ALDS: "Mo better than Rad"

GAME 1 – Fenway

Pettite vs Tiant

Yankees 8, Red Sox 3

The Bombers broke a 3-3 tie with a 5 run in the top of the 9^th off of flame thrower Dick Radatz.  A 3 run “Tex” message from Mark Teixeira put the game out of reach and gave the win to reliever Mike Stanton.

Yankees lead series 1-0

GAME 2

Mussina vs Lonborg

Red Sox 8, Yankees 6

It wasn’t pretty, but the 1967 Cy Young Award Winner (Jim Lonborg) sure got the job done.  The Red Sox bats out lumbered the Pinstripes.  Rico Petrocelli (3-5), Yaz and Cecil Cooper all had 2 RBI days.  Petro also scored 2 runs.  Bob Stanley posted the save with a shaky 9^th.

Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 – Yankee Stadium

Santiago vs Clemens

Yankees 8, Red Sox 7

Pitching took a holiday for the second game in a row as both team combined for 15 runs on 30 hits.  With the score tied 7-7 after 8 ½ innings of play Dick Radatz was brought on to preserve the tie.  Instead he gave up a walk off single to A-Rod, who plated Bernie Williams.

Yankees lead series 2-1

GAME 4

Tiant vs Wells

Red Sox 6, Yankees 1

El Tiante was his normal baffling self, while the Boomer got bombed.  Boston needed this win to stave off elimination.  Dewey Evans, hitting out of the leadoff spot, was 2 -3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.  Dewey and Petro both went yard to knot the series a 2 all.

Series tied 2-2

GAME 5 – Fenway

Pettitte vs Lonborg

Yankees 3, Red Sox 1

Both starters dueled until the 7^th then gave way to the pens.  Boston scored first when Yaz singled home Freddy Lynn in the opening frame.  That run held true until the 7^th when Sheff walked with the bases jammed to force Posada in to tie it.  In the top of the 9^th Mark sent another “Tex” message deep into the night to put the Bombers up by 1.  Soriano was hit by a pitch with 2 out, stole second and scored on a Bernie single to provide the final difference.  Radatz once again melted down in a big spot to foil Boston’s chances.  Conversely, NY went to the greatest closer of all time (Mariano Rivera), who posted a perfect inning to seal the series.

Yankees Win Series 3-2