John Candelaria (14-10, 3.18) v Roger Clemens (24-8, 2.75)
A tough start for us as we face the all-conquering Roger Clemens and, while the bats get us a few runs with Rob Deer popping a pair of solo shots, John Candelaria is again not up to the task as they chase him in the 5th and go on to win it 6-3.
Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Scott Sanderson (12-11, 3.33) v Bobby Witt (5-5, 4.25)
Red Sox lead series 1-0
Bobby Witt keeps us hitless thru 5 but we eventually find our range and finish the game off strongly to square the series with a 4-1 win.
Scott Sanderson does well again over 7+ and Barry Bonds reaches bases four times with pairs of doubles and walks.
Game 3 in Boston
Bruce Hurst (17-12, 3.58) v Mike Scott (21-3, 2.77)
Series tied 1-1
A high-quality match-up for Game 3 at Fenway with two guys facing off who each have had fantastic years. Mitch Webster comes in as DH for this one against the lefty Hurst.
We get to him early and look to be cruising at 6-2 only for the bullpen problems to come back and haunt us as Jim Gott gives up all 4 runs of that lead and then they blow it again in the 9th after we edge ahead once more.
Finally, we post a 5-spot in the 12th but they even try to give that away before we finally close it out for a wild 12-9 win.
Every starter gets at least one hit with Scott Fletcher going 4-for-5.
The win costs us Bob Patterson, however, who tears his UCL and is done until about the middle of next year. Rod Scurry comes in as an injury replacement.
Game 4 in Boston
Doyle Alexander (14-11, 4.08) v John Tudor (13-9, 3.64)
Pirates lead series 2-1
A win here would be huge for us and it falls on John Tudor to get us it against the wily veteran Doyle Alexander.
Once again we fail to register a hit until the middle innings, by which stage we trail 0-2.
But Tudes hangs in there and we come back twice – the second time from three runs down in the 8th – then post 3 more in the 10th to win it 8-5.
Bell, Deer and Madlock each homer in a fantastic team effort.
Game 5 in Boston
Roger Clemens (2-1, 4.24) v John Candelaria (0-2, 7.71)
Pirates lead series 3-1
Three chances for us to win it but, while there’s something particularly sweet about clinching at home I’d just as soon finish it off first go.
A huge shot at redemption for Candy in what is almost certainly his last appearance for the club but he has to beat the Rocket in order to claim it.
John certainly gives it his best but we can’t solve Clemens who holds us to 5 hits in going the distance as they score late to extend the series with a 3-1 win.
Game 6 in Pittsburgh
Scott Sanderson (12-11, 3.33) v Bobby Witt (5-5, 4.25)
Pirates lead series 3-2
The last thing we want is for this series to go to a decider as it would mean all the momentum is with our opponents. We need to get to the rookie early and never let up.
It doesn’t happen that way as Sandy gives up a run in each of the first 4 frames but we somehow get it back to square before this wretched bullpen of ours does it again and they tack on 6 runs to cruise to a 10-4 victory and force that dreaded Game 7.
Game 7 in Pittsburgh
Mike Scott (2-0, 0.84) v Bruce Hurst (1-1, 4.95)
Series tied 3-3
They’re already putting this series near the top of the list of all-time best and, were I a neutral I would agree 100%. It has been a superb advertisement for the game conducted by two clubs steeped in historic rivalry played at a ferocious and unforgiving pace.
But I am not a neutral and for us to lose from 3-1 will take a lot of soul-searching to process and make for the longest offseason imaginable.
Mike Scott has been so good for us all year – can he deliver us to the promised land with one more good’un or is that asking too much of him?
Much to our despair, it is as the Sox take a famous victory, coming back from our early deuce to take it out 4-2 for their 12th title.
Jim Rice is named series MVP.
