Winner take all and a trip to the World Series from Fenway Park. Starting pitchers are Dave Stewart (21-12 3.23 Grade 15YG) for the A’s vs Bruce Hurst (18-6 3.66 Grade 11YZ) for the Red Sox.
The A’s get on the board first in the 2nd as Mike Gallego lines a single to right center to score Stan Javier. The Red Sox would answer in a big way on the bottom half as they plate 4 runs and bat around. Big run scoring hits by Rich Gedman and Ellis Burks lead the way. In the top of the 3rd the A’s would chip at the lead with a 2 spot. With one out Jose Canseco singles and Mark McGwire drives a homer out to center to make it 4-3.
In the 4th the A’s would get 3 more and knock Hurst out of the game. Carney Lansford drives in 2 runs with a single up the box and Dave Henderson would also single in a run. With the score 6-4 A’s the bullpens would come in and settle things down a bit until the 8th as Lansford and Henderson once again would drive in runs. The runs would be off Lee Smith who has had a dreadful series. With the lead of 8-4 the Red Sox down to last 3 outs would make some noise. They would get 2 quick runs off Gene Nelson to make it 8-6 and force the A’s to go to Eckersley to save it. With the tying runs on 2nd and 3rd, Eckersley would get Dwight Evans to line out to right to end the game and the series. Oakland wins the game 8-6 and the series 4 games to 3. Boston’s bullpen didn’t pitch well enough especially in Games 2 and 3 and it was the difference in the series. The A’s will move onto to face either the Mets or Dodgers in the World Series.
Final Score: A’s 8, Red Sox 6
WP: Gene Nelson (1-0)
LP: Lee Smith (0-3)
Save: Dennis Eckersley (1)
HR’s: A’s – Mark McGwire (3)