Miracle Comeback Part 2--Groundhogs Move on to DLCS October 9, 1999
Binghamton, NY (AP)
They lost game 4 of the divisional playoffs, losing 7-5 as a rattled Sean
Bergman struggled in the earlygoing, getting knocked out after just 1
inning. He was apparantly more worried about his dog than he let on. After
winning the game, the Mets Militia returned the dog, mostly unharmed, to the
Punxatawney clubhouse.
With the series tied at two, the rivals prepared for the final, crucial game
in Binghamton. Once again, in a rematch of game 1, Punxatawney sent Jon
Lieber against the Mets' Andy Ashby. Lieber won the first game, throwing a
complete game, while Ashby was knocked out early. At the start of game 5,
it seemed things might go that way again.
Punxatawney rallied from the start, as Tony Batista singled, stole second,
and was driven in by a Ryan Klesko single to give the Groundhogs a 1-0 lead
in the first inning. It was scored as an unearned run by the unfair Mets'
statistician, trying to make Ashby's stats look better. It did not hold for
long, as Ken Caminiti hit a first inning solo homer. The Binghamton Big
Three continued to pile on the runs as the game continued. Jeff Bagwell
laced a solo homerun of his own in the 3rd, and in the 6th inning Mark
McGwire crushed a two run blast.
"That's star power, yeah," said Hogs manager Dan Shapiro. "They got some
huge hitters. But the other six aren't nearly as good."
Lieber was pulled after the 6th inning, having allowed 4 runs and leaving
his team trailing 4-1. Juan Guzman came in to relieve him in the 7th,
keeping the Mets at 4 runs through the 8th inning.
But Ashby was at the top of his game. He allowed just 4 hits and 1 walk
through 7 2/3 innings, striking out 6. Troy Percival finished out the 8th
inning, nearly allowing the Hogs to score, but getting the final out with
the score still 4-1.
The game went to the 9th with that score. Punxatawney had three outs to
score at least three times, or their amazing September comeback would be for
naught.
"We had a quick team meeting before the 9th inning. I just reminded
everyone that we came back from behind Houston last month, and we can come
back from behind Binghamton now," said Shapiro.
Binghamton took out Percival, who struggled in the 8th, and brought in Bret
Pezold. Pezold had an excellent season, going 3-0 with a 2.58 ERA in 52 1/3
innings of work. He notched 2 saves and 3 holds. But on this day, Pezold
was simply unable to get the job done.
Klesko opened the inning with a double to right-center. After Scott Rolen
popped out to second, Geronimo Berroa singled in Klesko, making the score
4-2. Catcher Dan Wilson roped a single back up the middle, moving Berroa to
second. Wilson was pulled for speedy utility man John Cangelosi. Jason
Giambi followed that with a walk, loading the bases for 9th hitter Alex
Ochoa.
"On a lot of teams, you'd have to worry about a doubleplay or a strikeout
with the 9th hitter up. But for us, the 9th hitter hits .290 with 25
homers," said slugger Ryan Klesko.
Ochoa, a midyear acquisition, has had an exceptional year. He hit .289 with
25 homers, 77 RBI, and also stolen 31 bases. He had singled earlier in the
game, but was stranded. Knowing this might be his final at bat of the year,
Ochoa wanted to make the most of it.
Quickly, Ochoa got ahead in the count 2-0, forcing Pezold to throw a strike.
He came with a fastball down the heart of the plate and Ochoa turned on it,
driving it deep to left. It stayed fair by a few feet, hooking around the
pole, and the crowd instantly fell silent--the Mets fans, anyway. Ochoa
leapt in joy as he rounded the bases, making sure to hit each one. He
actually injured his knee as he leapt onto home plate, but it is a very
minor injury. It was the ultimate childhood fantasy come true--a grand slam
in the playoffs in the 9th inning with the game on the line.
"Magical. I can't explain it more than that. It was magic," said Ochoa.
Suddenly, the 4-2 deficit was a 6-4 lead. Pezold finally settled down after
that, getting the last two outs and sending the game to the bottom of the
9th. Ricky Bottalico began warming, but was not ready by the start of the
inning. Guzman remained in to begin the inning, having retired Mark McGwire
for the final out of the 8th and safely 6 batters away from facing Jeff
Bagwell again.
He got the first out with a sinker to Joe Carter, getting a groundball back
to the mound. Benito Santiago rifled a single through the right side to
follow that, putting the tying run at bat in the person of Matt Mieske. He
hit a flyball to deep left-center, but it stayed easily in the park and
defensive replacement Kevin Sefcik made the catch.
With just 1 out to go, Bottalico was warm. Shapiro went to the mound,
summoning his closer to try and finish the game out.
"Juan gave us another great effort tonight. He'll get a start in the LCS.
He's really done a great job when we've needed him in this series," said
Shapiro.
Bottalico had only Craig Biggio in his way, and the veteran second baseman
was no match for him. He got ahead 0-2, forcing Biggio to shorten up his
swing. He slapped a hard grounder to Jose Valentin at short. He gloved it
and fired across the infield to Ryan Klesko at first. Game, set, match,
series. Punxatawney had won.
The Mets, and their fans, sat in stunned silence as the Hogs ran for the
clubhouse where they celebrated in safety.
"What a season!" was all many of the players could say.
The divisional series MVP was named shortly after the game. The writers
could not decide who to pick, and select co-MVPs, Jason Giambi and Alex
Ochoa. No one player really excelled in the series, but Giambi was
instrumental with crucial homers in game 1 and 2, and Ochoa had the biggest
hit of his career, so both were deemed worthy of the award.
It really has been a miraculous year, now with two amazing last minute
comebacks. The Hogs will move on and face the Phoenix Gila Monsters, who
edged the Sea Dogs 2-1 in a huge upset. In the EL, Galena held on for their
3rd straight victory, preventing the upset, and they will face Deadwood.
"Phoenix scares us more than Binghamton," said Shapiro. "They have more 1-9
talent in their lineup, and a great bullpen. We feel we have the better
starters, but not by much."
It should be a great series between these two well-matched teams.
Punxatawney returns to the DLCS, having lost in 1997 and not reaching it
last season. Phoenix made their third straight playoffs, but this is their
first DLCS appearance. The series will begin in Phoenix for the first two
games, then three in Punxatawney, followed by the last two in Phoenix.
