Run, RIckey Run...

How good a start is Rickey Henderson having to the season? Let’s see – he hit .667 with two home runs, five RBI, and six steals (he would have had even more, but he was caught twice). The Yanks made a statement, winning both games in Baltimore and the home opener before dropping the last game of the series.

Game one was an extra-inning thriller decided by a Willie Randolph RBI double in the tenth, with closer Dave Rightetti picking up the win. Game two was a rout behind Tommy John’s two-run complete game and a blistering 4-for-4 night for Henderson (in which he stole two bases and added a solo homer). Game 3 in New York had more fireworks – Henderson went 1-for-2 with two walks and picked up two RBI and a stolen base, with Dave Winfield adding a home run. The final game was decided in the sixth inning, as Cal Ripken Jr. and Mickety Tettleton hit back-to-back home runs and the Yankees could not catch up.

Not bad for the first series.

Michael Hopcroft

Yankees

Birds and Phightin's spilt series

The 1949 St. Louis Cardinals and 1964 Philadelphia Phillies opened KOD26 by splitting their four games, with three of the games ending in shutouts.

The Cardinals got off to a lightning fast start in the opener, scoring at least 2 runs in each of the first 5 innings and coasting to a 15-0 victory. Stan Musial went 5 for 6 and drove in 5 for the Cardinals, while Howie Pollet scattered 4 hits in notching a complete game. Jim Bunning, who will be counted on heavily by the Phillies, was knocked around for 7 hits and 7 earned runs in only 2 innings of work. He also did not strike out a batter and issued 3 walks.

The Cardinals looked to be off to a great start, as they ran out to a 5-1 lead in game two. But the

Phillies hit three home runs and scored 6 times in the sixth, and then held on to prevail 8-6. Johnny Callison homered twice for the Phils and knocked in three, while rookie Richie Allen added a three-run shot. Ed Roebuck threw 2 1/3 innings of relief to get the win, in support of starter Chris Short.

Frank Thomas homered twice in game 3, and that was all Dennis Bennett needed in a 2-0 win. The Cardinals returned the favor, winning game four by the same 2-0 score, as Musial homered in the sixth, and pitcher Red Munger doubled in Joe Garagiola with 2 out in the seventh for the second run. Munger went the distance for the win.

Bike Mike

KOD26 - The Teams that Faded or Crumbled Down the Stretch

Credit Jim Clouser for suggesting this theme.  Give him accolades for deciding to manage the poster child for the theme...the 1964 Phillies.  Hoping to NOT channel his inner Gene Mauch Jim will attempt to close the deal and get the Phils to the post season.  There are many similar teams in this loop.  All have their own unique story.  Some faded.  Some fell short because another team got so hot they couldn't hold them off.  And of course some just outright fell apart like the '64 Phillies a team that actually printed up World Series Ticket 2 weeks before the season ended.  Good luck to all !