1989 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES #2

manhattanValdosta Bombers @ Manhattan Gas Hornets

National League Division Series pitting the Valdosta Bombers (94-68) vs. the Manhattan Gas Hornets (111-51).  The Bombers turned around an 80-82 season from a year ago into post season contender pulling ahead in the Wild Card race in the final few series of the season. The Gas Hornets improved this year as well winning 6 more games than last year. The amazing thing in Manhattan was they didn’t think they’d even contend, but after a few weeks into the year, they saw they had a chance and revamped the pitching – giving away their favorite player – and here we are.  During the season Manhattan owned the Bombers winning the season series 20-8. But of those 8 wins by the Bombers, 5 of them came in the final two match-ups between the teams. So who knows, it’s the post season and anything can happen in a 5 game set.
PLAY BALL!

Game #1: Tom Browning (15-10, 2.84 and 1-2 in his 6 starts against Manhattan) vs. Scott Garrelts (18-4, 1.86 4-1 in 6  starts against the Bombers). Garrelts has been hit hard in a few of his last starts, his arm might be getting tired.Heep leads off the game with a single but he’s erased on a DP. Davis singles with 2 outs and is stranded. Joyner hits a 1 out solo HR (1) to make it 1-0 Manhattan and get the scoring going. The Gas Hornets add 3 more in the 3rd including a 2 run shot – from Joyner (2) again!Meanwhile Garrelts is getting the Bombers out, but he’s still getting knocked around and in the 4th Sasser hits an rbi triple (1 of 2 hits for him). Garrelts hangs tough and pitches 6 innning scattering 7 hits and 3 walks – but only the 1 run. Jones, McClure, Smith, Righetti and Henke then do the rest as the Gas Hornets tack on another run in the 8th and win 5-1.VAL 1-10-1 LP Browning (0-1)MGH 5-12-1 WP Garrelts (1-0)HRs – Joyner 2 (1, 2)

Davis and Sasser each go 2 for 4. Sax, Yount, McReynolds and Dawson each have 2 hits, but Joyner goes 3 for 4 with 2 hrs, 2 runs and 3 rbis!

Sasser ends the game Tired – he probably won’t start game 2.

 

Game #2: Bryn Smith (13-11, 2.48 and 2-3 in 6 starts against the Gas Hornets) vs. Mike Scott (16-10, 3.00 and 3-0 in his 3 starts against Valdosta). Smith’s task is to get the Bombers back in the series, Scott finished the year strong after a rough start since coming to Manhattan – seems he likes the Bombers though.With 1 out in the 1st Oquendo walks. Then with 2 outs, Wallach hits one to Sax who boots it and Oquendo ends up at 3rd, Wallach at first. Downing then slices one down the line in RF, but McReynolds races over and snares it to end the threat. Sax leads off the bottom half with an infield hit, Joyner then steps up and gets an infield hit. But a pop up and double play end the inning.3rd inning with 1 out Oquendo and Davis single and move to 2nd and 3rd on a Scott WP. Wallach flies to RF but not deep enough to advance the runners. Downing whiffs, threat over. Bottom half Sax knocks a 1 out single and Joyner steps in and drives one deep to CF, but it’s caught. Inning ends when Sax is nabbed at 2b trying to steal.4th inning Espinoza gets a 1 out double, moves to 3rd on a Lyons single. Smith strikes out, Scott is pumped. Van Slyke then lines to the right side but Sax snares it to end the inning. Davis doubles with 1 out in the 5th but is stranded.

Bottom of the 5th Dawson singles, Bradley singles, Anderson pops out. Scott then bunts them over to 2nd and 3rd. Sax steps and grounds one up the middle scoring Dawson. Bradley goes for home, the throw, Sax tries for 2nd, the throw is cut off, Bradley scores and Sax is safe at 2nd. Joyner then singles him home to make it 3-0 Manhattan. That was pretty much the end of the excitement. Scott goes 6.2 inings, Righetti one-third and Dave Smith faced 6 batters in the 8th and 9th to close it out.

VAL 0-7-0 LP Smith (0-1)

MGH 3-8-1 WP Scott (1-0) S Smith (1)

Mid-Series Notes: Davis gets 2 more hits in this game for Valdosta – as does Espinoza. Sax and Joyner each for 3 for 4, Sax gets 2 rbis and a run, Joyner another rbi. Scott really likes the Bombers.
Games 1 and 2 go to the Gas Hornets who now will take their show on the road to Valdosta. Looks like Rick Reuschel (17-5, 2.28 4-0 in 5 starts against Valdosta) vs. Tom Candiotti (20-7, 1.80 0-3 in 4 starts against Manhattan). Candiotti is their ace. If they ever need him to be on his A game, now is the time.  Valdosta returns home down 2-0 in the series.
Game #3: Manhattan 4-2. Bombers took an early 2 zip lead on a Wallach HR but Candiotti and company couldn’t keep the powerful Gas Hornet offense in check.
Summary: Manhattan completes the 3 game sweep in Valdosta. Best of luck in the League championship!!

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