1997 – AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD ROUND
GAME #1 – Mike Mussina 19-10 (3.40) vs. Pedro Martinez 21-7 (1.70)
The two aces, Pedro Martinez & Mike Mussina both were solid if not spectacular for the first 6 innings of the game. Mussina let up an early run in the 1st but then cruised through 6.2 innings allowing only 1 Unearned Run the rest of the way. Martinez allowed 1 Run in the 3rd, & 2 in the 7th. Chicago had 7 hits, all singles & only 1 of those came off the Expos bullpen who went 2.2 Innings allowing just that 1 hit, with no walks. Luis Sojo was 2 for 4 with a Double & 2 RBI’s for Harper Woods. Final Score: Harper Woods 3 – Chicago 2 Win: Mike Mussina 1-0 (1.42) |
GAME #2 –Scott Erickson 16-10 (3.67) vs. Roger Clemens 21-10 (1.80)
Harper Woods scores early in this one with a run in the top of the 2nd. & Scott Erickson is cruising along mowing them down with 1-2-3 innings and not allowing many hits. Erickson’s 3 hitter through 6 is looking strong, but Roger Clemens for Chicago is even more dominant. Clemens goes 8 Stong, allowing 5 Hits, 1 Run, an RBI single by Javier Valentin who drove in Wally Joyner. In the 7th a lead-off solo Home Run by Tony Clark knotted the score at 1 Run apiece. Carlos Delgado followed with a walk, as Erickson was visibly upset. Phil Nevin noticed this & said to on-deck batter Jeff Cirillo “If this guy starts me off with a breaking ball, I’m going downtown”. Surer than $hit, he did start him off with the deuce & Nevin took it downtown, for a 2-Run Home Run. Chicago had the lead 3-1. Tony Clark later (in the 8th) added an RBI Single & Carlos Delgado then drive in Clark with an RBI Double. That was all for the scoring. Arthur Rhodes closed the 9th & Chicago & Harper Woods live to play a do-or-die game #3 to move on & face California, or head to the golf course for the off-season. Final Score: Chicago 5 – Harper Woods 1 Win: Scott Erickson 0-1 (4.70) |
GAME #3 –Scott Kameniecki 6-12 (5.05) vs. Todd Stottlemyre 16-9 (3.42)
It wasn’t the Expos or Scott Kamieniecki’s day. Tony Womack’s it was. An early exit after 3.2 Innings 6 Hits, 3 of those Doubles, 4 walks & 5 Earned Runs later Kamieniecki was done. Chicago had a 5-1 lead. For Chicago Tony Phillips was 2 for 3 with 3 Runs Scored, 2 Doubles, 2 RBI’s. Carlos Delgado had 2 RBI’s without a hit, while also Striking out once & hitting into a Double Play. But the big bt for the Demolition was Tony Womack who was 3 for 4 with a Run Scored, 1 Walk, 4 RBI’s & 3 Stolen Bases. Chicago ran wild with 5 Steals off Javier Valentin. Todd Stottlemyre went 5 Innings before Chicago’s middle relievers held it close until the 9th. Chicago held an 8-2 lead when the Expos rallied for 3 Runs & had 2 men on & the tying run at the plate when the bullpen doors swung open & Billy Wagner came busting out to close it down. Final Score: Chicago 8 – Harper Woods 5 Win: Todd Stottlemyre 1-0 (1.80) |
Summary – Chicago takes the series 2 games to 1, but they are tired & beat up from a very good series with the Expos. They will board the plane, head to California to take on the mighty-mighty Quakes in the Division Series. The Expos who had a wonderful season will head to the links, get in many 18 & 36 hole days & try again next year. |