19. 1953 New York Yankees v. 110. 1998 Houston Astros
The '52 Yankees advanced, the '56 Yankees did not. Casey's got another squad here, the World Champion 1953 team, heavily favored by seeding over a Houston team that lost in the NLDS.
Astros-Larry Dierker
2B Biggio (32) 139 5
LF Alou (31) 157 6
1B Bagwell (30) 158 6.4
3B Berry (32) 136 2.4
RF Bell (29) 125 4.1
CF Hidalgo (23) 118 1.7
C Ausmus (29) 91 2.6
SS Gutierrez (28) 79 .5
P Hampton (25) 123 3.7
Bench:
CF Everett (27) 121 3.6
Gm2 Reynolds (30) 117 5.4
Gm3 Lima (25) 111 4.2
Everett will play against RH and maybe a game 2 LH; Randy Johnson isn't eligible to start for the Astros. Hampton is the only lefty New York will see.
Yankees-Casey Stengel
SS Rizzuto (35) 103 3.4
RF Bauer (30) 130 3.9
CF Mantle (21) 144 4.8
C Berra (28) 141 5.6
LF Woodling (30) 146 3.8
3B McDougald (25) 113 3.7
1B Collins (30) 120 1.3
2B Martin (25) 94 1.5
P Lopat (35) 152 3.9
Bench:
Gm2 Ford (24) 123 3.4
Gm3 Raschi (34) 111 2.6
No changes coming to this Yankee lineup other than batting order; Raschi is the only right hander they'll send to the mound. Yankees have the seed advantage and the WAR advantage at C-SS-3B-CF-RF and the pitching advantage in game 1.
1st: 35 year old left hander Ed Lopat takes the mound at Yankee Stadium; 16-4 with a 2.42 ERA, he gives up a leadoff single to Biggio - two outs later, with Biggio now at second, he's driven home by a Sean Berry base hit. Derek Bell then singles -- and Richard Hidalgo, making a somewhat surprising start in center - hits a three run homer. A huge first inning for the Astros 4 Yankees 0
1st: 25 year old lefty Mike Hampton is on the bump for the Astros; 11-7, 3.36 ERA -- 1-2-3
2nd: Biggio singles again with one out, after a second out, Bagwell walks - but Lopat keeps them off the board.
2nd: Yogi gets the Yankees going with a homer and then Hampton walks Gene Woodling, following two outs (Woodling wiped off the basepaths) Joe Collins singles and Martin walks - two on, two out - and Lopat helps himself with a base hit. The inning ends Astros 4 Yankees 2
3rd: Brad Ausmus singles with two out, but that's all.
3rd: Mantle and Yogi single back to back after an out - and then a Woodling sac fly makes it 4-3.
4th: Moises Alou singles with two out followed by a Bagwell base hit - but Lopat stops it there.
4th: Collins walks to open it up, but that's all.
5th: Derek Bell opens with a walk, an out later, Lopat loses Ausmus - but nothing else.
5th: Yogi gets his third hit with 2 out, Woodling and McDougald single back to back to load the bases; big spot here, bases loaded - 2 away - Astros clinging to a 1 run lead - Collins singles to left -- that's going to score two runs and the Yankees have come all the way back to take a 5-4 lead - Billy singles and this inning ends Astros 4 Yankees 6
6th: Bagwell singles with two out, that's it.
6th: Houston's got a strong pen; 34 year old right hander Doug Henry comes on; he walks Rizzuto but nothing else. We head to the 7th.
7th: The Yankees then turn to their pen with 28 year old right hander Tom Gorman, he walks Derek Bell, but that's all.
7th: Yogi opens the inning with his 4th hit, but that's all.
8th: 1-2-3
8th: 33 year old lefty Mike Magnante is probably the least effective member of the Astros pen, but he gets the ball here and sets the Yankees down in order. We head to the 9th.
9th: Alou doubles to open the inning - an out later Sean Berry singles, and now it's 6-5 with the tying run on base - the potential winning run coming to the plate. Derek Bell singles. Now there are two - still just one out - the tying run in scoring position; 36 year old right hander Allie Reynolds comes on to try to close this out. He gets Hidalgo to ground out - the lead runner advances to third. Men on the corners - the tying run is at third base -- and Reynolds gets Ausmus to ground out and it's over.
Astros 5
Yankees 6
WP Lopat
LP Hampton
Nice comeback here in game one for the Yankees - 4 hits for Yogi including a homer; Collins reached 3 times, Woodling and Martin twice.
Derek Bell reached 4 times for Houston, Ausmus and Bagwell 3, Biggio, Alou and Berry 2 -- and Hidalgo hit that big homer that sure looked like it got Houston off on the right foot for the series.
We move to the Astrodome for Game 2 - Houston will go with Shane Reynolds; and the Yankees turn to Whitey Ford.
Yankees-Casey Stengel
LF Woodling (30) 146 3.8
C Berra (28) 141 5.6
CF Mantle (21) 144 4.8
1B Collins (30) 120 1.3
RF Bauer (30) 130 3.9
3B McDougald (25) 113 3.7
SS Rizzuto (35) 103 3.4
2B Martin (25) 94 1.5
P Ford (24) 123 3.4
Astros-Larry Dierker
2B Biggio (32) 139 5
LF Alou (31) 157 6
1B Bagwell (30) 158 6.4
3B Berry (32) 136 2.4
RF Bell (29) 125 4.1
CF Everett (27) 121 3.6
C Ausmus (29) 91 2.6
SS Gutierrez (28) 79 .5
P Reynolds (30) 117 5.4
1st: 30 year old right hander Shane Reynolds is on the hill, looking to keep his Astros alive; 19-8, 3.51 ERA. He's off strong. 1-2-3.
1st: 24 year old lefty Whitey Ford hits the Astrodome mound; 18-6 with a 3.00 ERA, can he clinch this series for New York? 1-2-3
2nd: Reynolds walks Collins/Bauer back to back to open the 2nd; he gets McDougald 5-4-3 and with two out, Rizzuto gets the Yankees first hit. Reynolds gets up 0-2 on Martin - but he battles the count full and then slaps a run scoring single to left. Yankees 1 Astros 0
2nd: Ford walks Berry/Bell back to back to open his half of the inning - after an out, he walks Ausmus. So - tricky here for Ford, even though Houston's at the bottom of the order. He slips it though and we're onto the third.
3rd: Woodling opens with a single, but that's it.
3rd: Biggio opens with a walk, after an out, Ford hits Bagwell - Houston doesn't have a hit but has put 5 men on; Berry walks and the bases are loaded for the second straight inning - and again, Ford works out of it. Houston's stranded 6 in three innings of play.
4th: 1-2-3
4th: The first Astros hit - Shane Reynolds, a two out single. Woodling then drops a fly ball - and Houston again has multiple men on base - and again, they stay there. 8 stranded through 4.
5th: Ford matches Reynolds with a one out single of his own, that's it.
5th: 1-2-3
6th: Reynolds walks Mantle and Collins - Bauer then singles - the bases are loaded; there's nobody out - and maybe this is the spot the Yankees end this series. McDougald singles. Rizzuto singles. That scores all 3 - Martin reached on an error and the bases are loaded again. Yankees up 4-0 -- After an out, a Woodling sac fly gives us the inning ending score of Yankees 5 Astros 0
6th: 1-2-3 -- and if you're an Astro fan, your resignation grows.
7th: 31 year old Bob Scanlan gets the call for Houston; he gives up a one out Collins single, that's it.
7th: Casey goes to the pen - Tom Gorman enters, he gives up a two out double to Alou, nothing else.
8th: 1-2-3
8th: 1-2-3
9th: 26 year old lefty John Halama gets the call for Houston; gives up a two out walk to Yogi, that's all.
9th: Richard Hidalgo hits in the pitchers spot and singles with 2 out, then Biggio walks. Allie Reynolds comes on to close the door - but he gives up a base hit to Alou, and now it's 5-1. That's it, everyone goes home.
Yankees 5
Astros 1
WP Ford
LP Reynolds.
The Astros scored four in the first inning of the series and then got shut down; Collins reached 6 times in the series, Yogi was the hitting star in game one but hitless today...Collins is your MVP.
The '53 Yankees advance - they'll face the winner of our final Region 3 Series:
46. 1971 Baltimore Orioles v. 83. 1940 Cincinnati Reds
Baltimore is the seed favorite; they won the AL pennant - this Reds team won the whole thing. We've seen one Earl Weaver team advance; this is the first Reds team of the era we've seen.
Reds-Bill McKechnie
2B Frey (29) 101 5.7
LF Ripple (30) 151 .9
C Lombardi (32) 138 3.6
1B F. McCormick (29) 132 5.3
RF Goodman (31) 98 1.6
3B Werber (32) 113 5.1
CF M.McCormick (23) 87 .8
SS Myers (29) 65 1.4
P Walters (31) 154 5.6
Bench:
LF Rizzo (27) 121 .8
SP2 Turner (36) 132 3.2
SP3 Derringer (33) 124 4.2
Strict left field platoon for the Reds; all their starting pitchers will be right handed.
Orioles-Earl Weaver
LF Buford (34) 153 5
1B Powell (29) 138 3.3
RF Robinson (35) 153 3.5
CF Rettenmund (28) 149 5.5
2B Johnson (28) 125 4.2
C Hendricks (30) 105 1.9
3B Robinson (34) 114 5.6
SS Belanger (27) 97 4.6
P Palmer (25) 126 4.3
Bench:
SP2 McNally (28) 117 2.8
SP3 Dobson (29) 116 3.8
SP3 Cuellar (34) 109 2.2
The Orioles role out the same 8 every game for this series, meaning Paul Blair stays on the bench, Dobson/Cuellar is a game 3 decision dependent upon Reds batting success in games 1-2. Favored Orioles have the WAR advantage at SS-3B-LF-CF-RF; Reds have pitching advantage in at least two games.
1st: 25 year old right hander Jim Palmer stands on the Memorial Stadium mound, 20-9, 2.68 ERA, he sets the Reds down in order.
1st: 31 year old right hander Bucky Walters gets the ball for the Reds; after an out, he gives up a Boog Powell double, but thats it.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Brooks Robinson draws a two out walk, that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Lonny Frey leans into a Palmer breaking ball, it grazes his arm - and he's the first Reds baserunner. That's it.
4th: 1-2-3
5th: Ival Goodman hits the first pitch into center for a single, that's it.
5th: Brooks Robinson walks again, this time with one out, that's it. Through 5, each team has just one hit.
6th: Jimmy Ripple steps into the starting lineup after largely being a bench bat and he singles with two out - but that's all.
6th: With two out - Frank Robinson hits an absolute rocket - deep into the Baltimore night to break the scoreless tie. Reds 0 Orioles 1
7th: Ernie Lombardi opens with a single - but that's all. Great pitchers duel here in Baltimore.
7th: Davey Johnson opens with a double, he moves to second on an out - Brooks Robinson singles to left - Johnson's waved around, Ripple is going to throw home - Lombardi blocks the plate - there's a collision. And Johnson is out. We will head to the 8th Reds 0 Orioles 1
8th: 1-2-3
8th: Don Buford singles with one out, after the second out, he's at second - and then he scores when Frank Robinson singles to center. We will go to the 9th, Reds 0 Orioles 2
9th: 1-2-3
Reds 0
Orioles 2
WP Palmer
LP Walters
Complete game 3 hit shutout for Palmer, strikes out 4, doesn't walk anyone. Bucky Walters was great, threw a 6 hitter, but outdueled by Palmer. 2 hits by Frank Robinson, including the HR and both RBI; Brooks Robinson reached 3 times.
Off to Cincinnati - the Orioles throw a lefty, Dave McNally, Cincinnati calls on right handed Jim Turner to stay in the tournament.
Orioles-Earl Weaver
LF Buford (34) 153 5
1B Powell (29) 138 3.3
RF Robinson (35) 153 3.5
CF Rettenmund (28) 149 5.5
2B Johnson (28) 125 4.2
C Hendricks (30) 105 1.9
3B Robinson (34) 114 5.6
SS Belanger (27) 97 4.6
P McNally (28) 117 2.8
Reds-Bill McKechnie
LF Rizzo (27) 121 .8
C Lombardi (32) 138 3.6
1B F. McCormick (29) 132 5.3
3B Werber (32) 113 5.1
2B Frey (29) 101 5.7
RF Goodman (31) 98 1.6
CF M.McCormick (23) 87 .8
SS Myers (29) 65 1.4
P Turner (36) 132 3.2
1st: 36 year old right hander Jim Turner stands on the mound at Crosley Field; his Reds need a win to stay alive. He was 14-7 with a 2.89 ERA; Don Buford gets the Orioles going with a leadoff single - and out later, longtime Red Frank Robinson, who came up big in game 1 - now comes up again with a base hit, after a second out, Davey Johnson doubles both men home, Baltimore is off and running Orioles 2 Reds 0
1st: 28 year old lefty Dave McNally takes the ball for the Orioles- Baltimore had 4 20 game winners; McNally was 21-5 with a 2.89 ERA; he walks Johnny Rizzo to open it up, two outs later he's standing at second - from which he scores on Billy Werber's single. The Reds won't get shutout today, Orioles 2 Reds 1
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Mike McCormick doubles with one out, followed by a Billy Myers walk, an out later - Johnny Rizzo comes to the plate; so - he and Ripple are backups for this Red team - but McKechnie chose to move their platoon into the starting lineup for this series -- Johnny Rizzo hits a three run rocket -- today isnt game one, it's already Orioles 2 Reds 4
3rd: Boog Powell opens the the third with a homer - an out later, Marv Rettenmund homers, Davey Johnson then hits his second double of the day, and this inning will end Orioles 4 Reds 4.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: With two out - Don Buford hits Baltimore's third homer of the day, in game 1 it was the pitching - in game 2, Baltimore's bats really shining through. Orioles 5 Reds 4
4th: Goodman leads off with a walk - and Mike McCormick singles - Reds in business, Billy Myers walks - that loads the bases with no one out; what happens here. McNally gets one - then Rizzo hits a hot grounder that looks to be headed for left - Brooks Robinson makes a helluva diving stop - but doesn't have a play and now it's tied. Lombardi then hits a two run single - the inning will end Orioles 5 Reds 7
5th: Frank Robinson opens with a walk, followed by a Rettenmund single - Davey Johnson's third hit of the day cuts the lead to 7-6 and brings a pitching change. 24 year old right hander Johnny Hutchings comes on; he gets an Elrod Hendricks groundout to score the tying run Orioles 7 Reds 7
5th: Werber doubles - after an out Goodman doubles - now it's 8-7 and that ends McNally's day. 28 year old lefty Grant Jackson enters and gets through it. Plenty of bats today. Orioles 7 Reds 8
6th: Buford walks with two out - the Reds go again to the pen, 29 year old right hander Joe Beggs, with a dozen wins and an ERA of 2.00 - he gives up a double to Powell that ties the score -- and then it's Frank Robinson again - saying hello to the town where he began his career with a mammoth 2 run shot -- what a game we have at Crosley today, 10-8 Baltimore. The Reds go to 34 year old lefty Milt Shoffner, ineffective during the season, Rettenmund singles but that's it. Orioles 10 Reds 8
6th: Rizzo draws a one out walk - but theres no threat. We head to the 7th.
7th: Brooks Robinson doubles with one out, 25 year old right hander Elmer Riddle comes on to close the inning out.
7th: 31 year old lefty Pete Richert is the third Oriole pitcher, 1-2-3
8th: Don Buford leads off with a triple - scores on a Powell groundout. 11-8; Frank Robinson singles - that brings on 25 year old lefty Johnny Vander Meer. Rettenmund singles - and Davey Johnson probably ends the game with his third double - it scores both men and now it's 13-8 and it's time to put Region 3 to bed for round 1. After an out, Brooks Robinson and Mark Belanger draw back to back walks to load the bases - but thats all. Orioles 13 Reds 8
8th: 1-2-3
9th: The Reds tab a starter, Gene Thompson, to pitch; he wasn't scheduled for game 3, even were somehow a game 3 to happen - he walks Buford but that's all.
9th: Baltimore's best relief arm is 30 year old right hander Eddie Watt and he comes on - Lombardi gets a one out single but thats it.
Orioles 13
Reds 8
WP Jackson
LP Beggs
Don Buford reached 5 times today - including a homer and triple.
Boog Powell homered and doubled with 3 RBI
Marv Rettenmund had 4 hits, including a homer.
Davey Johnson had 4 hits - with 3 doubles and 5 RBI
And of course, Jim Palmer was masterful in game 1.
But the MVP is Frank Robinson - 2 homers in the series; reached base 6 times and had 4 RBI.
That ends Region 3, Round One. Here's the matchups when we see them again:
2011 Phillies v. 1999 Yankees
1904 Giants v. 2017 Astros
1909 Cubs v. 1978 Yankees
1953 Yankees v. 1971 Orioles
3 Regions down. We head to Region 4 to finish off the top half of the bracket. Each of the number one seeds have been knocked off - that makes the top seed in Region 4 the current top overall seed in this tournament - the 1942 Cardinals.
