Chris Gotay and the 1980's Amazin's win the KOD19 Championship

Amazin's take KOD19 WS in 6 over O's

The Orioles and Mets meet for the KOD19 championship; with the Mets hoping things end up the same way they did when the franchises met in the 1969 World Series.

Game One –Scott McGregor vs. Dwight Gooden.

The Orioles strike first with three runs in the third, but the Mets get it back on a Strawberry three-run homer in the fourth. DeCinces gives the O’s the lead with a two-run homer in the fifth, but McReynolds ties it up with a two-run homer of his own in the eighth. This game goes to extras.  Lowenstein hits a sacrifice fly in the twelfth to give Baltimore a 6-5 lead,but Howard Johnson’s RBI single in the bottom of the inning keeps the Mets alive. In the fourteenth, Larry Sheets leads off with a homer off of Neil Allen, and the Orioles take a one game to none lead with a 7-6 win.

WP – Stewart                    LP – Allen

Game Two –Mike Boddicker vs Sid Fernandez

The O’s strike first again with two runs in the first and one in the second. The game is knotted at three in the eighth when Cal Ripken Jr.’s single drives in two runs off of Randy Myers for the go-ahead runs. Storm,Davis and Tippy Martinez come in to support Boddicker, and the Orioles leave New York up two games with a 5-3 win.

WP – Boddicker                                LP – Myers                          S – T. Martinez

Game Three– David Cone vs. Mike Flanagan.

The teams travel to Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium and Joel Youngblood leads off the game with a homer off of Flanagan. This one was a pitcher’s duel, as the Mets get another run in the seventh and the Orioles get one in the eighth and that is all. David Cone does the distance, limiting the O’s to four hits as the Mets get back in the series with a 2-1 win.

WP – Cone                          LP – Flanagan

Game Four– Bob Ojeda vs. Jim Palmer.

The Mets get single runs in each of the first three innings and break it open with three runs in the fifth to even up the series with a 6-1win. Ojeda goes the distance, slogging his way through allowing ten hits and three walks, but is aided by the Mets turning three double plays behind him.The Mets get three hits apiece from Wally Backman, Lenny Dykstra and Howard Johnson.

WP – Ojeda                        LP – Palmer

Game Five– Dwight Gooden.vs. Scott McGregor

The Mets continue to enjoy the crab cakes in Baltimore, pounding out seventeen hits while Gooden throws a four-hitter in a 12-0 win.  Daryl Strawberry has two homers and drives in four, while Keith Hernandez has four hits. The road teams continue to rule, as the visitors have won all five games this far as the teams pack up and head to Shea for Game Six.

WP – Gooden                    LP – McGregor

Game Six –Mike Boddicker vs. Sid Fernandez.

The Orioles pounce on Fernandez with two runs in the second and three in the third to take a 5-1 lead. They extend their lead to 8-2heading into the bottom of the eighth with Mets fans looking towards the token booths and the #7 train. With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Howard Johnson homers to make it 8-3. After Lee Mazzilli flies out for out number two and what follows will be etched in KOD lore. John Stearns walks, Dave Magadan singles, Nate Snell comes in to relieve Boddicker. Gregg Jefferies singles to drive in a run, Backman singles to make it an 8-5 game. Hernandez singles in another run and the O’s turn to Tippy Martinez. Youngblood comes through with a two-run pinch-hit double and the game was tied at 8. We were going to extras.

The team’s cycle through the bullpens and benches; with Tim Stoddard and Myers pitching out of bases loaded jams in the twelfth and thirteenth innings respectively. Pete Falcone was given the ball by the Nets in the fourteenth with no backup, and he was able to stay out of serious trouble, while Sammy Stewart was doing the same for the O’s. Baltimore turned to Scott McGregor in the seventeenth, and in the bottom of the eighteenth, Joel Youngblood led off with a single. Youngblood stole second, and Strawberry hit one into the gap to score him to give the Mets a 9-8 win and the title for KOD19.

WP – Falcone                     LP – McGregor

This series was phenomenal; two evenly matched teams and Mark and the Orioles had a great season. My hats off to him and all of the KOD managers; the Mets were just lucky enough to get a theme that encompassed the best stretch in their franchise history. Can’t wait for KOD20.

--submitted by Chris Gotay--

October 04, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim

California 5, Minnesota 3

Bobby Grich homered twice, Doug DeCinces homered once, and Mike Witt pitched 8.2 innings to lead the Angels to a 5-3 win in the series opener.  Rob Wilfong’s first inning HR had given the Twins the early lead. But the game quickly turned into a nip-and-tuck affair with no team leading by more than 1 run until Brian Downing’s 8^th inning sacrifice fly made the score 5-3 California.  Brian Harper’s 2-out double brought the tying run to the plate for Minnesota in the top of the 9^th.  But Bryan Harvey induced a harmless fly ball off the bat of Dan Gladden to earn the save and preserve the game for Witt.

California leads the Series 1-0.

October 05, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim

Minnesota 5, California 4

Kirby Puckett went 3-5 as part of a 12-hit team attack, and Mike Smithson tossed 6 strong innings, as Minnesota knotted the series with a 5-4 victory in game 2. California managed to claw back into the game after the Twins had built a 4-0 lead.  But Tom Brunansky’s 8^th inning solo HR off Andy Hassler proved to be the game winner.  Four Minnesota relievers carried the team for the final 9 outs, with Jeff Reardon getting the save.  Wally Joyner and Jack Howell homered for the Angels in a losing cause.  

Series tied 1-1.

October 07, HHH Metrodome, Minneaplis

California 8, Minnesota 7

The strong starting pitching that was present in the first two games was not the case as the series moved to Minneapolis. Neither team’s starter lasted through the 5^th inning, as runs were scored in every inning of the game. Doug DeCinces and Brian Downing homered for the Angels, while Rob Wilfong and Dan Gladden did the same for the Twins. By the time the dust settled, California had managed to hold on for the win. Luis Sanchez picked up the victory with 2 innings of excellent relief, with Bryan Harvey getting the save.

California leads the Series 2-1.

October 08, HHH Metrodome, Minneaplis

California 12, Minnesota 8

California jumped all over Twins ace Frank Viola in game 4, scoring 7 times in the first two innings, with Reggie Jackson’s 3-run homer being the big blow.  But then Viola settled down, and Angels’ starter Don Sutton became progressively shakier. Kirby Puckett and Gary Gaetti each hit home runs, and by the end of the 5^th inning it was 1-run game.  Amazingly, Reggie Jackson took the wind out of the Minnesota comeback sails with yet another HR off Viola in the top of the 7^th.  The two teams traded a few more runs off the bullpen of the other, and each team ended up banging out 15 hits. The Twins refused to go quietly, placing runners on 2^nd and 3^rd with only one out in the bottom of the 9^th. But once again California’s closer Bryan Harvey managed to settle down enough to strike out the final two batters to give the Angels the game and the series win.

California wins the Series 3-1.

Astros - Dodgers LDS - Astros Hold Off Dodgers In 5

Game 1 Houston @ LA

The Astros trotted out their ace Bob Knepper in Game 1. The Dodgers countered with 5-0 Fernando Valenzuela. The Astros got off to a fast start playing their usual smallball. In the 2nd inning, Dickie Thon singled in Kevin Bass to take a 1-0 lead. They followed it up in the 5th inning as Jose Cruz lined a single up the middle scoring Bill Doran to take a 2-0 lead. However, this would be all the runs the Astros would score as the Dodgers came back in the 7th and 8th innings with 4 runs off of Bob Knepper and reliever Joe Sambito combined. In the 7th, Mike Scioscia grounded in Mike Marshall and Ken Landreaux lined a triple down the right field line scoring Scioscia to tie the game at 2. Davey Lopes then sacrificed Landreaux home to put the Dodgers up 3-2. In the 8th, the Dodgers got 1 more insurance run as Mike Marshall sacrificed Steve Garvey home to give the Dodgers a 4-2 comeback lead. Jay Howell closed out the Astros in the 9th to give the Western Division champs the first game 1-0.

Game 2 Houston @ LA

The Dodgers now had a chance to take control of the series in game 2. In the second inning, the Dodgers scored all 3 runs of the game as Dusty Baker doubled and Steve Garvey was hit by a errant Mike Scott pitch. Mike Scioscia grounded into a double play seemingly to end all hopes for the inning. Then, Ken Landreaux walked and Mike Marshall hit a 3 run homer giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. That was all the runs they needed as the Astros only managed 4 hits off of winning pitcher Oral Hershiser. It looked like a sure sweep as the Dodgers and Astros headed to Houston.

Game 3  LA @ Houston

Facing elimination the rest of the way, the Astros went with the 5-1 knuckleballing Joe Niekro. Burt Hooton hoped to close out the Astros in game 3. In the 2nd inning the struggling Astro offense caught fire. They scored 4 times with their patented smallball. Joe Niekro could only last until the early 6th, but got the win. The Dodgers managed 2 runs, but the Astros held off them off  5-2 to grab a game in the series. LA still led the series 2 games to 1.

Game 4  LA @ Houston

Here come the extra inning games. In Game 4, the Dodgers went with Bob Welch and the Astros countered with Nolan Ryan. The men from LA wanted to end this series quickly with a 2 run outburst in the 1st inning. Steve Garvey singled to bring in Ken Landreaux and a Nolan Ryan wild pitch plated Pedro Guerrero making the score 2-0. In the bottom of the first, Cesar Cedeno solo homered off of Welch tightening the Dodger lead to 2-1. In the 6th, the Astros tied the Dodgers on back to back doubles from Phil Garner and Glen Davis. Both teams scored 1 run in the 7th inning making the score 3-3. As the starting pitchers left, this tie would not end until the bottom of the 11th inning. After Larry Anderson worked his way out of the top of the 11th, the Astros went back to smallball. Pinch hitter Billy Hatcher reached first on an error. Bill Doran was then intentionally walked by Dodger pitcher Tim Belcher. Cedeno moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. Jose Cruz was then intentionally walked. With the bases loaded and 1 out, Craig Biggio worked Belcher for a walk and the Astros had come all the way back from a 2-0 series deficit to tie at 2. On to LA to crown a winner in Game 5.

Game 5 Houston @ LA

What is more exciting than a deciding game in a series? This one would hold true to that excitement. The surging Astros were just 1 game away from advancing after a 0-2 series start. Houston again went with staff ace Bob Knepper and the Western Champion Dodgers put their season on the back of Jerry Ruess. The Dodgers opened this final game like gangbusters. Pedro Guerrero singled in Mike Marshall in the second inning to go on top 1-0. In the 3rd inning, Mariano Duncan hit a homer down the left field line to take a quick 2-0 lead for the home team. Through this rough patch, Bob Knepper withstood the barrage and proceeded to keep the Dodgers at bay the rest of the way. Houston scored a run in the 4th as Biggio knocked in Cedeno with a RBI single. The Dodger faithful were sensing a win as the top of the 8th came with their team up 2-1. The Astros caught a moment of lightning with 1 out as Craig Biggio grounded to third baseman Pedro Guerrero and as he booted it, Cedeno who was on third came in to tie the game 2-2 to the dismay of the Dodger fans. For 2 more innings the teams could not find a way to score. Clutch pitching by Joe Sambito for Houston and Jay Howell for the Dodgers. It would all unravel in the top of the 11th for the Dodgers. Steve Howe came in to pitch for the West Champs. After 1 out, Terry Puhl and Dickie Thon singled. Bill Doran then doubled in Puhl giving the Astros the lead 3-2. Cedeno then walked and Jose Cruz singled in Thon and Doran making the score Astros 5 Dodgers 2. Biggio singled in Cedeno to end the scoring at 6-2. Reliever Dave Smith closed out the Dodgers in the bottom of the 11th and the Houston Astros win the game and the series. 

The series was there for the Dodgers to take, but some timely hitting and pitching advance the Wild Card Astros. Houston will face either SF or NY for the League Championship series.

CARDINALS - PHILLIES ... Cardinals take 3 of 4 from the Phils to finish at 25 - 20.

September 27 ... Cardinals 3 Phils 2 .... Lonnie Smith's 4 single of the game with 2 outs in the 9th scored Ozzie Smith with the game winner. Smith had singled and stole 2nd.  Cardinals had scored 1 run in 1st inning on 3 walks and wild pitch and another run in 2nd on Lonnie Smith's single. Phils had solo homers from Trillo and McBride.  Bair pitched to 1 batter in 9th and got the win.

September 28 ... Phils 8 Cardinals 5 ... Phils built up 8 - 0 lead as Maddox and Schmidt homered and Matthews had 2 run double. Cardinals scored 5 runs in final 2 innings forcing the Phils to use more bullpen than they wanted.  Oberkfell had 4 hitsand 2 rbis while Templeton and Keith Hernandez each had 3 hits as Cardinals actually out hit the Phils 15 - 13.

September 29 ...Cardinals 8 Phils 5 .... Cardinals raced off to 6-1 lead and added solo homers by Hendrick and Clark to give LaPoint a win.  Cardinals used 5 singles and 3 walks to score 5 runs in the 3rd inning as both Pena and Oquendo had 2 run singles.  Phils could manage only 3 hits over the last 5.2 innings. Mike Schmidt with a pair of hits and 2 rbis. Bruce Sutter got his 9th save of the season.

September 30 .... Cardinals 2 Phils 1 ..... Joaquin Andujar pitched and hit his way to victory.  Andujar pitched 8 innings allowing 1 run on 6 scattered hits and he singled in the Cardinals 2 runs with 2 outs in the 7th inning stunning the Phils.  Sutter earned his 10 save of the season with a perfect 9th inning.  Phils lone run came in 2nd on 3 singles with Bowa getting the rbi.

Cardinals finish at 25-20 and Phils end with 23-22.    

Rangers Sweep Twins to Dash Division Hopes

Texas might have had a difficult season but the Rangers ended the year on a high note by sweeping the NL West contending Twins in four straight, including two extra inning affairs. Minnesota -- hoping for a division crown -- is left fighting for a wild card berth, while Texas ends the year only a game under .500.

Game One: Tex 7, Min 5
W: Medich (3-2)
L: Smithson (5-6)
S: Harris (1)

Doc Medich holds Twins' hitters at bay for eight innings before tiring in the ninth. Texas scores its runs early off Mike Smithson, plating seven runs in the first five innings and then keeping the hard-hitting Twins from rallying. Geno Petralli (you'll hear that name again in this series) goes four for four, and Pete O'Brien and Larry Parrish hit back to back homers to lead the scoring.

Game Two: Tex 8, Min 5 (12 innings)

W: Harris (4-1)
L: Davis (2-2)

Texas, behind their ace Frank Tanana, takes a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the eighth before the Twins' Kent Hrbek clubs his ninth homer to tie it up. Good relief pitching keeps the score knotted until the bottom of the 12th, when Gary Ward pounds a double into left center that clears the base and brings home three. Greg Harris pitches three innings of scoreless relief for the win.

Game Three: Tex 3, Min 2 (10 innings)

W: Schmidt (1-0)
L: Blyleven (1-6)

A nice pitching duel between Allan Anderson and Danny Darwin leads to a 2-2 score after nine, fueled in part by Tom Brunansky's two run homer, his eighth. The Rangers prevail in the bottom of the 10th as catcher Geno Petralli, batting .375 for the year to nail down starting duties, blasts a walkoff homer off Bert Blyleven, who has struggled this season.

Game Four: Tex 9, Min 
W: Matlack (1-2)
L: Viola (6-3)

Minnesota ace Frank Viola is belted in his season ending start, giving up six runs in five innings. Texas's Jon Matlack, who has pitched much better than his record indicates, was masterful in eight innings of three-hit shutout ball on the Texas side of the ledger.  Curiously, of Texas's 15 hits, 14 were singles, as the entire team got into the scoring.

California Takes Three of Four from Texas to Remain in Playoff Hunt

The Angels took a series from the Rangers but it wasn't easy -- two games went to extra innings and a third was won by a run.  But by winning this tense matchup, California remains in good position for a playoff spot, keeping pace with Minnesota for the AL West crown.

Game One: Rangers 6, Angels 5 (10 innings)

Buddy Bell's three hits and three RBIs leads the way for Texas in a win in extra innings. After a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th from Bobby Grich puts Curtis Wilkerson on second for Texas, Bell sneaks a single between first and second for the comeback win.

Game Two: Angels 2, Rangers 1

Mike Witt improves to 7-1 by keeping the Rangers off the board. Texas's Danny Darwin pitches a complete game five-hitter but gives up Wally Joyner's eighth homer and an eighth inning double down the third base line from Rod Carew to break the tie and give the Rangers the win. Bryan Harvey saves his ninth.

Game Three: Angels 3, Rangers 2 (10 innings)

Another nail-biter, this one is tied 1-1 after nine as neither team can muster much offense off starters Chuck Finley and Jon Matlack. The Rangers get the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th when Pete O'Brien hits his fourth homer off the Angel's Harvey.  But California responds in the bottom of the inning. Texas closer Jim Kern blows his fourth save -- he walks two to load the bases for California with no outs and then proceeds to induce infield popups from Joyner and Doug Decinces. But he can't escape the jam, as Angels' pinch hitter Chili Davis strokes a two-out, two-run single off Kern to start the celebration in Anaheim.

Game Four: Angels 5, Rangers 3

Another day, another close game. This one is tied at three apiece going into the eighth, but Texas relievers again come up short. Greg Harris gives up an RBI single to Bob Boone to break the deadlock and then Dale Mohorcic walks in another run after loading the bases. Harvey nails down his 10th save.