Oakland Coliseum - The 1998 Padres know they may have some shortcomings but one of the least things they thought they couldnt count on was the arm of closer Trevor Hoffman. In a close battle however that is exactly what happened as the 89 Athletics beat San Diego again, this time in extra innings, to keep clear control of this series.
Back at the beginning of this one Andy Ashby and Bob Welch took the mound for their teams and are pitchers who use their heads often times more then just their arms. A Rickey Henderson RBI double in the first inning gave the home team an early lead but Tony Gwynn tied the game in the top of the third inning.
Carlos Hernandez showed some pop as he went yard to give the Padres the lead, soon after the game was tied again as Walt Weiss delivered with a two out hit. Heading into the late innings neither team could get an edge in this game, but it was the A's who were missing the most scoring chances. Luis Polonia drove in the go ahead run in the 7th however and with Dennis Eckerley warming up, time was short for the Padres.
Tony Gwynn knew the situation as well and Gwynn laced a line drive to the left field corner that just cleared the wall and the Padres had tied the game. Leave it to Gwynn to know exactly when to shoot for the fences as his bat control, even at this age, is the thing of legends.
Welch was pulled ijn the 9th and Rick Honeycutt was the choice for Tony Larussa. In the bottom of the 9th, knowing how big this game was, Bruce Bochy called on Trevor Hoffman in a tie game and knew he needed his best on the mound. Hoffman struck out a man and picked off Stan Javier to end the ninth and prove his manager right. Honeycutt however closed down the Padres in the 10th even though Quivio Veras made it all the way to third base before Steve Finley flied out with two outs.
In the bottom of the 10th with one out Luis Polonia singled an Hoffman was in a role he wasnt used to, a rally that was created by his own doing. Hoffman however struck out Carney Lansford on a cutter and got the second out. Luis Polonia however stole second and the Padres decided to intentionally walk Rickey Henderson as his run was meaningless.
The hope was that Jose Canseco would hit into a double play. Canseco singled however on a line to right field and the runners held to load the bases with two out and Mark McGwire coming to the plate. With the pressure mounting and the Coliseum as loud as it can get, Hoffman fell behind in the count.
On a 3-1 pitch the dominant closer missed outside and the game winning run crossed the plate. The loss was a devastating one for the Padres who failed to get either game in Oakland despite using Kevin Brown and Treffor Hoffman, their two best pitchers.
"I let my team down and wasnt as sharp as I needed to be with their two big hitters," said Hoffman of his 10th inning, "I wasnt tired nor intimidated, I just blew it."
Now the scene changes and the Padres need to stay confident and poised as Sterling Hitchcock takes the mound against Mike Moore.
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Game 2
1989 Athletics lead series 2-0
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | | San Diego Padres 1998 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 1 | | Oakland Athletics 1989 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
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a - E. Giovanola pinch hit for C. Hernandez in the 7th
b - G. Myers substituted for E. Giovanola in the 7th
BATTING
Doubles: C. Gomez (0, 3rd Inning off B. Welch, 0 on, 0 outs)
Home Runs: C. Hernandez (0, 5th Inning off B. Welch, 0 on, 0 outs) T. Gwynn Sr (0, 8th Inning off B. Welch, 0 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: C. Hernandez 4 , Q. Veras , K. Caminiti , C. Gomez 2 , T. Gwynn Sr 4 , M. Sweeney
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: C. Gomez , S. Finley , T. Gwynn Sr , M. Sweeney
GIDP: T. Gwynn Sr
Team LOB: 7
BASERUNNING
SB: G. Vaughn (0)
FIELDING
Errors: Q. Veras
Double Plays: 1 (Gomez-Veras-Joyner)
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a - K. Phelps pinch hit for W. Weiss in the 7th
b - M. Gallego substituted for K. Phelps in the 8th
c - G. Hubbard substituted for T. Phillips in the 8th
BATTING
Doubles: R. Henderson (0, 1st Inning off A. Ashby, 1 on, 1 out)
Total Bases: J. Quirk , T. Phillips , W. Weiss , R. Henderson 3 , J. Canseco , S. Javier 2 , L. Polonia 3 , K. Phelps
2-out RBI: M. McGwire , W. Weiss , L. Polonia
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , M. McGwire 2 , C. Lansford
GIDP: C. Lansford
Team LOB: 6
BASERUNNING
SB: R. Henderson (0) , L. Polonia (0)
CS: S. Javier (0)
FIELDING
Double Plays: 1 (Honeycutt-Gallego-McGwire)
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GAME NOTES
Player of the Game: Luis Polonia
Ballpark: Oakland Coliseum
Weather: Clear skies (65 degrees), wind blowing left to right at 10 mph
Start Time: 7:00 pm
Time: 3:02
Attendance: 36422
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