The 10-1 red hot Dodgers headed into Pittsburgh to face the 5-6 Bucs. Not saying the Dodgers were complacent or reading their press clippings, but it didn't look like they expected the Bucs to take it to them like they did. Each game in this series was decided late and by 1 run. Either team could have easily swept. This was as intense a series can be without it being a post season affair. Series like this one are why we play these games.
GAME 1 - 3 Rivers
Foster vs Walk
Dodgers 5, Pirates 4
The Dodgers started the "weak link" of their rotation, Alan Foster, and got pretty much what they expected (6 IP / 4 ER). The Bucs nicked Foster for solo runs in the first 2 innings. Definitely could have been more, but somehow Foster stopped it from being a full blow blood letting. LA answered back with 2 in the 3rd to tie it and both teams exchanged deuces in the 6th. LA broke the 4-4 tie in the 8th when pinch hitter Len Gabrielson doubled home Wes Parker to make it 5-4. Pete Mikkelsen took over for Al McBean in the 8th and pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn the save.
GAME 2
GAME 1 - 3 Rivers
Foster vs Walk
Dodgers 5, Pirates 4
The Dodgers started the "weak link" of their rotation, Alan Foster, and got pretty much what they expected (6 IP / 4 ER). The Bucs nicked Foster for solo runs in the first 2 innings. Definitely could have been more, but somehow Foster stopped it from being a full blow blood letting. LA answered back with 2 in the 3rd to tie it and both teams exchanged deuces in the 6th. LA broke the 4-4 tie in the 8th when pinch hitter Len Gabrielson doubled home Wes Parker to make it 5-4. Pete Mikkelsen took over for Al McBean in the 8th and pitched 2 scoreless innings to earn the save.
GAME 2
Drysdale vs R.Reed
Pirates 8, Dodgers 7 (11 inn)
Nothing like an extra inning shootout after a tense 1 run afair the night before. Starters Drysdale and Reed didn't factor into the decision. Reed was gone after 4 and 2/3. Drysdale had issues holding leads and was bounced with 1 out in the 7th, still on top. Al McBean pitched a scoreless inning for the second day in a row and all things looked good for LA with closer Jim Brewer getting the ball with 2 outs in the 7th. Brewer proceeded to give up 3 runs as the Bucs rallied from a 7-4 deficit to tie it a 7 all. In the bottom of the 11th the Bucs put together a 2 out rally that culminated with an RBI single off the bat of R.J. Reynolds scoring Barry Bonds, who walked previously. Jim Gott, got (all puns) the win with 1.2 scoreless innings and Brewer took the loss. Joe Moeller relieved Brewer with 1 out and allowed Reynolds' hit, but was not responsible for the runner (Bonds) that scored.
Pirates 8, Dodgers 7 (11 inn)
Nothing like an extra inning shootout after a tense 1 run afair the night before. Starters Drysdale and Reed didn't factor into the decision. Reed was gone after 4 and 2/3. Drysdale had issues holding leads and was bounced with 1 out in the 7th, still on top. Al McBean pitched a scoreless inning for the second day in a row and all things looked good for LA with closer Jim Brewer getting the ball with 2 outs in the 7th. Brewer proceeded to give up 3 runs as the Bucs rallied from a 7-4 deficit to tie it a 7 all. In the bottom of the 11th the Bucs put together a 2 out rally that culminated with an RBI single off the bat of R.J. Reynolds scoring Barry Bonds, who walked previously. Jim Gott, got (all puns) the win with 1.2 scoreless innings and Brewer took the loss. Joe Moeller relieved Brewer with 1 out and allowed Reynolds' hit, but was not responsible for the runner (Bonds) that scored.
GAME 3 - Dodger StadiumDrabek vs Singer
Dodgers 5, Pirates 4
The rubber match featured a battle of the aces. Both Drabek (5IP/2ER) and Singer (8IP/2ER) didn't factor into the decisions thanks to errors (3 unearned runs) and poor bullpen support. Pete Mikkelsen notched his 2nd win in relief, but that occurred only because he allowed an unearned run in the top of the 9th as the Bucs rallied to tie the game at 4-4. A throwing error by catcher Tom Haller on a bunt attempt put runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Pinch hitter Junior Ortiz hit a shot to deep center that would have been out of Three Rivers, but wound up in the glove of Willie Davis in Dodger Stadium. On LaValliere's ground out to 2nd Glenn Wilson scored to tie the game. Goat horns firmly planted on Haller at this point, but as we all know baseball is a game of redemption. Closer Jim Gott started the 9th and served up back to back singles to Davis and Wes Parker before striking out rookie Bill Russell. Kipper was brought in to face Tom Haller in a lefty vs lefty matchup. With the infield drawn in Haller takes a 1-1 offering from Kipper and bloops it just in front of the hard charging Bonds in left to score Davis and give LA the walk off win.
No comments:
Post a Comment