[PilotMan]

ALCS Game 1


The Mariners broke a 5-5 tie with 3 in the 8^th and 2 in the 9^th to run away with game 1, 9-5. Dan Pasqua hit 2 HR's.


NLCS Game 1
10/9
Rhoden v. Gooden
2-1 NY over LA


You asked for a pitchers dual and you got one. Rhoden outpitched Gooden, fair and square. NY got on the board first with a Mitchell HR in the 2^nd and after that all Rhoden would allow was another Mitchell single. He didn't allow another hit. LA managed to tie the game in the 5^th on a Doug Jennings triple that scored Knight from first. LA stranded 10 guys on base and Gooden struck out 9. Both starters were out in the 9^th inning and LA almost came though against McDowell, but not quite. Robinson came for LA and Ashby lead off with a single. Strawberry struck out. Mitchell doubled and Ashby held at third. They intentionally walked Bonilla to face Martinez, and Robinson walked him on 4 pitches to end the game. Ugh.


ALCS Game 2


Toronto jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but the M's got 5 back in the 7^th, but not the 6^th. Dwight Evans homered, and Toronto won 6-5 to tie it 1-1.


NLCS Game 2
10/10
Downs v. Darling
4-0 LA over NY


If you need something done, do it yourself. The quiet emergence of Kelly Downs this season has been an unexpected joy to behold. Tonight, he threw a 3-hit shutout, on the road, and silenced the rowdy NY crowd. LA scored first on an Inky HR in the 5^th, and drew 2 bases loaded walks for more. Darling didn't pitch bad, and one of those 3 hits was his, but he couldn't match the game that Downs brought to the mound today. BJ Surhoff tripled in the 9^th inning then had to leave the game due to an injury. Surhoff had recently taken over the starting job at catcher, and Scioscia is a strong catcher in his own right. We shouldn't miss a beat. Series it tied at 1 heading to LA.


ALCS Game 3


We knew pitching would be troublesome in this round, and it's the case again. Tied 7-7 heading into the 9^th and the Blue Jays already with 3 HR's in the game, get a 4^th from Jesse Barfield, a 3 run shot, and his 2^nd of the game. This leads to a 5 run 9^th to go up 12-7. The Mariners answer with 1, but it's not nearly enough. Mark Langston and the Mariners bullpen were really taken to town in this one. The Blue Jays regain homefield and take a 2-1 lead.


NLCS Game 3
10/12
Gooden v. Valenzuela
2-0 Mets over Dodgers


Yeah, you read that right. The Mets sent out Doc Gooden on 2 days rest to pitch game 3. Also, Ricky was activated on the off day and he's in the lineup tonight! This might very well have gone down as one of the best pitching performances in postseason history. Gooden took a no-hitter, on 2 days rest into the 9^th inning. He gave up a lead off double to Phillips, who made a horrible baserunning error and got thrown out at third. Just awful, especially when the next batter up, a pinch hitting Roy Smalley got a single. Gooden then walked Rickey and was pulled. He allowed 2 hits, and struck out 5. LA then loaded the bases on McDowell with Lynn at the plate. We needed a single to keep it going, but Lynn popped out to center and that was it. Tough way to lose. Valenzuela pitched 8.1 innings, walked 5 and struck out 8. All the Mets runs were on a pair of Strawberry solo homers. Otherwise, it was even up. The Mets get homefield back and take a 2-1 lead.


ALCS Game 4


Holy no pitching again Batman!! Toronto blew up and took a 9-1 lead on Nolan Ryan. Corey Snyder and Stubbs each homered. That wasn't the end though. The M's comeback started with 5 in the 7^th , they'd get another in the 8^th and the bullpen kept it close. Dave Smith came out to close it down in the 9^th. With 2 on, facing Dan Pasqua, the M's completed the comeback and walked off when Pasqua put the ball into the left field power alley, 379 feet later. The series is tied at 2.