1987 AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES #2

American League Division Series kicks off with the Demolition traveling with cases & cases of water heading down south – down Mexico way into the badlands & taking on the Chihuahuas.

Game #1 – Chicago Roger Clemens (27-5 3.14) @ Mexico City Dwight Gooden (15-8 3.46)

Chicago had their hitting shoes on and the Mexican drug cartel tried shutting down the power & lights during the game with at least three power outages. It was a great tactic by the home team, but Chicago stayed true to form & put a hurting on the Chihuahuas.
Setting the tone for the Demolition was Wade Boggs who went 3 for 6 with two Doubles and 4 RBI’s. Mike Scioscia, Eric Davis, Bill Doran, Kent Hrbek had two hits apiece. Roger Clemens in a wise decision by the manager was pulled after 5 innings allowing only 1 Earned Run. Eckersley pitched one inning of shutout ball, followed by what appeared to be the entire Chicago bullpen, with seven relievers getting 1/3 of an inning pitched each & Doug Drabek getting 2/3.
For the Chihuahuas Dwight Gooden was roughed up for 5 Earned Runs in 4.1 innings of work. Reliever Vincent Palacios was torched for 5 Earned Runs in 2.1 innings as well. Mexico City tried to rest some players after they knew it was a blowout, hoping they would get some rest and be ready for game #2 in Mexico City.

Final Score: Chicago 11 – Mexico City 1
Win: Roger Clemens (1-0)
Loss: Dwight Gooden (0-1)
Home Runs: None

Game #2 – Chicago Dave Stewart (15-7 3.44) @ Mexico City Sid Fernandez (8-13 4.95)

Phil Bradley (3 for 5) & Randy Ready (3 for 4 with a HR, 4 RBI’s & 2 Runs Scored) were the offensive juggernauts that the Chihuahuas needed turn the tides and even the series. Mexico City pounded out a 13 hit attack and scored 9 runs in the game. Chicago offense was a bases clearing double in the 2nd inning by Wade Boggs (2 for 4 3RBI’s). Demolition starter Dave Stewart was not sharp, allowing 6 runs, 5 earned in 1.1 innings of work. Sid Fernandez on the other side was “El-Sid” and went 7 innings allowing 4 runs, but only 1 earned. Fernandez did walk 7 batters in the game, but somehow managed to strike-out 8 as well.
Final Score: Mexico City 9 – Chicago 4
Win: Sid Fernandez (1-0)
Loss: Dave Stewart (0-1)
Home Runs: Randy Ready (1)

With the series tied at 1 game each, the teams swung north and into the Windy City of Chicago for some “Fall Ball”. The series is now a best 2 out of 3, with the final game back in Mexico should it be necessary.

Game #3 – Mexico City Lee Gutterman (8-3 2.68) @ Chicago Orel Hershiser (16-8 3.56)

Chicago scored one in the first when Ken Phelps doubled to score Wade Boggs who had lead off the game with a two bagger, and Hershiser was cruising along until the 5th inning when the wheels feel off the cart. An Error by Doran allowed Onix Concepcion to be safe at first leading off the 5th, when Larry Herndon came up and took a Hershiser fastball deep down the line in left to make it 2-1 Mexico City. With one out Junior Ortiz singled and slide safely into second on an error (second of the inning for Chicago) by Von Hayes. A walk to Phil Bradley put runners at 1st and 2nd with one out, when a Tony Fernandez gapper finds left field. Von Hayes, hustled over and made a perfect throw to the plate to cut down Ortiz. Phil Bradley then blasts one over first and into right field, scoring 2 more runs for the Chihuahuas. With Gutterman having a 4-1 lead after five & a half innings, things were looking good for the Chihuahuas. But Chicago turned it around in the 6th when Wade Boggs singles and moved to third on a Bill Doran hit & run putting runners at 1st and 3rd. Ken Phelps walks to load the bases, when Eric Davis steps up and doubles scoring 2 runs and leaving Phelps at 3rd. Kal Daniels walks to fill the sacks full of Demolition. Kent Hrbek flew out for the 1st out of the inning. Mike Scioscia then smashed one to deep left center. Phelps scores, Davis is right behind him, and here comes Kal Daniels in as well. Tim Stoddard came into relieve Gutterman and shut down the door. But that was enough for the Demolition and enough for the Chicago bullpen who sent 5 relievers in to close out the game.

Final Score: Chicago 6 – Mexico City 4
Win: Orel Hershiser (1-0)
Loss: Lee Gutterman (0-1)
Home Runs: Larry Herndon (1)

Game #4 – Mexico City Bob Walk (9-4 3.91) @ Chicago Roger Clemens (27-5 3.14)

Eric Davis scored the 1st run of the game after a lead-off single in the bottom of the second, a swipe of second base, followed by a Kal Daniels double that Phil Bradley just missed catching. Chicago tacked on another run when Daniels stole third and Mike Scioscia hits a sacrifice fly to right scoring Daniels. Roger Clemens settled in and was cruising along keeping the Chihuahuas at bay from scoring. In the bottom of the 4th Eric Davis stepped in a hit a solo Home Run against Bob Walk. Clemens again was keeping Mexico City allowing only 1 hit along the way. In the bottom of the 5th, with 2 outs in the books, Chicago hit back to back singles by Boggs & Doran. Kep Phelps hits a liner to Center that Rookie Chihuahua outfielder Barry Bonds makes a diving attempt, but to no avail as Boggs scores making it 4 to 0 Chicago. Mexico City Manager Brian Mazurek then pulls Bob Walk in favor of David Cone. The First pitch Cone throws gets a little too much of the plate & right in the wheel house for Chicago center fielder Eric Davis, who promptly deliervers his second Home Run of the game. After the 6th and with a 7-0 lead, Chicago took out Roger Clemens, in hopes that he can turn it around and be ready on two days rest if they hold the lead & be ready for the American League Championship Series vs. the California Quakes or Detroit Stars. Doug Drabek pitches the 7th & 8th innings, Chicago then turns to Greg Booker for the 9th. Chicago held on to a 7-0 win over the Mexico City Chihuahuas who are becoming a dominant franchise once again in the American League West.

Final Score: Chicago 7 – Mexico City 0
Win: Roger Clemens (2-0)
Loss: Bob Walk (0-1)
Home Runs: Eric Davis (1 & 2)