Game 1 in Kansas City
Mike Krukow (12-17, 4.89) v Orel Hershiser (22-7, 2.63)
Wow, I did not see that coming as the Royals fall behind 8-3 only to explode with a dozen runs and prove very unhospitable with a 15-8 opening game win. Willie Wilson leads the way with 4 hits and 4 RBI in a massive wake-up call for the Dodgers as Hershiser gets bombed and can’t make it out of the 4th.
Game 2 in Kansas City
Bruce Kison (19-10, 4.02) v Fernando Valenzuela (20-9, 3.04)
Royals lead series 1-0
Game 2 goes a bit more according to script as Fernando Valenzuela pitches a 5-hitter and the Dodgers head home with the series tied at 1 after winning it 5-0. Just 8 hits for the victors with a bases-clearing trip in the 8th by Steve Sax the decisive blow.
Game 3 in Los Angeles
Charlie Lea (17-11, 4.53) v Ron Guidry (11-15, 3.61)
Series tied 1-1
Lefty Carlton’s late-30s renaissance has continued this season with just his second 20-win campaign (after winning 22 last year), including the 300th of his magnificent career and he gets the job done here with a CG effort in which he gives up 1 run on 6 hits while fanning 8. The bats do the rest, with Gamble, Madlock and Garvey all going yard in a comfortable 7-1 win.
Game 4 in Los Angeles
Don Sutton (13-12, 3.57) v Dan Spillner (3-0, 2.30)
Dodgers lead series 2-1
I’m sure there’s been some gentle ribbing for Don Sutton from his rotation mates about being one of the odd men out not to win 20 this year and, while he holds his own here, for most of the game he looks destined to wear the loss as the Royals take a 2-1 lead into the bottom 8th. But the home side rallies with a pair of runs off Dan Quisenberry and Rick Mahler closes it out to give LA a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5 in Los Angeles
Orel Hershiser (1-0, 7.84) v Mike Krukow (1-0, 7.45)
Dodgers lead series 3-1
Redemption is on offer for both of these pitchers after their Game 1 nightmares but it is the rookie who prevails as LA win their 5th Championship in dramatic fashion courtesy of a walkoff single by Bill Madlock to lock down a 4-3 win.
Oscar Gamble’s 500 / 2 HR / 4 RBI effort earns him MVP honours.
