1993 DIVISION SERIES

BlackBearsgraysfortworthMexicoCity

Missouri Black Bears defeat the Sugar Land Skeeters 3 Games to 0
Germantown Grays defeat the Blarney Drive Bandits 3 Games to 1
Fort Worth Panthers defeat the California Quakes 3 Games to 2
Mexico City Chihuahuas defeat the Flossmoor Flying Squirrels 3 Games to 1

Sugar Land Skeeters @ Missouri Black Bears
Series Preview:  Division co-champions Sugar Land and Missouri square off. Missouri won the regular season series 17 -11
Game #1:  The second batter of the game, Ken Griffey, Jr., bangs a solo shot for the early 1-0 Sugar Land lead. Biggio’s error lets in the tying run in the second. Galarraga gives the Bears a 2-1 lead with a sac fly. In the fourth, pitcher Tommy Greene its a single to score Biggio to tie it, then Merced gets a bases loaded walk to give the Skeeters the lead. Griffey’s sac fly makes it 4-2. THe bullpen can’t hold the lead as Piazza’s three-run shot is the big blow off Larry Andersen. Bears win, 6-4.
Game #2:  Barry Bonds hits a solo HR in the third and that’s all Mark Portugal needs as Bears win, 2-0.
Game #3:  Wilson Alvarez is wild and hittable, a poor combination when your opponents won 107 games and their best player is Barry Bonds. The latter hit two homers and drove in three runs as the Bears took an early 5-1 lead and held on for a 5-3 win and a series sweep.
Series Summary:  Missouri sweeps a demoralized Skeeters team.
Germantown Grays @ Blarney Drive Bandits
Game #1:  Two of the top pitchers in the league, Bandits Johnson (16-15, 2.84) and Grays Appier (21-2, 1.60), face off in the opener.  The Grays put Curtis (.262, 5) and Thomas (.320, 40) on first and third in the 1st with 1-out and MacFarlane (.265, 12) grounds into a DP.    To lead off the 2nd Sanders (.272, 23) reached on an error followed by a Litton (.337, 4) run scoring double (16).  MacFarlane makes up for the DP (14) by leading off the 4th with a HR (13).  Sanders follows with a double (14) and scores on a Litton single, still no outs Grays 3-0.  Mack (.275, 9) then bangs a double to left-center moving Litton to 3rd.  Four hits to start the 4th.  After a HBP (0) to Appier (.070, 0) to fill the bases he immediately walks (68) Curtis.  The Bandits just want to get out of this inning now, but Alomar (.306, 19) flies (5) to center and Mack scores from 3rd.  Grays now 5-0 in the 4th.  Thomas then follows with a 2-run double (37) to chase Johnson.  He’ll be back.  Bandits go to Harris.  Grays better save some for later as MacFarlane follows Thomas with his second homer (14) of the day over the center field wall.  With the game out of hand Bere (14-3, 2.81) replaces Appier to start the 6th.  Grays 11-0
Game #2:  Bandits send Bautista (5-8, 4.92) to the mound to face Grays Smoltz (15-12, 3.20).  Bandits start fast this time.  In the 1st Hale (.317, 4) reached on an error, Greenwell (.303, 18) singled and Murray (.306, 29) walked (35) to fill the bases with 1 out.  Hamilton (.307, 5) lifted a fly (1) to left and Hale scored when MacFarlane dropped the ball. Grays commit 2 errors in the 1st.  Singles by Bautista (.081, 0), Henderson (.277, 21), and Hale add another run in the 2nd.   Bautista can’t start the 4th inning.  Gibson replaces him.  Thomas greets Gibson with a 1-out solo shot.  Bandits 2-1.  After a MacFarlane single, Sanders puts one over the right field wall (24), 3-2 still in the 4th.  Thomas doesn’t like a call in the 5th and he’s gone, Hemond replaces him.  to start the 7th off, Smoltz beams Bordick (.220, 5) and PH Ducey (.286, 0) tiples him home to tie the game and chase Smoltz. Ducey scores 2-batters later on a grounder to short.  Bandits 4-3.  In the bottom half Caminiti reaches with 2-out, Mack to PR and steals (11) second followed by a Liriano (.278,0) PH triple (4) to tie the game. And there will be a 2.5 hour game delay to eat dinner and go for dance lessons with the wife.

Well baseball fans let’s pick up the game.  It’s the top of the 8th and Bandits reliever Myers (5-8, 3.26) is squared off against Grays Miranda (11-4, 1.99).  Goose eggs until the bottom of the 10th.  With 1-out Grays Curtis draws a walk and advances on an Alomar ground out.  Hemond (.250, 8) subtitling for an ejected Thomas lines a single into right center and Curtis beats the throw home.  Grays 5-4 10 innings.

Game #3:  Phil Leftwich takes the hill for the Bandits, trying to avoid the sweep. Frank Thomas quickly gave the Gray’s a one run lead on a solo shot in the 1st.  Bandit’s responded with 2 of their own in the bottom half of the 1st off Appier.  Henderson led the rally off with a double, Hale followed that up with a double of his own (1-1) and Greenwell added a 3rd consecutive double to give Blarney a 2-1 lead.  Appier looked shaken up a bit after the barrage.  Bandits added another run in the bottom of the 2nd when Rickey went yard, Bandits 3-1.  DiPoto relieved Leftwich with men on 1st and 2nd in the 5th and promptly walked 2 straight batters, Bandits 3-2.  Both bullpens held it down the rest of the way as Blarney dodged the broom, Grays 2  Blarney 3. 

The loss of Chip Hale for 19 games in a collision at 2nd with Alomar will hurt Blarney.

WP – Jerry DiPoto (1)

LP – Kevin Appier (1)

S – Derek Lilliquist (1)

Game #4:  Grays’ Chuck Finley strapped on the foil for Germantown vs. Eric Hanson with hopes of wrapping up the series. Grays got on the board first in the 2nd when Caminiti doubled in Gagne, Grays’ 1-0.  Alomar smashed a double to center in the 3rd scoring Curtis and Sanders drove in Alomar on a single over second, Grays 3-0.  Henderson walked to start Blarney’s half of the 3rd, stole 2nd, and was singled home by Murray, Grays 3-1.  It would remain 3-1 until the 6th when Curtis blooped a single to right center scoring Gagne, Grays 4-1.  Finley started to tire a bit in the 6th and the Bandits struck for two on a chalk-flying-flare by Bordick, Grays 4-3.  Top of the 9th and Bandit’s Randy Myers trotted out to hold with hopes of holding the fort and giving Blarney a chance to even the series.  Alomar poked a single to right then stole 2nd off Pena.  With 2 outs and a duck on the pond, dangerous Frank Thomas stepped in, and delivered!  A majestic bomb!!  Frank continued his great season and extended Germantown’s lead to three.  Aguilera had no problems holding that lead, taking down the Bandits 1-2-3 to close it out.

WP – Chuck Finley (1)

LP – Eric Hanson (1)

S – Rick Aguilera (1)

Series Summary:  A very deserving Germantown takes the series 3-1.
Fort Worth Panthers @ California Quakes
Series Preview:  ALDS games 1 and 2.
Game #1:  FWP Kevin Brown (R) 21-9 3.07 234.2 vs CAL 1-3 3.59
CAL Jeff Fassero (L) 12-4 3.49 157.1 vs FWP 3-0 2.41Jeff Fassero walks the bases load in the top of the first and with two outs Ricky Jordan hits a single into the right field gap plating two runs for the Panthers. It would be Jordan’s only hit of the series, but it was a big one as it gave Ft. Worth an early 2-0 lead in game 1.In the 4th the Quakes came up with a big defensive play when Willie McGee was hitting with one out and Ivan Rodriguez was on third, “QUAKES playing for the out at first … RODRIGUEZ takes his lead at third … FASSERO delivers there’s a little blooper … down the right field line … not deep … it might drop in SALMON has a long run … he gets there! … RODRIGUEZ tags
they’re waving him home … here comes the throw … and he’s … out by inches! … double play!
go to town, QUAKES! … they cut off the run! … the coach was waving him on with two outs
has his boys running … but he comes up short here … and RODRIGUEZ’s not happy
he’s arguing with the ump … but the manager cools him down … no, wait … he’s gone!
they’re throwing him out of the game … he said something to the ump … good-bye”A pitching change in the 6th by California allowed Fred McGriff a chance to enter the game. After seeing two balls McGriff delivered, “The pitch … and MCGRIFF whales this one … hangs out a clothesline to deep right kiss it goodbye! … home run for MCGRIFF”

The Quakes get on the board in the bottom of the 7th when Andy Van Slyke led off with a double and later scored on fielder’s choice.

Kevin Brown was dominate for the Panthers striking out 10, but he left the game in the top of the 9th when he gave up a 1 out double by Paul Molitor. Then the Panthers got a little lucky with pinch hitter Jim Leyritz, “MOLITOR moves quietly toward third … he brings it in … banged to left center … deep in the gap WINFIELD won’t get it … he’s chasing it down … and he boots it! … MOLITOR scores LEYRITZ’s heading for third … they’re waving him home … chugging and puffing and they nail him! … oh, those, PANTHERS … they snuff out the tying run LEYRITZ just doesn’t have the wheels for that … what was he thinking about? score that a double … WINFIELD picks up the error”

Mike Jackson comes on to strike out Paul O’Neill for the final out to give the Panthers the game one victory.

FWP 3, CAL 2

Game #2:  FWP Donovan Osborne (L) 7-9 4.36 150.2 vs CAL 2-4 5.66
CAL Pete Harnisch (R) 16-7 4.49 224.2 vs FWP 3-1 2.97Ft. Worth strikes first again when Roberto Kelly singles home Willie McGee on a hit and run play in the top of the first. In the third Kelly comes up big again with a two out triple scoring Delino DeShields, who started the two-out rally with a single. Kelly would later score on an error by right fielder, Tim Salmon.
John Olerud starts the California comeback by leading off the bottom of the 4th with a solo homerun. Paul Molitor follows with a single and with an assist of a Ft. Worth error makes it to third base with one out later scoring on a sac fly by John Valentin.
The Quakes kept the game close when Salmon makes up for his error by throwing out Wally Joyner on a two out single by David Hulse in the 6th.
Salmon then leads of the bottom of the 6th with a double scoring on single by Paul Molitor. Then catcher Mike Stanley came to the plate, “MOLITOR two full strides off first … the pitch … pulled sharply to SHEFFIELD just out of reach … KELLY’s racing to the line … still after it … still running he’s there … picks it up … MOLITOR rounds third … they’re waving him in … here comes the throw home … here’s the play at the plate … and MOLITOR’s … SAFE! …on a close play … the run scores! QUAKES lead! … and MOLITOR just outran the ball … and STANLEY holds with a double”Molitor provide the insurance in the bottom of the 8th, “Pitcher steps off … now JACKSON’s set again … JACKSON comes to him MOLITOR jacks one to deep left … KELLY retreats … still going back … to the track to the wall … gone! … home run for MOLITOR … MOLITOR will touch them all”Juan Guzman comes on in the 9th to get the save and California evens the series at 1-1.

CAL 6, FWP 3

Game #3:  FWP Rene Arocha (R) 12-11 3.69 183 vs CAL 2-1 3.03
CAL Alex Fernandez (R) 21-5 2.35 253 vs FWP 2-2 2.53The Quakes put a hurt on the Panthers in this one as this time they struck first blood when Tim Salmon clubbed a three-run homer in the first inning, “The runners take their lead … quick move to the plate … SALMON swings … yes! that ball is history … way out in left … no doubt about it … what a clout! a three-run dinger” California would later score single runs in 5 other innings. Lou Whitaker and Mike Stanley each got 4 hits and Tim Salmon had 3 hits. As a team the Quakes got 19 hits. David Winfield hit a solo home run for the Panthers, but later left with an injury after running into short stop Walt Weiss. Ft. Worth could only manage 3 hits as the California took a 2 game to one advantage.CAL 8, FWP 1
Game #4:  FWP Jim Abbott (L) 15-12 3.38 205.1 vs CAL 1-4 6.23
CAL Jeff Fassero (L) 12-4 3.49 157.1 vs FWP 3-0 2.41In the bottom of the 4th after Fred McGriff got a two out single Gary Sheffield came up to hit, “FASSERO now … he swings … and it’s pulled hard to left … down the line … fair ball!
that’s good for extra bases … LEYRITZ’s chasing it … still after it … he’s up with it. MCGRIFF’s around third … they’re waving him in … here comes the throw home … here’s the play at the plate … and MCGRIFF’s … SAFE! … on a close play … the run scores! oh, close call … the gamble pays off … and SHEFFIELD holds with a double” Sheffield would then score on a single by Tim Hulett.Tim Salmon got a RBI single in the top of the 6th, but Panther southpaw Jim Abbott got a big double play to quench the Quakes threat. Ft. Worth answered right back when Jeff Reboulet playing left field for the injured Winfield also got an RBI single.In the 6th after Abbott hit Terry Steinbach to put a runner in scoring position Tony Phillips delivered a two out RBI to bring the Quakes back to within a run at 3 to 2.
The Panthers scored twice more in the 8th when Reboulet doubled home one run and another run scored on a fielder’s choice to put the game away and even the series at 2 to 2.
FWP 5, CAL 2

The series now moved back to California for the decisive game 5.

Game #5:  FWP Kevin Brown (R) 21-9 3.07 234.2 vs CAL 1-3 3.59
CAL Pete Harnisch (R) 16-7 4.49 224.2 vs FWP 3-1 2.97Andy Van Slyke opens the scoring in the top of the 2nd by hitting a solo home run with two outs for California. Although they each had a few walks both starters breezed through the first 5 innings.A single, walk, single chased Harnisch from the game in the bottom of the 6th. Ivan Rodriguez greeted Quakes reliever Bryan Harvey with a 2 RBI single to put the Panthers ahead. Harvey was able to get a double play and popup to put an end to that threat.The next inning Harvey was touched for two runs again when Roberto Kelly faced him with a runner on and one out, “He cranks and fires … KELLY swings … he hits it well toward O’NEILL … it’ll be out of here way out of here! … a two-run dinger”

In the bottom of the 8th the Quakes showed why they led the MWWL in wins during the 1993 season. First, they scored on a fielder’s choice when John Olerud raced home in front of the throw. After scoring on another ground out, John Valentin batted against Kevin Rogers, “MOLITOR at second takes a big lead … the pitch … he swings … it’s smashed deep to left center that’s good for extra bases … HULSE’s chasing it down … MOLITOR scores … tie game! VALENTIN hits second under full steam … but puts on the brakes … as the throw comes in double for VALENTIN”

Both team went down quietly in the 9th and we went to extra innings.

In the top of the 10th Fred McGriff led off with a single followed by a double by Gary Sheffield. McGriff scored on a ground out and then Ivan Rodriguez stepped up to put the icing on the cake, “Infield deep … checks third … the pitch to RODRIGUEZ … RODRIGUEZ puts a charge into it long run for VAN SLYKE … but he’d need wings to get to this one … kiss it goodbye!”

FWP 7, CAL 4

Series Summary:  Ft. Worth advances to the ALCS!

California scored more runs, had a better ERA and a better batting average than Ft. Worth. The Panthers were able to get the key hit at the right time and their mistakes didn’t seem to hurt them as much.

Flossmoor Flying Squirrels @ Mexico City Chihuahuas
Game #1 & Game #2  Mexico City and Flossmoor split.  Micky Morandini anfter only 3 HR in real life 1993 hits 2 HR in game 2.  4 RBI!  Damn Micky!!!
Game #3:  Mexico City advances after sweeping the road games.  Flossmoors pitching didnt show up at all.

FIRST GAME FILE
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