'02 Bosox outlast '88 Twins in classic 7 game LCS

Game 1: For 6+ inning John Burkett went pitch for pitch with 1988 Cy Young award winner Frank Viola giving up only 1 run. Neither starter would have a hand in the decision as it all fell on the shoulders of each team's respective bullpens. The Twins struck first in the top of the 9th as Arrojo gave up a solo shot to Tim Laudner. Curiously the Twins had Smith start the bottom of the 9th, but couldn't hold Boston down. Reardon was brought in with 2 outs and the bases loaded and yielded a single to Shea Hillenbrand to plate Doug Mirabelli for the winning run. Lots of second guessing in this one for both managers. Minnesota will be second guessed for not having Reardon start the 9th and Boston could have been second guessed for using both of their catchers in the game and not being able to pinch run for the led footed Doug Mirabelli in the 9th.

Game 2: Both teams brought their lumber for this one. Both starters (Blyleven and Oliver) were ineffective at best. Boston nursed a 1 run lead until the 7th, when Tim Wakefield came on to yield 4 runs and put the Twins up for good. Tommy Herr doubled home Greg Gagne with 2 outs and Kirby Pucket singled him home to give the Twins the lead for good. Juan Berenguer came on in the 7th and pitched 3 scoreless innings for the save.

Game 3: The series moved to the Twin Cities and another wild one ensued. Both team's aces were on the hill and one expected a pitcher's duel. The only duel we saw was for the title of who was worse. Pedro "the enigma" Martinez again pitched poorly and was gone after 5 innings and 6 earner runs. Allan Anderson gave up 7 runs in 7 innings. Pedro got the win, but the bullpen really won it for Boston as Wakefield, Banks, Embree and Urbina held the Twins scoreless over the final 3 innings. The big inning for Boston was the top of the 6th, where they touched Anderson for 3 runs, two of which came off of Johnny Damon's bat as he hit one deep into the hefty bag. Rey Sanchez followed up with a triple and Nomar doubled him home for the ultimate winning run.

Game 4: The Bosox took a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in this 10-0 laugher. Derek Lowe continued his mound dominance as he went 7 scoreless innings. Damon banged out 4 hits off of Les Straker and company and Manny showed some signs of life by going yard.

Game 5: With their backs up against the wall the Twins needed Frankie V to stop the bleeding. Boston countered with John Burkett and we had a rematch of game one. This time, however, the Twins came out on top as Viola went the distance. Kirby Puckett's 2 run dinger in the 3rd proved to be the difference maker.

Game 6: Back in Fenway the Sawx looked to close out the series. Instead they were handed a serving of humble pie as the Twins scored early and often. Minnesota had 3 touchdowns to Boston's lone safety. Blyleven turned back the clock and threw a complete game gem, while the pair of Fossum and Oliver yielded 21 runs. Minnesota proved themselves adept at crushing lefties. Both Puckett and Dan Gladden had 4 hits. Two of Gladden's four were round trippers.Game 7: Nothing says magic more than these two words:

Game 7: With the AL Pennant on the line Boston had a huge dillema. Should they pitch Pedro in his regular slot or go with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Normally this would be a no brainer, but Pedro has been knocked around most of the season and hasn't been able to escape the 6th inning. Wakefield got the ball and proceeded to throw 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Willie Banks gave up 1 hit in almost 3 innings of pitching and Urbina came on in the 9th to nail it down. Minnesota's starter, Allan Anderson, had nothing and once the Bosox tapped him for 4 runs in the 1st the Twins season was as good as gone. The big blow came off of the bat of Manny who stood at home for an eternity to pose as his missile cleared the green monster and broke some windows on Landsdowne street. Manny's 3 run shot followed an RBI double by Nomar. Boston scratched out another run in the 4th to increase their lead to 5-0 and put them in the KOD3 Fall Classic.


Game 1: 02 Boston Edges 88 Minnesota 3-2
Game 2: 88 Minnesota Defeats 88 Minnesota 8-5
Game 3: 02 Boston Edges 88 Minnesota 7-6
Game 4: 02 Boston Blanks 88 Minnesota 10-0
Game 5: 88 Minnesota Edges 02 Boston 3-2
Game 6: 88 Minnesota Pounds 02 Boston 21-2, Gladden Drills 2 HRs
Game 7: 02 Boston Blanks 88 Minnesota 5-0