Another really good game! Game 3 features a starting matchup of Mike Boddicker (13-15 3.39 Grade 13YZ) vs Bob Welch (17-9 3.64 Grade 11YZ).
Welch and Boddicker keep the bats under control for the first 3 innings. In the bottom of the 4th the A’s break through against Boddicker. Carney Lansford would single up the middle and Dave Henderson would line a 2 run homer down the left field line. The Red Sox would answer right back with 2 of their own in the 5th as Todd Benzinger would double home Dwight Evans and Jody Reed.
The Sox would get the lead in the 6th as Jim Rice would drive in Wade Boggs with a clutch 2 out single. In the 7th they would add another as Marty Barrett would single in Reed to knock Welch out of the game. With the score 4-2 in the 8th Boddicker would get the first 2 outs and then the A’s went on a run. Walt Weiss would single to center, Lansford single to left center to give the A’s first and second. Henderson would once again come through, this time a double off the wall in left scoring both runners to tie the game. The bullpens would hold down the offenses for the next two innings as we would go to the 11th still 4-4.
In the bottom of the 11th, Henderson one more time would double off Lee Smith. Jose Canseco would be walked to make it 1st and 2nd. Dave Parker would once again get down a sac bunt to give the A’s 2nd and 3rd. With the infield in Smith would strike out Mark McGwire for the second out. That would bring to the plate Terry Steinbach. Steinbach would line a single just out of reach of Reed to win the game for the A’s. A’s win 5-4 and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Final Score: A’s 5, Red Sox 4
WP: Dennis Eckersley (2-0)
LP: Lee Smith (0-2)
HR’s: Dave Henderson (1)