1988 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES #1
Game 1: A nailbiter from start to finish, as Teddy Higuera and Pascual Perez lock horns.
It’s 2-1 going into the 7th, when the Mauraders put up a run and then another in the 8th to take a 3-2 lead.
But Steel City posts 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th thanks to a Kirk Gibson blast and Jim Gott nails it down for a 4-3 victory.
Game 2: A battle of Dons, and August faces Robinson.
This one starts off ugly, as Michigan chases Don Robinson in the 3rd en route to an 8-1 lead after 4. But Steel City posts 4 in the bottom of the 8th to make it 8-5, and then in the bottom of the 9th loads the bases with no outs against Goose Gossage! The Sluggers are able to push across 2 runs to make it VERY interesting, but are ultimately doomed by terrible base-running and drop the game 8-7.
Series goes to Michigan for 2 games.
With the series tied at 1-1, the Sluggers travel to Michigan.
Game 3: Home runs prove to be the difference in this game.
In the second inning, Ron Kittle hits a solo blast to put the Sluggers up 1-0. Then, the Marauders threaten in the 2nd, but hit into a double play.
In the fourth inning, Ron Kittle duplicates his feat with another blast to the Sluggers up 2-0. In the bottom of the 4th, Michigan rallies and gets guys on base. Nokes and Webster get consecutive singles in order to tie the game, 2-2.
In the 6th with the bases loaded and Michigan playing deep, Kittle grounds into a double play and Steel City takes the lead. Then, Ryne Sandberg hits a single and Steel City leads 4-2.
In the 7th, Mark Grace hits a homer and Steel City leads 5-2.
In the bottom of the 8th, Gary Gaetti hits a homer to narrow the Sluggers lead to 5-3.
In the top of the 9th, Steel City gets an insurance run as Harold Baines goes deep….
FINAL SCORE: STEEL CITY 6 MICHIGAN 3.
Steel City with 4 homers including Kittle hitting 2. Belcher outpitches Langston. Highlight for Michigan was Gaetti going 4 for 4 and Webster going 3 for 4. Michigan outhits Steel City, 11-10, but still loses. W, Belcher 1-0, L, Langston 0-1, S, Plesac (1).
Game 4: features Dennis Martinez against Jim Deshaies. Steel City leads 2 games to 1.
And what do you know, in the first inning, Kirk Gibson strokes a 2 run homer and Steel City has an early 2-0 lead. And, in the 4th, Kittle hits ANOTHER homer and its de ja vus.
In the 5th, Michigan gets a run on a Mitch Webster fielder’s choice. In the top of the 7th, Gibson gets a base clearing double off of Deshaies and Steel City leads 6-1.
In the bottom of the 8th, Bo Jackson doubles in a run for Michigan. Then, Juan Samuel doubles in 2 runs and Michigan cuts the Steel City lead. The Sluggers lead 6-4.
In the 9th inning, Joe Hesketh comes in for the Sluggers and gets Michigan 1, 2, 3.
STEEL CITY WINS 6-4. STEEL CITY WINS THE SERIES, 3 GAMES TO 1.
Kirk Gibson is the star of the game for Steel City with 5 RBI. W, Martinez 1-0, L, Deshaies 0-1, S, Hesketh (1).
Steel City hits 10 homers in 4 games against a pretty good pitching staff. Michigan ends with a 5.91 ERA. Michigan with only 2 homers and they were both by Gaetti.