KOD26 World Series: Houston Ousts The Tribe in Five

Game #1

HOU 3 8 1

CLE  2 6 0

WP – Miller   LP – Sabathia   Sv – Wagner

HR:  Everett, Peralta

Fresh of their Game 7 9^th inning win in LA, the Astros headed to Cleveland for G1 of the KOD 26 World Series.  Houston sent Wade Miller to the mound against the Round Mound of the Mound, CC Sabathia.  Adam Everett led off the 1^st with a double down the line in right and scored on Jeff Bagwell’s one out single.  In the bottom of the 3^rd Aaron Boone reached 2^nd on a wild pitch and scored on Jody Gerut’s gap double to right center.  Gerut was in for the injured Grady Sizemore who left the game in the bottom of the first.  In the top of the 6^th the Astros retook the lead when Jeff Kent doubled in Morgan Ensberg, and they added on more when Adam Everett led of the 7^th with a solo HR.  Miller went 6.1 innings and gave way to Miceli and Dotel who brought the Astros to the top of the 9^th with a 3-1 lead.  Billy Wagner came in for the 9^th and gave up a leadoff HR to Peralta before getting the next three for the save.

Game #2

HOU 4 10 0

CLE   2  6 0

WP – Redding   LP – Lee  Sv – Wagner

HR:  Hidalgo

The Astros game out swinging against Cliff Lee and put a quick 4 on the board before Tim Redding took the hill.  Bagwell and Ensberg each had an RBI single and after a Jeff Kent double, Richard Hidalgo hit one 412 feet to center for a 2 run HR.  And that was the Astros offense in this one.  Redding cruised through the first 5 innings before Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner each drove in a run with RBI singles.  Lidge pitched the 7^th and Dotel took on the 8^th and 9^th.  Wagner was brought in to get the last out after Dotel put two runners on with 2 out.  The Astros head home with a 2 game lead.

Game #3

CLE  6 12 0

HOU 7 15 2

WP – White   LP – Miller

HR:  Blake, Berkman, Hidalgo

With 2 wins on the road the Astros were looking to gain a big advantage with a win at home.  The Indians started Keith Millwood against the Astros Roy Oswalt.  Houston scored first in the bottom on the first when Bagwell laced a single to right to score Berkman from 2^nd.   In the 3^rd inning the Indians scored three to take their first lead of the series.  With 2 on and 1 out, Coco Crisp brought in Millwood from 2^nd and then Martinez brought in two with a single of his own.  VMart missed a sign and attempted to steal with 2 out and ended inning sliding into 2^nd.    Crisp led of the 6^th with a triple and Martinez brought him in with a single.  In the bottom of the 6^th Berkman walked, stole 2B and scored on another Bagwell RBI single.  Casey Blake led of the 7^th with a solo HR and Ben Broussard hit a PH double in the 9^th to drive in another run and but the Tribe up 5-1 going into the bottom of the 9^th.  Houston fans will tell their grandchildren about the bottom of the 9^th.  Bob Wickman came to pitch and was not treated like a guest – Everett led off with a double and went to 3^rd on a deep fly by PH Vizcaino.  Orlando Merced PH for the pitcher and brought in Everett with an RBI single to up the middle.  Biggio followed with another single, putting men at 1^st and 2^nd with one out.  Kent grounded to SS, but the Indians could only get Biggio at 2^nd.  The next batter was Berkman who blasted a game tying HR to right center.  And then Richard Hidalgo poked one down the left field line that just made it into the seats (319 ft) for the walk off win.

Game #4

CLE  5 10 0

HOU 3  6 0

WP – Westbrook  LP – Villone  Sv – Howry

HR:  Peralta, Ensberg

Backs against the wall, the Indians came out swinging and scored three runs in the 1^st.  After a one out walk by Crisp, Jhony Peralta hit his 2^nd HR of the series.  Jose Hernandez ripped a double off the wall in left center that brought in Blake for the quick 3-0 lead.  Ensberg put Houston on the board in the 4^th, but Cleveland game right back and scored 2 in the top of the 5^th when Martinez singled, Blake doubled and took third on the through home that did not get Martinez, and Hernandez hit a sac fly to bring in Blake.  Kent, Berkman and Hidalgo hit back to back to back doubles to open the 6^th, but Westbrook toughen and got the next three batters to stop the damage.  Miller came in for the 7^th and 8^th and Howry pitched a perfect 9^th to preserve the win for Cleveland.

Game #5

CLE  3 9 1

HOU 4 6 0

WP – Dotel  LP – Howry  Sv – Wagner

HR:  Hidalgo, Bagwell

A Game #1 rematch with Sabathia throwing for the Indians and Miller starting for Houston.  Both starters pitched very well in this one.  Jeff Kent singled in Berkman in the 1^st to give the Astros a 1-0 lead.  In the 6^th, Hidalgo game Miller some breathing room with a solo HR to left to put the Astros up 2-0.  Miller went 7 shutout innings, allowing 6 hits with no walks and 5 K’s.  Dotel came on for the 8^th hoping to shut the Tribe down and turn the game over to Wagner for the 9^th.  But…, with 2 outs and a runner on 1^st, Hafner walked.  Peralta singled in Sizemore from 2^nd, and then Ronnie Belliard cranked a triple to right that scored Hafner and Peralta and Cleveland took the lead, 3-2.  David Riske had pitched a no run 7^th for Cleveland, but gave up a lead off walk to Berkman.  With Bagwell coming up, the Tribe called on righty Bob Howry to hold.  But Bagwell deposited a 1-2 pitch from Howry into the left center field seats to put the Astros back up 4-3.  Wagner did come in for the 9^th and set the Indians down in order for the save and the series.

Great series!  Three 1 run games and two 2 run games.  A great season by the Tribe.

--submitted by Tom Landers--

NLCS - Houston Outlasts LA to Advance to KOD26 World Series

Game #1
HOU 2 5 0
LAD  9 10 0
WP – Messersmith  LP – Redding
HR – Ferguson

A last minute decision to start Andy Messersmith paid off for the Dodgers.  Andy dominated the Stros allowing only 5 hits with 0 walks and 7 K’s for the complete game win.  The Dodgers scored one in the 1st on a Buckner FC and one in the 3rd on a Joshua single.  LA broke it open in the 7th with four runs to take a 6-0 lead.  Houston managed 2 runs in the top of the 8th, but a Joe Ferguson 3 run HR sealed the with for LA.



Game #2

HOU 4  7 1
LAD  7 10 1
WP – Sutton   LP – Oswalt  Sv - Brewer
HR – Hidalgo, Berkman

With a solid win by Messersmith in the books, LA turned to Don Sutton to keep the home field advantage alive.  Houston countered with Roy Oswalt.  LA wasted no time getting the scoring started has they gave Oswalt a case of the Willies – Davis led off with a double and Crawford brought him in with a single.  In the top of the 3rd Kent and Berkman led off the inning with singles and Hidalgo brought them home with a 3 run HR, giving Houston it’s first lead in the series.  But that was short lived as the Dodgers got to Oswalt for 5 in the bottom of the 5th, the key hit being a 2 run double by Ron Cey.  LA padded their lead in the 8th on a Davy Lopes sac fly and Berkman got that back with a solo shot in the 9th off a tiring Sutton.  Jim Brewer came in for the last two outs to score the save and send the teams to Houston with LA holding a 2-0 series lead.

Game #3
LAD  3 7 1
HOU 7 12 1
WP – Villone  LP – Downing
HR – Ferguson, Hidalgo, Ensberg, Everett

A match up of lefties in Game 3 and the Dodgers showed out of the gate that they wanted to keep their winning streak alive.  With one out and two on in the first, Joe Ferguson hit is 2nd 3 run HR of the series to spot Downing with a quick 3-0 lead.  The Astros got on the board in the 2nd behind a solo shot by Hidalgo, and Ausmus triple (I know, right?) and a Villone RBI single.  In the 3rd, Morgan Ensberg launched a solo HR of his own to tie the score at 3.  Houston added three more in the bottom the 4th and then another run on Adam Everett’s HR in the bottom of the 6th to close out the scoring.  Downing gave up all of the Houston runs and was pulled after 6.  Villone pitched a strong 7 for Houston before turning it over to Dotel for the last 2 innings.

Game #4

LAD  2 7 0
HOU 5 9 0
WP – Miller  LP – Osteen
HR – Cey, Ausmus
Houston plated 3 runs in the 2nd on a WP, ground out and single.  They add solo runs in the 5th and the 8th.  Wade Miller held the Dodgers to no runs on 5 hits, no walks and 7 K’s through 6 innings.  Brad Lidge pitched the 7th and 8th, allowing no hits while striking out 4.  A well-rested Billy Wagner came in for the 9th and after two quick outs gave up a single to Buckner and a 2 run HR to Cey, before settling down for the final out.

Game #5
LAD  3 8 1
HOU 7 6 2
WP – Redding  LP – Messersmith
HR – Ferguson, Hidalgo, Berkman

In the rematch of Game 1 pitchers, Houston fared better against Messersmith than the first time.  Ferguson continued to mash for the Dodgers with a 2 run HR in the first, but Houston rallied back.  Hidalgo hit his 3rd of the series leading off the 2nd inning, and then Lance Berkman crushed a 3 run HR in the 3rd.  Messersmith was pinch hit for in the 7th, leaving him on the hook for the loss after 6 IP allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, 4 walks and two K’s.  Redding pitched well after the 1st inning and was lifted after allowing a single run in the 7th to pull the Dodgers within one run, 4-3.  Houston added 3 more runs in the bottom of the 7th off of Charlie Hough while Miceli and Dotel combined for two shutout innings to preserve the win for Redding.  After 5 games the home team cannot lose – back to LA.

Game #6

HOU 1 8 0
LAD  8 11 2
WP – Shanahan  LP – Oswalt
HR – Garvey

With the series on the line, LA sent Sutton to the mound for Game 6 vs Oswalt for the Astros.  LA again scored first on a Ferguson ground out.  In the 2nd inning terror struck the Dodger fans when after 2 outs Sutton called out the trainer and was removed from the game with an undisclosed injury.  Greg Shanahan relived and intentional walked Ausmus before striking out Oswalt.  The Dodgers used Sutton’s injury as motivation as they came out and scored 3 off of Oswalt in the bottom of the 2nd on a Bill Russell double and a Ken McMullen PH sac fly.  Tommy John came on to pitch the 3rd inning and went 4.2 innings, allowing one run on 4 hits.  Oswalt was done after 6, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits.  Charlie Hough and Pete Richert pitched the last 2 to hold on for the win for Shanahan, who got the win despite only pitching 1/3 of an inning.  On to Game 7 with the home teams still holding serve….

Game #7
HOU 4 9 1
LAD  2 6 0
WP – Dotel   LP – Brewer  Sv – Wagner
HR - Bagwell

The teams saved the best for last in the closest game of the series.  Villone and Downing matched up for the 2nd time, with both pitchers going a strong 6 innings.  Lopes led off the 4th with a bunt single and scored on a Davis double to right.  A Manny Mota ground out to moved Davis to 3rd, and he scored on a very deep sac fly by Ferguson.  Houston came right back on the top of the 5th, when with Everett on first Bagwell crushed a 2 run HR to left to tie the score at 2.  That was it for scoring for both teams until the 9th inning.  With one out in the 9th, PH Orlando Merced reached on an infield single and Adam Everett drew a walk.  Berkman was up next and launched a drive deep to left that was foul.  The Dodgers quickly subbed Von Joshua into left to replace Mota in the event of another one of those.  Berkman did drive it to left again, but it hit the wall and brought both Merced and Everett home to score.  Still well rested Billy Wagner came in for the 9th and promptly put two on with a single and walk before getting Garvey to ground out in to force play, punching out Yeager and getting Russell to ground out for the save and the series win.

Great back and forth series.  The Dodgers played like champs. Berkman gets the MVP with a .345 AVG and 9 RBI in the series.

--submitted by Tom Landers--

ALCS - Tribe breaks out the broom over Pale Hose

The 2005 Indians, surprisingly, sweep the 1955 White Sox in a series that saw two close games early and then two easy Indians wins once the series moved to Comiskey. Tribe pitchers were pretty stellar overall, and their slugging prowess was on display.

Bruce took his White Sox club to new heights and the club was a tough matchup all year, finishing tied for the best record in the AL (with the Indians).

Game One: Cleveland 6, Chicago 5 (11 innings). A raucous way to start the series. Tied at one apiece, the Sox erupt for four runs in the seventh, capped by a Minnie Minoso double that plated a pair and sent CC Sabathia to the showers. But the Indians make a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the inning, as Victor Martinez launches a grand slam to give the Tribe a brief 5-4 lead. In the top of ninth, Minoso singles home the tying run off closer Bob Wickman and the Sox have hope.

But in the bottom of the 11th, the Tribe celebrates the win as Travis Hafner hits a homer that just wraps around the right field foul pole to give the Indians the victory.

Game Two: Cleveland 2, Chicago 1. Cliff Lee is lights-out for the Indians, going eight innings and only allowing one run. Chicago ace Billy Pierce is a bit wild early, walking two in the first and then allowing them to score on two singles. But that's all the Indians' offense can muster, and the Chisox can't get their hitters untracked. Bob Wickman pitches a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

Game Three: Cleveland 5, Chicago 1. The Chisox again can't come up with much offense against

the strong Indians pitching, only scoring a run on five hits off Kevin Millwood and Bob Howry. Millwood strikes out eight in 6.1 innings and Howry takes it home. The Indians score two runs apiece off Jack Harshman in the fourth and fifth, as Hafner has another big day, hitting a two run homer and a two-run RBI single to account for the scoring.

Game Four: Cleveland 11, Chicago 6. The good news for the White Sox is that their offense finally reappeared. The bad news is that Dick Donovan and Billy Pierce (recruited in relief in a desperate try to win the game) give up  8 Indians runs.  As usual, Jake Westbrook is not great but is good enough to take the win. The Indians paint the scoreboard with homers from Coca Crisp and Aaron Boone (who hit two in the series) and five doubles. Boone has three RBIs to lead the way, while Ronnie Belliard and Grady Sizemore have two apiece.

It's on for the Indians to face the winner of the senior circuit matchup between LA and Houston.

--submitted by Joe P.--

KOD26 ALDS - '55 Pale Hose Tip '95 Halos in 5

Game #1 - Billy Pierce (1-0) Dixie Howell combined on a 4-hit shut-out as Chicago took the opener at home, 4-0. Pierce was nearly untouchable through 7 IP, fanning 9, walking 1 and surrendering just 3 hits. Chico Carrasquel (1) homered among his 3 hits to lead the offense. Chuck Finley (0-1) drew the unlucky assignment as mound opponent.

Gary DiSarcina

Game #2 - Gary "Little Old Lady from" DiSarcina cleared the bases with a 3-run triple in the 6th, leading to a 5-1 Angels win. Mark Langston (1-0) masterfully worked around 7 hits and 2 BBs in 5.1 IP. The Sox finished with 12 LOB. Dick Donovan (0-1) started and lost for the ChiSox.


Game #3 - Chico Carrasquel (2,3) blasted 2 home runs and drove in 3 runs. Bob Kennedy (1) added another long shot as one of his 4 bingos. It all led to a 5-1 Pale Hose win as the series moved to Anaheim. Jack Harshman (1-0) started and won on the hill. Mike Bielecki (0-1) took the loss.

Garret Anderson

Game #4 - Garret Anderson's (1) 3-run bomb in the bottom of the 12th kept the Halos alive with a 4-1 victory. The game featured outstanding pitching from starters Connie Johnson for the Sox and Brett Anderson for the Angels all the way through both bullpens. Jim Abbott (1-0) notched the W with game 1 starter Billy Pierce (1-1) taking the loss for Chicago. The loss also spoiled a 4-hit performance from Nellie Fox.

Game #5 - George Kell (1) banged out 3 hits and crushed a "cherry on top" 2-run 7th inning HR as Chicago wrapped in the series win with a 9-3 home victory. Sandy Consuerga (1-) got the win with 3.2 innings of 2-hit, shut-out relief. Finley (0-2) was again victimized on the hill for the Angels.

Congrats to Doug Zaner for an outstanding job of managing.

NLDS - Stros outlast Cards in 5

In a series featuring three one-run games, the ’03 Astros came back from a 2-1 deficit to knock out the East Division champion ’49 Cardinals in five games.

Game one saw the Cardinals outhit Houston 17-9, yet fall 10-9 as the usually steady Howie Pollet was uncharacteristically wild, walked 6 and surrendering 5 earned runs on only 5 innings of work. The Astros scored all 5 of those in the third inning, to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 5-3 lead. The Cardinals came back to tie the score, and the teams went back and forth before Houston scored 3 in the 8^th to put themselves a safe distance ahead. Jeff Bagwell drove in 5 of the Astros runs, hitting two home runs in the process. Billy Wagner picked up the save, although the Cardinals, who trailed 10-8 going into the bottom of the ninth, picked up a run and had the tying run on base when Wagner got Eddie Kazak to pop up for the final out.

The Cardinals bounced back to win the next two, 5-4 at home and 6-3 in the first game in Houston’s cozy Minute Maid Park. Red Munger and Gerry Staley combined to keep the Astros just behind the Cardinals in the tight game 2 contest, although walks continues to be an issue as they gave up 8 free passes.  Astros pitchers were not any better, surrendering 8 walks of their own, five from starter Tim Redding who took the loss.

Harry Brecheen went 7 strong innings, and Stan Musial and Enos Slaughter hit back to back homers

to break a 3-all tie as the Cardinals got to within a game of advancing in the game 3 win.

The pivotal game 4 was about as tight of a game as you will see. The Astros got a run in the ninth for a 4-3 win, with both teams getting 8 hits, and neither team making an error. Cardinal pitchers found their control, walking only one while Houston handed out 4 bases on balls.  The Cardinals squandered several opportunities to end the series in this game, leaving 8 runners on base. Houston took better advantage of their chances, stranding only 3.  The lone Cardinal walk doomed them, as Ted Wilks gave it up to Jeff Bagwell with one out in the ninth. Bagwell then stole second, and scored on Morgan Ensberg’s walk-off double.

Game five was another close one through 6 innings, with the clubs tied at 5. The Astros then pulled away with 2 in the 7^th and 2 in the 8^th to run away with the 9-5 victory. Regular season ERA champ Howie Pollet was again roughed up, surrendering 7 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings of work.  Only once during the regular season did Pollet give up as many as 4 earned runs. His game 5 loss was his worst start of the season. The two Jeff’s, Kent and Bagwell, each had 3 hits in this one with Kent driving in four runs. Ensberg, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, and Brad Ausmus each chipped in two hits.

--submitted by Bike Mike--

NLDS - Dodgers defeat Jints in 4

Dodger Stadium

GAME 1

Burkett vs Sutton

Dodgers 5, Giants 2

Don Sutton fanned 9 and gave up just 1 run in 7 innings before handing the ball off to a pair of lefty relievers named Richert and Brewer to finish it off.  LA carried a 2-1 lead into the 7th before adding 2 insurance runs to give Sutton some breathing room.  3 Dodgers had 3 hit games (Lopes/Crawford/Buckner), but the big story on the day was the 2-3 performance from veteran Ken McMullen, who hit a double and a huge solo shot.  McMullen wasn't even in the starting lineup having lost his starting job to Ron Cey in Spring Training.  The aforementioned Cey twisted an ankle trying to get out of the batters box when he grounded into a DP in the bottom of the 2nd.  Cey is day to day and should return to the lineup for game 2.

GAME 2

Black vs Messersmith

Dodgers 10, Giants 5

Bill Russell's grand slam in the bottom of the 4th put LA up 5-2, but there was no time to celebrate because the Giants scratched back to score 3 in the top of the 5th to tie the game up at 5 apiece.  Messersmith bent like a rubber band, but narrowly avoided snapping.  When Matt Williams hit a shot to left that died in Manny Mota's glove as #11 backed up to the wall, a huge sigh of relief was heard from all.  The Dodgers struck for 3 in the 7th off 3 walks and 2 hit batsmen by reliever Dave Burba.  A 2 run shot by Willie Crawford enabled LA to double up the Jints as the series heads up the PCH to Candlestick with LA up 2-0.

Candlestick Park

GAME 3

Osteen vs Swift

Giants 7, Dodgers 5

Looking to close out the Giants in 3 straight LA sent Claude Osteen to the bump.  The Giants had no intention of rolling over and playing dead as they clawed their way back from 2-0, 4-2, and 5-4 deficits.  With George Culver already warmed in the pen and righty Mark Carreon at the plate.  Osteen had been successful in his first 3 attempts to get Carreon out, but the 4th time he would not be so lucky.  LA's manager figured with 2 out he could get one more batter out of Osteen, then go to the pen.  A sound strategy if Osteen was on his A-game and if Culver needed more warm up time.  In this case it was the turning point of the game in the form of a 3 run homer.  Rod Beck closed the game out as San Fran staved off elimination.

GAME 4

John vs Torres

Dodgers 8, Giants 5

LA pieced together 5 singles, a walk and a sac fly to score 4 runs in the top of the 5th to take a 5-4 lead.  The once again healthy Ron Cey's solo shot in the 6th made it 6-4.  Davey Lopes' (2-3, 2BB) sac fly in the 7th, his 3rd RBI of the game boosted the lead to 7-4.  Each team exchanged solo runs in the 9th as the Dodgers held on to win the game and the series.  Charlie Hough pitched the final 2 to get the save.  LA moves on to the NLCS to face the winner of STL/HOU series.

KOD 26 ALDS -- Indians Turn Back Bosox in Four

The 2005 Indians hold off the 1949 Red Sox to advance to the ALCS against either the White Sox or Angels. Cleveland's pitching is the difference maker in the series, as the Tribe wins two close games by holding off late Red Sox rallies. Boston, a great hitting club, is hurt by poor clutch hitting and the inability to hold off late Indian rallies, as  the Tribe comes back in two of the games. Boston also is saddled with a poor postseason performance from the great Ted WIlliams, who lost his batting eye in all but Game Two of the series.

Game One: CC Sabathia pitches a five hitter in eight solid innings, while Bob Howry comes in to nail down the save. The Indians set the tone with a first inning, three run homer from Jhonny Peralta off Ellis Kinder to hold a lead they wouldn't relinquish. An RBI single from Coco Crisp in the fifth is decisive, as Boston come back to make it close on a late Al Zarilla homer and Vern Stephens sac fly to narrow the Indians' lead to 4-3.

But Howry comes in the shut the door in the ninth. Kinder, taking the hard luck loss, pitches a complete game and strikes out seven. Cleveland 4, Boston 3.

Cleveland leads 1-0.

Game Two: Boston roars back against Cliff Lee, who was hit hard in another recent, 20-3 loss to the Bosox. In this one, Cleveland's ostensible ace only lasts 1.2 innings and gives up nine earned runs. Boston sends 17 batters to the plate in the first two innings and break it open in the second with a two run homer from Ted WIlliams and a bases clearing double by Al Zarilla.

Cleveland does get its bats going, knocking around Mickey McDermott and scoring eight runs. But as they drew closer, the Indians' reliever David Riske fanned the flames by allowing four runs in the eighth, two on a double from Williams to seal the deal. Boston 13, Cleveland 8.

Series tied at 1 apiece.

Game Three: The series moves to Fenway and looks good early for Boston, as Zarilla rockets a 411-foot, three run homer off Kevin Millwood to put the home team up 3-1 in the fourth. Boston strikes for two more in the sixth off three walks and a bloop to take a nice, 5-1 lead.

But Mel Parnell, who was very good for the Sox, has difficulty keeping the Tribe at bay late. Cleveland plates three runs in the seventh, two on a two-out single from Ronnie Belliard in a four hit inning off Parnell. Boston takes a 5-4 lead into the ninth but Cleveland explodes for three more in the top of the inning on four more hits. After Casey Blake ties the game on a single, Belliard again is the hero, rocketing a base hit that scores two and gives Cleveland a two run lead.

Howry tries to close the door in the bottom of the inning but puts two on base before Bob Wickman comes in. With two one and two out, WIlliams is at the plate in a critical at bat. Wickman strikes him out to end the game. Cleveland 5, Boston 3.

Cleveland leads 2-1

Game Four: Cleveland decides to send fourth starter Jake Westbrook to the hill but Boston counters with ace Ellis Kinder. The Red Sox scratch out two runs in the first two inning but the Indians take the one run lead in the third on a sac fly from Belliard (Mr. Clutch in the series) and a  key single from Crisp.

Boston's hopes of a comeback die in the seventh. Down 3-2, they witness a huge Indians uprising as the Tribe scores five runs off Kinder. Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner finally start hitting, Martinez driving in two with a double and Hafner launching a two run homer. After Cleveland scores two more in the eighth off ineffective reliever Tex Hughson, it was all she wrote for the beaneaters. Cleveland 10, Boston 3.

Cleveland wins the series 3-1.

Congratulations on another great KOD year for Pete Daly, who guided the Bosox to within three games of the division leading Indians despite sometime shaky pitching but with solid hitting and even better managing.

Joe P.

NLWC: "Where there's a Williams, there's a way"

"Swifty was wooped on early but the Giants clawed their way back and took it in the 9th. Pitching was absent from this game all around..." - Manager Larry Reeves (SFG)

The Giants scored 9 runs over the final two frames to overcome what looked like an insurmountable 8-2 Pirate lead.  Bob Veale tired after throwing 136 pitches and giving up only 2 runs in those 7 innings as the Bucs built up their lead.  Elroy Face (3 run in 1IP) and Pete Mikkelsen (6 runs in 1IP) were the culprits.  In defense of Mikkelsen, lead gloved, 3B Bob Bailey made a huge error with one out on a Royce Clayton grounder that had DP written all over it.  That occurred with one out, and after that the floodgates opened up.  Matt Williams delivered the crushing blow with a bases clearing double to break the tie and put the Jints up for good.  Unlike Pittsburgh's closers, the Jints got a stellar performance from setup guy Trevor Wilson (he got the win) and Rod Beck (got the save), with the latter fanning 2 batters in a perfect inning of work.

Final Score:  Giants 11, Pirates 8

ALWC: Parnell and Bosox outlast Motown

This one was a sleeper.

Boston struck in the 2nd and 3rd innings both on sacrifice flies that scored a run

Detroit answered back in the 5th and 6th innings to tie it until Boston put together a pair of runs in the 7th to go ahead 4-2

Detroit was able to muster up another run in the 8th and tried hard to chip away but the bench hitters didn't have the "umph" to do it

Coach Daly was quoted as saying the his "pitchers were better hitters than his bench players" I agree with that statement and proved it as well.

Mel Parnell gets the win for Boston while Mickey Lolich gets the L but goes 1 for 2 with a walk and an RBI.

KOD26 - Playoffs are now set

After the wild and crazy play in scenario we are finally set for the post season.  

Before we get to that I want to give a special shout out to Brian Stokes (KCR) and Isaac Corey (MIN).  While their teams didn't make the post season, they both have the heart of champions.  With the season over for both of their teams and nothing to play for in regards to the post season they turned down my offer to sim their series.  Both guys wanted to play out their season to it's conclusion, because they are true sportsman who play for the love of playing the game.  Gr8 job guys !

Here is the Wild Card Round:
NLWC - SFG (Reeves) @ PIT (Schneider)
ALWC - DET (Kaufman) @ BOS (Daly)

AL:

1. CLE - HFA throughout the playoffs
2. CHW (lost 2 of 3 to CLE)
3. CAL
4. BOS
5. DET (lost 3 of 4 to DET)

NL:

1. LAD
2. STL
3. HOU
4. PIT (lost 2 of 3 to HOU)
5. SFG

NL Play In Game Final - Jints move on

NL Play in Game 3
Candlestick Park
Hands vs Torres
Giants 6, Cubs 2

Randy Hundley led off the top of the second with a walk and was quickly tripled home by Art Spangler.  Don Young's Sac Fly gave Bill Hands, who was 8-2 entering the game, a 2-0 lead, which would hold up for just 2 innings.  A one out 2 run single by Matt Williams tied the game at 2 all.  An inning later Royce Clayton led off with a double.  After Robby Thompson hit one to the track Barry Bonds singled home Clayton for to give the Jints a 3-2 lead that they would build upon the following inning.  In the bottom of the 6th Hands issued a boat load of walks and Barry Bonds singled home two.  Rogers and Burba would shut the door on the Cubbies and their season as the Jints survived the play in games to earn a spot in the Wild Card Game in Steel-town.

NL Play in Game - Jint's defeat Phightin's 5-2

NL Play in Game
Candlestick Park
Bennett vs Sanderson
Giants 5, Phillies 2

Giants get to Bennett early with 3 in 1st and 2 in 2nd then. Hang on to win 5 - 2.  After Robby Thompson led off the bottom of the 1st with a 3 bagger.  Todd Benzinger and Matt Williams both worked out walks to load the bases.  An error by Phillies SS, Ruben Amaro, off a hard smash from Barry Bonds scored Thompson.  Mark Carreon walked to score Benzinger and when Bennett uncorked a WP Williams came rambling home to make it 3-0.  The aforementioned Williams (2-2, 2 walks, HR) ripped a 2 run shot with one out to make it 5-2.

Philly scratched out runs in the 3rd (HR by Tony Gonzalez) and the 4th off of an error by Will Clark, but the Giants got 4 scoreless innings to finish off the game from the bullpen trio of Brantley, Minutelli and Beck (9th save).  The Giants will host the Cubs in the play in final.  Winner goes on to the Wild Card game at Pittsburgh.

Jim's Phils faded at the end of the season. Looks like the theme was matched. They smacked us around earlier in the season winning 2 of 3.

Merry Christmas everyone,
Larry

NL Play in Game - Cubbies slam Amazin's 15-4.

NL Play in Game
Shea Stadium
Selma vs Seaver
Cubs 15, Mets 4

To sum this one up in one sentence:  "The Franchise was not terrific".  To expand, Tom Seaver (6-3,4.15) gave up 9 runs in 6 innings.  The Met offense supplied him with 4 runs, which 90% of the time would have been more than enough for the powerful righty from Fresno, CA.  Everyone in Cub universe got a hit.  The first 4 batters in the lineup went a collective 9-19 with 9 runs scored and 8 RBI.  The biggest bat of them all was 3rd sacker Ron Santo, who jumped up and clicked his heels to the tun of 2-4 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBI's.  Santo's hits were both homers.  The first was a 2 run shot in the 4th and the second a 3 run shot in the 6th that broke a 3-3 tie and chased the Franchise from the hill.  Chicago will play the winner of the Phillies/Giants play in game matchup.

'73 Dodgers clinch NL West Flag and HFA

With the Cardinals dropping 3 of 4 the Dodgers needed to take 2 vs Houston for the Division and 3 if they wanted Home Field Advantage until the World Series.  Mission accomplished on both accounts.

GAME 1 - A two out double by Joe Ferguson followed up by an RBI single from Bill Buckner broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 8th.  A 2 out RBI single by Willie Davis in the 9th gave LA an insurance run to work with.  Tommy John, who went 6.2 was poised for the win, but reliever Charlie Hough got that win after he allowed the game to be tied on a WP.

GAME 2 - Tied 2-2 after 6 LA thought they blew it open with 3 runs in the top of the 7th thanks to a bases loaded walk, a well timed ground out and a 2 our RBI single by Bill Russell.  Al Downing was cruising, but lost his edge in the 9th as the 'Stros rallied to score 2 before veteran southpaw Jim Brewer (7th save) came on to get the final 2 outs (Biggio and Zaun).

GAME 3 - Having clinched the division and still thinking there was no shot for best overall record the Dodgers blew a stinker at home in front of a packed house looking to celebrate the divisional flag.  Houston got a solid 3 hit performance from Biggio out of the leadoff spot and a great 7+ innings of work from spot starter Tommy Villone.  The game was played in a crisp 2 hours and 31 minutes.  The "killer B's" combined for 5 RBI's.

GAME 4 - The Dodgers tapped Osteen to start over Messersmith thinking it would be a good idea to save the latter for the NLDS opener.  Osteen, having felt slighted, turned in a magnificent performance giving up just 1 run in 8+ innings on the hill.  Doug Rau came on to get the final 2 outs when it looked like Osteen had hit the wall.  Seldom used utility infielder Lee Lacy was 3-4 with a run scored.  3rd string catcher Chris Cannizzaro was the only Dodger, besides Osteen, not to get a hit.  After the game the Dodgers found out the results of the Cardinals/Mets game and realized that they not only clinched the division title, but they also wound up with the best record (24-14) in the NL.

Amazin's Upset Cards

The 1949 St. Louis Cardinals one win out of four against the 1970 New York Mets, coupled with a loss by the 1964 Philadelphia Phillies clinched the National League East Division title. However, the Cardinals looked like anything but a post season team in the series, with poor defensive play, a weak offense that did not hit in the clutch, and so-so pitching.

The first inning of game one was a predictor of things to come, as the Cardinals made three “poor” plays, committed an error and surrendered a walk to aid the Mets in taking a 3-0 lead. The Cardinals went on to commit two more errors in the game, and the Mets cruised to an 8-3 win behind Tom Seaver.

Game two saw the Redbirds bounce back to look more like themselves, winning a tight 4-3 contest despite being outhit 11-7. Red Munger earned his sixth win of the year, striking out 8 and walking only 1. Relief help from Howie Pollet and Gerry Staley nailed down the win.

The Mets took control again in games three and four. Jerry Koosman, Ron Taylor and Cal Koonce combined on a five hitter as the Mets took game three 5-1. Donn Clendenon drove in three of the Mets tallies.

In game four Cards manager Bike Mike used a mostly makeshift lineup to close out the campaign, resting most of his starters. The Mets had all the fun with a 16-3 laugher. Clendenon again was a big stick, homering his first two times up and driving in 4. Tommie Agee added a home run and another 4 RBI.

A concern for the Cardinals is a prolonged slump by star Stan Musial. The Man was hitting .427 on September 8, but went just 15 for 73 over the remainder of the season, a .205 pace. And he got worse at the end, going only 2 for his last 21, both hits singles. He had a league leading 39 RBI with six games left to get into the 40s, but did not drive in another run. Stan will need to get hot again if the Cardinals expect to advance in the post season.

Bike Mike

KC takes 2 of 3 from BOS

With Tom Landers subbing as KC manager, the Royals put together a great 3 game series that very easily could have been a sweep.  The Red Sox pitching was absolutely terrible, allowing 22 runs in the series finale.  A lucky late inning rally in the series opener was the lone bright spot in the series for Boston.  Even Teddy Ballgame was held in check going for 3 for 12 with no HRs. 

Editor's Note:  Amos Otis, Hal McRae and Frank White all had 4 hits for KC in the finale.  KC scored 22 runs without the aide of a home run.

--submitted by Pete Daly--

'70 Amazin's take 2 of 3 from 'Stros

70 Mets take 2 of 3 from the 03 Astros as the Mets try to stay in the playoff hunt

Game 1  in Houston

Mets 14 Astros 4

Mets with a 17 hit attack rout the Stros. The New Yorkers score SEVEN runs in the second inning against starter and loser Wade Miller (1-2).  Wayne Garrett hit a 2 run HR (1) to get things started and later in the inning Tommie Agee drove in two with a single before Art Shamsky capped things off with a 3 run blast (1).

Houston tried to come back, closing to 8-4 before the Mets continued to pile it on. Ken Boswell was 3-6 with a double, triple, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Garrett was 3-4 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Jerry Grote was 3-5.

Nolan Ryan (1-1) got the win, going 5 innings and allowing only 4 hits although he walked six. Danny Frisella pitched four shutout innings in relief to earn a save.

Game 2 in Houston

Mets 6 Astros 5

An exciting game as the Astros nearly came back from a 6-0 deficit. Once again the Mets scored early and often. A Cleon Jones RBI single in the first gave the Mets a 1-0 lead. Leading 2-0 in the fourth, the New Yorkers scored four times with the big hit being a 2 RBI single by Tommie Agee.

Tom Seaver (4-1) was cruising along with a shutout going into the 8^th when he began to tire. Eric Bruntlett pinch hit a double to make it 6-1 and then Jeff Kent hit a 3 run HR to make it 6-4. Seaver came out for the 9^th but a clearly tiring Tom Terrific walked the leadoff hitter Morgan Ensberg. Tug McGraw came on in relief and was promptly greeted by Adam Everett with a single to right sending Ensberg to third. Houston was threatening big time! Then came the big play of the game as Brad Ausmus hit one down to third where Wayne Garrett started a huge 5-4-3 DP! A run scored on the play to make it 6-5 but there was now no one on base for pinch hitter Orlando Merced. The lefty swinging Merced lined to 2B Boswell and the game was over.

The Mets breathed a sigh of relief as they took the 6-5 win.

Seaver struck out 6 over 8 innings and got the win. McGraw got his second save of the year. Tim Redding (2-2) started and took the loss for the Stros. Jeff Kent was 2-4 with a double, HR and 3 RBIs.

Game 3 in New York (Shea Stadium)

Astros 6 Mets 3

With the Mets now 12-11 and Houston now 14-9, the final game of the series was huge as the Mets had the opportunity to pull within one game of the Stros in the playoff race. It was not to be.

In the most exciting game of the series, the Astros took an early 3-0 lead only to see the Mets tie it in the 7^th. Then Jeff Bagwell hit a 3 run HR in the 8^th to win it for Houston!

Ron Villone started for Houston as the Astros finally got a good performance from a starting pitcher. And Villone did it at the plate as well as on the mound, driving in 2 runs in the second inning with a single off starter Jerry Koosman.

Morgan Ensberg doubled in Bagwell in the third to make it 3-0. Meanwhile, Villone was holding the Mets scoreless until they broke through with a run in the 5^th on a walk, a hit and an RBI ground out by Bud Harrelson. 3-1 after 5.

In the 7^th, Bud Harrelson (having a terrific season) tripled to score Joe Foy to make it 3-2. Wayne Garret’s RBI grounder tied the game.

Tug McGraw came on in the 8^th for the Mets and got into trouble right away when he walked the light hitting backup catcher Geoff Zaun. Everett bunted him to second. Berkman then drew a semi intentional intentional walk to set up the DP with one out and Bagwell up. But the strategy backfired as the future Hall of Famer hit a shot down the left field line that cleared the fence for his 6^th HR of the season – and none was bigger!

Brad Lidge (2-1) and Billy Wagner (11^th save) closed out the game for Houston allowing only 1 hit in 2 2/3 innings. McGraw (2-1) took the loss.

Houston is now 15-9, third in the NL West pending the outcome of this week’s games for division leading (15-6) 73 LA and 93 SF.

The Mets are now 12-12, fourth in the NL East but right up there with 64 Philly and 83 Atlanta, both of whom are 11-10 going into this week’s games. 49 SL leads the division at 13-8.

Next week: The Mets will play those NL West leading 73 Dodgers while Houston will play the NL East leading 49 Cardinals – as the Mets and Astros get a chance to help each other out!

--submitted by Alan Raylesburg--

89 Birds Peck Away at 55 Pale Hose

Game #1

Steve Finley

Steve Finley and Joe Orsulak (3)did the damage at the top of the lineup, as each hitter banged out 4 hits in a 9-4 Baltimore win in Chitown. Orsulak provided the muscle with a triple, home run, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored. Finley collected 4 singles, but scored all 4 times and drove in 3. Dave Schmidt (1-1) went 6 innings on the mound for the win. Bob Keegan (0-1) was shelled in his first start of the year for the Sox.

Game #2
Bob Kennedy (3 hits, 3 RBI) singled in Nellie Fox and Minnie Minoso in the B9 for a 5-4 White Sox walk-off winner. The Sox lit up normally "lights-out" closer Greg Olsen (0-2). Dixie Howell (2-1) was the beneficiary with the vultured win on the other side. The loss also spoiled a 2-2B, 1 HR performance by the O's Phil Bradley (3).

Game #3
Jay Tibbs (1-1) scattered 9 hits over 7 IP, but only surrendered 1 run in an 8-1 series finale victory for the O's. Finley (2) was again a big contributor offensively with 3 hits, including a round-tripper. Mickey Tettleton (3) smashed a 2-run home run in a 5-run 1st for the Birds that set the tone. Dick Donovan (1-2) took the loss for the ChiSox.

'73 Dodgers take 2 of 3 from '83 Bravos

GAME 1 - Dodger Stadium
Perez vs Osteen
Braves 5, Dodgers 4

5 singles from their first 6 batters staked the Braves to a 3-0 lead over Claude Osteen.  LA chipped away, but didn't have enough firepower to come all the way back.  The pressure mounted in the home half of the 9th with the Dodgers needing 3 to tie.  LA got just two as the "Big Tub of Goo" was able to put out the fire and notch his 2nd save of the season.  Rafael Ramirez knocked in 2 and went 4-5 to boost his average to .330.  Lead foot Bob Horner (3-4 w/a walk) actually legged out a triple.

GAME 2
Niekro vs Sutton
Dodgers 8, Braves 5

Both future HOF hurlers were not on their "A" games, but it didn't matter as the bats were hot for both teams.  Don Sutton gave up 5 over 8, but that was more than enough to win as Jim Brewer tossed a scoreless 9th for his 5th save.  The Penguin, Ron Cey (3-3), was LA's hitting star with 3 RBI's on a triple and dinger.
GAME 3 - Fulton Cty Std.
John vs Camp
Dodgers 7, Braves 6

Tommy John flirted with trouble all day, but avoided the big inning in a ballpark where the ball normally launches into the stratosphere.  The only HR on the day came from the red hot Cey (2-4), who knocked in 4 and lifted his average to .355.  Six Dodger players had multi-hit games.  Relievers Hough and Richert helped John win this one.  Atlanta posted 14 hits, but they were only able to push 4 across the plate.