. LaCock Double Plays: 3 (Washington-White-Aikens, White-Washington-LaCock, White-Washington-LaCock)
Anaheim IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA K. Appier 6.0 10 4 4 4 3 0 106 59 6.00 S. Shields 1.0 0 0 0 2 1 0 21 10 0.00 B. Donnelly 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 20 13 0.00 T. Percival W (1-0) 2.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 28 18 0.00 B. Weber SV (1) 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 19 11 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: K. Appier 35 Batters Faced: K. Appier 30, S. Shields 5, B. Donnelly 4, T. Percival 8, B. Weber 5 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: K. Appier 8-5, S. Shields 1-1, B. Donnelly 2-1, T. Percival 3-2, B. Weber 1-1 Pitches - Strikes: K. Appier 106-59, S. Shields 21-10, B. Donnelly 20-13, T. Percival 28-18, B. Weber 19-11 Inherited Runners - Scored: S. Shields 2-1 WP: K. Appier , S. Shields	Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA P. Splittorff 8.0 9 3 3 1 0 0 104 73 3.38 D. Quisenberry BS (1) 2.0 2 1 1 1 1 0 23 15 1.80 R. Eastwick L (0-1) 1.0 1 1 1 0 1 0 10 7 13.50 PITCHING Game Score: P. Splittorff 51 Batters Faced: P. Splittorff 33, D. Quisenberry 8, R. Eastwick 4 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: P. Splittorff 12-11, D. Quisenberry 3-0, R. Eastwick 0-2 Pitches - Strikes: P. Splittorff 104-73, D. Quisenberry 23-15, R. Eastwick 10-7
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: George Brett Ballpark: Royals Stadium Weather: Clear skies (57 degrees), wind blowing out to center at 10 mph Start Time: 6:05 pm Time: 3:26 Attendance: 37544

[Nick Soulis]

Washburn Is Devine As Angels One Game Away
Royals held to five hits and one run in deserved loss

Royals Stadium - No comeback, no drama, the Angles went into game four with the simple objection of getting a step closer to winning this series and they did it with relative ease. Anaheim starter Jarrod Washburn was the star of this night and kept the very frustrated Royals offense off the bases and off the scoreboard in a 5-1 win.

Larry Gura was rolling along for three innings and kept pace with Washburn until the 4th inning. At that point Brad Fullmer slammed a two run home run over the left field wall to open the scoring. Gura missed with a fastball at the wrong time. After Darrell Porter cut the lead to one run the Angels pulled the same trick in the 5th inning and hit another fast ball out of the park, this time by Sal Fasano. Fasano isnt known as a power hitter but looked like a slugger with this swing that turned the game out of balance.

The reigns then went to Washburn who carried it home as the Royals had no late magic or rally on this night. Now what they really need to hope for is a rally in the series, which is in the process of slipping away from them.

Francisco Rodriguez closed out the game and the Angels are as confident as they can get as they as a team and more specifically manager Mike Scioscia have pushed all the right buttons.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Game Four
02 Angels lead series 3-1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Anaheim Angels 2002 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 0 5 8 1 Kansas City Royals 1980 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
Anaheim AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI D. Eckstein SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 A. Kennedy 2B 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 G. Anderson LF 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 B. Fullmer DH 4 1 2 2 0 0 0 .000 0 0 T. Glaus 3B 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000 0 0 T. Salmon RF 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 S. Spiezio 1B 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 D. Erstad CF 3 1 2 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 S. Fasano C 3 1 1 2 0 1 2 .000 0 0 Totals 34 5 8 4 1 4 6 BATTING Doubles: D. Erstad (0, 5th Inning off L. Gura, 0 on, 1 out) Home Runs: S. Fasano (0, 5th Inning off L. Gura, 1 on, 1 out) B. Fullmer (0, 4th Inning off L. Gura, 1 on, 1 out) Total Bases: S. Fasano 4 , B. Fullmer 5 , G. Anderson , T. Salmon , S. Spiezio , D. Erstad 3 Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: D. Eckstein GIDP: S. Spiezio Team LOB: 3 FIELDING Errors: A. Kennedy Double Plays: 1 (Eckstein-Kennedy-Spiezio)	Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI W. Wilson LF 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 H. McRae DH 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 G. Brett 3B 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W. Aikens 1B 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 C. Hurdle RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .000 0 0 D. Porter C 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 .000 0 0 A. Otis CF 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 F. White 2B 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000 0 0 D. Chalk SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 32 1 5 1 0 3 11 BATTING Doubles: G. Brett (0, 4th Inning off J. Washburn, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: D. Porter , W. Aikens 2 , G. Brett 2 , W. Wilson 2-out RBI: D. Porter Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: F. White GIDP: H. McRae Team LOB: 4 FIELDING Double Plays: 1 (Aikens-Chalk-Martin)
Anaheim IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA J. Washburn W (1-1) 8.0 5 1 1 0 3 0 96 64 2.45 F. Rodriguez 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 11 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: J. Washburn 71 Batters Faced: J. Washburn 29, F. Rodriguez 3 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: J. Washburn 13-7, F. Rodriguez 2-1 Pitches - Strikes: J. Washburn 96-64, F. Rodriguez 16-11	Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA L. Gura L (1-1) 7.1 6 5 5 1 3 2 103 69 4.11 R. Martin 1.2 2 0 0 0 1 0 25 15 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: L. Gura 48 Batters Faced: L. Gura 29, R. Martin 6 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: L. Gura 8-11, R. Martin 1-2 Pitches - Strikes: L. Gura 103-69, R. Martin 25-15 WP: L. Gura
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Jarrod Washburn Ballpark: Royals Stadium Weather: Partly Cloudy (68 degrees), wind blowing in from center at 10 mph Start Time: 1:05 pm Time: 2:26 Attendance: 36735

[Nick Soulis]

Angels Sweep In Royal City To Close Series
Spiezio Blast Is Enough Behind John Lackey

Royals Stadium - When momentum gets going in this game it is a hard thing to stop. Often times the team that is hottest wins the series at hand and the 02 Angels are white hot as disposed of the 80 Royals 5-2 in game fove to take the series.

Angels starter John Lackey looked to follow the recent strong performances by the staff and on this night he was opposed by Rich Gale. George Brett did his usual thing by doubling into the gap to open the scoring in the very first inning. The game however would see its biggest turn in the third inning where again the Angles got a big blow from an unlikely source.

Scott Spiezio does have some power but most teams wouldnt overly worry about him hurting them. In the third inning with two men on and two out, Spiezio layed into a Gale fastball and lined it over the right field wall near the shortest part of the ball park and the Angels were up 3-1. Gale couldnt believe his location and luck as the series just seems to fall the way of the Angels again and again.

The Royals would cut the lead to one by who else but George Brett soon after when he singled in a run; this however would be as close as they would get against Lackey. The word from the Angel coaches was just to stay away from Brett, and the rest of the Royals were just not hitting the baseball very much.

Two lead off walks by Rich Gale in the 4th set up another nice inning for the visitors. Darrin Erstad singled in a run to the opposite field and then Sal Fasano drove in the fifth run for the Angles with a sacrafice to build the lead that would hold up to the end at 5-2.

John Lackey didnt let up and seemed to be able to sense the closing of this series. Other then two doubles by the Royal hitters the rest of the way, there was little threat to the lead. Brenden Donnelly would come on to close out the ninth in place of Troy Percival and had an easy inning as the desperate home team just couldnt turn the game around.

The Angels burst through Royals Stadium taking all three of the games and making the series look more one sided then most thought it would be. Strong pitching and timely hitting is what Mike Scioscia's team is all about which they proved again and again.

Most teams carry their big stars with them, but his Angels team moves on with the biggest example of a team and playing like one.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Game 5
02 Angels win series 4-1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Anaheim Angels 2002 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 0 Kansas City Royals 1980 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 0
Anaheim AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI A. Kennedy 2B 5 1 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 S. Spiezio 1B 3 1 1 3 2 2 0 .000 0 0 G. Anderson LF 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 B. Fullmer DH 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 T. Glaus 3B 3 0 0 0 1 1 3 .000 0 0 T. Salmon RF 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 .000 0 0 D. Eckstein SS 3 1 0 0 1 1 2 .000 0 0 D. Erstad CF 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .000 0 0 S. Fasano C 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 .000 0 0 Totals 31 5 6 5 7 4 15 BATTING Doubles: B. Fullmer (0, 5th Inning off R. Gale, 0 on, 0 outs) Home Runs: S. Spiezio (0, 3rd Inning off R. Gale, 2 on, 2 outs) Total Bases: B. Fullmer 3 , G. Anderson , S. Spiezio 4 , D. Erstad 2 2-out RBI: S. Spiezio Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: T. Glaus , G. Anderson , D. Erstad GIDP: G. Anderson , T. Salmon Team LOB: 8 FIELDING Double Plays: 1 (Erstad-Glaus)	Kansas City AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI W. Wilson LF 3 1 0 0 1 2 1 .000 0 0 D. Porter C 3 1 0 0 1 1 2 .000 0 0 G. Brett 3B 4 0 3 2 0 0 1 .000 0 0 W. Aikens 1B 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 C. Hurdle RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 0 0 A. Otis CF 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 S. Braun DH 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .000 0 0 U. Washington SS 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 F. White 2B 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 Totals 30 2 4 2 3 6 9 BATTING Doubles: G. Brett 2 (0, 1st Inning off J. Lackey, 1 on, 1 out; 6th Inning off J. Lackey, 0 on, 1 out) F. White (0, 8th Inning off J. Lackey, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: G. Brett 5 , F. White 2 2-out RBI: G. Brett Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: G. Brett , C. Hurdle Team LOB: 5 BASERUNNING SB: W. Wilson (0) FIELDING Double Plays: 2 (White-Washington-Aikens, Brett-White-Aikens)
Anaheim IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA J. Lackey W (1-0) 8.0 4 2 2 3 5 0 100 61 2.25 B. Donnelly SV (1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 11 8 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: J. Lackey 68 Batters Faced: J. Lackey 30, B. Donnelly 3 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: J. Lackey 7-11, B. Donnelly 2-0 Pitches - Strikes: J. Lackey 100-61, B. Donnelly 11-8	Kansas City IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA R. Gale L (0-1) 7.0 6 5 5 7 2 1 112 61 6.43 M. Pattin 2.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 28 18 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: R. Gale 40 Batters Faced: R. Gale 32, M. Pattin 6 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: R. Gale 10-7, M. Pattin 1-3 Pitches - Strikes: R. Gale 112-61, M. Pattin 28-18
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: John Lackey Ballpark: Royals Stadium Weather: Clear skies (55 degrees), wind blowing out to center at 10 mph Start Time: 2:05 pm Time: 2:33 Attendance: 39822

[Nick Soulis]

2007 Colorado Rockies vs 1936 New York Yankees

1936 NY Yankees
Round 1: Defeated 1966 Orioles 3-0
Record: 102-51
Finish: Won World Series
Manager: Joe McCarthy
Ball park: Yankee Stadium
Runs scored: 1065
Runs allowed: 731
Team AVG: .300
Team ERA: 3.69
Home Runs: 182
Stolen bases: 77
Key players: Lou Gehrig (.354, 49 HR, 152), Bill Dickey C (.362, 22 HR, 107 RBI), Red Ruffing (20-12, 3.85 ERA, 102 K)



1936 New York Yankees Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

2007 Colorado Rockies
Round 1: Defeated 1984 Tigers 3-1
Record: 90-73
Finish: Won NL Pennant; Lost World Series
Manager: Clint Hurdle
Ball park: Coors Field
Runs scored: 860
Runs allowed: 758
Team AVG: .280
Team ERA: 4.32
Home Runs: 171
Stolen bases: 100
Key players: Matt Holliday OF (.340, 36 HR, 137 RBI), Todd Helton 1B (.320, 17 HR, 91 RBI), Troy Tulowitski SS (.291, 24 HR, 99 RBI)



2007 Colorado Rockies Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com

Series Analysis

Hitting - Indeed the Colorado Rockies had big bats like Matt Holliday who had career years and could light up Coors Field, but offenses can only dreram about being as strong as this Yankees team. The 36 Yankees with their .300 average and over 1000 runs are among the most legendary offenses to ever take the field. Lou Gehrig it at his peak of play and a youing rookie by the name of DiMaggio took the Bronx by strom. The Yankees overun teams with their bat, and usually win games by three runs or more. It could be a frightening sight to see this Yankee team hit in the thin air, which means more bad news for Colorado pitching. Colorado can hit, but the Yankees are at legends level.
ADVANTAGE: 36 YANKEES

Pitching - The fact that the Rockies are not known for their strong pitching also doesnt bode well for them. Jeff Francis will be the man to throw the most pitches at this Yankees team and his performance is really the only hope Colorado has. The bullpen is erratic at times with no real dominant closer, which could blow quality starts. The Yankee pitchers know how to pitch to win, there stuff usually isnt dominant but good enough to be carried by the team bats. Red Ruffing and Monte Pearson are consistent hurlers, with Lefty Grove a nice arm in the wings. Both staffs may have high ERA's in this series, but again to most excperts its the Yankees that even here have the advantage.
ADVANTAGE: 36 YANKEES

Overall - Intangibles do go a long way in this game, and few teams if any in history have played better when counted out then this Rockies team. Now their mettle will be tested as everyone including their kid brother thinks that the Rockies really have no hope against the mighty Yankees. On paper there is really no debate, but the games will be played and the loose Rockies will try and duplicate the magic they showed against the 84 Tigers. New York has one thing on their mind, and that is to move on and try and win the whole things, the Rockies should be just a bump in the road for them.
PREDICTION: 36 YANKEES 4 games to 0

Probable pitching matchups
Game 1 at Yankee Stadium: Jeff Francis (17-9, 4.22) vs Red Ruffing (20-12, 3.85)
Game 2 at Yankee Stadium: Josh Fogg (10-9, 4.94) vs Monte Pearson (19-7, 3.71)
Game 3 at Cooris Field: Lefy Gomez (13-7, 4.39) vs Aaron Cook (8-7, 4.12)

[Nick Soulis]

DiMaggio And Yankees Break Apart Rockies Late
Ten Runs Late Erase Rockies Lead As Clipper Drives In Four

Yankee Stadium - It takes quite the afternoon to hold the 1936 Yankees at bay in a big game. For a time the 07 Rockies did the trick and could see the finish line to victory; site would not become reality however as a two run lead in the 7th turned into a 6 run win for the Bronx Bombers. All the stars in the Yankee lineup came through in the end for 15 hits and 12 runs.

New York broke a scoreless tie off of Jeff Francis in the 3rd inning when George Selkirk doubled in two runs but a Bill Dickey double play made a potential big inning less painfull. Francis then settled in like a pitcher who knew he was the ace and his team's very best chance to beat the favorites. It was a one run game all the way to the 6th inning when the Rockies bat came up and bit Red Ruffing. Garrett Atkins hit a solo home run to tie the game and later in the same inning Jamey Carroll singled in a run and the Rockies had a 3-2 lead.

After New York went to the bullpen the Rockies added another run off a Brad Hawpe sacrafice fly and with only nine outs to go, the Rockies smelled upset with a 4-2 lead.

Francis continued to battle and after allowing two hits to open the 7th inning, he did get the next two men to record outs and then had the task of facing Lou Gehrig. With a base open the decision was to pitch to Gehrig and not get to DiMaggio with the sacks full. Francis and Gehrig battled and the right hander threw forced a wild pitch that cut the lead to one run. Gehrig then walked anyway showing a great batting eye.

DiMaggio then came up and the turning point of this game came soon after. Trying to battle against his lack of control, Francis grooved one to DiMaggio who hit it 402 feet to left for a three run home run and a 6-4 Yankee lead. Francis would leave the game but despite losing the lead his teamates still had fight in them.

Jeff Baker nailed a two run home run off Pat Malone and the Rockies tied the game in the 8th inning.

Colorado had little left however in their bullpen. Lou Gehrig copied DiMaggio in the 8th inning with a three run home run of his own while DiMaggio would follow him with another solo shot and New York put six runs on the board to break the game wide open. It was DiMaggio, Gehrig, and Selkirk that combined for 11 of the 12 runs being driven in and after a slow start brought joy to the Bronx.

Colorado now tried to bounce back in game two but not winning with their ace on the mound after having a late lead has to comfirm some of the fears that the 36 Bombers are just too tough of a nut to crack for them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game 1
1936 Yankees lead series 1-0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Colorado Rockies 2007 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 2 0 6 9 1 New York Yankees 1936 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 6 X 12 15 2
Colorado AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI W. Taveras CF 4 1 1 0 1 0 1 .250 0 0 G. Atkins 3B 3 2 1 1 1 0 1 .333 1 1 L. Hawkins P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 R. Speier P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-R. Spilborghs PH 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 R. Ramirez P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 B. Fuentes P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Herges P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 M. Holliday LF 5 1 1 0 0 3 4 .200 0 0 B. Hawpe RF 3 0 0 1 1 1 2 .000 0 1 T. Helton 1B 5 0 2 1 0 0 1 .400 0 1 T. Tulowitzki SS 5 0 1 0 0 0 4 .200 0 0 J. Carroll 2B 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .250 0 1 Y. Torrealba C 3 1 0 0 1 0 3 .000 0 0 J. Francis P 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .500 0 0 a-I. Stewart PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0 A. Cook P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-J. Baker 3B 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 1.000 1 2 Totals 36 6 9 6 5 5 19 a - I. Stewart pinch hit for J. Francis in the 6th b - J. Baker substituted for A. Cook in the 7th c - R. Spilborghs pinch hit for R. Speier in the 8th BATTING Doubles: T. Helton (1, 4th Inning off R. Ruffing, 2 on, 2 outs) Home Runs: G. Atkins (1, 6th Inning off R. Ruffing, 0 on, 0 outs) J. Baker (1, 8th Inning off P. Malone, 1 on, 1 out) Total Bases: J. Francis , T. Helton 3 , G. Atkins 4 , T. Tulowitzki , M. Holliday , J. Carroll , W. Taveras , J. Baker 4 2-out RBI: T. Helton Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , T. Tulowitzki 2 , I. Stewart Sac Fly: B. Hawpe Team LOB: 9 BASERUNNING CS: W. Taveras (1) FIELDING Errors: G. Atkins (1) Double Plays: 1 (Carroll-Tulowitzki-Helton)	New York AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI B. Chapman CF 4 2 2 0 1 0 2 .500 0 0 G. Selkirk RF 5 1 2 4 0 0 4 .400 0 4 L. Gehrig 1B 3 2 1 3 2 0 2 .333 1 3 J. DiMaggio LF 5 2 3 4 0 0 2 .600 2 4 B. Dickey C 5 0 1 0 0 0 3 .200 0 0 R. Rolfe 3B 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 0 0 J. Murphy P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 b-D. Walker PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0 P. Malone P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 T. Kleinhans P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 c-D. Heffner PH 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1.000 0 0 J. Brown P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 T. Lazzeri 2B 4 0 0 0 1 0 2 .000 0 0 F. Crosetti SS 4 2 2 0 0 1 1 .500 0 0 R. Ruffing P 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 .500 0 0 a-J. Saltzgaver 3B 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 1.000 0 0 Totals 38 12 15 11 5 1 18 a - J. Saltzgaver substituted for R. Ruffing in the 7th b - D. Walker pinch hit for J. Murphy in the 7th c - D. Heffner pinch hit for T. Kleinhans in the 8th BATTING Doubles: G. Selkirk (1, 3rd Inning off J. Francis, 2 on, 1 out) B. Chapman (1, 5th Inning off J. Francis, 0 on, 0 outs) J. Saltzgaver (1, 8th Inning off R. Ramirez, 1 on, 1 out) Home Runs: L. Gehrig (1, 8th Inning off B. Fuentes, 2 on, 1 out) J. DiMaggio 2 (2, 7th Inning off L. Hawkins, 2 on, 2 outs; 8th Inning off B. Fuentes, 0 on, 1 out) Total Bases: R. Ruffing , B. Dickey , L. Gehrig 4 , F. Crosetti 2 , J. DiMaggio 9 , G. Selkirk 3 , B. Chapman 3 , J. Saltzgaver 3 , D. Heffner 2-out RBI: J. DiMaggio Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , J. DiMaggio 2 GIDP: B. Dickey Team LOB: 8 FIELDING Errors: L. Gehrig (1) , F. Crosetti (1)
Colorado IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA J. Francis 5.0 6 2 2 2 1 0 81 44 3.60 A. Cook H (1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 9 0.00 L. Hawkins BS (1) 0.2 3 4 4 1 0 1 24 14 54.05 R. Speier 0.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0.00 R. Ramirez L (0-1) 0.1 2 4 4 2 0 0 17 9 108.11 B. Fuentes 0.0 2 2 2 0 0 2 5 4 0.00 M. Herges 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 5 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: J. Francis 46 Batters Faced: J. Francis 22, A. Cook 3, L. Hawkins 6, R. Speier 2, R. Ramirez 5, B. Fuentes 2, M. Herges 3 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: J. Francis 7-5, A. Cook 2-1, L. Hawkins 1-1, R. Speier 1-0, R. Ramirez 1-0, B. Fuentes 0-0, M. Herges 1-1 Pitches - Strikes: J. Francis 81-44, A. Cook 12-9, L. Hawkins 24-14, R. Speier 3-3, R. Ramirez 17-9, B. Fuentes 5-4, M. Herges 12-5 Inherited Runners - Scored: B. Fuentes 2-2 WP: L. Hawkins	New York IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA R. Ruffing 6.0 8 4 3 1 4 1 110 71 4.50 J. Murphy 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 19 12 0.00 P. Malone BS (1) 0.1 1 2 2 1 0 1 11 7 54.05 T. Kleinhans W (1-0) 0.2 0 0 0 2 1 0 19 9 0.00 J. Brown 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 7 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: R. Ruffing 45 Batters Faced: R. Ruffing 28, J. Murphy 5, P. Malone 3, T. Kleinhans 3, J. Brown 3 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: R. Ruffing 6-8, J. Murphy 2-1, P. Malone 0-1, T. Kleinhans 0-0, J. Brown 1-2 Pitches - Strikes: R. Ruffing 110-71, J. Murphy 19-12, P. Malone 11-7, T. Kleinhans 19-9, J. Brown 8-7 Inherited Runners - Scored: J. Murphy 1-1
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Joe DiMaggio Ballpark: Yankee Stadium I Weather: Clear skies (59 degrees), wind blowing out to center at 11 mph Start Time: 7:05 pm Time: 3:35 Attendance: 61862

In the 8th inning

[Nick Soulis]

Rockies Beat Yanks At Own Game
In a Slugfest Colorado Overwhelms Yanks 14-12 To Tie Series

Yankee Stadium - The 07 Rockies seem to figuire something out in the second game of this series, that the only way they may have a chance in this series is to be aggresive and swing for the fences and hope to outscore the Yankees. On this day they stole a game at Yankee Stadium and now head back home with more dreams to achieve.

Until the 6th inning it was the same old story in this one as Monte Pearson was not great but still strong enough to hold a 5-3 lead. Josh Fogg had close to nothing on this day on the mound and the Rockies fell behind by three runs in the first inning. Joe DiMaggio singled in a run and then Bill Dickey followed with a two run single, the inning could have been worse if it wasnt for some fine defense.

Colorado tied the score in the top of the third thanks in part to a home run by Chris Iannetta. George Selkirk would drive in another run and later Bill Dickey would hit a home run to give New York a late lead heading into the later stages of the game.

With Pearson out of the game it was the Yankee bullpen who had the chore of closing things down but in the 6th inning everything fell apart. Six hits and one error lead to six runs on the board. Todd Helton's double cleared the bases to cap the inning and stun the home fans with a 9-5 lead.

Of course New York wasnt going to quit and DiMaggio continued to stay hot for the second straight game as he singled in a run in a two run sixth to cut the lead to one. DiMaggio would finish 3-6 with three RBI.

As the Yankees went through their pen however the skill just wasnt there and the Rockies added on four runs in the seventh and then another run in the 8th to build a six run lead heading into the 9th inning. Young Troy Tulowitski scored three runs and drove in another two while Todd Helton had five RBI.

The Yankees closed out strong with four in the 9th but this wasnt their day. The series is now even heading to the park that is Coors Field and the uncertainty that it is. Whatever the case, more runs will be scored and more fun for all of those watching as the Rocks try and pull off the monumental upset.
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Game 2
Series tied at 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Colorado Rockies 2007 0 0 3 0 0 6 4 1 0 14 13 1 New York Yankees 1936 3 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 4 12 16 4
Colorado AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI T. Tulowitzki SS 5 3 3 2 1 1 0 .400 0 2 C. Sullivan CF 4 2 0 0 0 2 2 .000 0 0 a-G. Atkins PH 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 .250 1 1 b-W. Taveras CF 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .200 0 0 M. Holliday LF 6 2 2 2 0 1 3 .273 0 2 B. Hawpe RF 5 1 2 0 1 1 0 .250 0 1 T. Helton 1B 3 0 1 5 3 0 0 .375 0 6 R. Spilborghs DH 5 0 1 2 1 0 3 .200 0 2 I. Stewart 3B 4 1 1 0 1 1 6 .200 0 0 J. Carroll 2B 4 2 1 0 1 1 5 .250 0 1 C. Iannetta C 4 2 2 1 1 1 2 .500 1 1 Totals 42 14 13 12 9 8 24 a - G. Atkins pinch hit for C. Sullivan in the 7th b - W. Taveras substituted for G. Atkins in the 7th BATTING Doubles: T. Helton (2, 6th Inning off K. Wicker, 3 on, 2 outs) I. Stewart (1, 6th Inning off P. Malone, 0 on, 1 out) T. Tulowitzki (1, 6th Inning off J. Murphy, 2 on, 2 outs) Home Runs: C. Iannetta (1, 3rd Inning off M. Pearson, 0 on, 0 outs) Total Bases: C. Iannetta 5 , T. Helton 2 , I. Stewart 2 , T. Tulowitzki 4 , M. Holliday 2 , R. Spilborghs , B. Hawpe 2 , J. Carroll 2-out RBI: , T. Helton 2 , T. Tulowitzki , M. Holliday 2 , R. Spilborghs Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: I. Stewart , C. Sullivan , M. Holliday , J. Carroll 2 , G. Atkins GIDP: W. Taveras Team LOB: 10 BASERUNNING SB: T. Tulowitzki (1) FIELDING Errors: B. Hawpe (1) Double Plays: 2 (Carroll-Tulowitzki-Helton, Stewart-Carroll-Helton)	New York AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI G. Selkirk RF 5 1 2 3 1 0 0 .400 0 7 R. Rolfe 3B 6 2 4 0 0 0 4 .500 0 0 L. Gehrig 1B 4 2 1 1 2 0 2 .286 1 4 J. DiMaggio CF 6 2 3 3 0 0 3 .545 2 7 B. Dickey C 6 1 3 3 0 0 4 .364 1 3 D. Walker DH 3 1 0 1 1 0 3 .000 0 1 R. Johnson LF 3 2 2 1 2 0 0 .667 0 1 J. Saltzgaver 2B 2 1 0 0 3 0 0 .500 0 0 F. Crosetti SS 5 0 1 0 0 0 6 .333 0 0 Totals 40 12 16 12 9 0 22 BATTING Home Runs: B. Dickey (1, 4th Inning off R. Ramirez, 0 on, 2 outs) Total Bases: B. Dickey 6 , L. Gehrig , R. Rolfe 4 , F. Crosetti , J. DiMaggio 3 , G. Selkirk 2 , R. Johnson 2 2-out RBI: B. Dickey , R. Johnson Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , B. Dickey 2 , R. Rolfe , F. Crosetti GIDP: R. Rolfe , J. DiMaggio Sac Fly: D. Walker Team LOB: 11 BASERUNNING SB: G. Selkirk (1) CS: R. Johnson (1) FIELDING Errors: L. Gehrig (2) , F. Crosetti (2) , J. Saltzgaver 2 (2) Double Plays: 1 (Rolfe-Saltzgaver-Gehrig)
Colorado IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA J. Fogg 2.0 6 3 3 2 0 0 50 26 13.50 R. Ramirez 1.2 3 2 2 2 0 1 32 18 27.00 B. Fuentes W (1-0) 1.2 2 3 1 0 0 0 31 21 16.21 L. Hawkins H (1) 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 16 10 21.61 R. Speier 1.2 1 0 0 1 0 0 33 19 0.00 M. Corpas 0.1 1 4 4 3 0 0 21 8 108.11 B. Kim SV (1) 0.2 1 0 0 1 0 0 11 5 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: J. Fogg 26 Batters Faced: J. Fogg 14, R. Ramirez 9, B. Fuentes 8, L. Hawkins 4, R. Speier 6, M. Corpas 5, B. Kim 4 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: J. Fogg 0-6, R. Ramirez 3-1, B. Fuentes 1-4, L. Hawkins 1-1, R. Speier 4-0, M. Corpas 0-1, B. Kim 1-1 Pitches - Strikes: J. Fogg 50-26, R. Ramirez 32-18, B. Fuentes 31-21, L. Hawkins 16-10, R. Speier 33-19, M. Corpas 21-8, B. Kim 11-5 Inherited Runners - Scored: L. Hawkins 2-2 , B. Kim 2-2	New York IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA M. Pearson 2.2 3 3 1 3 5 1 72 42 3.38 P. Malone 2.2 1 1 1 0 2 0 37 25 9.00 J. Murphy L (0-1)BS (1) 0.1 2 4 2 1 0 0 22 15 13.50 K. Wicker 1.0 5 4 2 0 0 0 29 16 18.00 S. Sundra 1.0 2 2 2 5 0 0 36 14 18.00 T. Kleinhans 1.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 12 8 0.00 PITCHING Game Score: M. Pearson 42 Batters Faced: M. Pearson 16, P. Malone 9, J. Murphy 5, K. Wicker 8, S. Sundra 9, T. Kleinhans 4 Ground Outs - Fly Outs: M. Pearson 1-2, P. Malone 4-2, J. Murphy 0-1, K. Wicker 1-1, S. Sundra 1-1, T. Kleinhans 1-2 Pitches - Strikes: M. Pearson 72-42, P. Malone 37-25, J. Murphy 22-15, K. Wicker 29-16, S. Sundra 36-14, T. Kleinhans 12-8 Inherited Runners - Scored: P. Malone 3-0 , J. Murphy 1-1 , K. Wicker 2-2 , S. Sundra 2-2 , T. Kleinhans 1-0
GAME NOTES Player of the Game: Bill Dickey Ballpark: Yankee Stadium I Weather: Snow (48 degrees), wind blowing out to center at 13 mph Start Time: 7:05 pm Time: 5:33 Attendance: 36954 Special Notes: Rain delay of 68 minutes in the 3rd inning.