1997 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Manhattan Gas Hornets @ Winnipeg Goldeyes |
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  Vegas loved Manhattan’s chances as they won the season series 10-2, have 107 wins to Winnipeg’s 105 but Winnipeg got home field because of the wild card status over Manhattan. Winnipeg was better fielding .984 to .982. Winnipeg’s era was better at 3.21 vs 3.79 (+89 runs).Hitting Gas Hornets .283 to .267, homers 168 to 161 (+117) net +28 MGH over WGE. Vegas says Gas Hornets in 6. In addition, Winnipeg’s all-star CF Lofton was out for the series. |
| GAME #1 –Rick Reed 18-5 (3.17) vs. Justin Thompson 20-8 (3.00)
Ray Durham started it off well with a double and Dave Martinez drove him in 1-0 MGH in the first. Javy Lopez hits a solo shot in the 2nd to tie the game. Then in the third McGwire homers with Becker and Alfonso on base. Tino Martinez homered in the 9th to chase Thompson, but Shaw locked it down. 4-2 Winnipeg |
| GAME #2 – Kevin Tapani 9-1 (2.69) vs. Curt Schilling 11-15 (3.78)
Schilling for Winnipeg Tapani for Manhattan. By the 4th Schilling gave up two homers, Stairs and Tino and Kendall rbi hit it was 3-0 and Schilling was gone after 5 innings. With a 3-0 lead and 6 shutout Innings, Tapani was pulled for Martin. That was a mistake as Winnipeg got 4 runs off Martin and Powell with 4 doubles and it was 4-3 Winnipeg. Beck and Shaw then locked it down. Winnipeg 4 Manhattan 3 |
| GAME #3 –Tom Glavine 16-9 (2.90) vs. Matt Morris 20-6 (3.12)
Glavine for Winnipeg Morris for Manhattan. Winnipeg scored 1st on an Alfonso homer. But Gas Hornets. Anderson comes through with 2 run double MGH up 2-1. In the 3rd Winnipeg ties it on a McGwire double. But in the 3 Dave Martinez hits a 2 run homer off Glavine and in the 7th Hollins hits a 2 run shot off Beck. Manhattan 6 Winnipeg 2 |
| GAME #4 – Andy Benes 19-5 (3.13) vs. Rick Reed 18-5 (3.17)
The curse of scoring 1st MGH score 2 in the 1st off Benes. After 6 innings it was a 3-3 game. But in the 7th Dave Martinez hits a 3- run homer off Beck. 6-3 MGH.It looked good until Powell Martin blew it again as pinch hitter Bobby Estalella hits a 3 run homer!. Game tied. Then in came the super closer Wetteland gives up a solo homer to Javy Lopez. Shaw locks it down. Winnipeg 7 Manhattan 6 |
| GAME #5 – Justin Thompson 20-8 (3.00) vs. Kevin Tapani 9-1 (2.69)
Manhattan score first a Durham double and they never looked back. McGwire and Buhner went back to back but that was it for Winnipeg no bullpen in this one Tapani goes 9 for the 5-2 win, Tino homered in the 7th to chase Thompson. Manhattan 5 Winnipeg 2 |
| GAME #6 – Matt Morris 20-6 (3.12) vs. Curt Schilling 11-15 (3.78)
Winnipeg up 3-2 and at home. Stairs and Hollins go back to back off Schilling in the second. Schilling turned it on and struck out 10 in 7.1 innings. Bip Roberts in for the injured Lofton scored on an inside the park error and a solo homer. Tied 2-2 Shaw was in. In the 8th Winnipeg got 2 runs off Morris and Wetteland as Frye and Everett rbi doubles give Winnipeg a 4-2 lead. Shaw locked it down again. Manhattan 4 Winnipeg 2 |
| Fielding was as expected both teams made 3 errors and only 1 unearned run allowed by MGH. Pitching equal as well MGH 3.88 era, Winnipeg 4.15ERA. Hitting Winnipeg .251 8 homers 23 runs. Manhattan .226 9 homers 24 runs. Bullpen: MGH 0-2 0-2 in saves 6.55 era Bullpen: WGE 3-0 2-0 in saves 2.92 era Series MVP Could have been Lopez but Shaw gets it with 2 wins and 2 saves, key in all Winnipeg wins not allow a run. Congrats to Bill and his Gas Hornets on a great year, and hosting Team Viewer was a lot of fun. Winnipeg repeats as N.L. Champion… Lofton will be back for the World series defense. |