1981 DIVISION SERIES
East Side vs. Baton Rouge –
Baton Rouge wins game one 3-0 on a one-hitter by Bobby Ojeda and Baton Rouge wins game two 5-1 on a four-hitter by Jerry Reuss.
Baton Rouge is just too much for the hapless EFC offense.
All it took was Sanderson (he gave up just an un-earned run) in the 7-1 BRC victory in game three.
Steel City vs. Old Mill –
Steel City and Old Mill split the first 2. Old Mill ready for games 3 and 4.
Very exciting series!
Steel City returns home with a 1-1 split on the road. With ace Dennis Martinez on the hill for game #3, things look promising.
Game 3: J. Niekro vs. D. Martinez
Old Mill jumps out to an early 2-0 lead after 5, with Dave Winfield hitting a solo shot to open up the scoring. But Steel City ties it up in the bottom of the 6th with some timely hitting by Bill Buckner and Harold Baines. In the bottom of the 8th the Sluggers scratch out a run to take a 3-2 lead, but Rick Camp blows the save in the top of the 9th as the Legends tie it up and force extra frames!
Camp redeems himself by going 3.1 total innings in the game, and it goes FIFTEEN frames before the Sluggers win it courtesy of a Gary Ward RBI single.
The Sluggers take a 2-1 hold on the series, with a chance to take it all in the 4th game.
Game 4: S. McCatty vs. P. Perez
Unfortunately for the Sluggers, Pascual Perez found his way to the stadium. He stinks up the joint, giving up 5 earned runs before being pulled in the 4th. But the Sluggers never say die. Old Mill gets 3 in the 1st… Steel City get 2 in the 3rd. Old Mill gets 2 more in the 4th, and 2 more in the 6th, but the Sluggers scratch a run out in the 6th to stay in reach. But McCatty’s just too tough, and with star hitter Kirk Gibson tired on the bench Steel City just can’t rally. The “good” news for the Sluggers is that Tim Raines goes down for Old Mill for 7 games, after swiping 2 bags in this contest. The Sluggers still bear a grudge against Raines, as they lost the lottery and coveted him dearly. It’s not his fault, but hey… vengeance is a dish best served cold, especially when it comes to hamstrings.
Series returns to Old Mill for the 5th and final game.
Another good game. Congrats to Steel City, they win game 5, 8-6.
Lauderdale vs. Hollywood –
Nothing like a little adversity. Lauderdale Lost its cleanup hitter and starting catcher in Game-1 for multiple games. Then they lost the game in the 10th inning on an unearned run. Lauderdale’s pitching staff stepped up and carried them to a 2-1 win in Game-2 to salvage a split. Lauderdale then hopes its pitching can hold up on the road.
With the series tied at 1, both teams make the trek 3000 miles west for games 3 & (maybe) 4.
Game 3: Leonard vs Burris. Hollywood shakes up their lineup a little, looking for some offense. Ricky Henderson leads off the bottom of the 1st with a single. He immediately takes advantage of Bruce Benedict’s injury and steals 2B. Then with 2-outs, Mickey Klutts (last minute lineup change to give the offense some kick) singles him home for a 1-0 early lead. In the top of the second, Al Bumbry singles with 1-out and tries to steal on Charlie Moore, but is thrown out. In the bottom half, Gary Templeton leads off with a double, but is stranded. in the third, Eddie Murray makes an uncharacteristic error which allows Nahordny to reach base. After he is sacrificed to second, he scores on a 2-out base hit by Garry Matthews to tie the game at 1. In the bottom of the 3rd, Henderson leads off with a walk and promptly steals second base. Murray redeems his error with an RBi single to center giving Hollywood a 2-1 lead. That is followed by a Pedro Guerrero single, putting runners at 1st & 2nd with no-outs. Leonard buckels down and gets the next two batters on strikes, then a popout, to kill the threat. It stays that way until the 6th. Bernazard and Matthews single, than Zisk drives them both home with a double to center, giving Lauderdale a 3-2 lead. Zisk then scores on a FC to give Lauderdale a 4-2 lead. It stays that way until the 7th. Henderson leads off with a walk, but this time is caught stealing. Hollywood’s manager is kicking himself because the next 2 hitters double, cutting the lead to 4-3. Lauderdale jumps back to a 2-run lead when PH Miguel Dilone comes through with an RBI single. Joe Sambito comes in to close the game in the 9th and is treated with a double by Henderson, putting the tying run at the plate. That’s followed by an Murray triple to cut the lead to 5-4 with no outs. Than Hollywood catches lightening in the bottle. With 1-out, Mickey Klutts steps in and HAMMERS a 2-RUN WALK OFF HOMER to WIN THE GAME! HOLLYWOOD WINS 6-5! (FYI, I do the write up while the game is going..)
Hollywood leads the series 2 games to 1.
Game 4: Blyleven vs Mahler. After teh dramatic come from behind victory in game 3, Hollywood hopes to close it out in 4 games. With the first 3 games decided by 1 run, we expect more of the same in game 4. Henderson leads off the bottom of the first again with a single. He then steals second. With 1-out, Pedro Guerrero singles him home to give Hollywood another early 1-0 lead. In the 3rd, Henderson walks with 1-out and moves to 3rd on a hit-and-run with Guerrero. Than Mickey Klutts cames hrough again! Mickey Klutts hits a 3-run HOMERUN to give Hollywood a COMMANDING (for this series anyhow) 4-0 lead! Sensing some urgency in the 4th, Matthews singles to lead off, then Zisk hits a 2-run SHOT, to cut the lead to 4-2! With 1-out, Harrah singles, than Bernazard walks. Then Matthews comes up BIG with a 2-run triple to TIE the game at 4! In the 6th, mayberry leads off with a single, than is doubled to thrid by Bumbry. With no-one out, Hollywood calls on the “Rock”, Al Holland. He gets Hollywood out of the inning with the game still tied. In the 7th, Holland loads the bases, but gets out of it when pinch hitter Jerry Manuel flies out to Henderson. With 1-out in the bottom of the 7th, pinch hitter Alan Wiggans singles and steals second, but Hollywood cannot capitalize. With 1-out in the bottom of the 9th, pinch hitter Dick Davis singles. Pinch Runner Amos Otis steals second to put a runner in scoring position for Henderson and Murray. Rickey Henderson ANSWERS THE CALL! He singles to left and with the light armed Zisk out there, Otis races home for the win with a 5-4 VICTORY!
HOLLYWOOD WINS THE SERIES 3 games to 1.
The fact that Benedict & Paciorek were hurt, made for a tough series for Lauderdale. Benedict probably hurt more as Hollywood stole as they reached, to get the runners in scoring position.
Missouri vs. Germantown –
Welcome to Germantown as the Grays host the Missouri Black Bears in the MWWL Division Series. Big thunderstorms have been moving through the area the last couple of days. It is humid, but a pleasant 66 degrees at game time.
Game 1. Both teams send their ace to the mound: the Grays right hander Britt Burns and the Black Bears non-other than righty Tom Seaver.
TOP 1st: The Bears come out gunnin’ as Rose singles and Burleson doubles to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with 0-out. Yount pulls a double play on a Schmidt line drive and handles Foster’s grounder to snuff the threat.
BOTTOM 1st: Seaver walks Porter and Cooper to place runners on first and second with 1-out. Seaver is cutting it a little fine. Then walks Dawson to load the bases. But Trillo turns DeCinces grounder into a double play to end that threat.
TOP 2nd: Baker leads with a single and Trillo reaches on an infield dribbler. First and second with 1-out. Seaver draws a walk with 2-out to fill the bases and bring Rose to the plate. Rose bangs a single and 2-runs score. Bears 2-0.
TOP 3rd: With 1-out Foster singles and steals as the Bears keep up the pressure. Oh my!! But Burns wiggles out of the spot. Bears 2-0.
BOTTOM 3rd: With 1-out Cruz doubles to the gap. And with 2 down Dawson hits a blast to right. Tie game 2-2.
TOP 4th: Seaver does his job and moves Wilson to second with 2-out for Rose with a SAC bunt. Amd Rose delivers with a bloop single to right. Bears 3-2. Burleson singles to left and it hits off Cruz’s glove. Rose scores and Burleson is into second. That’s Cruz’s second error of the game and this one cost the Grays. Bears 4-2. With Seaver on the mound the Grays can’t give these runs away. Ouch!!
BOTTOM 4th: The Grays come right back at ‘em in their half as Yount doubles to lead off the inning. Landreaux muffed his bunt to set up a run. Ouch, Ouch!! Bears 4-2.
TOP 5th: Foster leads off with a double. Geez…the Bears sure did come to playball today. But Burns again manages to wiggle out of the tight spot. Bears 4-2 and 10 hits after five.
BOTTOM 6th: Grays trying to make something happen as Dawson doubles to lead off the 6th. But nothin’s happenin’ Bears 4-2.
TOP 7th: Schmidt bangs a lead off single and advances on a Foster ground out. Babcock relieves to stop it.
TOP 8th: With 2-out the Bears pull Seaver. Uh? PH Thompson draws a walk and PR Thon steals. Hmm. Rose…K’s
BOTTOM 8th: With 2-out Dawson singles, steals and is stranded. Bears 4-2.
FINAL: Bears 4 Grays 2. Bears Seaver 7IP 2R on 4H & 4W w/ 2K. Rose 4-5 3RBI. Grays Dawson 3-3 2RBI 2b HR Sb
Game 2. The Grays send righty Dan Petry to the mound and the Bears righty Jack Morris.
BOTTOM 2nd: DeCinces reaches via error and reaches second with 2-out.
TOP 3rd: Wilson draws a walk to leadoff and Morris bunts him to second. But Petry puts Rose and Burleson away.
TOP 4th: Foster walked with 1-out and reached second with 2-out.
BOTTOM 4th: Morris loses his no-hitter in the 4th as Dawson singles Cooper (walk) to second with 0-out. First real threat of the game. DeCinces squares and Morris misses to fill the bases. Still no outs. Yount walks. Landreaux grounds into a douple play, bit Dawson scores. Grays 2-0. First lead of the series.
BOTTOM 5th: Porter walks and Cruz bunts him to second with 2-out.
BOTTOM 6th: Morris beams Dawson to lead it off and Dawson advances on a DeCinces ground out. One out later PH Patterson triples to deep center. Grays 3-0.
TOP 7th: Bears 23rd batter Baker breaks up Petry’s no-hitter with 1-out in the 7th. 24th batter Sundberg singles; first and second. The Grays need Frazier and Burgmeier to stop the Bears with bases loaded.
BOTTOM 7th: Bears La Roche relieves and walks the fist two batters. Drumright and Porter on first and second, 0-out. Cruz successfully moves the runners with a SAC. Infield in for Cooper. Cooper lofts one to left. Drumright and Porter are running and Foster chooses the sure out, Porter. Grays 4-0.
TOP 9th: Bears load bases again, with 2-out. PH Thompson approaches the plate and reliever Frazier strikes ‘im out.
Bears 3 hits, Grays 2 hits; Grays 4 runs, Bears 0 runs
Bears Wilson 0-1 3W; Morris 6IP 3R on 2H & 6W w/ 3K; LaRoche 2IP 1R on 0H & 2W. Grays Porter 0-0 4W; Petry 6.1IP 0R on 32H & 3W w/ 6K; Burgmeier 1.1IP 0R on 0H & 0W.
The Gray bats didn’t make the flight…
Game 3
MBB3 – Schmidt 2-run Triple
MBB5 – Landreaux injured – slammed into the wall
MBB8 – Foster Solo HR #1
GER9 – Grays load the bases, but can’t push anything across
Germantown 0-5-0
Missouri 3-9-0
WP: D. Medich (1-0)
LP: J. Bibby (0-1)
Save: A. Hrabosky (2)
Injury: GER – K. Landreaux (2 days)
Medich 7 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Bibby 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Cruz (GER) 2 hits
Rose, Burleson, Schmidt 2 hits each
Game 4
MBB4 – Schmidt Solo HR #1
MBB4 – Trillo RBI Single
GER5 – Burns Sac Bunt, Schmidt E – Runners at second and third with 0 Out
GER5 – Cruz Fly out – Mookie throws Porter out at the plate!
GER7 – Cooper 1-out single – First hit off Vuckovich
MBB7 – Baker 3-run HR (#1)
Germantown 0-1-1
Missouri 5-8-1
WP: P. Vuckovich (1-0)
LP: B. Burns (0-2)
Vuckovich 8 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K
Burns 6.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
Schmidt 2 RS, 3 BB
Trillo 3 hits, RBI
Missouri wins Games 3 and 4 at home to take the series over a very good Germantown team 3-1.
Steel City vs. Old Mill –
Steel City and Old Mill split the first 2. Old Mill ready for games 3 and 4.
Very exciting series!
Steel City returns home with a 1-1 split on the road. With ace Dennis Martinez on the hill for game #3, things look promising.
Game 3: J. Niekro vs. D. Martinez
Old Mill jumps out to an early 2-0 lead after 5, with Dave Winfield hitting a solo shot to open up the scoring. But Steel City ties it up in the bottom of the 6th with some timely hitting by Bill Buckner and Harold Baines. In the bottom of the 8th the Sluggers scratch out a run to take a 3-2 lead, but Rick Camp blows the save in the top of the 9th as the Legends tie it up and force extra frames!
Camp redeems himself by going 3.1 total innings in the game, and it goes FIFTEEN frames before the Sluggers win it courtesy of a Gary Ward RBI single.
The Sluggers take a 2-1 hold on the series, with a chance to take it all in the 4th game.
Game 4: S. McCatty vs. P. Perez
Unfortunately for the Sluggers, Pascual Perez found his way to the stadium. He stinks up the joint, giving up 5 earned runs before being pulled in the 4th. But the Sluggers never say die. Old Mill gets 3 in the 1st… Steel City get 2 in the 3rd. Old Mill gets 2 more in the 4th, and 2 more in the 6th, but the Sluggers scratch a run out in the 6th to stay in reach. But McCatty’s just too tough, and with star hitter Kirk Gibson tired on the bench Steel City just can’t rally. The “good” news for the Sluggers is that Tim Raines goes down for Old Mill for 7 games, after swiping 2 bags in this contest. The Sluggers still bear a grudge against Raines, as they lost the lottery and coveted him dearly. It’s not his fault, but hey… vengeance is a dish best served cold, especially when it comes to hamstrings.
Series returns to Old Mill for the 5th and final game.
Another good game. Congrats to Steel City, they win game 5, 8-6.