128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Seven: 1936 World Champion New York Yankees v. 1983 World Champion Baltimore Orioles

 Cubs v. Yankees

23. 1936 World Champion New York Yankees v. 87. 1983 World Champion Baltimore Orioles

We're wrapping up Region 7 with this one; team 28 will make the field and take on the '54 Yankees.  

The '69 and '70 Orioles have advanced, this is the last Baltimore team in the field.

8 Yankees teams have moved on: 1928, 1943, 1947, 1953, 1954, 1961, 1977, 1998 (I think said 9 have moved on after the '54 team won the last series, there are just 8 so far). 2 Yankees squads are still to come.  

Yankees 102-51 Mgr Joe McCarthy

Won AL Pennant

d. Giants in WS

d. #106 1995 Braves (MVP-Red Rolfe)

All-Stars SS Frankie Crosetti, C Bill Dickey (5th AL MVP) CF Joe DiMaggio, 1B Lou Gehrig (AL MVP) SP Lefty Gomez, SP Monte Pearson, OF George Selkirk

Hall of Famers: Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Tony Lazzeri, Red Ruffing, Joe McCarthy

Orioles 98-64 Mgr. Joe Altobelli (2nd AL MoY)

1st in AL East

d. White Sox in ALCS

d. Phillies in WS

d. #42 1935 Tigers (MVP-John Lowenstein)

All-Stars RP Tippy Martinez, 1B Eddie Murray (2nd AL MVP) SS Cal Ripken, (AL MVP)

Hall of Famers: Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken 

Orioles-Joe Altobelli

LF Lowenstein (36) (LH)  138   2.5

RF Dwyer (33)    (LH)       145   1.4

1B Murray (27)   (SH)      156    6.5

SS Ripken (22)           144   8.5

C  Nolan (32)    (LH)         113    .7

CF Bumbry (36)  (LH)      91     .6

2B Sakata (29)           98     .6

3B Hernandez (23) 83

P Boddicker (25)      143     4.4

Bench

DH Singleton (36)  (SH)  131     2.7

C Dempsey (33)       77       1.9

LF/RF Roenicke (28) 120

2B Dauer (30) 72

RF Ford (31)  112

CF Shelby (25) (SH) 83

3B Cruz (27)              55     -.3  

LF Ayala (32) 87

SP2 McGregor (29) (LH)  124   3.8

SP3 Flanagan (31)   (LH) 120     1.6

Orioles platooning at C and at one of the corner OF spots, 2B/3B is a hot hand issue.

New York Yankees-Joe McCarthy

RF Selkirk (28) (LH)   132   3.8

C Dickey (29)   (LH)   158   5.4

1B Gehrig (33) (LH)   190   8.4

3B Rolfe (27)  (LH)     120   4.5

CF DiMaggio (21)  128  4.7

2B Lazzeri (32)   109    2.4

SS Crosetti (25)  105    4.2

LF Johnson (33) (LH) 82

P Ruffing (31)     120    4.8

Bench

DH Hoag (28) 101

LF Powell (27)    97      1.1

OF Chapman (27) 91

C Glenn (27) 82

3B Saltzgaver (33) (LH) 53

SP2 Pearson (27) 125   3.9

SP3 Gomez (27) (LH) 106    1.4

Platoon in LF.

WAR:

C-Yankees

1B-Yankees

2B-Yankees

SS-Orioles

3B-Yankees

LF-Orioles

CF-Yankees

RF-Yankees

DH-Orioles

SP1-Yankees

SP2-Push

SP3-Orioles

Bullpen-Orioles

WAR: Yankees 7 Orioles 5 - Yankees have seed advantage, Yankees have WAR advantage, best position player is a push between Gehrig/Ripken.  Yankees are the favorites to move on, become the 10th Yankee team to advance, and play the 1954 Yankees in the next round.

GAME ONE

1st: We begin the end of Region 7 at Yankee Stadium.  31 year old RH Red Ruffing on the mound. 20-12, 3.85. Ruffing was just 19 when he broke in with the Red Sox back in '24. led the league in losses in both '28 and '29 and gets sold to the Yankees in '30 - Ruffing led the league in Ks in '32, made the All Star team in '34. This is his first 20 game winning season. 1-2-3

1st: 25 year old RH Mike Boddicker has the unenviable task of facing this potent Yankee offense. 16-8, 2.77. Boddicker was 22 when he broke in back in '80 - this is still his rookie season and he's 3rd in the Rookie of the Year.  Next year he'll finish 4th in the Cy Young. He goes to the Red Sox in '88 in a deal for Brady Anderson and a young Curt Schilling and finishes with the Brewers in '93. 1-2-3

2nd: Cal Ripken doubles. Ripken was 20 when he broke in back in '80; he was Rookie of the Year in '82 and won the MVP Award this season. Ripken made the All Star team this year - and will each year the rest of his career.  In '89, he'll finish 3rd in the MVP, in '91 he wins it again. He finishes in '01 at the age of 40. Joe Nolan follows with a base hit and it's the Orioles who draw first blood. Orioles 1 Yankees 0

2nd: Joe DiMaggio singles with one out. DiMaggio has advanced already, 11 years from now with the '47 team. He's a rookie this year at the age of 21, finishes 8th in the MVP. Tony Lazzeri walks. After the second out - Altobelli decides to roll the dice and load the bases, intentionally walking Roy Johnson to face Ruffing - it works.  

3rd: John Lowenstein walks with one out.  Round 2 began with the '79 Orioles falling to the '84 Tigers, so we've seen many of these Orioles before, including Lowenstein. This year he's 36, 2 years from the end.  Ruffing then walks Jim Dwyer/Eddie Murray and the bases are loaded.  Ripken comes through - doubling again, it scores two and it's 3-0. A Nolan sac fly adds another.  Orioles 4 Yankees 0

3rd: Bill Dickey singles with one out.  Dickey was on the bench for the '28 team that has advanced, it was his rookie season and we've discussed him with that '43 team that has moved on. Basically smack in the middle is this season - Dickey's 29, finished 5th in the MVP. That's it.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: DiMaggio bombs a homer to left center and the Yanks are on the board. Tony Lazzeri singles. Lazzeri's moved through with that '28 team. He's 32 this year, his last Yankee season is next year. Frankie Crosetti doubles and there are 2 in scoring position with nobody out. Boddicker escapes. Orioles 4 Yankees 1

5th: Jim Dwyer singles with one out.  Baltimore's got 4 guys fighting for corner outfield playing time; Dwyer had 1n 18 year career as a part time player (pinch hitter used to be an occupation in the US, like soap opera actor). He broke in with the Cardinals in '73 when he was 23, after 4 more stops he's an Oriole in '81. He's likely to play against the Yankee RH in this series. Dwyer finishes as a Twin in '90. That's all.

5th: With one out, Dickey and Gehrig single.  Gehrig was on the '28 team we've seen advance; he's 33 this year and won the MVP.  Boddicker again escapes.  

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Ruffing, he's allowed just 4 hits.  

7th: Altobelli turns it over to the pen, 28 year old RH Sammy Stewart enters. He gives up a one out double to Ruffing and then walks George Selkirk. Selkirk's a career Yankee, up in '34, an All Star this year, done in '42. But the Yankees do not score and it's getting late here in game 1.  

8th: Dwyer doubles and he's driven home by an Eddie Murray single.  It's 5-1 and it looks like Baltimore's going to take game 1 in Yankee Stadium. Murray was on that '79 team, he's 27 this year, 2nd to Ripken for the AL MVP.  Ruffing's done, 33 year old RH Pat Malone comes on, he gets a double play, then walks Nolan and gives up an Al Bumbry single. That's all.  Orioles 5 Yankees 1

8th: 1-2-3 - Baltimore's going to take this game.

9th: Malone gets two - but then Lowenstein homers and thats going to wrap this one up.  Orioles 6 Yankees 1

9th: 1-2-3, Stewart sets down the last 8 and Baltimore wins.

Orioles 6

Yankees 1

WP Boddicker

LP Ruffing

The Yankees were solid favorites coming in -- but they get whipped in game 1 and now are facing a virtual must win in game 2.

For Baltimore

Lowenstein 2x/wHR

Dwyer 2x/w double

Murray 2x

Ripken 2x/w 2 doubles

Nolan 2x

For New York

Dickey 2x

DiMaggio 2x/wHR

Lazzeri 2x

One more in New York - can the Yankees even this up?

LF Lowenstein (36) (LH)  138   2.5

RF Dwyer (33)    (LH)       145   1.4

1B Murray (27)   (SH)      156    6.5

SS Ripken (22)           144   8.5

C  Nolan (32)    (LH)         113    .7

CF Bumbry (36)  (LH)      91     .6

2B Dauer (30) 72

3B Cruz (27)              55     -.3  

SP2 McGregor (29) (LH)  124   3.8

2B Lazzeri (32)   109    2.4

CF DiMaggio (21)  128  4.7

1B Gehrig (33) (LH)   190   8.4

C Dickey (29)   (LH)   158   5.4

RF Selkirk (28) (LH)   132   3.8

3B Rolfe (27)  (LH)     120   4.5

SS Crosetti (25)  105    4.2

LF Powell (27)    97      1.1

SP2 Pearson (27) 125   3.9

GAME TWO

1st Ton of pressure on a favored Yankee team today; can't go down 0-2 at home.  Monte Pearson is a 27 year old RH, 19-7, 3.71. Pearson broke in with the Indians in '32, came to the Yankees this year and made the All Star team. He's here until his final year, '41, where he's a Red. He opens with back to back walks of Lowenstein and Dwyer - and then Murray works a walk.  Pearson's walked the first three Oriole batters of game 2 - he gets 2 outs -- but then throws a wild pitch to score a run.  Bumbry then walks - 4 walks and a wild pitch, but no hits and the inning ends.  Orioles 1 Yankees 0

1st: Scotty McGregor gets the ball for Baltimore. 29 year old lefty, 18-7, 3.18. He was on the '79 team that lost in this round. He spends his entire 13 year career in Baltimore. Tony Lazzeri singles, but that's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Eddie Murray walks with one out, a second out later Joe Nolan walks - that's 6 walks for Pearson already today. But nothing else. 

3rd: Jake Powell is in today's lineup against a lefty and he singles with one out. Powell's 27, broke in with the Senators in '30, the Yanks got him at midseason this year for Ben Chapman. He'll be a Yankee through '40, eventually finish with the Phils in '45. Powell steals second - and then scores on a Pearson double. McGregor gets the second out - but then DiMaggio singles home Pearson and the Yanks are on top for the first time in the series. Gehrig then doubles home DiMaggio and this ferocious Yankee offense finally appears. Orioles 1 Yankees 3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Red Rolfe walks with one out. Rolfe's a career Yankee, up in '31, led the league in triples this year, finishes up in '42. That's it.

5th: Eddie Murray walks, the 7th walk the Orioles have drawn - and then Cal Ripken gets Baltimore's first hit and he makes it count - a 2 run jack to left that ties the score.  Orioles 3 Yankees 3

5th: Tony Lazzeri singles after an out; Gehrig singles after the second out, and then Dickey singles home Lazzeri to break the tie - Selkirk reaches on a run scoring error and it's Orioles 3 Yankees 5

6th: Al Bumbry singles. Bumbry was on the '79 squad, he's 36 years old this year, next year is his last in Baltimore.  Rich Dauer's in the lineup today and he doubles. Pearson gets one and Altobelli goes to the bench to get Ken Singleton; Singleton's 36, he'll be DH'ing in Baltimore - but he comes off the bench here and clears the bases with a double that ties this game up. That's it for Pearson, Pat Malone enters, ends it.  Orioles 5 Yankees 5

6th: Sammy Stewart had a strong 3 inning game one outing and gets the ball again. He walks Crosetti - that's it.  We head to the 7th, all tied up.  

7th: Murray singles. He's reached 4 times today. Malone stops it here.

7th: Dickey singles with 2 out - Selkirk works a walk - Rolfe then doubles both men home and the Yankees once again take the lead.  Tim Stoddard 30 year old RH with an ERA over 6.00 enters - ends the inning.  Orioles 5 Yankees 7

8th: Malone gets 2 - Gary Roenicke comes on to hit and he doubles; Lowenstein then triples him home, booming contact here off of Malone to cut the deficit. 29 year old RH Jumbo Brown comes on - he gives up a Dwyer double - and that scores the tying run.  Back and forth these clubs go here in game 2.  Orioles 7 Yankees 7

8th: 26 year old RH Allan Ramirez is the new Oriole pitcher; he gives up a Powell base hit.  Ramirez gets one then walks Lazzeri. DiMaggio then singles home the tiebreaking run; Gehrig singles home another; and the Hall of Fame trio finishes up with a Dickey run scoring single, 28 year old lefty Don Morogiello ends the inning and it's Orioles 7 Yankees 10. 

9th: 37 year old lefty Ted Kleinhans looks to close this out, he gets one, then walks Nolan, he then gets the second and gives up a Dauer base hit -- 2 on, 2 out -- tying run comes to the plate -- Cruz pops harmlessly to Rolfe and it's done.

Orioles 7

Yankees 10

WP Brown

LP Ramirez

14 Yankee hits tie this series up.

For New York

Dickey 5x

DiMaggio 4x/wHR, 2 doubles

Lazzeri 5x

Gehrig 3x in game 2, double

Rolfe 2x in game 2, double

Powell 2x

For Baltimore

Lowenstein 4x/wHR, triple

Dwyer 4x/w 2doubles

Murray 6x

Ripken 3x/w HR, 2 doubles

Nolan 4x

Bumbry 2x in game 2

Dauer 2x w/double 

We split in New York and now head to Baltimore for two games.

2B Lazzeri (32)   109    2.4

CF DiMaggio (21)  128  4.7

1B Gehrig (33) (LH)   190   8.4

C Dickey (29)   (LH)   158   5.4

RF Selkirk (28) (LH)   132   3.8

3B Rolfe (27)  (LH)     120   4.5

SS Crosetti (25)  105    4.2

DH Hoag (28) 101

LF Powell (27)    97      1.1

SP3 Gomez (27) (LH) 106    1.4

SS Ripken (22)           144   8.5

1B Murray (27)   (SH)      156    6.5

DH Singleton (36)  (SH)  131     2.7

LF Roenicke (28) 120

RF Ford (31)  112

3B Hernandez (23) 83

CF Shelby (25) (SH) 83

C Dempsey (33)       77       1.9

2B Dauer (30) 72

SP3 Flanagan (31)   (LH) 120     1.6

GAME THREE

1st: Memorial Stadium in Baltimore - one spot left in Region 7, this series is all tied at a game each. Mike Flanagan is a 31 year old lefty, 12-4, 3.30. He was on the '79 team that lost in this round; he gives up a base hit to Tony Lazzeri, then DiMaggio ropes a triple that scores him - a Gehrig sac fly ads a second run.  Yankees 2 Orioles 0

1st: 27 year old Lefty Gomez gets the call for the Yanks; Gomez was 21 when he came up in '30, was 5th in the MVP in '32, 3rd in '34, he's on the All Star team this year for the 4th straight season. Next year - 9th in the MVP. He'll be a Yankee up until the final game of his career, which he pitches for the Senators in '43. 1-2-3

2nd: Red Rolfe doubles, 28 year old Myril Hoag gets the first shot at DH'ing in this series and he singles home Rolfe. That's all.  Yankees 3 Orioles 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: DiMaggio doubles - the Yankees have been pounding extra base hits in the last two games; Flanagan is very, very careful with Gehrig and walks him - Dickey singles and it's 4-0, Selkirk grounds to the right side and it's 5-0. After the second out Crosetti walks and it's Yankees 5 Orioles 0

3rd: 1-2-3, 9 up, 9 down for Gomez.

4th: Powell walks, an out later DiMaggio reaches on an error and then Gehrig just blasts one - a real legitimate bomb to right center field.  Game 1 seems long ago and far away. Don Morogiello enters for the Orioles, that's it.  Yankees 8 Orioles 0

4th: Ripken singles, the first Oriole baserunner.  Nothing else.  Only a matter of time today.

5th: Crosetti singles with one out, Powell singles with 2 out, that's all.  

5th: Gary Roenicke's in today's Oriole lineup and he singles. Danny Ford is also in the lineup today, in the other corner OF spot - and he singles. Leo Hernandez is back at third today, Atobelli looking for any production from that spot - he singles and the bases are loaded with nobody out. John Shelby is in center today - Baltimore has an entirely new outfield against the lefty Gomez --- he singles home two runs.  Rick Dempsey is in the lineup behind the plate for the first time today - so many changes against a lefty - and he comes through with a 2 run double and the Orioles have cut this lead in half.  Johnny Murphy is on now for New York - he gets through it. Yankees 8 Orioles 4

6th: DiMaggio singles - there hasn't been a cycle in the tournament, he's a home run away. But that's it for the inning.  

6th: Ken Singleton walks, nothing else.

7th: 3rd straight Sammy Stewart game. 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, nice outing for Murphy after it looked like the Orioles had some life. 

8th: Powell singles with one out, Stewart gets the second out -- and then DiMaggio does it - a 2 run homer to left -- Joe DiMaggio has hit for the cycle! - the first cycle in the tournament, these Oriole fans cheer their appreciation at seeing 21 year old Joe DiMaggio - this Yankee rookie - hit for the cycle in game 3 of Round 2.  DiMaggio hits for the cycle! Yankees 10 Orioles 4

8th: Pat Malone comes on - and Ripken hits his first pitch over the wall.  Murray walks,  Singleton singles - Roenicke singles - it's 10-6 now, still nobody out.  Jumbo Brown comes on for New York - he gives up a walk to Ford, the bases are loaded now- the tying run comes to the plate and still nobody out.  Hernandez grounds out - scores a run.  10-7, Shelby walks - and again the bases are loaded.  The Yankees needed that DiMaggio homer after all.  Ted Kleinhans enters for New York - he gets through it.  Yankees 10 Orioles 7

9th: Selkirk singles with one out, that's all.

9th: Kleinhans gets one - then Murray singles and Singleton walks.  

Tying run to the plate.  

Joe McCarthy doesn't mess around here - he turns to the game 2 starter, Monte Pearson, to close the door - that means Pearson will not be available to start if there is a decisive game 5.

Pearson strikes out Roenicke.

Ford hits a sinking liner to center -- DiMaggio has to lay out -- and he snags it!  DiMaggio with a diving catch to end a game in which he also hit for the cycle.

Yankees 10

Orioles 7

WP Murphy

LP Flanagan

One of the great games in the tournament so far for DiMaggio, he hits for the cycle and makes a great defensive play to end the game.

For New York

Dickey 6x

DiMaggio 8x/w2HR, 3 doubles, triple

Lazzeri 6x

Gehrig 5x in game 2-3, HR, 2 doubles

Rolfe 3x in game 2-3, 2 double

Powell 5x

Crosetti 2x in game 3

For Baltimore

Lowenstein 4x/wHR, triple

Dwyer 4x/w 2doubles

Murray 8x

Ripken 5x/w 2HR, 2 doubles

Nolan 4x

Bumbry 2x in game 2

Dauer 2x w/double 

Singleton 4x

Ford 2x 

Shelby 2x

Game 1 starters return - Baltimore needs some of that game 1 magic to return if they want to extend this series.  

RF Selkirk (28) (LH)   132   3.8

C Dickey (29)   (LH)   158   5.4

1B Gehrig (33) (LH)   190   8.4

3B Rolfe (27)  (LH)     120   4.5

CF DiMaggio (21)  128  4.7

2B Lazzeri (32)   109    2.4

SS Crosetti (25)  105    4.2

LF Powell (27)    97      1.1

DH Chapman (27) 91

P Ruffing (31)     120    4.8

LF Lowenstein (36) (LH)  138   2.5

RF Dwyer (33)    (LH)       145   1.4

1B Murray (27)   (SH)      156    6.5

DH Singleton (36)  (SH)  131     2.7

SS Ripken (22)           144   8.5

C  Nolan (32)    (LH)         113    .7

CF Bumbry (36)  (LH)      91     .6

2B Sakata (29)           98     .6

3B Hernandez (23) 83

P Boddicker (25)      143     4.4

GAME FOUR

1st: Mike Boddicker won game 1 - if he can do it again today, we will head back to Yankee Stadium for a showdown Game 5.  Selkirk reaches by error - Boddicker gets the next two - but Rolfe bloops a single and the Yankees are on the board. DiMaggio follows up his cycle in game 3 with a base hit here, that's all.  Yankees 1 Orioles 0

1st: Red Ruffing takes the ball and has an early lead. 1-2-3

2nd: Even against the RH Boddicker, Jake Powell remains in the lineup, he walks, he steals second, he scores on a Ben Chapman base hit - Chapman and Powell weren't teammates in '36, they were traded for each other at midseason.  That's it.  Yankees 2 Orioles 0

2nd: Yanks have a lot of firepower, Orioles can't let them get too far ahead today. Singleton singles, that's it.  

3rd: Gehrig walks and an out later - DiMaggio stays hot with another single.  Boddicker throws a wild pitch - that scores one more and that clock is ticking in Baltimore.  Yankees 3 Orioles 0

3rd: Lenn Sakata is back in the lineup today and he doubles, an out later Lowenstein grounds to the right side to score him and then Jim Dwyer homers -- that's what the doctor ordered - Yankees 3 Orioles 2

4th: With one out, Chapman singles again, after the second out, Dickey singles -- and then Lou Gehrig hits a rocket to dead center field - hundreds and hundreds of feet deep into the night, a 3 run bomb.  Yankees 6 Orioles 2

4th: Ripken singles with one out, that's all.  

5th: With 2 out, Boddicker hits Crosetti, that's all.

5th: Lenn Sakata homers with one out - Baltimore needs a couple more of those.  Yankees 6 Orioles 3

6th: Sammy Stewart comes on for the 4th game in a row - he gives up a single to Chapman, walks Selkirk - and then Bill Dickey ends this series with a 3 run shot.  What do you do?  You've got these 3 Hall of Famers just hitting the crap out of the ball and what do you do?  Stewart stays on - walks Gehrig, walks Rolfe -- that ends his day, Don Welchel is a 26 year old RH and he comes on.  Welchel gets one, but then Lazzeri reaches on an error that scores a run, Welchel walks Crosetti - the Yankees send 10 to the plate and put this one out of reach.  Yankees 10 Orioles 3

6th: Dwyer singles, 2 outs later Ripken singles, but that's all.

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Bumbry and Sakata single - Hernandez singles to score a run.  Johnny Murphy is brought on by the skipper McCarthy - he gets through it.  Yankees 10 Orioles 4

8th: Rolfe singles and an out later Lazzeri walks. Welchel gets the second out but gives up a run scoring single to Powell, and now they are filing toward the exits.  Yankees 11 Orioles 4

8th: Singleton singles - an out later Nolan singles - that's all.  The 9th Yankee team is about to move forward and we will see the 1936 Yankees meet the 1954 Yankees in the next round. 

9th: Don Morogiello comes on, 1-2-3

9th: 1-2-3.  That's it.

Yankees 11

Orioles 4

WP Ruffing

LP Boddicker

28 teams are in.  9 are New York Yankees.  4 spots remain.

For New York

Dickey 8x w/HR

DiMaggio 10x/w2HR, 3 doubles, triple

Gehrig 9x/ 2HR, 2 doubles

Here are your Hall of Famers, they reached 27 times, hit 4 homers.  We'll say DiMaggio is your MVP.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Seven: 1907 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. 1954 New York Yankees

 Astros v. Red Sox

10. 1907 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. 54. 1954 New York Yankees

26 teams are in.  6 slots remain.  The 1909 and 2016 Cubs are in the field.  This is the final Chicago entrant.

Yankees advancing: 1928, 1943, 1947, 1953 (they will be facing the '09 Cubs next round, so this series previews that series) 1961, 1977, 1998. There are 3 Yankees clubs still to come. 

Cubs 107-45 Mgr. Frank Chance

Won NL Pennant

d. Tigers in WS

d. #119. 2018 Dodgers (MVP: Carl Lundgren/Jack Pfiester)

Hall of Famers: Three Finger Brown, Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker

Yankees 103-51 Mgr. Casey Stengel

2nd in AL

d. #75 1913 A's (MVP-Mickey Mantle)

All-Stars: OF Hank Bauer, C Yogi Berra (AL MVP) SP Whitey Ford, OF Mickey Mantle, OF Irv Noren, SP Allie Reynolds

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, Enos Slaughter

Yankees-Casey Stengel

 RF Slaughter (38) (LH) 102

CF Mantle (22)   (SH)  158   5.8

C Berra (29)  (LH)   137       5.7

LF Noren (29) (LH) 138       3.5

1B Collins (31)  (LH) 125      1.9

3B Carey (22)  121       4.7 

2B McDougald (26)  117  3.8

SS Miranda (28)  79   (SH)  .1

P Ford (25)   (LH)   123       4.1

Bench

RF Bauer (31)   127      2.7  

1B Skowron (23)  167  1.9  

LF Woodling (LH) (31) 98

SS Rizzuto (36)  52       .3

2B Coleman (29)  55

1B Robinson (33) (LH) 103

LF Cerv (29) 121

SP2 Grim (24)   107     2.4

SP3 Morgan (24)  104

Yanks have a ton of options; we got the heavy lefty lineup for game one against a RH starter, we might get as many as four platoon swaps for game 2 (RF, 1B, SS, LF) when the Cubs throw a lefty.  

Cubs-Frank Chance

1B Chance (30)   131  5.2

C Kling (31)        122  4

3B Steinfeldt (31)  101  4.2

RF Schulte (24)   121    2.2 (LH)

LF Sheckard (28)  113  2.2 (LH)

CF Hofman (24)  95       2.8

2B Evers (25)  90           5 (LH)

SS Tinker (26)    65       2.4

P Lundgren (27)  211    3.9

Bench

CF Slagle (33)     100     1.3 (LH)

C Moran (31) 68

1B Howard (29) (LH) 65

SP2 Pfiester (29) (LH) 214    1.8

SP3 Brown (30)   178     4.9

Platoon at center.  

WAR Advantage: 

C-Yankees

1B-Cubs

2B-Cubs

SS-Cubs

3B-Yankees

LF-Yankees

CF-Yankees

RF-Yankees

SP1-Yankees

SP2-Yankees

SP3-Cubs

Bullpen-Yankees

WAR: Yankees 8 Cubs 4 -- Cubs have the seed advantage but Yankees have significant WAR advantage and have the top position players (Mantle/Berra) - the Yankees are favored to send their 9th team through.  

GAME ONE

1st: West Side Grounds.  Chicago.  Game One in the battle to earn the 27th spot in the Round of 32. Carl Lundgren was co-MVP of the Cubs round one win and he goes today. 18-7, 1.17. He was 22 when he came up in '02, in 207 innings this year he didn't give up a homer. His career falls off the table after this year and '09 is his last season in the league.  He walks Enos Slaughter; gives up a single to Mickey Mantle. That's all.

1st: The '53 Yankees have already advanced, so we've seen most of these guys before, including today's pitcher, Whitey Ford.  He's a 25 year old lefty, 16-8, 2.82, this year was Ford's first All Star appearance. In 146 career postseason innings pitched (all World Series innings) Ford was 10-8 with a 2.71 ERA. 1-2-3

2nd: Andy Carey walks. Carey was on the bench for last year's team - he's 22, in his 3rd season, next year he leads the league in triples. In '60 he's dealt to the A's for Bob Cerv (who we are likely to see in the Yankee lineup in game 2) and finished with the Dodgers in '62. Lundgren then walks everyone else.  McDougald.  Miranda.  Ford to score a run.  Slaughter.  That's 5 straight walks to open the inning and we have to be approaching a record.  Then he walks Mantle.  6 straight.  That's all - the Yankees don't get a hit but score 3 runs.  Yankees 3 Cubs 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Carey reached on an error and an out later Willy Miranda singles. Miranda's 28 - platooning at short with Rizzuto in the series. Miranda came up with the Senators in '51, he was on the bench for last year's team that has already advanced. He and Gene Woodling are dealt to the Orioles in a deal where Don Larsen and Bob Turley head to New York at the end of the year and Miranda finishes in Baltimore in '59. Ford then doubles - that scores a run and the Yankees have sprinted out to a sizeable lead. Yankees 4 Cubs 0

3rd: Joe Tinker singles with one out, it's the Cubs first hit.  We've seen many of the Cubs before, the '09 team has already moved forward. This is Tinker's worst season with the bat of his career with a 65 OPS+. Nothing results.

4th: With 2 out, Joe Collins reaches on an error. Collins has advanced twice, on the bench for the '48 team and then with last year's club. He's platooning with Skowron in this series. Carey singles, that's all. 

4th: Johnny Kling singles. Kling didn't play in '09, so he hasn't yet advanced. He broke in in 1900 at the age of 24, he's dealt to the Braves in '11 and finishes with the Reds in '13.Nothing results. 

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Johnny Evers walks. Like Tinker, we've seen Evers advance with the '09 team. He's a year away from a breakout with the bat.  He steals second - then steals third -- and when Tinker reaches on an error, Evers scores.  Lundgren's day is over, Jimmy Slagle is on to hit and he singles - Ford gets the next 2 - but a Kling base hit scores the second run.  Yankees 4 Cubs 2

6th: 33 year old RH Chick Fraser enters for Chicago; 1-2-3.

6th: Harry Steinfeldt singles. Steinfeldt will be on that '09 team. An out later Jimmy Sheckard singles, that's it and we head to the 7th.  

7th: Miranda singles with 2 out - nothing results.  

7th: Frank Chance walks with 2 outs. Chance is managing this Cubs club, we've seen him with the '09 team. He'll finish his career with the Yankees. That's it.

8th: 1-2-3, nice bullpen outing for Fraser

8th: Ford's day is done, 29 year old RH Tom Gorman comes on - gives up a double to Steinfeldt.  Can the Cubs crawl closer? Gorman gets one - but then Sheckard doubles to cut the deficit to 4-3.  Sheckard will be on that '09 team.  Gorman gets the second - then walks Evers, that puts the potential go ahead run on base -- but he escapes.  Yankees 4 Cubs 3

9th: 33 year old RH Jack Taylor enters, He hits Carey with 2 out and then walks McDougald, that's it.  Bottom of the 9th.

9th: 36 year old RH Johnny Sain comes on to close.  Sain was on last year's team - this year he led the league with 26 saves.  He and Slaughter are sent to the A's next season. Sain gets two - then Kling singles.  That's the tying run on base - winning run to the plate -- but it ends here.

The Yankees get just 5 hits, but the inning where they scored 3 runs on 6 walks carried them today.  Ford went 7, gave up 6 hits, also reached twice with 2 RBI.  Big, big outing for Ford.

Yankees 4

Cubs 3

WP Ford

LP Lundgren

For New York..

Slaughter 2x

Mantle 2x

Carey 2x

McDougald 2x

Miranda 3x

For Chicago

Kling 3x

Steinfeldt 2x

Sheckard 2x

Evers 2x

One more in Chicago, the Cubs look to even this up.

3B Carey (22)  121       4.7 

1B Skowron (23)  167  1.9  

CF Mantle (22)   (SH)  158   5.8

RF Bauer (31)   127      2.7  

C Berra (29)  (LH)   137       5.7

LF Cerv (29) 121

2B McDougald (26)  117  3.8

SS Rizzuto (36)  52       .3

SP2 Grim (24)   107     2.4

LF Sheckard (28)  113  2.2 (LH) 

RF Schulte (24)   121    2.2 (LH)

1B Chance (30)   131  5.2

C Kling (31)        122  4

CF Slagle (33)     100     1.3 (LH)

3B Steinfeldt (31)  101  4.2

2B Evers (25)  90           5 (LH)

SS Tinker (26)    65       2.4

SP2 Pfiester (29) (LH) 214    1.8

GAME TWO

 1st: Co-MVP from the Cubs round one win, 29 year old lefty Jack Pfiester gets the ball for the Cubs. 14-9, 1.15. Pfiester came up with the Pirates in '03, came to Chicago last year and won 20. led the league in ERA+ this year, he finishes as a Cub in '11. Andy Carey greets him with a base knock, that's all.

1st: 24 year old RH Bob Grim looks to extend the Yankee lead; 20-6, 3.26. 1-2-3.

2nd: Yogi singles. Yogi has already advanced 4 times; 26 teams have moved forward and Yogi's on 4 of them.  He won the MVP this season. That's all.

2nd: Johnny Kling singles. An out later Jimmy Slagle singles; Slagle's in center today against the RH. Slagle broke in back in 1899 with the Senators, he came to the Cubs in '02, his final season is next year.  Nothin'.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Pfiester walks with one out, after the second out Frank Schulte singles. Schulte will be on the '09 team, so we've discussed him. Scoreless through 3.

4th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Pfiester.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Pfiester, nothing at all for the Yankee bats so far in the series.

5th: Evers walks - attempts to swipe second but Yogi shoots him down. Tinker doubles, Pfiester walks again; he drew 5 bases on balls all season and has 2 today. Sheckard then walks and Grim's loaded them up. Schulte singles hard to center - one run scores. Grim gets the second but then Kling singles home two more and the Cubs break through.  Yankees 0 Cubs 3.

6th: Carey walks and Moose Skowron doubles him home.  Skowron's at first today against the lefty. Skowron's a rookie, so wasn't on the '53 team - but we have already seen him advance with the '61 team.  That's all.  Yankees 1 Cubs 3

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Gil McDougald singles with one out, we saw him last year - Rizzuto is in the lineup today against a lefty and he singles. Scooter's already advanced 3 times. Pfiester gets the second out - but then Andy Carey clears the bases with a game tying triple.  That ends Pfiester's day, Chick Fraser comes on. He gives up Skowron's second double and that gives the Yankees the lead.  Mantle really hasn't gotten going yet - but Chance orders the intentional walk - it doesn't pay off, Hank Bauer clears the bases with a double, it'a a huge inning for the Bombers.  Yogi singles Bauer home. Cerv then doubles home Yogi - it's a monster inning for New York, they totally bust this one open. Yankees 8 Cubs 3

7th: Tom Gorman comes on for Casey; with one out he walks Sheckard, gives up a Schulte single, walks Frank Chance. Loaded for the Cubs - they do not score.

8th: Rizzuto singles, two outs later, Skowron singles -- Mantle comes through with a run scoring base hit, Yankees 9 Cubs 3

8th: Steinfeldt singles with one out - Gorman gets another one but then gives up a Tinker single. That does it for Stengel - 34 year old lefty Tommy Byrne is brought on, he ends the threat.

9th: Jack Taylor for the Cubs - 1-2-3

9th: Byrne stays on, gets one, then gives up a Schulte homer. But that's it.

Yankees 9

Cubs 4

WP Grim

LP Pfiester

The Yankees come into Chicago and take both games; firmly in command now, the series shifts to Yankee Stadium.

For New York..

Slaughter 2x

Mantle 4x

Berra 2x in game 2

Carey 5x w/triple

Skowron 3x

McDougald 3x

Miranda 3x

Rizzuto 2x

For Chicago

Kling 5x

Steinfeldt 3x

Sheckard 4x

Evers 3x

Schulte 4x in game 2 w/HR

Tinker 2x game 2

LF Sheckard (28)  113  2.2 (LH) 

RF Schulte (24)   121    2.2 (LH)

1B Chance (30)   131  5.2

C Kling (31)        122  4

CF Slagle (33)     100     1.3 (LH)

3B Steinfeldt (31)  101  4.2

2B Evers (25)  90           5 (LH)

SS Tinker (26)    65       2.4

SP3 Brown (30)   178     4.9

 RF Slaughter (38) (LH) 102

CF Mantle (22)   (SH)  158   5.8

C Berra (29)  (LH)   137       5.7

LF Noren (29) (LH) 138       3.5

1B Collins (31)  (LH) 125      1.9

3B Carey (22)  121       4.7 

2B McDougald (26)  117  3.8

SS Miranda (28)  79   (SH)  .1

SP3 Morgan (24)  104

GAME THREE

1st The Yankees are looking to sweep the Cubs and become the 9th Yankee team to make the Round of 32. 24 year old RH Tom Morgan gets the ball, Morgan came up in '51, was in the military last year, this is the only season of his career he won 10 games (11-5, 3.34). He and Irv Noren head to the A's in '57, Clete Boyer's one of the pieces who head to the Yankees. Jimmy Sheckard singles, that's all.

1st: Three Finger Brown looks to keep the Cubs alive; he's 30, 20-6, 1.39. We saw him with the '07 team. Brown led the league in WHIP this season. 1-2-3

2nd: Johnny Kling singles, Morgan gets the next two, then gives up a Johnny Evers single to score a run. Cubs 1 Yankees 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Miranda's back at short today - he triples with one out - Morgan then hits a sac fly to tie the score. Enos Slaughter is back in the lineup today and he singles. Country Slaughter broke in back in '38 when he was 22 with the Cards, he led the league in doubles in '39, was 2nd in the MVP in '42 and then missed 3 years for the War.  Slaughter comes back in '46 and is 3rd in the MVP. 7th in '48, 3rd in '49. 6th in '52. Slaughter is now 38, this is his first Yankee season, next year he and Johnny Sain are sent to the A's. They release him in '56 and he heads back to the Yankees.  Slaughter remains in New York until he's 43, spending the last 11 games of his career with the Braves.  That's all.  Cubs 1 Yankees 1

4th: Chance doubles.  That's all.  

4th: Berra singles. Still tied.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: McDougald reaches on one out error and the Cubs decide to intentionally walk Miranda to face Morgan -- it works.  

6th: Schulte doubles with one out, Kling walks after the second.  That ends the day for Morgan, Tom Gorman on for the third straight game - he gets through it.

6th: Just 3 hits for New York so far against Brown; Mantle singles with one out and after the second out Irv Noren singles. Noren was on last year's club, this is the only season of his career he made an All Star team. Brown doesn't allow a run -- we head to the 7th.  

7th: Evers walks with one out and after the second out, Tinker walks.  Still - all tied.

7th: 1-2-3

8th: Sheckard gets hit - that brings on Allie Reynolds to pitch - 37 year old RH, this is Reynolds's final season, he won 13 games and made the All Star team. He gets through it - each club with only 5 hits.

8th: Moose Skowron pinch singles. After an out - Mantle singles.  That puts men on the corners.  Only one out.  Tie score - are the Yankees about to sweep this series? Berra grounds to the right side -- it scores the go ahead run.  Cubs 1 Yankees 2

9th: Johnny Sain is on to end the series.  

Slagle's first - he tops one just in front of the plate - easy for Berra to throw to first for one.

Steinfeldt is next - lazy fly to right.  Two.

Evers foul pop..Joe Collins replaces Skowron at first...he's near the dugout...and it's over.  

Cubs 1

Yankees 2

WP Reynolds

LP Brown

The Cubs get just five hits in a game they had to win.  They do not win.  27 teams have advanced - 8 of them are Yankees.

For New York..

Mantle 6x

Carey 5x w/triple

Skowron 3x

Miranda 5x

No great offensive performances for the Yankees...Whitey Ford had the best pitching performance..Sain saved a couple of games.  Let's say it's Ford and Sain who share the MVP.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Seven: 2019 AL Champion Houston Astros v. 1949 Boston Red Sox

 Yankees v. Braves

26. 2019 AL Champion Houston Astros v. 90. 1949 Boston Red Sox

Last shot for the Astros to move on.  Bang those trash cans.  Last chance for the Red Sox to move on.  The Boston Red Sox franchise will be out of the tournament if they can't get by Houston here.  Should be fun.  Who will claim the 26th spot?  

Astros 107-57 Mgr AJ Hinch (5th AL MoY)

1st in AL West

d. Rays in ALDS

d. Yankees in ALCS

lost to Nationals in WS

d. #103 1948 Yankees (MVP-Michael Brantley)

All-Stars: OF Michael Brantley, 3B Alex Bregman (2nd AL MVP) SP Gerrit Cole (2nd AL Cy Young) RP Ryan Pressly, OF George Springer, SP Justin Verlander (AL Cy Young)

Red Sox 96-58 Mgr Joe McCarthy

2nd in AL

d. #39 1917 White Sox (MVP-Dom DiMaggio)

All Stars: OF Dom DiMaggio, 1B Billy Goodman, SP Mel Parnell, SS Vern Stephens, C Birdie Tebbetts, OF Ted Williams

Hall of Famers: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams, Joe McCarthy

Red Sox-Joe McCarthy

3B Pesky (30) (LH)  104   3.6

LF Williams (30) (LH) 191  9.2

SS Stephens (28)   137  7.1

2B Doerr (31)        127  5.3

CF DiMaggio (32)  111  4.1

RF Zarilla (30) (LH)    98     .7

1B Goodman (23) (LH) 91    1

DH Batts (27)  84

C Tebbetts (36)      83    .9

P Parnell (27)   (LH)     158  7.9

Bench

1B Hitchcock (32) 41

RF O'Brien (30)  72

SP2 Kinder (34)  130    4.5

SP3 Stobbs (19) (LH)  109    2.1

SP3 Dobson (32)  114    3

If Zarilla doesn't hit in games 1-2, O'Brien might get a game 3 start against a lefty starter. Stobbs/Dobson will depend on whether the Astros hit the lefty or righty better in the first two games.  

Astros

RF Springer (29)     150  6.5

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

DH Alvarez (22) (LH)    173  3.8

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

LF Brantley (32) (LH)    126   3.9

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

CF Marisnick (28)   80    1.4

P Verlander (36)      179   7.6

Bench

RF Reddick (32)  (LH)   89   1.6

1B White (28)   72

3B Diaz (28)  114

2B Kemp (27) (LH)  88

SS Straw (24)  92

SP2 Cole (28)         185  7.5

SP3 Miley (32)   (LH)    116  1.6

Probably, Reddick plays against RH, Marisnick sits, Springer moves to center. Theoretically Alvarez could play left in Boston if Houston just had to have his bat in the lineup.

WAR Advantage:

C-Astros

1B-Astros

2B-Sox

SS-Sox

3B-Astros

LF-Sox

CF-Sox

RF-Astros

DH-Astros

SP1-Sox

SP2-Astros

SP3-Sox

Bullpen-Astros

WAR: Astros 7 Sox 6 -- Astros have the seed advantage and the slight WAR advantage, Williams/Bregman is a wash for top player in the series.  Houston's a slight favorite to advance.

GAME ONE

1st: The great Justin Verlander stands on the Minute Maid Park mound; 21-6, 2.58. Verlander broke in with Detroit in '05, Rookie of the Year in '06, 5th in Cy Young in '07, 3rd in '09, won it in '11 and finished 2nd in '12. 4 years later he's 2nd and he's dealt to Houston during the '17 season for prospects. He's 5th in the Cy that year, 2nd in '18 and won it this year at the age of 36.  1-2-3

1st: Justin Verlander is a first ballot Hall of Famer - but Mel Parnell had more WAR this year. 25-7, 2.77. Parnell's in his third season, the best year he'll ever have, 4th in the MVP.  he spends the rest of his caeer in Boston, retiring in '56 when he's 34. 1-2-3

2nd: Dom DiMaggio singles with one out.  Like Parnell, Joe's brother Dom was with the Sox his whole career. Up in '40, missed '43-45 for the war, 9th in the MVP in '46, made the All Star team this year, leads the league in runs, triples, steals next year, leads in runs again in '51 and stops in '53, at the age of 36.  That's it.

2nd: Carlos Correa singles. Correa was 20 in '15 when he was Rookie of the Year, he's made one All Star team, in '17. He's still an Astro in 2020.  Michael Brantley singles two outs later, that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Jake Marisnick singles. He's 28, came up with the Marlins in '13, Houston dealt for him the next year. He's an Astro through 2019 and in 2020 joined the Mets.  An out later, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez walks -- but Parnell gets through it.

4th: Ted Williams hits Justin Verlander's first pitch deep, deep into the left field stands and the Sox take the lead.  Williams is 30; a decade ago he was 4th in the MVP as a rookie; led the league in OBP in '40. Back to back 2nd place MVP finishes the next 2 years before missing 3 seasons for the War.  He came back in '46 and won the MVP, 2nd in '47, 3rd in '48. Won the MVP this year (so, it's MVP vs. Cy Young) Led in OPS+ in '51, 7th in MVP in '54, 4th in '55, 6th in '56, 2nd in '57 at the age of 38, 8th in '58, In 1960, in his final season at the age of 41, Williams had a 190 OPS+.  Motherfucker could hit.  Sox 1 Astros 0

4th: 35 year old Robinson Chririnos draws a 2 out walk. He came up with the Rays in '11 after 7 years in Texas this is his only Astros season and in 2020 he's a Met. Nothing results.

5th: Al Zarilla singles. Zarilla came up with the Browns in '43, he made his only All Star team in '48. The Sox dealt from him in May for Stan Spence; he leaves in '51, comes back in '52 and finishes here in '53. Billy Goodman then singles.  Verlander bears down and gets through it.

5th: George Springer walks - Springer's 29, 8th in the Rookie of the Year five years prior; made the All Star team in '17 and '18 and was 7th in the MVP this year.  He's an Astro in 2020. It ends there - real pitchers duel between Verlander and Parnell.

6th: The Splendid Splinter does it again - Williams bombs a homer to right center and it's 2-0. Vern Stephens follows with a base hit. Stephens came up with the Browns in '41, 4th in the MVP in '42, 9th in '43, 3rd in '44, 6th in '45, the Sox bought him last season and he was 4th in the MVP. This year he was 7th and led the league in RBI which he does again next year. He's sent to the White Sox in '53 and retired in '55 at 34. Sox 2 Astros 0

6th:  Jose Altuve singles. He was 21 when broke in in '11, made the All Star team in '12, led the league in batting average in '14, in steals in '15, finished 3rd in the MVP in '16 and won it in '17. Altuve's most recent All Star appearance was '18; Yuli Gurriel walks, but Parnell gets through it unscathed and maintains the shutout.

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Springer singles with one out - can the Astros get on the board? Alex Bregman singles. Bregman was 22 in '16 when he broke in, finished 5th in the MVP last year, 2nd this year. Parnell gets the second out - but Correa singles - the Astros score a run. Altuve then singles to load the bases -- and with 2 out -- Gurriel comes through with 2 run single.  Big roar from this sold out crowd - Houston's scored 3 in the 7th to take the lead.  33 year old RH Tex Hughson has a 5.33 ERA and he comes on for Boston. He ends it.  Sox 2 Astros 3

8th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Verlander.

8th: Marisnick singles with one out and then Hughson hits Springer - but it ends here and we go to the 9th.

9th: Bobby Doerr leads off with a single. 

DiMaggio grounds to Correa - flip to second for one -- onto first...DiMaggio beats it out.

Verlander punches out Zarilla.  Two away.

Goodman hits a lazy fly to center and it over.

Sox 2

Astros 3

WP Verlander

LP Parnell

Complete game win for Verlander - he strikes out 9 and walks none.  Williams hits 2, but it's not enough as the Astros score 3 in the 7th to take game 1.

For the Astros..

Springer reached 2x

Bregman reached 2x

Correa reached 2x

Altuve reached 2x

Gurriel reached 2x

Marisnick reached 2x

For the Sox...

Williams reached 2x/2HR

One more in Houston - Astros looking for the home sweep.

3B Pesky (30) (LH)  104   3.6

LF Williams (30) (LH) 191  9.2

SS Stephens (28)   137  7.1

2B Doerr (31)        127  5.3

CF DiMaggio (32)  111  4.1

RF Zarilla (30) (LH)    98     .7

1B Goodman (23) (LH) 91    1

DH Batts (27)  84

C Tebbetts (36)      83    .9

SP2 Kinder (34)  130    4.5

CF Springer (29)     150  6.5

DH Alvarez (22) (LH)    173  3.8

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

LF Brantley (32) (LH)    126   3.9

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

RF Reddick (32)  (LH)   89   1.6

SP2 Cole (28)         185  7.5

GAME TWO

1st:  Up a game, the Astros go with 28 year old RH Gerrit Cole, 20-5, 2.50. Cole came up with the Pirates in '13, 4th in the Cy Young in '15, the Astros got him last year, he finished 5th in the Cy in '18 and then 2nd this year. In 2020, Cole's a Yankee.  He gives up a 2 out single to Vern Stephens and then a double by Bobby Doerr - Stephens is thrown out at the plate by Michael Brantley in a really, really disputed call - Joe McCarthy is 62 years old and he loses his mind, nearly tossed from the game.  

1st: Boston's trusting 34 year old RH Ellis Kinder to even up the series. 23-6, 3.36. Kinder, like many of these Red Sox, broke in with the Browns. He came to the Sox last season and this year was 5th in the MVP. Two years from now, he finishes 7th, He'll leave Boston for the Cardinals in '56 and finish in '57 as a 42 year old with the White Sox. 1-2-3

2nd: Al Zarilla doubles with one out, after the second out Matt Batts singles him home and the Sox take the lead.  Batts is the backup catcher, serving as DH in Houston. This is Batts's third year, he will go to the Browns in '51, and finished with the Reds in '56. Birdie Tebbetts follows with a run scoring double of his own, and as they did in game one, the Sox take the lead. Pesky and Williams walk back to back to load the bases, that's all.  Sox 2 Astros 0

2nd: Michael Brantley singles.  We've seen Brantley with the Indians; this is his first year in Houston. Gurriel singles two outs later, that's it. 

3rd: DiMaggio doubles with one out, that's all.

3rd: George Springer walks with one out and then Yordan Alvarez bombs a game tying 2 run shot to right.  Alvarez won the Rookie of the Year this season, he has the highest OPS+ on this team. After the second out, Correa singles and Brantley walks. That's all.  Sox 2 Astros 2

4th: Johnny Pesky hits a 2 out single. Pesky finished 3rd in the MVP in his rookie season in '42, then missed 3 years for the War; came back and finished 4th in '46. During the '52 season he's part of a big trade with the Tigers - George Kell and Dizzy Trout in the package to Boston - and he finishes with the Senators in '54. That's all.  

4th: Yuli Gurriel doubles. An out later Josh Reddick singles him home and the Astros have taken the lead.  George Springer then doubles and Alvarez comes through again - a bases clearing double; Alvarez has 4 RBI today and it's a big inning for the home team.  Red Sox 2 Astros 5

5th: Stephens walks -- and then Bobby Doerr hits a 2 run homer to right that puts the Sox right back in this one.  Doerr spent his entire 14 year career in Boston - up in '37, 7th in the MVP in '44, the War in '45, 3rd in the MVP in '46, this is actually the only year since he turned 23 that Doerr didn't make the All Star team, his last year is '51. DiMaggio walks and Zarilla doubles him home to tie this one up.  Sox 5 Astros 5

5th: Gurriel singles with 2 outs, nothing else.

6th: 34 year old RH Will Harris has a 1.50 ERA and he takes over. Pesky singles, that's it.

6th: Alvarez singles with two out and Bregman puts the Astros back out in front with a 2 run homer.  Tex Hughson enters, gives up a Correa single, that's all.  Wild one here in Houston.  Sox 5 Astros 7

7th: Harris gets one, then Zarilla singles, gets the second, then walks Batts and 31 year old RH Hector Rondon replaces him. Rondon's already advanced as the closer for the '16 Cubs; he ends it.

7th: Gurriel singles with one out, that's it.

8th: Pesky singles -- and then Ted Williams hits his third homer of the series -- a majestic shot to left that ties the score -- maybe a half smile on Williams's face as he rounds the bases - the Splendid Splinter had only one team in this tournament and he is making it count.  30 year old RH Ryan Pressly enters, gets an out and then walks Doerr - gets a second out and then Zarilla singles, we're all tied up.  Sox 7 Astros 7

8th: 30 year old lefty Earl Johnson is the new Sox pitcher; he gets one but then gives up back to back singles to Springer/Alvarez. 20 year old lefty Mickey McDermott is Boston's 5th starter and he now comes on - he gets the second out but then Correa singles to break the tie.  Brantley then singles to load them up - that's all.  Sox 7 Astros 8

9th: 24 year old RH Roberto Osuna has 38 saves and a 2.63 ERA and he comes on to close - 

Batts grounds to first.  One.

Tebbetts sharply singles to center.  Tying run on  

Pesky grounds to short -- flip to second -- to first.  Double play.

Sox 7

Astros 8

WP Pressly

LP Johnson

32 combined hits - the Astros won the tight pitchers duel, the Astros now win the slugfest, each by 1 run late.  

For the Astros..

Springer reached 5x

Alvarez 4x in game 2/wHR

Bregman reached 3x w/HR

Correa reached 5x

Brantley 3x in game 2

Altuve reached 2x

Gurriel reached 6x

Marisnick reached 2x

For the Sox...

Williams reached 4x/3HR

Pesky reached 4x in game 2

Stephens 2x in game 2

Doerr 3x in game 2 w/HR

DiMaggio 2x in game 2

Zarilla 4x in game 2

Batts 2x in game 2

Tebbetts 2x in game 2

Two 1 run wins in Houston for the Astros - the series shifts to Fenway.  Sox need them both.  

 RF Springer (29)     150  6.5

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

LF Brantley (32) (LH)    126   3.9

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

CF Marisnick (28)   80    1.4

SP3 Miley (32)   (LH)    116  1.6

SS Stephens (28)   137  7.1 

2B Doerr (31)        127  5.3

LF Williams (30) (LH) 191  9.2

CF DiMaggio (32)  111  4.1

3B Pesky (30) (LH)  104   3.6

RF Zarilla (30) (LH)    98     .7

C Tebbetts (36)      83    .9

1B Goodman (23) (LH) 91    1

SP3 Stobbs (19) (LH)  109    2.1

GAME THREE

1st The Sox turn to a lefty, hoping to hold Houston to that game 1 offense, it's 19 year old Chuck Stobbs, 11-6, 4.03. Stobbs was just 17 when he broke in two years ago, this is his first year in the rotation. He'll head to the Pale Hose in '52 and pitch until '61 with the Twins. He walks Bregman with one out, then after the second out Altuve drives home Houston's first run with a double. Gurriel walks - and Brantley clears the bases with a double of his own; it's a big first inning and they are thinking sweep in the Astros dugout.  Astros 3 Sox 0

1st: Wade Miley goes for the Astros; Zack Greinke's on this team, but just didn't pitch enough to qualify to start in this series, so we have the big dropoff from the first two starters. Miley's a 32 year old lefty, 14-6, 3.98, he broke in back in '11 with Arizona and was 2nd in the Rookie of the Year the following season. Miley spent a year with these Red Sox in '15, this is his only season in Houston, he's a Red in 2020. 1-2-3.

2nd: Marisnick singles, two outs later he scores on a Bregman single, the Astros are up 4 and are poised to sweep this series and face the '99 Braves in the next round. Astros 4 Sox 0

2nd: With one out - 3 straight singles - Pesky/Zarilla/Tebbetts and the Sox are on the board. Astros 4 Sox 1

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Stobbs is left in, he walks, and an out later Bobby Doerr hits his second homer of the series, a 2 run shot that cuts the lead to 4-3 and Boston refuses to go quietly. Williams walks and an out later Pesky singles - that's it.  Astros 4 Sox 3

4th: Marisnick singles again, after an out, Springer walks and another Bregman run scoring single follows. Correa walks to load the bases and another run scores on an Altuve groundout.  That ends Stobbs' day, 29 year old RH Walt Masterson enters. Gurriel reaches on an error that scores another run and there's just nothing Boston can do to get over this hump. Astros 7 Sox 3

4th: Billy Goodman walks with one out.  That's all.

5th: Miley singles with 2 out, that's it.

5th: Doerr walks and out later DiMaggio gets hit - nothing results.

6th: One out - Correa singles, Altube/Gurriel walk.  Loaded.  Tex Hughson comes on and walks in a run, Brantley going to first. An out later Marisnick walks.  Astros 9 Sox 3

6th: 32 year old RH Collin McHugh takes the ball for Houston; he walks Zarilla, gives up a Tebbetts single, then walks Goodman.  Loaded.  Looks like the last stand for Boston. McHugh gets one, then throws a wild pitch to score a run. He gets the second - then Doerr clears the bases with a triple and the Sox have scored 3.  Walt Harris comes on to end it.  Astros 9 Sox 6

7th: Earl Johnson comes on - Bregman singles with one out, but nothing else.  Can the Sox keep pecking away?

7th: Pesky walks with one out and Zarilla singles - that brings the tying run to the plate and the Fenway crowd is up and roaring as Hector Rondon comes on to pitch; he escapes.  

8th: Gurriel singles.  That's it.  6 outs away from the sweep.

8th: Batts hits for the pitcher - walks.  That's all.  3 outs from the sweep.

9th: Mickey McDermott enters, he gives up a two out Springer single but that's it.

9th: Roberto Osuna enters.

Ted Williams comes to the plate at Fenway, maybe for the final time in this tournament - he flies to center. 

DiMaggio grounds to third.

Pesky grounds to first and its done.

Astros 9

Sox 6

WP Miley

LP Stobbs

The 26th team to advance to the round of 32 - the '19 Astros, they sweep Boston and will face the '99 Braves.  Lot of pitching in that one.  

Springer reached 7x

Alvarez 4x in game 2/wHR

Bregman reached 7x w/HR

Correa reached 7x

Brantley 5x in game 2-3

Altuve reached 4x

Gurriel reached 9x

Marisnick reached 5x

Gurriel is going to get this one - he had the big game winning hit in game one and reached 9 times in the series.  

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round Two, Region Seven: 2009 World Champion New York Yankees v. 1999 NL Champion Atlanta Braves

Reds v. Yankees 

71. 2009 World Champion New York Yankees v. 122. 1999 NL Champion Atlanta Braves

7 Yankee teams have advanced, but none from this century, this is the last 21st century Yankee team standing. And speaking of last stands - there is not a Brave team which has moved on - not Boston or Milwaukee or Atlanta.  This is the last one left.  Who will be team #25 to advance to the round of 32?  These Braves lost to the Yankees in the World Series, can they get a semblance of revenge?

Yankees 103-59 Mgr. Joe Girardi (3rd AL MoY)

1st in AL East

d. Twins in ALDS

d. Angels in ALCS

d. Phillies in WS

d. #58 1905 Cubs (MVP-Jorge Posada/AJ Burnett)

All-Stars: SS Derek Jeter (3rd AL MVP) RP Mariano Rivera, 1B Mark Teixeira (2nd AL MVP)

Hall of Famers: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera

Braves 103-59 Mgr. Bobby Cox  (2nd NL MoY)

1st in NL East

d. Astros in NLDS

d. Mets in NLC

lost to Yankees in WS

d. #7 1909 Pirates (MVP-John Smoltz/Kevin Millwood)

All-Stars OF Brian Jordan, SP Kevin Millwood, (3rd NL Cy Young)

Hall of Fame: Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones (NL MVP) Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Bobby Cox

Braves-Bobby Cox

3B Jones (27)  (SH)    169  6.4

C Lopez (28)      128  2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

1B Klesko (28)  (LH) 128  1.2

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

DH Hunter (31)  101

LF Williams (32)  99  1.3

2B Boone (30)     83   1.3

SS Hernandez (29)  71  .3 

P Millwood (24)  167   6.5

Bench

2B Lockhart (34) (LH) 67  .3 

DH Simon (24) (LH)   109  .2

SS Weiss (35) (SH) 63

SS Guillen (35) (LH) 54  

LF Nixon (40) (LH) 41

C Perez (31) 70

SP2 Maddux (33)  126 5.6

SP3 Smoltz (32)   141  6.2

Platoons at DH, 2nd, Short for the Braves.  No Glavine, he's the 4th starter.  

Yankees-Joe Girardi

SS Jeter (35)           125   5.9

3B Rodriguez (33)  138   5

1B Teixeira (29)  (LH)    141   5.6

C Posada (37)     (SH)    125   1.8

DH Matsui (35)  (LH)    123    2.6

RF Swisher (28)  (SH)   122    3.1

2B Cano (26)    (LH)      121    4.9

LF Damon (35)   (LH)   118     3.4

CF Cabrera (24)  (SH)  93      1.4

P Sabathia (28)  (LH)    137     6.2

Bench

CF Gardner (25)  (LH)  87      2  

C Molina (34) 46

3B/SS Pena (23)  80

C Cervelli (23)  75

SP2 Pettitte (37)  (LH)   111    3.2

SP3 Burnett (32)    114    3.5

Probably, there won't be any changes in the NYY lineup, other than losing Matsui in Atlanta. Gardner is available if Cabrera doesn't hit.  This Yankee lineup is really built to hit RH and that's all the Braves will throw. 

WAR:

C: Braves

1B: Yankees

2B: Yankees

SS: Yankees

3B: Braves

LF: Yankees

CF: Braves

RF: Yankees 

DH: Yankees

SP1: Braves

SP2: Braves

SP3: Braves

Bullpen: Push

WAR: Braves 6 Yankees 6 -- Yanks have the better lineup, Braves the better pitching; the best position player is Andruw Jones (and Chipper's number 2) the Yankees have the best reliever but the Braves have more bullpen depth.  The Yanks are the better seed.  Should be a tight one, let's lean, ever so slightly, so Atlanta.

GAME ONE

1st: We are in the Bronx for Game One - all the way to Region 7 here in round 2.  Lefty CC Sabathia takes the mound. 19-8, 3.37. Sabathia was 20 when he finished 2nd in the AL Rookie of the Year with the Indians in '01. 6 years later he won the Cy Young and in '08 he finished 6th in the NL MVP race after being dealt to Milwaukee.  This is his first year with the Yankees; he finished 4th in the Cy Young. He'll have top 5 finishes each of the next two seasons and make his last All Star team in 2012. He finishes in 2019. He walks Chipper Jones, who then steals second.  After the first out, Andruw Jones singles him home and the Braves are first on the board.  Braves 1 Yankees 0

1st: The Braves have 3 Hall of Fame starters - but their best pitcher this year is 24 year old RH Kevin Millwood. 18-7, 2.68. Millwood broke in two years prior, this is the best year he'll have in a 16 year career, 3rd in the NL Cy Young. He's going to leave Atlanta for the Phillies in '03 and he and Sabathia are teammates in Cleveland in '05, Millwood was 6th in the Cy Young that year. Millwood finishes with the Mariners in '12. 1-2-3

2nd: Brian Jordan singles. After 3 years as a DB with the Atlanta Falcons, Jordan debuted in MLB in '92 with the Cards and finished 8th in the MVP in '96. He's now 32, in his first year with the Braves, and he made his only All Star team. He's dealt to the Dodgers for Gary Sheffield in '02 and will finish as a Brave in '06. An out later Gerald Williams singles, That's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: With one out, Javy Lopez homers to left and the Braves are up 2-0. We've seen Lopez with last year's Braves team that lost to the '16 Cubs in a wild, wild series.  Javy played just 65 games in '99. Andruw Jones doubles, that's all.  Braves 2 Yankees 0

3rd: Robinson Cano singles. Cano finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year as a 22 year old back in '05 and made the All Star team in '06. It's really next year when he busts out - between '10 and '14 he finishes in the top 6 for MVP every season. '13 is his last year in New York, he goes to the Mariners as a free agent; and in '19 goes to the Mets with Jay Bruce headed the other way.  He's now 37 in 2020, still a Met.  2 outs later Jeter singles, that's all.

4th: Brian Hunter triples.  Hunter's technically platooning at DH, but with the Yankees going lefty/lefty, he's likely to start both games in New York. Hunter was 4th in the Rookie of the Year with the Braves back in '91, he's sent to Pittsburgh in '94 and came back to Atlanta this year.  He'll be released next year and play the final 85 games of his big league career in Philadelphia.  Bret Boone walks an out later - and Jose Hernandez makes it 3-0 with a base hit. Braves 3 Yankees 0

4th: Mark Teixeira singles. Teixeira was a 23 year old rookie in '03 with the Rangers, finishing 5th in the Rookie of the Year; 2 years later he was 7th in the MVP. He spent '07 and most of '08 with these Braves and this is his first year in New York; he'll be a Yankee the rest of his career, retiring in '16. Teixeira was 2nd in the AL MVP this year.  An out later, Hideki Matsui walks, but that's all.

5th: Ryan Klesko singles. This is Klesko's last year in Atlanta; he and Bret Boone go to San Diego for Reggie Sanders and Wally Joyner. That's it.

5th: Johnny Damon singles. Damon's 35; he broke in with the Royals back in '95, led the league in steals in '00, made his first All Star team in '02 with the Red Sox and signed with the Yanks in '06. This is his last season in New York, he's off to Detroit and finishes up in Cleveland in '12. Nothing results.

6th: Bret Boone singles. Since the bottom of the third, the leadoff man has reached for both teams in every turn. Boone broke in with the Mariners back in '92, makes the NL All Star team with the Reds in '98, this is his only season in Atlanta, he and Mike Remlinger came over for Michael Tucker and Denny Naegle. Boone is 3rd in the AL MVP in '01 back with Seattle and finishes with the Twins in '05. That's all.

6th: 1-2-3

7th: New York goes to the pen - solid start for Sabathia, but he trails here. 24 year old RH Dave Robertson has a 3.30 ERA; 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3. 8 straight for Millwood, he's given up just 4 hits and the Braves are poised to take game one.

8th: Brian Jordan homers to left center -- that sure looks like a wrap on game one.  2 outs later Bret Boone walks, Joe Girardi comes back out, calling on Phil Hughes, 23 year old RH with a 3.03 ERA. He ends it.  Braves 4 Yankees 0

8th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Millwood.  

9th: With one out, Lopez singles and then Andruw Jones nails the coffin shut with a 2 run bomb to left.  The Braves have come into Yankee Stadium and whipped New York here in game one.  28 year old RH Jose Veras comes on to mop up, he gets an out -- but then gives up back to back jacks from Jordan and Hunter and now it's 8-0 Atlanta and we'll see you tomorrow.  Gerald Williams singles, that's all.  Braves 8 Yankees 0

9th: 25 year old RH Justin Speier looks to end this one; he walks Matsui with 2 out, that's all.

Braves 8

Yankees 0

WP Millwood

LP Sabathia

Millwood giving up 4 hits in 8 innings isn't a shock; the Braves pitching staff is loaded up, but if Atlanta's also going to bomb a mess of home runs they will be tough to stop.  5 Atlanta homers today. Millwood strikes out 10, gives up just one walk.  A dominant, dominant effort for the Braves ace - and Maddux and Smoltz are still to come.  

For the Braves...

Lopez 3 x/HR

Andruw Jones 3x/HR

Jordan 3 x/2HR

Hunter 2x/HR/triple

Williams 2x

Boone 3x

For the Yanks...

Matsui 2x

Game 2.  Greg Maddux.  

3B Jones (27)  (SH)    169  6.4

C Lopez (28)      128  2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

1B Klesko (28)  (LH) 128  1.2

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

DH Hunter (31)  101

LF Williams (32)  99  1.3

2B Boone (30)     83   1.3

SS Weiss (35) (SH) 63

SP2 Maddux (33)  126 5.6

SS Jeter (35)           125   5.9

3B Rodriguez (33)  138   5

1B Teixeira (29)  (LH)    141   5.6

C Posada (37)     (SH)    125   1.8

DH Matsui (35)  (LH)    123    2.6

RF Swisher (28)  (SH)   122    3.1

2B Cano (26)    (LH)      121    4.9

LF Damon (35)   (LH)   118     3.4

CF Gardner (25)  (LH)  87      2  

SP2 Pettitte (37)  (LH)   111    3.2

GAME TWO

1st: 37 year old lefty Andy Pettitte takes the ball for game 2.  14-8, 4.16. Pettitte was 3rd in the Rookie of the Year back in '95, 2nd in the Cy Young in '96, 5th in '97. Next year - he finishes 4th and then he's 6th in '03, that ends his first Yankees stint and he heads to Houston. He comes back in '07 and he'll finish is career in New York in 2013. He gives up a Chipper Jones base hit and then throws a pick off attempt to right field. Javy Lopez then doubles to center and scores a run. Two outs later Brian Jordan singles home the second run. Braves 2 Yankees 0

1st: 33 year old RH Greg Maddux looks to put the Braves up 2-0 and take this series back to Atlanta. 19-9, 3.57. From '92-00, Maddux missed the All Star team in just 2 seasons, 1993, when he led the league in ERA+, and this year.  This is the only year in that stretch he wasn't  top 5 in the Cy Young.  So, you do not get top end Greg Maddux with the only Braves team still alive. In 198 career post season innings, Maddux was 11-14 with a 3.27 ERA. In 38 World Series innings he had a 2.09 ERA. With 2 outs, Teixiera singles, that's all.

2nd: Walt Weiss singles with 2 outs, Weiss is in the lineup today; it's his second to last season in the bigs. Chipper follows with a single but that's it.

2nd: Maddux gets 2 - but then gives up a homer to Johnny Damon and the Yanks draw closer.  Braves 2 Yankees 1

3rd: Andruw Jones singles; Jones will be a teammate with many of these Yankees, he spends his final 2 seaons in New York, '11 and '12. That's all.

3rd: Teixeira singles with 2 out, he played with both Jones's in Atlanta and was managed by Cox. Posada then singles - but that's it.

4th: Hunter is aboard via error and 2 outs later Weiss reaches by error - Chipper then walks to load the bases and Javy comes through with a base hit that scores 2.  Braves again, solidly out in front, Braves 4 Yankees 1

4th: 1-2-3, big inning there for Maddux - the Braves in command.

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Brett Gardner walks; Yankees inserted Gardner in the lineup today, looking for any answer. Gardner was 25 in '09, it's his second season.  FF to 2020, he's stil a Yankee. Two outs later ARod gets hit and Teixiera walks - nothing else.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Matsui singles. Matsui was 29 when he broke in back in '03, was 2nd in the Rookie of the Year, this is his final season in New York, he signs with the Angels and finishes with the Rays in '12. That's all.

7th: Andruw Jones singles with 2 out - but that's it.

7th: 1-2-3

8th: Dave Robertson is back on for New York. 1-2-3

8th: Yanks need some real urgency; ARod singles. Rodriguez was just 18 when he came up with Seattle back in '94. 2nd in the MVP in '96. 9th in '98. 3rd in '00, his last year in Seattle, 6th in '01 as a Ranger, 2nd in '02, he wins it in '03 and is dealt to the Yankees for Alfonso Soriano. He wins it again in '05, wins it again in '07. He finished 8th last year and 10th this year. He'll play until he's 40, in '16. But Maddux shuts it down.  

9th: Weiss singles with one out, Chipper walks. Phil Hughes enters for New York and Javy Lopez clears the bases with a double that almost certainly ends it. Braves 6 Yankees 1

9th: 33 year old lefty Mike Remlinger is on to finish up; he gets 2 - then Cano singles, Damon walks, Gardner singles.  Bases loaded - and Jeter walks.  That means the tying run comes to the plate - just the faintest breath for the Yankees, John Rocker is the Braves closer, 24 year old lefty - and he walks ARod -- that makes it 6-3, all of this has happened with 2 out - there's a slight stirring -- but Teixeira flies to right and it's over.

Braves 6

Yankees 3

WP Maddux

LP Pettitte

Maddux goes 8, holds the Yanks to a run, strikes out 5, gives up 6 hits.  

For the Braves...

Chipper 4x in game 2

Lopez 6 x/HR and 5 game 2 RBI

Andruw Jones 5x/HR

Jordan 4 x/2HR

Hunter 2x/HR/triple

Williams 2x

Boone 3x

Weiss 2x

For the Yanks...

Matsui 3x

ARod 3x in game 2

Teixeira 3x in game 2

Damon 2x in game 2 w/HR

Gardner 2x

The Braves take 'em both in New York - the series shifts to Atlanta, Matsui hits the bench, Smoltz takes the ball for the Braves.  All the Braves need is one more to advance their first team to the next round.

SS Jeter (35)           125   5.9

3B Rodriguez (33)  138   5

1B Teixeira (29)  (LH)    141   5.6

C Posada (37)     (SH)    125   1.8

RF Swisher (28)  (SH)   122    3.1

2B Cano (26)    (LH)      121    4.9

LF Damon (35)   (LH)   118     3.4

CF Gardner (25)  (LH)  87      2  

SP3 Burnett (32)    114    3.5

3B Jones (27)  (SH)    169  6.4

LF Klesko (28)  (LH) 128  1.2

C Lopez (28)      128  2

1B Simon (24) (LH)   109  .2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

2B Lockhart (34) (LH) 67  .3 

SS Guillen (35) (LH) 54  

SP3 Smoltz (32)   141  6.2

GAME THREE

1st: Hall of Famer Maddux won game 2 - Hall of Famer John Smoltz goes for the sweep today. He's 32, 11-8, 3.19. After '99 it'll be 6 years before Smoltz moves back to the rotation full time. He gives up a 2 out single to Teixeira, that's all.

1st: The Yanks turn to 32 year old RH AJ Burnett. 13-9, 4.04. He pitched against these Braves, Burnett came up with the Marlins in '99. Led the league in shutouts in '02, last year, he led the league in strikeouts with the Jays. This is the first of 3 seasons in New York; Burnett walked more batters than any pitcher in baseball this season. He'll finish as a Pirate in '15. Burnett strikes out the side.  

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3, 5 Ks for Burnett.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Ozzie Guillen singles.  3 games, 3 shortstops for the Braves.  Guillen's 35. He broke in back in '85 with the White Sox and won the Rookie of the Year. Guillen made All Star teams in '88, '90, '91. After 13 years, Guillen left the Sox, spent 12 games in Baltimore, they released him and he hooked up with the Braves, that was last year.  The Braves release him after the season and he finishes next year in Tampa.  An out later, Chipper singles and Burnett hits Klesko to load them up - Burnett strikes out Lopez - but a wild pitch (Burnett led the league in wild pitches) scores the game's first run.  Burnett adds his 7th K to end the inning.  Yankees 0 Braves 1

4th: Teixeira singles with one out, that's all.

4th: Burnett strikes out his 8th man - but then gives up a homer to Brian Jordan, that's his third homer of the series.  An out later Guillen singles again and Smoltz works a walk. That's all.  Yankees 0 Braves 2

5th: Gardner singles with 2 outs, that's it.

5th: Klesko walks.  That's it.

6th: Smoltz gets one - then strikes ARod out looking -- ARod just blows up at the plate umpire -- and he gets tossed from the game! ARod might have just played his last moment of this tournament if the Yankees aren't able to crawl their way back today.  

6th: Brian Jordan walks with one out, that's it - 9 Ks for Burnett.

7th: Robinson Cano doubles with 2 out, and when Johnny Damon doubles him home, the Yankees close the gap.  Yankees 1 Braves 2

7th: Burnett's done, Dave Robertson is on again. He walks Smoltz, hitting for himself in this spot, but that's it.  

8th: Yanks are 6 outs from going home; Smoltz gets two, but then Eric Hinske - who replaced ARod at third after the ejection - homers to left center to tie the score.  The Yankees are out of the dugout and pounding Hinske's helmet as he reaches.  Huge home run by Hinske to keep the Yankees alive - this is his only season in New York, next year, Hinske will be a Brave. Yankees 2 Braves 2

8th: Phil Hughes, like Robertson, has pitched in every game.  He gets two - then Brian Jordan singles - that's it.

9th: Mike Remlinger is on for Smoltz. He gives up a one out double to Nick Swisher - Swisher broke in with the A's in '04, 6th in the Rookie of the Year in '05, this is his first year in New York via a trade with the White Sox. He'll spend four seasons here, including his only All Star appearance in '10, before heading to Cleveland.  Swisher finishes as a Brave in '15. Robinson Cano follows with a base hit -- Swisher just beats Jordan's throw home and the Yankees have come back to take the lead -- the Yankees are fired up - a huge celebration in front of the dugout.  Yankees 3 Braves 2

9th: Mariano Rivera is 39 years old.  44 saves and a 1.76 ERA. He spends all 19 of his big league seasons in New York. Only one year after his rookie season did he have an ERA north of 3.00.  

Guillen is first - pops to Hinske.  Brian Hunter comes on to pinch hit -- and Hunter hits an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall to tie the score.  This Braves crowd explodes -- a curtain call for Hunter -- Brian Hunter homers off Mariano Rivera, only 7 homers all year off of Rivera -- and the score is tied. That's it.  Yankees 3 Braves 3

10th: 22 year old RH Kevin McGlinchey has a 2.82 ERA and he enters. After an out, Jeter walks, but McGlinchey strikes out 3 and we are onto the bottom of the 10th.  

10th: 27 year old RH Brian Bruney is the new Yankee pitcher; he gives out a 2 out single to Andruw Jones -- who then swipes second.  Winning run in scoring position for the Braves and the Tomahawk Chops are out.  But that's it.  

11th: 30 year old RH Russ Springer is the next Braves pitcher.  With one out he walks Swisher and after the second out he hits Damon.  Go ahead run in scoring position.  But that's all.

11th:  Bruney stays on - he gets an out, but Guillen singles again, 35 year old Ozzie Guillen raps three hits today - Gerald Williams started in left in New York, but is on the bench today, he comes on to hit -- and he laces a double right down the left field line-- Guillen was running on the pitch -- he rounds third -- Damon hits the cutoff man -- Jeter throws to the plate...

Safe.  

35 year old Ozzie Guillen scores the winning run and the Braves sweep the Yankees.

Yankees 3

Braves 4

WP Springer

LP Bruney

Super fun one here in Atlanta, the Braves, in their final shot - moving on to the round of 32.

For the Braves...

Lopez 6 x/HR and 5 game 2 RBI

Andruw Jones 6x/HR

Jordan 7 x/3HR

Hunter 3x/2HR/triple

We're going to say co MVPs, Brian Jordan and Brian Hunter - Hunter didn't have the raw numbers, but he hit a bottom of the 9th homer off of Mariano Rivera to tie this one up and that gets him a nod. It took a decade - but the Braves have beaten the Yankees.