Juan Nieves (18-9, 4.04) v Doug Drabek (12-12, 3.06)
A game that begins sheepishly bursts to late life as we come back from an early 0-3 deficit to win it 7-4.
Drabek hangs tough thru 8 after wobbling in the mid-innings, while Alou and Oliver each go deep.
Game 2 in New York
Chris Haney (5-2, 4.14) v Kevin Brown (16-12, 2.71)
Pirates lead series 1-0
Once again most of the action in this one happens at the end as we score 4 in the 8th and 2 more in the 9th for a 9-4 win.
Alou makes it 2 homers in 2 games, while Big Cat has 3 hits and Brown gives us a strong 7.
Game 3 in Pittsburgh
John Smiley (17-8, 2.84) v Pete Harnisch (17-11, 4.24)
Pirates lead series 2-0
We’re never in this one from the moment they score 3 off a struggling Smiley in the 4th and only a 4-spot in the 9th makes the 6-5 final respectable.
Game 4 in Pittsburgh
John Burkett (9-7, 3.29) v Danny Darwin (18-6, 2.80)
Pirates lead series 2-1
Little doubt we cut bait on Danny Darwin just one year too early with him having arguably the best season of his career.
He's appearing in his second straight WS Game 4 and man, what a game it is.
The lead changes hands throughout and the game enters the 9th evenly-poised at 4-4.
When Roberto Hernandez disintegrates and they tag him for 3 we look cooked, only for the bats to do the almost impossible and win it walkoff as Bobby Bo puts one into the seats with a couple on.
The win comes at a cost, however, with the oft-injured Andy Van Slyke gone for the remainder with shoulder inflammation.
Game 5 in Pittsburgh
Doug Drabek (2-0, 3.00) v Juan Nieves (0-3, 5.85)
Pirates lead series 3-1
Is it too much to ask just this one time not to have to jet back to New York? Man, I hope not.
Reggie Sanders takes over CF duties from here on in.
One word:
YES!
The lads make sure of it early with a 1-4-1 start and Drabek carries a no-hitter deep into the game, thereby enabling us to fully savour a victory that seemed like it would never happen for us again.
Andres Galarraga – one of the best signings we’ve ever made – is named MVP.
