1996 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The Detroit Stars jumped to an early lead with a Mo Vaughn RBI single in the top of the 1st, but the California Quakes quickly responded with a J. Canseco RBI double in the bottom of the inning. It would be back-and-forth for the remainder of the game. California jumped to a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning off a 2-run J. Valentin home run; but the Stars responded with a 2-out, 2-run 3rd with the help of back-to-back doubles by Bonilla and Mondesi. California again takes the lead in the 4th with a P. O’Neill RBI double, but lose the lead in the 6th when M. Carreon puts one in the seats for 3, followed by a solo home run by A. Gonzalez. The Quakes responded with one run in the bottom of the 6th to make it 7-5, where it would stay until the bottom of the 9th inning. Up 7-5, the Stars’ M. Rivera walks J. Olerud followed by a D. Palmer single; runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Steinbach launches a high drive between B. Bonilla and M. Cordova scoring both runners. The game is tied at 7, but the Quakes strand the runner in scoring position and head to extra innings. Both teams put two on the board in the 12th, maintaining a 9-9 tie until the 14th. Otero on 1st for the Quakes, Molitor up; Molitor lines it to short left, and the speedy Otero reaches 3rd. Runners at the corners, N. Martin up; Martin grounds to Pendleton at 3rd, and he muffs it; the ball rolls away … it’s all over! Otero scores and the Quakes win 10-9.

DET – 9
CAL – 10

W – T. Hoffman (1-0)
L – B. Ayala (0-1)

HR – J. Valentin (1), R. Mondesi (1), M. Carreon (1), A. Gonzalez (1)
SB – A. Gonzalez (1), L. Castillo (1)
CS – R. Mondesi (1)

Quakes lead 1-0. Once again, the Stars jump to an early lead, a big one. Three straight singles by Hundley, Vaughn, and Bonilla load the bases; a 2-RBI doubly by M. Cordova, a M. McClemore walk, and another 2-RBI double by R. Mondesi gives the Stars a 4-0 lead with runners in scoring position and no outs in the top of the 1st. J. Fassero struck out the final two batters to escape what could have been a disastrous 1st inning. His night was saved, however, by a D. Palmer 3-run home run in the bottom 1st, closing the lead 3-4. Bottom of the 4th, down 3-4, doubles by P. O’Neill and J. Canseco tie the game at 4. Detroit re-takes the lead with a bases-loaded B. Bonilla sac fly, and California re-ties the game in the bottom of the 8th with a J. Canseco solo home run. Tied once again, 5-5 heading to the 9th. Bottom of the 9th, Gilkey on 3rd and Valentin on 1st, one out and P. O’Neill at the dish. W. Blair with the offering … wild pitch! And it’s all over … Gilkey scores! California wins 6-5.

DET – 5
CAL – 6

W – W. Blair (0-1)
L – T. Hoffman (2-0)

HR – J. Canseco (1), D. Palmer (1)
SB – M. McLemore (1)

Coming off two high-scoring walk-off wins, California looks to put the series out of reach in Game 3. J. Canseco puts one on the board in the top of the 4th, his second home run in two games, and gives California the 1-0 lead. B. Gilkey extends the lead to 2-0 in the top of the 5th, and T. Hoffman shuts the door with a 2-inning save. California up 3-0.

DET – 0
CAL – 2

W – M. Bielecki (1-0)
L – A. Prieto (0-1)
S – Hoffman (1)

HR – J. Canseco (2)
SB – R. Otero (1), R. Mondesi (2)
CS – B. Gilkey (1)

Down 0-3 and in dire need of a win, Detroit jumped to an early lead in the 2nd inning; M. McLemore led off with a double to right, R. Mondesi advanced the runner and H. Morris brought him home on a sacrifice to right. A solo home run by Canseco, his 3rd of the series, tied it up in the top of the 4th. P. O’Neill scored on an error in the top of the 6th to give the Quakes the lead, a lead they would not relinquish. California’s bullpen shuts down the Stars for the remaining 3 innings, giving California the 2-1 win, and the ALCS title.

DET – 1
CAL – 2

W – A. Fernandez (1-0)
L – I. Valdez (0-1)

HR – J. Canseco (3)
CS – J. Kent (1)