15. 1937 New York Yankees v. 114. 1928 Philadelphia Athletics
The '29 A's have moved forward; the '31 A's got bounced. The '39 Yankees lost, but both the '41 and '43 Yankees have advanced. Joe McCarthy's World Champions against a 98 win second place Connie Mack squad. Let's take a look at the game 1 matchup.
Athletics - Connie Mack
2B Bishop (28) 127 4.75
C Cochrane (25) 122 4.1
LF Simmons (26) 145 4
1B Foxx (20) 148 4.7
CF Miller (33) 117 2.9
RF Cobb (41) 112 1.3
3B Hale (31) 106 1.9
SS Dykes (31) 93 1.2
P Grove (28) 155 6.6
Yankees-Joe McCarthy
RF Selkirk (29) 156 3
LF Henrich (24) 141 1.8
CF DiMaggio (22) 166 9.2
1B Gehrig (34) 176 7.4
C Dickey (30) 144 7.3
2B Lazzeri (33) 86 1.9
3B Rolfe (28) 86 2.7
SS Crosetti (26) 73 1.9
P Gomez (28) 193 8.2
Holy hell, look at this matchup. 5 men in the A's lineup are in the Hall of Fame and a 40 year old Tris Speaker is on the bench. Also on the bench is Joe Hauser; he'll play first against a right handed starter with Foxx shifting to third. For the Yanks, neither Selkirk or Henrich got the lions share of the at bats in their respective spots, but both are clearly the better options, even against a lefty. This Yankee lineup is likely to be the lineup going forward. Yankees have the WAR advantage at C-1B-SS-3B-CF-RF and with today's starting pitcher
1st: Couple of pitchers named Lefty going at it in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium; Gomez won 21 games for New York with a 2.33 ERA. After an out, he walks Mickey Cochrane and after a second, he walks Jimmie Foxx - but thats it for the A's.
1st: Grove was 24-8 with a 2.58 ERA; after an out, he walks Tommy Henrich, but that's it for New York.
2nd: 3 up, 3 down.
2nd: With one out, Lazzeri singles between short and third; but nothing else.
3rd: 3 up, 3 down. The A's are hitless through three.
3rd: With one out, George Selkirk hits a ground ruled double to right, an out later, Joe DiMaggio singles him home and the Yankees hit the scoreboard first. Athletics 0 Yankees 1
4th: With an out, Jimmie Foxx singles to right center, that's it.
4th: Easy inning for Grove.
5th: Sammy Hale leads off with a single, but Dickey guns him down on a strike him out, throw him out, and Gomez hasn't allowed a runner in scoring position since the first.
5th: Gomez helps himself with a one out walk, but nothing else. The pitcher's duel continues, Athletics 0 Yankees 1
6th: With one out, the A's get back to back singles from Cochrane and Simmons - that brings Foxx to the plate with the go ahead run on base, and he comes through. Foxx singles to right center, Cochrane scores, Simmons goes to third and now the A's have them on the corners with the score tied -- Bing Miller hits what looks like an inning ending double play grounder to short - but Frankie Crosetti kicks it - Simmons scores, everyone's safe -- it's 2-1 Athletics.
6th: Grove gets DiMaggio-Gehrig-Dickey in order.
7th: With one out, Jimmy Dykes doubles - Mack makes a big move here; lifting Grove for Joe Hauser, who is a big lefty bat off the bench today - but Gomes escapes it and the Yankees remain within one.
7th: Eddie Rommel is the A's best bullpen arm; won 13 games, he's a right hander and he comes on; he gives up a one out walk to Red Rolfe but thats all. We go to the 8th. Athletics 2 Yankees 1
8th: Simmons singles with one out - but Gomez gets a Foxx double play and thats it.
8th: Tommy Henrich leads off with a single - so here comes the heart of the Yankee order, down 1 in the bottom of the 8th. Rommel sets them down 1-2-3.
9th: Bing Miller leads off with a single and he's bunted over by Ty Cobb (Ty Cobb!) Hale hits a fly ball that Selkirk misplays -- he's safe on the error and Miller's at third - and then Jimmy Dykes gets the big blow, a double to left center that clears the bases - it's 4-1 A's.
9th: 35 year old Bullet Joe Bush wasn't great; ERA over 5 - but he gets the call to finish off the Yankees; with one out, he gives up a walk to Rolfe - and then a bleeder to Crosetti. Tying run comes to the plate - Myril Hoag split time in right with Selkirk during the season and he gets the call; Bush gets a ground ball - they knock off the runner at second and New York as men on the corners and two out - Mack goes back to the pen to get his 5th starter; Howard Ehmke, a solid right hander -- and he gives up a double to Selkirk. Rolfe scores - Hoag's help up at third; and now with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th, the tying runs are in scoring position for the Yankees. Ehmke then walks Henrich -- bases loaded. 2 out. Yankees down by two and DiMaggio comes to the plate. And he walks. 4-3 A's. Bases still loaded. Still 2 out and now it's Gehrig at the plate -- what a spot here in this tournament - Gehrig works the count to 3-2.....and then he grounds to second - easy flip to first and the Athletics have held on.
Athletics 4
Yankees 3
WP Grove
LP Gomez
Simmons, Foxx and Dykes all had two hits - both of Dykes's hits were doubles, that big shot in the 9th gave the A's what turned out to be needed insurance runs. Terrific outing for Grove - 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 run. Selkirk had two hits for New York; Henrich reached three times. Gehrig and Dickey went 0-9.
We're headed to Shibe Park for Game 2; Philadelphia is going with another lefty, 17 game winner Rube Walberg -- the Yankees have 20 game winner Red Ruffing, right handed, looking to extend their tournament run.
Yankees-Joe McCarthy
RF Selkirk (29) 156 3
CF DiMaggio (22) 166 9.2
1B Gehrig (34) 176 7.4
C Dickey (30) 144 7.3
LF Henrich (24) 141 1.8
2B Lazzeri (33) 86 1.9
3B Rolfe (28) 86 2.7
SS Crosetti (26) 73 1.9
P Ruffing (32) 150 5.6
Athletics - Connie Mack
2B Bishop (28) 127 4.75
C Cochrane (25) 122 4.1
LF Simmons (26) 145 4
3B Foxx (20) 148 4.7
1B Hauser (29) 128 1.9
CF Miller (33) 117 2.9
RF Cobb (41) 112 1.3
SS Dykes (31) 93 1.2
P Walberg (31) 113 3.5
1st: 17-12 with a 3.55 ERA, Rube Walberg gets the ball against the Yankees; he gets the first two, then Gehrig gets his first hit of the series, a single to right center, but that's it for New York.
1st: Ruffing's 20-7 with a 2.98 ERA; he needs a win to save the Yankees hopes; with two out, Al Simmons hits a bomb, deep into the left field seats and the A's have a 1-0 lead. Foxx walks - Joe Hauser gets the start at first today against the right hander and he pays off immediately with a two run shot to right center. Philadelphia has scored 3 in the first.
2nd: The Yankees are down a game and now down 3 runs; Tommy Henrich hits the first pitch of the second for a double, Lazzeri grounds to the right side to move him up a base and Red Rolfe grounds to first. Hauser takes it to the bag, Henrich scores and it's 3-1. Frankie Crosetti singles on a 3-2 count, but that's it. Yankees 1 Athletics 3
2nd: With one out, Jimmy Dykes singles to left but that's all.
3rd: Selkirk leads off with a walk - DiMaggio hits ball that looks like its headed for left - Jimmy Dykes makes a diving stop - but his throw pulls Hauser off the bag at first - the official scores it an error, which is a tough decision, but regardless, the Yankees have first and second and nobody out. After an out - Dickey blasts one off the wall - everybody scores - New York has tied the game. Yankees 3 Athletics 3
3rd: Cochrane leads with a single, Simmons hits a sinking liner to center that's snagged in a nifty play by DiMaggio and that's it for the A's. We head to the 4th all knotted at 3.
4th: Rolfe opens with a walk, after two outs, Selkirk draws his second free pass of the day, but that's all.
4th: Dykes singles with two out and Walberg helps himself with a base hit - but Ruffing gets out of that.
5th: Gehrig hits a rocket - just a full rocket - it clears the scoreboard in right center and it's 4-3 Yankees. After an out, Henrich hits his second double of the day and now the Yankees have the go ahead run in scoring position - but Walberg gets out of that. Yankees 4 Athletics 3
5th: Cochrane leads with a base hit, his second, Al Simmons walks and after an out, Joe Hauser walks and Ruffing's in it now; bases loaded, just one out -- and Ruffing gets Bing Miller 6-4-3, for the huge inning ending double play and we're headed to the 6th.
6th: With two out, Selkirk walks for the 3rd time today and then the great DiMaggio lines one over the wall in left - New York has gone up 6-3.
6th: With two out, Mack makes the move to pull Walberg in favor of Sammie Hale, he's aboard with a single but that's all. We go to the 7th - Yanks up 3.
7th: 30 year old right hander Eddie Rommel comes on for Mack; he has an easy inning.
7th: Cochrane opens with his 3rd hit of the day - and with Simmons and Foxx next, this sure feels like a pivotal spot today. Simmons singles and Foxx walks -- and now, now Ruffing has loaded the bases, there are no outs - Hauser homered back in the first and he's coming to the plate. Does McCarthy go get Ruffing? He doesn't. Hauser hits a bullet right at Gehrig for the first out and then it happens again to Bing Miller - a 6-4-3 inning ending double play. The Yankees bounce off the field - we're headed to the 8th inning and it's still Yankees 6 Athletics 3
8th: Another easy inning for Rommel.
8th: Dykes gets a one out base hit, but that's it.
9th: Hard to get George Selkirk out today, he leads off with a single, after an out, Gehrig singles him over the third - and then Dickey doubles them both home; that's going to wrap this up, it's Yankees 8 A's 3 and we'll be headed back to New York for a winner take all game 3.
9th: Cochrane opens with a walk and maybe we spoke a little too soon as Al Simmons hits a 2 run shot to make it 8-5. Two outs later Miller singles - that's finally the end of Ruffing's day, 28 year old right hander Johnny Murphy comes on to close - he walks Ty Cobb, and that means the tying run is at the plate - but Murphy strikes out Dykes and it's done.
Yankees 8
Athletics 5
WP Ruffing
LP Walberg
Big homers in this one by DiMaggio and Gehrig, Gehrig added a couple of singles. Selkirk reached base 4 times on a single and 3 walks. Dickey and Henrich had two doubles each; Henrich had 4 RBI.
2 homers today for Al Simmons; Hauser had one; 3 hit days for both Cochrane and Dykes.
And so we turn to game 3; The Yankees will turn to 28 year old right hander Monte Pearson, 9-3 with a 3.17 ERA. The A's - well they have a former Yankee; 44 year old right hander Jack Quinn started his career in New York back in 1909 - he's done two stints as a Yankee and he returns to Yankee Stadium with an 18-7 record and a 2.90 ERA looking to close his former club out.
A's. Yankees. Winner take all.
Athletics - Connie Mack
2B Bishop (28) 127 4.75
C Cochrane (25) 122 4.1
LF Simmons (26) 145 4
3B Foxx (20) 148 4.7
1B Hauser (29) 128 1.9
RF Cobb (41) 112 1.3
CF Speaker (40) 95 .3
SS Dykes (31) 93 1.2
P Quinn (44) 138 3.4
Yankees-Joe McCarthy
LF Henrich (24) 141 1.8
RF Selkirk (29) 156 3
CF DiMaggio (22) 166 9.2
1B Gehrig (34) 176 7.4
C Dickey (30) 144 7.3
3B Rolfe (28) 86 2.7
2B Lazzeri (33) 86 1.9
SS Crosetti (26) 73 1.9
P Pearson (28) 142 2.8
The big move is pulled by Mack; after Bing Miller's two bases loaded inning ending double plays in game 2 - he decides to go with Speaker; Speaker in 1928 is not really Speaker anymore than Cobb is really Cobb - but there they are, combined age of 81, playing together in the OF of a winner take all game.
1st: Couple of right handers to end this series; Monte Pearson only won 9 games but has the third best ERA for Yankee starters (you need a min of 100 IP to start in the tournament, making Spud Chandler ineligible) so he gets the ball. After an out, Mickey Cochrane who had three hits in game two, doubles, Simmons singles to left - that puts men on the corners and then Jimmie Foxx deposits one in the left field seats. Just as they did in Game 2 - The Athletics have busted out with 3 in the first. Athletics 3 Yankees 0
1st: Jack Quinn was born in 1883; spent four years with the Yankees, a year with the Braves, jumped to the Federal League where he won 26 games one year and lost 22 the next. Left for two years, perhaps for WWI, I'm not going to look it up, spent a year with the White Sox, three more with the Yankees, four with the Red Sox and then in '25 became an Athletic. Four straight years all he did was get better - each year a little better than the one prior. Now he's 44 (he pitches until he's 49 and dies at 62) back in Yankee Stadium in a winner take all showdown. He gives up a leadoff single to Tommy Henrich - George Selkirk reached four times in game two and he lines a double right down the right field line - Henrich comes all the way around and the Yankees are on the board. Quinn gets an out - then Gehrig laces a single to center - men on the corners; Dickey follows with a single - Selkirk scores and we're going to head to the 2nd; Athletics 3 Yankees 2
2nd: Much better for Pearson. 3 up, 3 down.
2nd: Quinn matches.
3rd: 8 straight for Pearson.
3rd: 8 straight for Quinn.
4th: With two out, Cobb leans into a breaking ball, taking it off the leg - 10 straight was enough for Cobb and if he has to get hit to break that up, he does. 41 year old Ty Cobb stole 6 bases in '28...but he swipes one here. And that brings up 40 year old Tris Speaker; he hit .267 as a spare part - and in this spot he doubles to right center. Tris Speaker has come through - Cobb has come through - he comes around to score and it's 4-2 A's. There's a walk to Dykes and that's all. Athletics 4 Yankees 2
4th: Gehrig leads off the 4th with a walk but that's all - Quinn hasn't given up a hit since the 1st.
5th: Max Bishop leads off with a single, but Pearson gets Cochrane/Simmons/Foxx.
5th: Crosetti leads off with a single and McCarthy goes to the bench; the right hander Myril Hoag will hit for Pearson and he comes through with a single to right and the Yanks have them on the corners. Henrich then singles -- Crosetti scores, Hoag to third - now it's 4-3 A's and there's still nobody out. Quinn gets Henrich - but then he's got to face DiMaggio/Gehrig/Dickey. DiMaggio slaps a base hit to right - Hoag scores the tying run; Henrich to third. Still men on the corners for Gehrig. And Lou Gehrig hits a 3 run homer into the seats in right. Jubilation at Yankee Stadium - New York has scored 5 runs; it's 7-4 Yankees.
6th: The right hander Johnny Murphy comes on; he's greeted by a ground ruled double by Hauser - but that's all - the inning ends with a tremendous diving stop by Rolfe that guns out Dykes with Hauser standing on third.
6th: The right hander Eddie Rommel hits the mound - and gives up a first pitch home run to Lazzeri - the Yanks are now up 8-4.
7th: Murphy gives up a 2 out walk, but that's all. And now the A's are running out of outs.
7th: 3 up, 3 down. Let's go to the 8th.
8th: 34 year old right hander Pat Malone did not have a strong season, he comes on for New York - with two out - he gives up a base hit to Cobb. Then gives up a base hit to Speaker. And then Jimmy Dykes hits a 3 run home run. Oh man, oh man -- Cobb and Speaker just keep the inning alive and Jimmy Dykes has cut the lead to 8-7 and Yankee Stadium is stunned. Ivy Andrews had a solid year at the back of the Yankee pen and he comes on; he gives up a base hit to Rommel - who Mack leaves in to hit for himself. The tying run is now on base for Bishop - but he flies to center. Still...Athletics 7 Yankees 8.
8th: Dickey leads off with a single and then Rommel walks Rolfe - man, these Yankees just keep pressing; a groundout moves Dickey to third and a Crosetti groundout brings him home and the Yankees have some insurance. Athletics 7 Yankees 9
9th: 27 year old right hander Frank Makosky enters, looking to end the series - but he's got to go through some big bats to do it. Cochrane leads off with a single. Simmons grounds to third - there's no play at second, but they get the out at first. Two to go. Makosky, understandably, is very cautious with Foxx - and he loses him. The tying run is on base and Hauser comes to the plate. And he singles to load the bases. Do you know what that means? Cobb and Speaker are next All time legends in the twilight of their careers given this start by Mack, both have come through already today. Cobb works the count to 3-2...and then lines a single to left. Cochrane scores - now it's 9-8 Yankees and the bases are still loaded for Speaker. And Tris Speaker - Tris Speaker who didn't see any action at all in the first two games - gets his third hit of the day - he laces a single to right center -- Foxx scores the tying run...here comes Hauser...DiMaggio hits the cut off man Lazzeri - Lazzeri throws home -- SAFE - Hauser slides under Dickey's tag and the A's have come all the way back to take a 10-9 lead and they are jubilant. Lefty Kemp Wicker got 10 starts this year and he comes on for the Yankees - he gets Dykes to hit a shallow fly to right - a younger Ty Cobb almost certainly would have dared Selkirk to throw him out - but the 41 year old version stays at third. Bing Miller hits for Rommel, grounds out and the inning is over but the proverbial damage has been done. We head to the bottom of the 9th Athletics 10 Yankees 9
9th: 35 year old Bullet Joe Bush gets the call. 3 outs away. Tommy Henrich leads off with a single - and then Wood has one get away, he hits Selkirk. Tying run in scoring position. Winning run at first. And here come DiMaggio/Gehrig/Dickey. DiMaggio grounds to short - they get Selkirk, but DiMaggio beats it out. Men on the corners. 1 out. Yankees down a run. Gehrig. And he singles to left - Henrich scores -- DiMaggio was running all the way and he slides in under the tag at third - Gehrig's tied the game, runners still on the corners for Dickey. Dickey hits a fly to left - Simmons catches it - DiMaggio tags - there's going to be a play at the plate - Cochrane blocks the plate - DiMaggio goes in spikes high ---
Safe.
Athletics 10
Yankees 11
WP Wicker
LP Bush
Maybe my favorite game of the tournament so far; Cobb and Speaker just do everything they possibly could; 5 hits, 4 RBI, and when the A's most needed them, they came through. It just wasn't enough.
In the last two games of the series; a half dozen RBI for Dickey - a half dozen hits for Gehrig, including two homers with that monster 3 run shot today. Gehrig and Dickey are co MVPs.
The '37 Yankees move on. They'll meet the winners of this series:
50. 1912 New York Giants v. 79. 1993 Atlanta Braves
It's the NL West Champs, 104 game winning Braves against the NL pennant winning Giants. The '97 Braves lost in Region 1; both the '08 and the '11 Giants lost in Region 1. One of these franchises is about to place its first representative into the next round.
Game One
Braves-Bobby Cox
SS Blauser (27) 125 5.9
LF Gant (28) 126 4.7
RF Justice (27) 131 5.2
1B McGriff (29) 165 2.8
CF Sanders (25) 105 1.2
3B Pendleton (32) 91 2.3
2B Lemke (27) 82 2
C Berryhill (29) 79 .9
P Maddux (27) 170 7.5
Bench:
CF Nixon (34) 81 2.6
C Olson (32) 65 .1
Game 2 SP: Avery (23) 136 4.7
Game 3 SP Glavine (27) 126 3.5
Smoltz (26) 111 3.4
Giants-John McGraw
2B Doyle (25) 132 5
C Meyers (31) 147 4.5
1B Merkle (23) 121 2.4
CF Becker (25) 101 1.2
RF Murray (28) 97 2.1
LF Devore (24) 103 .7
SS Shafer (23) 99 1.3
3B Herzog (26) 90 3.4
P Mathewson (31) 161 7.6
Bench:
SS Fletcher (27) 89 3.3
LF Snodgrass (24) 96 1.1
Game 2 SP: Tesreau (24) 173 3.8
Game 3 SP: Marquard (25) 133 5.7
Ames (29) 138 2.4
Right handers going for both teams, so we've got lineups to account for that; when lefties start, Otis Nixon will move into center; Greg Olson will catch for Atlanta - and Art Fletcher and Fred Snodgrass will play for the Giants. Jeff Tesreau will pitch for New York in Game 2; he'll match up against Steve Avery. If there's a game 3; the Giants will choose between Rube Marquard and Red Ames and the Braves will have both Glavine and Smoltz ready to fire. The Giants have a WAR advantage at C-2B-3B-and with their all time Hall of Fame game 1 starting pitcher, just edging the Braves all time Hall of Fame starting pitcher. CF is a push, unless Nixon plays, in which case the Braves have the advantage. The Braves will have the pitching advantage in game 2, likely, the Giants would in game 3.
Let's do it.
1st: Mathewson's 23-10 with a 2.12 ERA; he's one of the truly great pitchers who ever lived and he gets the ball in game 1. He throws 8 pitches and is out of the inning.
1st: Maddux is 20-10 with a 2.36 ERA, he's one of the truly great pitchers who ever lived and he gets the ball in game 1. After an out, he gives up a single to Chief Meyers, but that's all.
2nd: 3 up. 3 down.
2nd: Red Murray opens up with a single and then steals second; Josh Devore hits a bleeder that just reaches the outfield and there are men on the corners. Tillie Shafer hits a fly ball to center for a sac fly and the Giants are on the board. A second out follows, then Christy Mathewson helps himself by lacing a double down the left field line - Devore scores - Braves 0 Giants 2.
3rd: The Braves get baserunners - Mark Lemke and Damon Berryhill get back to back leadoff singles; Maddux bunts them forward - and then Blauser punches a single to right - Lemke scores - they send Berryhill - Red Murray guns him down; there is a full blow up at the plate with Berryhill and Meyers; he holds on for the out, both catchers are down for a couple of minutes. Blauser winds up at second base with two outs and that's all they get. Braves 1 Giants 2
3rd: Meyers made that great play to hold onto the ball the inning before - and opens up here with his second single of the day. He moves a base forward when Fred Merkle hits a grounder to the right side; and then Beals Becker laces a triple over Deion's head in center - Meyers scores - and this inning will end Braves 1 Giants 3
4th: After an out, Fred McGriff singles, he's replaced on the bases by Deion Sanders after a fielders choice - Deion steals second and then scores on a Terry Pendleton liner to right. Braves 2 Giants 3
4th: Easy inning for Maddux.
5th: Easy inning for Matty.
5th: After an out, Meyers gets his third hit of the day; McGraw's aggressive on a hit and run - but it's a strike em out, throw em out to end the inning.
6th: With 2 out, McGriff singles again, but that's all.
6th: Becker hit that triple in the third - he doubles here to lead off the inning; after two outs he's sitting at third base - McGraw decided to go with his utility man, Tillie Shafer at short today - he gets his second RBI of the day with a base hit. Braves 2 Giants 4
7th: Pendleton opens up with a single - but he's erased on a double play, the Braves go down in order and now Mathewson's 6 outs from a complete game victory.
7th: Mathewson opens with his second hit of the day but is erased on a double play - Chief Meyers gets his 4th single against Maddux but that's all and we head to the 8th.
8th: Sid Bream hits for Maddux; he lines out - Blauser follows with his second hit, and then another double play ends the Braves inning and they are down to their final 3 outs.
8th: 26 year old right hander Greg McMichael was excellent in short relief for the Braves with a 2.06 ERA; with two out, he walks Devore - Devore steals second and then scores when Tillie Shafer, playing on a hunch from McGraw instead of Art Fletcher, doubles to left, it's his 3rd RBI of the day and now it's 5-2 and we're sure looking like a Giants win today. Braves 2 Giants 5
9th: 3 up. 3 down. and it's done.
Braves 2
Giants 5
WP Mathewson
LP Maddux
For the Giants:
Meyers - 4 hits
Becker - double/triple
Shafer - double/single/3RBI
Mathewson had two hits and threw a complete game.
For the Braves:
Blauser, McGriff, Pendleton all had two hits, Pendleton had a double.
Off to Atlanta for game 2 - 24 year old right hander Jeff Tesreau going for the Giants - 23 year old lefty Steve Avery gets the ball for the Braves.
Game 2
Giants-John McGraw
2B Doyle (25) 132 5
C Meyers (31) 147 4.5
1B Merkle (23) 121 2.4
RF Murray (28) 97 2.1
LF Snodgrass (24) 96 1.1
3B Herzog (26) 90 3.4
SS Fletcher (27) 89 3.3
CF Becker (25) 101 1.2
P Tesreau (24) 173 3.8
Braves-Bobby Cox
CF Nixon (34) 81 2.6
SS Blauser (27) 125 5.9
LF Gant (28) 126 4.7
RF Justice (27) 131 5.2
1B McGriff (29) 165 2.8
3B Pendleton (32) 91 2.3
2B Lemke (27) 82 2
C Berryhill (29) 79 .9
P Avery (23) 136 4.7
1st: Cox has both Smoltz and Glavine, but turns to the lefty Avery, 18-6 with a 2.94 ERA. Braves need the win to force the showdown game. Avery gives up a leadoff walk to Doyle, but that's all.
1st: Mathewson understandably got the ball in game 1 - but fellow righty Tesreau had the better ERA, 1.96 with a 17-7 record. He cruises.
2nd: With two out, Buck Herzog doubles to right but thats it.
2nd: McGriff gets a one out walk, is erased on a double play.
3rd: Beals Becker rakes a double to lead off the 3rd - but again, that's all for the Giants.
3rd: Damon Berryhill gets a one out walk - erased on a double play; Tesreau's faced the minimum.
4th: Fred Merkle singles to lead off the inning - McGraw has him running and he steals second. Red Murray punches a single to right center- the Giants have pierced the scoreboard. That's their last baserunner, Giants 1 Braves 0
4th: Blauser gets the first Atlanta hit of the day with a leadoff single, Gant follows with a single - the Braves have two on and nobody out. Justice pops up - McGriff grounds to second, Doyle flips to Fletcher for 1 - but McGriff is just able to beat the throw. 2 away, men on the corners. Pendleton gets ahold of one - it goes to the track in right - but dies in Murray's glove and it remains 1-0 Giants.
5th: After an out, Becker's aboard on a McGriff error - but Avery holds it there.
5th: Lemke's aboard on a Doyle error - and then erased on a Berryhill double play. Through 5 innings, it's going to remain Giants 1 Braves 0
6th: Chief Meyers hits Avery's first pitch into the seats in left - the Giant dugout is up and clapping - they've got a 2 run lead and now looking at ending this series today. After an out, Snodgrass bunts for a base hit in front of Pendleton and then steals second - but that's all. Giants 2 Braves 0
6th: After two out, Gant takes a page from McGraw's playbook - he bunts for a basehit and then steals second - but Tesreau strikes out Justice and the Giants are 3 innings away from the next round.
7th: Art Fletcher gets the Braves bullpen up with a hard double off the wall in left center - Becker then drills a ball that Lemke snabs in a fine play and the Giants aren't going to score.
7th: Tesreau has an easy inning and the Giants are six outs from advancing.
8th: Greg McMichael comes on for the Braves, he gives up a one out single to Meyers, but that's it.
8th: Damon Berryhill laces a ball into the right field corner that rattles around and then shoots past Murray - Berryhill takes the turn from second and never stops - steaming, chugging, gasping all the way into third with a leadoff triple. Really for the first time today the Fulton County crowd is alive; Francisco Cabrera gets the call to hit in the pitchers spot, he slaps one hard to short - Berryhill doesn't have a chance to go home and there's one out. Otis Nixon then hits one in nearly the same spot - Fletcher guns him out and Berryhill still stands at third. And then Blauser hits a ball - that just gets by Fletcher - Berryhill scores, the Braves are alive. Gant follows with a base hit - and now Atlanta's got the tying run in scoring position for David Justice. And Justice rips a single to right center --Blauser comes around to score - Gant goes to third -- the Braves have tied it up at 2 and that's the end of the day for Tesreau. 24 year old Doc Crandall comes on for New York with the go ahead run 90 feet away - on the first pitch McGriff just rips a single to to right - Gant scores and that will be it for the Braves but they have come all the way back and now lead Giants 2 Braves 3
9th: Right handed Mike Stanton comes on to close; he had 27 saves, but was maybe the least effective man in the Brave pen with a 4.67 ERA; he gives up a leadoff ground rule double to Snodgrass and the Giants are now alive with the tying run in scoring position. Herzog grounds to Pendleton for the first out -- Fletcher hits one to the track in center - but Nixon tracks it down; there are two away but Snodgrass tags and now stands at third. So it's up to Becker. Two out, tying run at third - Becker works the count full - and then hits a harmless fly ball - Nixon grabs it - and we're going to the Polo Grounds for a winner take all game 3.
Giants 2
Braves 3
WP McMichael
LP Tesreau
2 hits for Blauser
3 hits for Gant, and they both came through in that 9th inning comeback, so did Berryhill of course, with the biggest hit of the game that triple in the 9th.
Snodgrass had two hits for the Giants, including a double.
So - we're headed to the Polo Grounds; the Giants will go with a lefty for the first time, 26 game winner Rube Marquard -- for the Braves, their 22 game winning lefty, Tom Glavine.
Game 3
Braves-Bobby Cox
CF Nixon (34) 81 2.6
SS Blauser (27) 125 5.9
LF Gant (28) 126 4.7
RF Justice (27) 131 5.2
1B McGriff (29) 165 2.8
3B Pendleton (32) 91 2.3
2B Lemke (27) 82 2
C Olson (32) 65 .1
P Glavine (27) 126 3.5
Giants-John McGraw
C Meyers (31) 147 4.5
1B Merkle (23) 121 2.4
RF Murray (28) 97 2.1
LF Snodgrass (24) 96 1.1
2B Doyle (25) 132 5
3B Herzog (26) 90 3.4
SS Fletcher (27) 89 3.3
CF Becker (25) 101 1.2
P Marquard (25) 133 5.7
Olson gets his first start, the Giants throwing a lefty - everyone else remains the same as game 2 other than order shuffling. Game 3 - Polo Grounds, winner moves on to face the '37 Yankees.
1st: 26 wins and an ERA just a tick north of two and a half - the lefty Marquard takes the hill in the winner take all game for the Giants. After an out, Blauser rips a double to right. Marquard walks Gant, then gets Justice for the second out -- but McGriff beats him with a hard double to right center --- it clears the bases and then Pendleton follows with a single to right center - McGriff runs hard, coming around to just beat the throw to the plate -- the Braves jump all over Marquard. Braves 3 Giants 0
1st: 22 game winner Glavine is given a 3 run stake, McGraw moved Chief Meyers into the leadoff spot today, he hits the first pitch into the left field seats to get one back for the Giants. Two outs later Snodgrass singles - and the Giants are always aggressive - Snodgrass swipes second and then is running on the next pitch when Doyle punches one into right - Snodgrass scores - and the Giants have sliced two off the lead. Braves 3 Giants 2
2nd: Greg Olson gets the start behind the plate for the Braves today, he opens with a single to left center and Glavine bunts him over. Otis Nixon is in center again today and he singles to right - the Braves have men on the corners with just one out. Blauser hits his second double in as many innings - Olson scores. Nixon speeds his way all the way around to score. The Braves onslaught continues and this inning ends Braves 5 Giants 2
2nd: Buck Herzog leads off with a base hit - and the then steals second. Even down by 3 runs, McGraw is just daring the Braves to stop them on the basepaths in this winner take all game. Art Fletcher grounds a base hit to left - Herzog scores; you would not have suspected an absolute slugfest here in game 3 but here we are. Glavine then walks Becker; Marquard, still in the game for New York, bunts both men over for the first out of the inning, Chief Meyers hits a slow grounder to Lemke - he decides to throw home -- but Fletcher is under the tag - everyone's safe and now it's 5-4 with men still on the corners. Merkle hits a grounder to third - Pendleton throws to Lemke for one - but they can't make the double play - Merkle's safe; Becker scores -- and it's 5-5 Giants. Merkle then steals second - New York's third stolen base of the day -- and he's driven home by a single by Red Murray -- the Giants are winning the game 6-5. That ends Glavine's day - Mark Wohlers, 23 year old right hander, comes on and ends the inning. Braves 5 Giants 6
3rd: It doesn't stop McGriff opens with his second double - after an out, Lemke doubles. What the hell is going on around here? It's 6-6 when the inning ends.
3rd: Wohlers gives up a base hit to Doyle - but Olson guns him down attempting to steal and the Giants are down in order.
4th: At what point does Marquard's day end? Otis Nixon gets his second hit, after an out - he steals second, after a second out, Justice walks - but that's all The game remains tied.
4th: Wohlers gets the first two and Marquard is lifted for 22 year old OF George Burns who only had 60 plate appearances during the season; Burns gets a base hit - and of course, steals second - Meyers follows with his third hit of the day, it scores Burns and the Giants retake the lead, 7-6. The Braves go to the pen - 25 year old lefty Kent Mercker had a 2.86 ERA and he comes on and ends the inning. Braves 6 Giants 7
5th: The lefty Hooks Wiltse is the Giants 5th starter; he comes on now - and sets the Braves down in order.
5th: After an out, Snodgrass walks, but that's all.
6th: Mercker hits for himself and is aboard on a Fletcher error; Nixon bunts him over - Wiltse then hits Blauser; two on - just one out - Gant grounds to short, they get Blauser but can't turn the double play and there are men on the corners - two out - Justice comes to the plate with the Braves still down a run. He grounds to second.
6th: Herzog leads off with a base hit -- and immediately steals second. Fletcher drives him home with a single to right. It's 8-6 Giants. Mercker gets two outs and is lifted for Greg McMichael, who has pitched in each game of the series and McMichael ends the inning. We are headed to the 7th, Braves 6 Giants 8
7th: With 2 out, Light hitting Mark Lemke hits his second double of the day; but that's it.
7th: Easy inning for McMichael. Let's go to the 8th.
8th: Deion Sanders will hit for McMichel to lead off the inning - Wiltse gets him, then gets Nixon - Blauser singles with two out, but that's all for the Braves. That's four scoreless innings out of the pen for Wiltse.
8th: 37 year old right hander Jay Howell had a helluva year for the Braves with a 2.31 ERA and makes his first appearance of the series. He gives up a one out single to Herzog - he goes to second on a groundout; the Braves intentionally walk Becker to get to the pitchers spot. McGraw calls on Josh Devore, who started back in game 1 - and Devore comes through with a run scoring single. Is that the final blow? Are the Giants moving on? The inning ends Braves 6 Giants 9
9th: Doc Crandall enters; the Giants need 3 outs. Justice greets him with a base hit; McGriff grounds to Crandall - they get the lead runner. Two outs to go. Pendleton flies to center. One out to go. Lemke flies to center and it's done.
Braves 6
Giants 9
WP Wiltse
LP Wohlers
8 hit series for Chief Meyers with 3 RBI today - including the homer in the first. He's the MVP.
The Giants move on - they'll meet the '37 Yankees in the next round and we're down to our final two series of region 2.
