1992 NLCS, Game 7: Pirates @ Braves

good evening everyone and welcome to Atlanta for the seventh and deciding game of the National League Championship Series between the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Atlanta Braves hello everyone and welcome I'm Sean McDonough along with Tim McCarver and it's great to have you with us as the Pittsburgh Pirates try to become just the eighth team in Major League history to come from three games to one down and win a postseason series and by forcing a Game seven they have another chance for Doug Drabek as he goes head to head with John Smoltz for the third time in the series John Smoltz has already beaten Drabek twice in this series and if he wins again tonight versus Drabek it will be the first time in postseason history that one pitcher will have beaten the same mound opponent in the same series three times but if he does it will be bucking a trend for Atlanta pitchers the starting pitchers Steve Avery went only a third of an inning on Sunday night and Tommy Glavine only I think this is going to be a well-pitched ballgame the Toronto Blue Jays will fly south for the start of the world series will it be to Pittsburgh or Atlanta we'll find out after this welcome back to sold-out Atlanta Fulton County Stadium for Game seven of the National League Championship Series the lineup for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Jim Leyland tonight Alex Hall leads off in right field Jay Bell the shortstop Andy Van Slyke in center field the cleanup hitter leftfielder Barry Bonds Orlando Merced at first base Jeff King batting sixth the third base Mike lavalliere the catcher Jose lien the second baseman and the pitcher Doug Drabek bats Knight those are the batting averages for the Pirates in this league championship series defense for the Braves gain and left Otis Nixon and Center and David Justice in right Pendleton Blauser Lemke bream on the infield and Berryhill behind the plate first pitch at Game seven a fastball inside from John Smoltz to Alex Cole man another fastball this one high to a no uncle who was appeared in two games in this series the two games started by John smokes one and four he's to parade borderline strike another fastball nothing but heat to this point from Smoltz to Cole the one thing that Bobby Cox the manager of the Braves said about John Smoltz was that he had to throw strikes early in the count to Alex Cole he hasn't done that he walked 80 this year in 246 innings and he walks pole to start the ballgame Alex did not swing at a pitch and he walked on five pitches good news and bad news so far for Smoltz he's blowing hard but he's been wild the lead man on for the Pirates in the first the batter is Jay Bell look for a bunch in this situation with Bell Jim Leyland has employed the bunt frequently throughout the years with Jay Bell even in the first inning he had 9 this year in the first inning he pops that one up Berryhill makes the run again the barrel of the bat is below the ball and that's why he popped it up Berryhill makes a nice play a catcher's first responsibility fair territory that's why he went out and then back to make a nice play on out we're on the top of the first Andy Van Slyke digs in and he is 6 for 25 he's had at least one hit in every game in this series except game to the 13 to 5 Atlanta victory breaking ball for a strike Bobby Cox he was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1985 when they squandered the three games to one lead in the LCS against the Kansas City Royals only two teams in League Championship Series play have ever blown a three-game to one day that's a fair ball past the dive of Sid Bream and down into the corner healed it by justice poll will be held at third Van Slyke in a second with a double Andy Van Slyke is the best lowball hitter on the pirate team and watch where the fastball from Smoltz is right down in his wheelhouse just inside the bag a diving green can't get to it that ball hopping over his glove and the Pirates are threatening early with second and third and one out for Barry Bonds who hit his first ever postseason home run last night leading off the second inning to ignite the rally Levite runs against Tom Glavine they won't take a chance with bonds here with first base open he'll walk him and worked Orlando Merced I'm sure Jim Leyland is probably thinking the only lineup changed that either team is made this year all of the lineups have been art during this year's championship series all of the lineup lineups have been the same the right-handed hitters facing a left-handed pitching and a predictable left-handed batting order facing right-handers but last night he was thinking about it and he said I think I'll move Merced to the FIP hole and it could pay early dividends here in the in the first inning Jeff King batting sixth Leland wanted another left-handed battle to line up right behind bond and that's what he has with Merced one for seven in the series is Merced he's one for five in the two games in the series against Smoltz the infield back at DoublePlay depth the bases loaded with one out of the top of the first in Game seven of the National League Championship Series breaking ball inside corner strike one he said badly fooled by that breaking ball on its own too breaking ball in the dirt good block by Berryhill as he shifted to his right 1 & 2 on Merced with Alex Cole at third-base that was a terrific play by Damon Berryhill not only does he block it but he gives John Smoltz confidence when he went in if he throws another breaking ball the effective breaking ball is down and you have to have a catcher who can block the ball to have confidence to throw it with a man on third well hit right field deep enough to get the run in his justice make the cuts in front of the track pull across with the first run of the ballgame and the Pirates lead one to nothing in the first inning it's the second RBI in this series for Orlando versa and you're looking live punch bar in Pittsburgh where pirate fans are watching tonight her idea was stadium River right down the street from Three Rivers Stadium the Pirates strike first a hanging breaking ball to Merced second base open I wouldn't be surprised to see bonds run early in the count and Slyke took third on the fly ball to right Jeff King with a very high fly ball near the bullpen Gant over and couldn't get we all around the ball I think he had to negotiate that pitcher's mound that is the bullpen mound right there so he went up and down and by the time he got his equilibrium back but he had overrun the ball and Ron Gant appeared to hurt his left foot or ankle but he's okay limping back to his position he went up and down then almost over and out we ended the railing by the bullpen the one strike pitch the King check swing at a breaking ball King the sixth batter of the first-inning batting with first and third and two outs and one run in gets picked it up over the last two games he's 4 for 9 in games five of six combined Vaughn stole 39 bases during the regular season he has the only Pirates stolen base in this series in his wedding and King pops it up Berryhill and Pendleton is very rare to in the inner the Pirates are on the board with one one in the top of the first after happening in Pittsburgh one in Atlanta coming up another beautiful night in Atlanta temperature at game time near 70 degrees ideal conditions for the sellout crowd to watch Game seven of the National League Championship Series the starting lineup for Atlanta tonight Otis Nixon in centerfield Jeff Blauser the shortstop Terry Pendleton to third David Justice and right Sid Bream at first Ron Gant and well Damon Berryhill the catcher mark Lemke the second baseman and the pitcher John Smoltz bats ninth against Doug Drabek who's oh and two in this series the defense for the Pittsburgh Pirates Barry Bonds in left field Andy Van Slyke in center Alex Cole and right King at third ballots short leaned at second and Merced at first and Mike lavalliere behind the plate Drabek first pitch of the night a strike to Otis Nixon and if you're keeping score at home right quickly short hand slapped out of play Drabek quickly ahead no balls and two strikes the umpires John McSherry behind the plate Randy Marsh at first Steve Ripley at second Gary Darling at third Jerry Davis's along the left field line and Ed Montague calls the plays and right yo to pitch Nixon Oh for his last eight after his record-setting five straight hits earlier in the series still one and two jeff blauser waits on deck Nixon had three straight hits against Doug Drabek in that game for great back going with a lot of breaking balls fast balls tonight like Doug lost his balance to mid as he delivered that fastball two balls and two strikes Nixon had been 2 for 24 lifetime against Drabek prior to this series but Otis has gone 3 for 6 against Drabek Libyan LCS a lot of talk about the lack of intensity in the stands here at atlanta-fulton County Stadium in this series as compared to the postseason last year but tonight you sense the electricity is back now the - to Chico lien throws him out one out we're in the bottom of the first the Pirates lead one to nothing on a sacrifice fly by Orlando Merced in the top of the first like Otis Nixon Jeff Blauser is slumping he's to for his last 15 they do ball missed inside Drabek has failed to survive the fifth inning in either of his first two starts in the series one ball and one strike on the Atlanta shortstop included in those career numbers for Blauser against Drabek a home run in Game one with this use LCS King the diving stop to his think to throw him out fine play by Jeff King at that ball gotten vine it is doubtful that Bell would have grown out Jeff Blauser gets to his feet and guns him out nice play by King well with all the attention early in this series of the lack of production from the heart of the pittsburgh order very little attention has been paid in the difficulties of Terry Pendleton at the plate he's hitting his to 31-6 426 then he looked at a breaking ball in the dirt Pittsburgh Pirates got him out last year too for the 14 games that these two teams have played in postseason the last two years Terry batting only 196 one ball and one strike on Pendleton course Terry picked it up in the World Series last year e at 360 or against the Minnesota Twin we've been bothered by a sore groin Bobby Cox's we've been running well was it anytime this season in the air right field nut beef hold the catch the Braves go in order in the first after one in Game seven one-nothing Pittsburgh the only run in this game came to the top of the first Alex Cole started the inning with a walk he advanced the third and scored on the sacrifice fly by Orlando Merced Doug Drabek has faced six batters and retired them all and home plate umpire John McSherry left after an inning and a half due to illness replaced by Randy Marsh who started the ball game at first base our blimp tonight is good years Stars and Stripes from Pompano Beach Florida at the controls once again is Captain Jim Maloney from Vienna Virginia in our continuing desire to be straight down the middle even get a blimp captain from between Atlanta and Pittsburgh damon berryhill leads on and Drabek starts some of the breaking ball and missed name it Oh for his last 8 1 for his last 15 to drop his series average to 143 mark Lemke to follow and then John Smoltz and breaking ball stayed high and it still it all come look at the camera watch the game teaching your son not to be a ham early in life two and one on very Hill during the game last night Jim Leyland might be considering taking the knuckleballer Tim Wakefield out with his team ahead eight to nothing after two innings for at some point thereafter they have him ready for the possibility of appearing in this game seven Jim Leyland told us that never crossed his mind Berryhill drives with a good center field Van Slyke on the run to the wall he has a long way to go to track it down but Berryhill is slow and he stops at second the Braves have their first base runner of the night there have been 13 players that have appeared in every game for both sides before that swing of the bat damon berryhill was the only player without an extra-base hit in this league championship series but he has one now to lead off the third the tying run is in scoring position with nobody out in the third inning and the batter is mark Lemke trying to end at over 10 slump and the Tomahawk Chop has returned with feeling the Fulton County Stadium plenty of the blade the pitcher john smoltz on down foul ball that is a very interesting play with the picture up next you may remember in game 4 John Smoltz with two hits an RBI a stolen base that was in Game four at Pittsburgh a game won by Atlanta and Smoltz that was a two-out single Center to plate the RBI here Bobby Cox has mark Lemke fighting Berryhill over the third-base or an attempt to do that the Smoltz on deck those hits for Smoltz in Game four were an aberration he hit only 160 during the regular season again Lemke turned to bunt and took a ball outside now Lemke if he does bun he will count no balls and two strikes that is a very very strange play even Olympia's over chin trying to get the third baseman to field a ball but the council ball and two strikes play hit to get Berryhill well that's down to third berryhill cannot advance his King throws Lemke oh one thing about a play like that when a third baseman is that far off the line you have everybody racing for the bag he looked the runner back you see Drabek cutting in front of King Bell behind King racing to third the hole Berryhill at second Lenti now over his last 11 and he failed to advance the runner apparently the organist is playing the chant on the right key tonight Maryland King the organist who have been the object of some criticism from the fans saying she'd change or the chancel a year ago and she maintained that's nonsense it's the same key which she has always played the tomahawk camp smokes 2 for 6 at the plate in this series his Tim mentioned he had two hits in three times up in Game four chopped foul one strike on Smoltz he will be followed by Otis Nixon we're in the third and the Pirates lead one to nothing roll to the plate with Damon Berryhill at second base and one out the o1 pitch fastball in for strike two Drabek worked 4 and 2/3 innings in Game one four and a third innings in game four the less than five innings though he should be fairly strong tonight and he's growing like it little looper with the leaping grab in shallow right center Smoltz got just a bit more of that it would have found its way into right-center field lean covers as much ground as any second baseman of the game and it turned out to be a relatively easy play for him at spinning slider away off the end of the bat and Jose lien makes a relatively easy play out of that but you're right had he hit it a little more toward the sweep part it's a dunker motus Nixon bounced out to the second baseman leaned his first time up Berryhill at second now with two outs he started this inning with a double we have a report that umpire John McSherry was experiencing dizziness and that's why he left the game he has been taken to a local hospital as a precautionary baby sharply hit but Merced has it and the Braves cannot capitalize on the leadoff double by Berryhill three innings in the books in Atlanta one nothing pirates it's one nothing Pittsburgh after three the winner of this one goes to the World Series to meet the Toronto Blue Jays let's check in with Jim Gray okay Sean John McSherry just left Fulton County Stadium he was taken to Piedmont Hospital there were several doctors who went into the Braves clubhouse to try and evaluate just exactly what was wrong with him he was suffering from some dizzy spells an ambulance came he left on a stretcher they're going to take him to the hospital for further evaluation when he left he was conscious and alert we'll keep you posted Sean this series is the highest scoring NLCS ever these two teams have combined to score 65 runs through the first six games Plus this one in Game seven has settled into a pitcher's duel John Smoltz battling Doug Drabek and Smoltz on the short end of a one nothing score as we go to the sixth inning in the pitch count particularly a factor for Smoltz because of the length of his outings in games 1 & 4 he's grown a lot more pitches then Doug Drabek in this series Jay Bell fouled hit one in the mitt damon berryhill for strike 1 jazel for 2 tonight Smoltz has just been terrific in the seventh game alone last year shutting out Pittsburgh forward and nothing in Game seven he worked Game seven of the World Series working shutout baseball over seven and a third now only one run through the first five so in his one in the third innings for just Game seven alone he's given up one run he's retired 14 the last 15 Pirates still owe and two on Bill Van Slyke and bonds to follow we mentioned at the outset only seven teams in Major League Baseball history have come back from three games to one down to win a postseason series the Pittsburgh Pirates have done it twice in their history Bell rips one into the left-field corner Gant will play it off the wall as Jay Bell pulls in a second with a double these two teams have combined for four hits in the game at all four of them are doubles a lot of times you may hear that if a guy hits a pitch it was a mistake guys hit good pitches too but that was a mistake a high breaking ball and in my opinion that was the first mistake thrown by either pitcher tonight right there right in the sweet part you can see Smoltz turning to the left and the bad thing about that hit it not only leads off the inning but Van Slyke bonds Merced three left-handers coming up the lead man at second in the sixth inning pirates find add to a one nothing lead Andy Van Slyke swung at a ball the dirt Bell thought about third thought better of it Steve Avery who was the starter in Game five warming up in the bullpen he is the left-hander in Pete Smith the right-hander Bobby Cox told us before the ballgame that he would not hesitate to use Steve Avery this is a game obviously that his team has to win he'll do whatever it takes Van Slyke has doubled and flied to right breaking ball missed low one ball and one strike the double by Jay Bell the 28th double in this series that ties a league championship series record will the two teams combined Toronto and Kansas City at 28 doubles collectively in 1985 Tommy Glavine the only Braves pitcher unavailable Tim Wakefield the only Pittsburgh pitcher unavailable up the middle Lemke can't get it Bell being waved around and he will score and the Pirates lead two to nothing Andy Van Slyke drives in his fourth run of the series and they erupt at the Clark Bar and Grill adjacent to Three Rivers Stadium they're up because the Pirates are up Andy 324 batter during the year second to Gary Sheffield of the San Diego Padres and the Pirates with a Chance here bunching a double by Bell and now a single by Van Slyke looks like a splitter that stayed up in the strike zone and it's taken six innings but we have our first single of Game seven Barry bond makes a fastball on the inside corner Denis didn't think so express that opinion the home plate umpire Randy Marsh bonds was intentionally walked in the first inning to load the bases they pitch to Merced who delivered a sacrifice fly that drove in the first run of the game the second run of the game is scored here the six the double by Bell is singled by Van Slyke they don't generally like to run Andy Van Slyke because that can frequently take the bat out of the hands and Barry Bonds Andi with 12 stolen bases on the year the Pirates as a team with only one stolen base in this series as much as that I think Barry Bonds is the one guy that you keep things quiet you don't send the runners you let him hit one ball and two strikes the two faces of Barry Bonds in this series games 1 through 4 he was 1 for 11 without an RBI over the last three ballgames he's 4 for 10 and has knocked in two he hit the home run last night starting the second inning off Tom Glavine we've got the Bucks off and running for their eighth one second inning pop up Pendleton takes command one out really that was an appropriate label for the graphic of Barry Bonds that you saw because he admits that he is a very moody person one day very happy the next day a little bit on the surly side certainly members of the media can vouch for that but yet is coming out party in game five and it's not coincidental and that's when the series started to turn around for the Pittsburgh Pirates Orlando Merced took a fastball for ball one drove in the first run in the first inning with a sacrifice fly bounced out to the second baseman on the board Van Slyke at third with one out were in the sixth Pittsburgh to Atlanta nothing rich Donnelly is the Pittsburgh third-base coach Jim Leyland wants to play a aggressive baseball I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see bands like running here hit and run in the air in shallow right-center justice the catch that was Jim Leyland's plans to be aggressive on the bases before the season started out before this series started but Atlanta winning the first three out of four games and Atlanta has not been ahead over the last three games not only had they lost two in a row they haven't even been a hit though there have been opportunities for Leyland to send the runner the last three ballgames Jeff gangway this wall Scrolls to first of all hi one an Owen king who was old for two tonight Vence like the runner at first with two outs sixth inning two nothing Pittsburgh Gold pound had a lot of room to shoot for down that line is Pendleton is playing him way off the line very few hitters there are very few hitters who don't use the fat part of the field which to hit usually if the balls are hit down the line it's the pitcher and catchers fault that your hangs a pitch the one one breaking ball low and away two balls in one strike there are certainly times in the late innings when you want to protect against the double but this isn't one of them and that's why Terry Pendleton is playing way off the line especially the way Smoltz is growing the chances of King getting around and hammering a ball down there remote John Smoltz kind of muscle that went up to the plate and missed and now it's Korean Won there's like on the run King lifts it and in left-center Gant has room the pirates score again with one run in the six the Braves come up in the bottom of the sixth trailing two to nothing Game seven of the National League Championship Series heads to the bottom of the sixth inning at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium the Braves with four more times at bat to try to get on the board against Doug Drabek what's that line of a few years back one is the loneliest number that you'll ever know each team looking for one more bottom part of the order coming up for the Braves here in the bottom two six mark lemke open one tonight now over his last 11 Jeff Treadway has moved into the on deck circle to bat for the pitcher Smoltz Drabek starts Lemke with a breaking ball for strike one Doug Drabek has retired nine in a row with melania has had only one base runner through the first five innings of his game and Berryhill who tipple to the third in Leyland said I cannot believe that Doug Drabek would throw three straight starts that were not up his standard and Jim Leyland was right - four starts and a brilliant effort tonight when the Pirates needed it most here's Jeff Treadway getting ready to bat for Smoltz Mike Stanton is the loan pitcher warming up in the Atlanta bullpen in reality the two-run deficit starting to set in there's the day's help and that brings the fans to their feet just the second base runner of the night for Atlanta and mark Lemke and his over 11 drug and we mentioned the mistake by John Smoltz to Jay Bell well Doug Drabek follow suit watch the breaking ball up in the middle of the plate hammered to right by lefty the Braves are hoping for the same results minimum at least one run obviously hoping for a big inning now Jeff Treadway we've been to play twice in this series with one hit a single fastball just outside the night is over for John Smoltz Jimmy Williams through the signs for Lemke and Treadway the reason Treadway selected by Bobby Cox he's 343 for his career against Doug Drabek - nothing Pittsburgh in the bottom of the ships the lead man on for Atlanta an account of one ball and one strike on Treadway Bob walk is the right-hander Bob Patterson the lefty in the Pittsburgh bullpen this will be pitch number 73 of the night for Drabek slap the left the little pop-pop long run for bonds he can't kill Limpy the second it's a bloop hit off the bench for Jeff Treadway first and second and nobody out the Braves have the tying run at first in the go-ahead run coming to the plate there is no doubt about it Otis Nixon is up there to bunt now rain Miller is coming out raised the pitching coach of the Pirates and we will see if the Pirates employ the rotation play the rotation play is when the third baseman charges the first baseman charges the shortstop goes to third and the second baseman goes to first and when you employ that play your intent is to make the play at third and try to cut down the lead runner you could play a variation of the rotation play here just play your third baseman in and get the runner at second base because the runner at second base would be the tying run if he gets they're going to be interesting to see how the pirates player this is the rotation play third baseman breaks in first baseman breaks in shortstop the third second baseman to first we'll see if that's what they employ not a lot of speed on the base pass for Atlanta with Lemke at second and Treadway affair combined for one stolen base during the regular season to tonight these graves of mine hi shopping problem pirates played it straight up and got burned look at the hesitation by Merced Grayback looked at Merced Merced hesitated and notice Nixon has an infield bunt single verse Ed's got to close in on Otis Nixon he can't lay back but he did he's got to know that Jose lien is going to be behind him covering first base Merced his second mistake on a bunt play in this series and this one could be cross bases-loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the 6th inning in Game seven of the National League Championship Series the Pirates lead 2 to nothing the hits now even at poor apiece as Atlanta has strung together three straight hits to start the Cinch Jeff Blauser at the play the tying run in scoring position the go-ahead run at first base the count 1 and on Blauser who is over 2 tonight he has been outstanding throughout his career with the bases full of 375 career average Terry Pendleton Apollo breaking ball he tried to check his swing and cut not one ball and one strike the one one pill this another breaking ball around then do you see any signs the great benders lost anything no a six-letter now he made the one mistake to lemke the other ball they hit off the end of the bat and now the bunt single he's in trouble it has hardly been allowed in him made by the Braves here in the sixth inning but they loaded the bases with nobody out there down two to nothing in the six the 2-1 pitch fastball line the third o'clock double play right it came was the line drive and he easily doubled off Lemke hundreds of times during the year the third-base coach with a runner on third and less than two outs he'll say watch the line drive that's exactly what Limpy he also watched Jeff King Stefan third in fairness to mark there is nothing he could have done about that line drive any any baserunner would have been dead on that one what a break for Pittsburgh the biggest play of the series to this point the tying run is no longer in scoring position it is at first base now there are two down the banner is Terry Pendleton gold for two tonight just six for 28 of a series big swing it amiss at the breaking ball or that is some curveball by Drabek and as you can see he is still maintaining some serious stuff out there fastball slider and that last one was a curveball fastball outside the one thing you don't want in a situation like this in pitchers and catchers are trained like that whatever you think is your best pitch this is a game situation could be a season situation to get deep on anything less than your best pitch that's what what value has to figure out right now breaking ball pulled foul go temple so Pendleton swings through the breaking ball and now he fouls it off though obviously Drabek has the curveball working for Drabek trying to work his way out of a bases-loaded nobody out jam now it's runners at first and second with two down one to the Pendelton the best ball missed outside Hamilton keeps the inning alive David Justice would bat net now the to 2k just been Raven can't believe you didn't get the call and inside fastball that just missed and now with a count three balls and two strikes where runners will be off great that Grilli gets away with one right there without you're sitting outside Drabek came back over the fat part of the plate close pitch apparently it was just low the runners off with a 3-2 pitch line the left barn started in he's there and makes the catch the Braves loaded the bases with nobody out and failed to score the double play a huge play and we go to the seventh with the Pirates still on top two to nothing perhaps the biggest play in this series with Pittsburgh leading two to nothing bases loaded and nobody out an unassisted double play by Jeff King Jeff Blauser hits it off the trademark it wasn't hit hard and mark Lemke is doubled up at third base Pendleton flies to left field and Pittsburgh escapes without yielding a run and Mike Stanton the left-hander in there greeted immediately by the base hit by Mike Lavallee Jim Leyland left the left-handed swinging lavalliere in there to face Stanton and Stanton's first pitch delivered to left Stanton has been perfect in his four appearances prior to tonight in terms of not allowing any runs he's pitched three and two thirds innings you might be asking yourself why it was Mike Lavallee or left in there by Jim Leyland while he's catching a shutout he and Drabek have something going now and that supersedes any offensive things that he can do but he ends up singling the left field but the reason he was allowed to hit was because he and Drabek have a shutout through six innings Drabek on deck Laval yer back to first proposed a lean to deploy if you bring a guy like Don slaught in you may get more offense but he doesn't know the tendencies of brave back through the first six innings that's why LaValle yrs in there there's Don slot lean sends one back to the string Chico doubled with one out of the fifth inning but was stranded at second we mentioned earlier seven teams in the history of postseason play in Major League Baseball have come from three games to one down to win a series pirates have done it twice in their history trying to do it again as lean sends what a right center makes him playing in that direction with the catch for the first out the first team who ever come from 3-1 down was the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925 they did that against Washington and Pittsburgh did it again in the 1979 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles went by Willie Stargell to be our family year Doug Drabek went over to who against John Smoltz Smoltz pitched six innings he allowed two runs both earned on five hits we walked to one of those was an intentional walk and he struck out four he will not pick up his third win in this series tonight Greg Olson is spectator throughout this hearing after injuring his ankle breaking his ankle in mid-september this is an interesting situation right here a gray back bunting with Alex Cole on deck now remember we talked about defense the Pittsburgh up to nothing you're not going to take Cole out of the ballgame he's a left-handed hitter against the left-hander I think Donnelly will change it around now and have Drabek swing away I think Doug missed the bunt sign man I thought he was bunting I think he thought he was bunting and I believe he was hitting away it would be unusual to bunt with Cole against the left-hander turned the bunt as Stanton through the first base Alex go as your fastest outfielder you're not going to pinch-hit a red-hot Lloyd McClendon in this situation because you lose something on defense and defense is the priority for the Pirates right now fastball missed outside Sid Bream to the mound to speak with Stanton 13 and 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings of the postseason for Stanton just 24 years old Drabek gets the bunt down bream has to go to first the lengthy covering it's a sacrifice the play goes 3 4 in Pittsburgh has a runner in scoring position with two down lavalliere at second base and alex poll has been called back in favor of Lloyd McClendon this does have the speed but he is not an outstanding defensive outfielder yeah but he can make up for a lot of his mistakes with his speed McClendon can't do that McClendon is not as good an outfielder and I think this is a very unusual move where Jim Leyland going for another run you can't blame him for that but who's going to play right field it's got to be Lloyd McClendon it was six hits in his last six official advance because the streak was interrupted by a sacrifice fly which terminates the consecutive history he has only tied of the record of five consecutive hits in one Championship Series course you could use Cecil espy in this situation possibly Gary Varsho but what you're doing in essence is using two men for one pinch-hitter if you do that I think that would be the priority to go ahead and use either espy or Varsho rather than putting McClendon out there because he's probably the worst defensive outfielder certainly the worst defensive right fielder that the Pirates had their pitching around Lloyd to get to Jay Bell that'll set up first and second with two outs here in the seventh inning the Pirates trying to add to a two nothing lead is Tim Wakefield looked on one side Gary Rita's if they bring in a right-handed pitcher to pitch to McClendon then Jim Leyland is going to counter with a better defensive outfielder either espy or Gary Varsho both left-handed hitters espy a switch hitter of course but with Jay Bell you may bring the right-hander in and Belle has to stay in the ballgame because he's the regular shortstop Bobby Cox is going to make a pitching change with Jay Bell coming up Pete Smith will come in welcome back to Game seven of the National League Championship Series from Atlanta Fulton County Stadium with the Pirates lead 2 to nothing and they're batting in the seventh with two men on and two outs Mike Lavallee the runner at second base Lloyd McClendon at first and the third pitcher of the night for the Atlanta Braves is Pete Smith Pete Smith 7 and O this year he was 7 and 4 at Richmond and he's worked 3 and 2/3 innings giving up 2 hits that was in Game five these are the pitchers in the bullpen available the Bobby Cox Avery Mercker Leibrandt all left-handers reardon freeman rollers the right-handers both managers well-stocked with pitches tonight only Avery warming up at the moment Jay Bell at the plate so now Mike Stanton who has been the best reliever blade for Atlanta is out of the game after only two thirds of an inning and after Jay Bell you back to the left-handed power hitters and Ben's like in bond Mike Stanton had gone 14 innings without allowing a run that's over the last two League Championship Series he has been very very effective in this probably his best left-hander not probably he is the best left-hander for Bobby Cox against a Van Slyke and bonds when you have to think this might be a one batter stint my homework Pete Smith with Avery still throwing and the left-handers Van Slyke and bonds to follow to nothing Pittsburgh in the seventh inning Pete Smith is yet to throw a strike three and all the count there's Avery who was the starting pitcher a losing pitcher in Game five Sunday at Pittsburgh Van Slyke waiting in the on deck circle Terry Pendleton and damon berryhill to the mound of chat with Pete Smith he pitched very well in Game five in relief of Avery he was the man who came in on the first inning when Avery was knocked out at the third of an inning and Smith allowed only one run before in two thirds now the three old pitch ball four walked him on four pitches that was a breaking ball a breaking ball on a three o count with Van Slyke and bonds coming up no way no way I think Terry Pendleton went in and Berryhill went out and Terry said don't give in to this hitter I think you better give in to Jay Bell as opposed to Van Slyke and bonds coming up even with April they'd spent the parts as Steve Avery comes in for Atlanta - nothing pirates bases-loaded and two outs there's Pete Smith in the middle of your screen I think he was talked into that pitch by Terry Pendleton I don't know that for a fact but Terry Pendleton came out to the mound with the count three balls and no strikes to Jay Bell in my opinion there is no way you can not give in to Jay Bell in that situation with the meat of the order coming up I mean one pop from Van Slyke or bonds it could put it out of reach and that's what Van Slyke has a chance to do as he digs in with the bases loaded Steve Avery the third pitcher of the inning the fourth pitcher of the night for the Braves making only his second major league relief appearance he was the starting pitcher for the Braves in games 2 & 5 in this series Andy Van Slyke to put the way tonight with a double a single in an RBI Tex swing at a breaking ball low it away the Braves are looking at a different Andy Van Slyke than in past seasons he was a 297 hitter against left-handers this year and he is old four-four against Avery in this series and three four twenty against Avery lifetime tied them up with the inside fastball one ball and one strike you can get any left-hander out in that area perfect pitch from Avery with the way Drabek is cruising along this is an absolutely critical spot in the ballgame the 1 1 pitch fouled out of play and now Avery jumps ahead one ball in two strikes so the fastball up and in and then Avery goes back to the breaking ball going away two nasty pitches the Van Slyke the fans realize that this is a vital moment they're on their feet trying to spur Steve Avery onto the strikeout bases-loaded with two outs no runs in in the sitting for Pittsburgh the Pirates lead two to nothing in the seventh the one to pin breaking ball pulled foul and a collective sigh from this packed house that an inside breaking ball the Van Slyke he wheeled on it but cooled it foul twenty-two-year-old Steve Avery with another one to pitch flyball it'll stay in the ballpark and Otis Nixon is dead the Pirates leave the bases loaded without scoring in the seventh seventh inning stretch in Game seven the Pirates up two to nothing Pirates lead 2 to nothing but the Braves dodged a big bullet with that zero in the top of the seventh the Goodyear blimp Stars & Stripes high overhead tonight Stars & Stripes is the most recent addition to the fleet continuing a tradition since 1926 let's check in with Jim Gray ok Sean we have an update on John McSherry the umpire he is at Piedmont Hospital and we just got word from a spokesman at the hospital that McSherry is in stable condition suffering from severe dizziness and will be held overnight for observation Sean thank you Jim and obviously all of us here at the ballpark tonight send out our best wishes to John McSherry Sampson he'll be fine after a night of rest David Justice batting in the seventh Drabek will face the middle third of the order justice bream and Gant Steve Avery to put out the fire using the ferrets to leave the bases loaded in the top of the seventh Pittsburgh to spread of seven baserunners now Rebecca's only surrendered four hits and three of them came last inning and he came consecutively as the Braves loaded him up and nobody out and they failed to score line drive off the bat of Bowser into a double play the biggest play of this series Roger Mason is the right-hander Bob Patterson the lefty McClendon called the game in right field rule about I said had to dig it out one out of the seventh inning we saw the bullpen a left-hander and a right-hander up I think one of the things that really stands out in this series is the reluctance of Jim Leyland to go to his bullpen he realizes that that was the Pirates Achilles heel as a matter of fact all three power twins in this series have been complete games the first time since 1973 the there've been three complete games in nationally championship play the difference was in 73 one of them was a loss Tom Seaver Sid Bream lines it at slicing away from Van Slyke and in for an extra-base hit bream five knee operations doesn't run very well and it doesn't really matter in this case it's a double all the way for the former pirates it brave Green hits it hard the left center that is more or less his gap in his slot fastball away inspect crisply to left-center field the tying run is once again at the point with Pittsburgh leading two to nothing in the seventh minute bream at second with one out for Ron Gant we've been pitching them away all night that one nipped the outside corner Dantas Oh robbed of a hit on a great catch by Andy Van Slyke in centerfield to the second inning and was called out on strikes in the fifth inning the pitch count has to be becoming effective for Doug Drabek and Jim Lee was aware that Drabek is the road pitches tonight pitching on three days rest for the second straight outing from 263 pitches in the three games in the series now this is a different type of three three days rest however this is the hundred and sixty ninth game of the year for either team and the winner goes the world series at three days rest stuff in this particular situation with everything with the whole season riding on it I think a guy like Doug Drabek just laughs again balls and two strikes the Damon berry I think what Ray Miller the pitching coach and Jim Leyland will continue to ask Drabek after every half inning how do you feel don't lie to me tell me the truth I want to know how you feel wrote a second breehn just back you don't necessarily always throw to a base to pick a runner-up sometimes you want to keep UMass Thep closer and that's what they probably did with that close play at second the outfield is extremely deep vo two pitches outside particularly bonds and left in Van Slyke in center blondes almost on the warning track in the left-field corner a lot of room in left-center field with Van Slyke playing almost straightaway the one-two pitch outside 2 & 2 bottom two seventh in Game seven of the National League Championship Series the Pirates lead two to nothing and up with one out bream at second and a count of two balls and two strikes when to to pitch breaking ball wouldn't come down for draping after four sliders gray beck resorts to the curve and misses and undoubtedly that's not where he meant to throw that down Gant represents the tying run at the plate and this is the 3-2 pitch fouled off the catch of the value when the value still down and bigger staff the trainer the virus is going to come out to take a look at him I think it hit Mike in the crease when you're down in the Crouch you see the shin guard right there it came up in the crease of the left shin guard the one good thing about Mike was that the ball hit the ground first and I think it rattled around in his thighs too and of course they are not protected there's the crease that we were talking about right there there was a crease but that ball hit the ground came up and then kind of rattled around in his thighs and no protection there forced the players and catchers obviously wear that protective cup for the groin area and as you can see there I guess it came off the shin guard and hit him in the cup three balls and two strikes and they love Spanky his establishment legations of do nothing Pittsburgh in the bottom of the seventh another 3-2 pitch and 'red way bow we've got about as far in front of that one as you can double it around part in that the line look like another mistake by Drabek that he got away with well was that indicative of how much appalled hitter Ron Gant is my goodness rally caps are going either that or donations accepted don't think that's necessary in the case of be the dugout another 3-2 pitch high in the air bonds drifting toward the stands and it hooks into the stand fortunately for Gannon Ron can't just miss that pic a little late action away Sean was talking about how they've gone away away away just off the end of the bat I mean just missed the sweet part but again an indication of how quick his hands are Drabek has gotten away with a few pitches in this sequence that haven't been indicative of the way he has pitched the rest of the night another payoff it ball four what a great at-bat by Ron Gant fouling off some tough pitches making above just off the plate clearly lone away that is the first walk tonight issued by Doug Drabek Gant the tying run occurs bream still at second one out of the seventh inning yeah it's been cold blade over his last 11 that was certainly a big at-bat Jim Leyland says he and only he decides when to make a pitching change he learned that in his first year managing in the minors in 1971 when it fell his first games as a manager they had a hitting coach who roved throughout the tiger system that hitting coach went down to stand that Jim Leyland one night I'm drinking out of the pitcher when Jim look to the coach the coach walked away and today the effective big-league man learn on your own when to take out the pitcher damon berryhill in with a strike way back on the verge of 100 pitches Berryhill doubled off the wall on the phone in center field rounded out his last time up in the fifth and he's in the hole hero into again the pitch count I don't think the pitch count is as important for Drabek because he's a sinker ball pitcher often when sinker ballers are a little tired they're more effective it's the power pitchers where the pitch count is very very effective to keep track of a guy like John Smoltz for instance who's no longer in the game of course Berryhill in the hole oh and to mark Lemke is on deck I fly not particularly G's in left field Vaughn's laquet for the second out lengthy is looking back toward the Braves dugout he's going to be lifted for a pinch-hitter it's Lonnie Smith he is Bobby Cox main man off the bench and Bobby's probably thinking now that we may never have another chance to use our best pinch-hitter representing but go ahead run if he pops one Atlanta's ahead Oh have come as a pinch-hitter he's two for five off the bench with one RBI word Atlanta Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta Georgia for Game seven of the National League Championship Series the winner of this one moves on to the World Series and will host the Toronto Blue Jays in Game one of the Fall Classic Saturday night Doug Drabek has gone all the way in this his third start of the series he was the losing pitcher while pitching very poorly in games 1 & 4 given a third chance by his teammates particularly his fellow members the pitching staff Bob Hawke and Tim Wakefield with their performances in games five and six and Drabek has taken advantage of this third boy holding on to a 2 nothing lead with runners at first and second when two outs and Lonnie Smith batting for mark Lemke the breaking ball cut on and missed for strike one we change rally caps the pitcher is due next and Deion Sanders has moved into the on deck circle the old one breaking ball missed blowing away another breaking ball spin fouled it away those fans who don't watch much baseball during the year we've come to the television it playoff the World Series time to last memory at Lonnie Smith might be from Game seven of the World Series last year a base running mistake in the eighth inning that could possibly have cost Atlanta the World Championship running on a pitch who doubled the left-center he stopped at third and was stranded there much more pleasant memory of this 1992 close season he's got to do it against some nasty pitches for curveballs and those are real Downers right there you folks at home can tell the curveball from the slider watch the ball go down that is a nasty curveball and that's why I don't even think Jim Leyland thinking about taking ducked right back out now good walk and Patterson throwing throughout this inning Mason has been up as well they're both standing and watching out there now one two pitch high fly ball shallow center a routine play for Van Slyke in the Braves strand two more they've left five we go to the eighth Doug Drabek on the Pirates with a two nothing lead Alex Cole at off this game with a walk against John Smoltz Andy Van Slyke doubled him to third Orlando Merced a sacrifice fly to bring him in the only other run in this game in the Pittsburg sixth inning Jay Bell doubled and Auntie Van Slyke singled him in and Doug Drabek has been the story of the night for Pittsburgh still action on his pitches and I think he will go out there in the eighth inning I don't think Jim Leyland's matter of fact the Pittsburgh bullpen is quiet right now Barry Bonds leads off against Steve Avery with a base hit into the 1o pitch in the right field for his first hit of the night he's 1 for 3 and for the third straight inning the Pirates have believed man on I think it's safe to say the bond market is up after being severely depressed new second baseman in the ballgame is Rafael Belliard that move made necessary by Smith batting for Lemke Rafael Belliard played in only one game this season at second base Tom Glavine working all a one plus inning last night that arch scoring eight runs and the top half of the second inning that was before the relief core could get anybody out justice Doug Drabek was desperately seeking an opportunity to come back in this series in a game seven Tom Glavine expressed the same sentiment for the game tonight in the clubhouse it was desperately hoping that the Braves would make it to the World Series so he'd have a chance to atone for that performance last night Jim Gray told you at the outset John Smoltz that he was pitching tonight with the failures of Avery and Glavine in the last two games in mind I didn't want them to have an awful winter thinking back about how they did not deliver in games five and six Orlando Merced at the plate when ugly is close to the victory in Pittsburgh i'ma taking the praying of course when the camera comes on they all take the cheering and screaming bonds at first with nobody out and still owns the only Pittsburgh stolen base in the series Avery is difficulty holding runners on Merced chops one to short Blauser shuffles to Belliard they cut down the lead runner one out in the eighth inning two nothing Pittsburgh this is Game seven of the National League Championship Series that was a terrific play by Jeff Blauser a lot of shortstops would take the safe out and go to first base Blauser was actually in front of the bag he had to turn and give a little shovel pass back to Belliard a lot of shortstops would go to first base but had he done so then bonds a real threat to steal third with one out the situation the Braves are in we need to do everything they can to keep additional runners out of scoring position for Pittsburgh right Jeff King go for three tonight Avery mrs. Lowe slap down the right-field line it is a fair ball right along the line the rudder is being waved around third Merced to the played home ball hit hard down the right-field line that is just fair so many shots down either line that have been so close throughout this series and now the strong arm of David Justice nails Merced at home plate the slap tag with a glove and the reason that rich Donnelly sent Merced was because of the guy who's up at bat right now Mike Lavallee left-handed hitting the value against the lefty Avery who said cut down to the plate at least for the moment the Braves have dodged another bullet they got out of a bases-loaded jam last in it what value was the first man to face Mike Stanton last inning and singled against the left-hander he's facing Avery for the first time tonight a ball and a strike it would be too much to ask Michael value to give two for two off of guys like Stanton and Avery so I think Pittsburgh would have been put in a squeeze situation it would have been very difficult to score Merced from third base with one out and that's why I think Donnelly sinning what a Jim Leyland tell us before the game when he coached third-base for Tony LaRussa in 1983 he had no stop sign as noticed a man no stop sign there grating ball for everyone and to a wouldn't you know the close play along the line of the outfield would be where there is no umpire because of the illness of John McSherry the umpire is working this ball game with only five members of the crew and though Montagu made the right call it was a fair ball now the one-two pitch softly toward left Gant makes the right the Braves come up in the 8th still trailing by only 2 to nothing welcome back for the bottom of the ninth inning of Game seven of the National League Championship Series the Pittsburgh Pirates trying to become the first National League team to come from three games to one behind to win the NL CS there have been three previous seven games in National League Championship Series play and in all three of them a pitcher has thrown a complete game shutout danny Cox for st. Louis in 1987 Orel Hershiser for Los Angeles at 88 john smoltz for the braves last year against pittsburgh when Drabek is trying to make it a perfect four for four as he begins tonight with a strike to Terry Pendleton who is old foot the way tonight the Braves on the other hand have the meat of the order up to try to score at least two off of Doug Drabek and injustice and brain will bat in the ninth inning it's been a disappointing championship series for Pendleton he's now 6 for 29 Raven has retired five in a row including two strikeouts lasted he said pinpoint control throughout he's only walked one and that was after a battle with gana the 3-2 pitch of the 7 Pendleton pulls it down the right-field line hooking toward the corner it is a fair ball pebbles been on his way to second with a weight off double we've talked about how many close calls there and this is another one cecil st holes Pendleton - a double now the potential tying run will be up for Atlanta that was the headline in today's Atlanta newspaper and it is indeed Now or Never for the brave they have the under the plate David Justice there is double barrel back to the pirate bullpen strike on the outside corner to justice who was over three Belinda Stan Belinda the right-hander Bob Patterson the lefty justice at the plate bream on deck round into the right voted by wind temple to the third on the play a man who has made only six errors during the regular season makes his second year tonight and it could turn out to be the biggest error of his life - Turner with a President Jimmy Carter Rayne Miller the pitching coach on his way to the mound Drabek up to 125 pitches in this his third outing in eight days and Ray Miller comes out he rarely makes a move for Jim Leyland only Leyland will remove the pitcher Greg Beck is still throwing you can see that late action even though the ball was hit hard by Pendleton and hard by justice but it was booted by lien normally sucks those balls up one of the five his fielding second baseman's in the game now the first with nobody out in the bottom of the night getting the potential winning run is at the plate blame the breaking ball that are Valley with a runner at third the Braves have had cancers in the wait a minute they loaded the bases with first and second with one out of the seventh and failed the school now they have first and third with no tonight trailing two to nothing marina the plate with Ron Gaston pirates this season in this series we've seen Jim Leyland be very reluctant to go to the bullpen starting pictures of the strength of his staff and continue to be true in this series trying to cut it out of the night just missed outside three balls and no strikes on Sid Bream Pendleton the runner at third he scarred the ending with a double justice reached on the lane Darren he's at first Drabek about the throw pitch number 129 the 302 brain ball four as hard as it is to believe there are a lot of empty seats in the upper reaches of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium people in the neighborhood were making a u-turn in their car trying to come back Jim Leyland on his way to the mound to take out Doug Drabek Stan Belinda will be the new pitcher a brilliant effort by Doug Drabek we'll find out if it was enough after this Jim Leyland leading two to nothing but it is a tenuous lead with the bases loaded for the Braves and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game seven of the National League Championship Series eight innings plus 129 pitches after the second walk that issue tonight Stan Belinda takes over the consideration now when you use a pinch runner force it green the Atlanta Braves have Brian hunter and two pitchers you wouldn't use the catcher we want to save hunter as a right-handed pinch-hitter that's why green still in the game Belinda's first bids to run outside for ball one Gant hit a grand slam in Game two of this series last Wednesday afternoon on Bob walk agonizing moments for pirate fans everywhere including those you just saw at the park Bar and Grill tying run at second in hits one the barns on the track at the wall makes the catch Pendleton on the score the first Atlanta run of the ballgame everybody exploding here in the stadium as though something could happen but something bad happened for Atlanta something could happen for the Pirates they got the sacrifice fly to left field and not the center or right because the time runs the guy who is still at second base in that stated justice so one run scores but for the most part you're no closer getting David Justice home because he's still at second base and now a double play with the slow footed Berryhill of the blade sends the pirates to the World Series even though Belinda is not a double play Type pitcher he throws high fastball and rarely will throw a double play ball pittsburg leaves in the bottom of the ninth and berryhill fouled one back to the screen the tying run is justice at second bream a slow runner represents the winning run at first base with the l1 pinch a bit perhaps just below the running the sitting charge to Drabek Brian hunter has moved into the on deck circle to bat for Rafael Belliard been only one hit in this inning it was the leadoff double by Pendleton Theatre by leaning the large plug three balls in a straw wasn't supposed to be in the situation Greg Olson would have been the catch not broken ankle in mid-september his last 11 in this series the two one inside ball three Berrien looking down at Jimmy Williams for the tape sign in my book no way you take here choose a choose that imaginary box if it's in it smoke it one pill go on so close was the last pitch to Berryhill and Michael valued barking right umpire Randy mark he wanted it he thought it was a strike a couple of close pitches in that sequence golf balls moves the time run to third now a deep fly ball would tie up the ballgame and the winning run is in scoring position Brian hunter has appeared in two games in this series he's won four four the interesting thing here is the only out of this inning was a blob of the left-field groaned by Stan Belinda it was a sacrifice fly hit by Ron Gant Stan Belinda rose about twice as many outs in the air as he does on the ground he threw one double play grounder this year with that in mind Jim Leyland's going to keep the infield at halfway in DoublePlay depth it is very very on Malinda go a double-play grounder it's more likely for him to get a strikeout a pop-up fly ball to the outfield and hunter one of the heroes of last year's Game seven he had a 2-run Homer john smilee he pulls that one foul past third Stan Belinda because he does give up a lot of fly balls occasional has a problem with the homerun ball he surrendered eight of them in 71 inning war could only in the bullpen Pittsburgh leads to the one one out of the bases loaded in the bottle the night hunter little worker leaned is there and makes the catch the runner tags but will not try it out of the bottom of the night and now the Braves season hangs in the balance as Francisco Cabrera comes to the plane to bat for the pitcher he appeared in only 12 games this year for the Braves and batted only 10 times with three hits he's over 1 in this series Belinda's first pitch a breaking ball outside now Linda goes to an otaku Brera I'd having take it has not been up that much and I think the chances then are better with a walk and a hit when you have to come off the bench and face a guy like Belinda man in the spotlight for Atlanta 25 year-old Francisco Cabrera who takes ball two to a No Pittsburgh to Atlanta one with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game seven of the National League Championship Series the Toyota well hit but hooking father left he had the green light onto it oh and hammered it but well foul over the pirate bullpen and hit it very very hard right in his wheelhouse and it hooks foul he doesn't want much he walked only 17 times 300 advance in triple-a this year he back to the 200 now the go on just as a score on green to the play the unlikeliest of heroes wins the National Championship Series for the Atlanta Braves Francisco Cabrera to the major waves during the regular season single through the left side scouring Sid Bream from second base with the winning run bream was had five knee operations in his lifetime just beat the tag of his ex-mate Mike Lavallee ER and Atlanta pulls out game seven with three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning

Channel: MLB Vault

Views: 329,342

Rating: 4.7366433 out of 5

Keywords: Major League Baseball, ブレーブス, Pittsburgh Pirates, メジャー, Atlanta Braves, Baseball's Best Classic Games, ピッツバーグ, メジャーリーグ, アトランタ, 野球, 大リーグ, 野球速報, ピッツバーグ・パイレーツ, アトランタ・ブレーブス, パイレーツ

Id: _IElL-DZxwY

Length: 104min 0sec (6240 seconds)

Published: Fri Oct 01 2010

Reddit Comments

[u/palerthanrice]

There's still a fist shaped hole in the wall in the third floor of my house from my dad after that game.

[u/Eat_Dinosaur]

As a Braves fan, it's hilarious seeing the pirate's coach's reaction through this whole video