Saturday, July 19, 2008

World Series Game 5: '77-LA 5, '06-DET 0

Game 5 had LA turning to Doug Rau (4-1 with 1.52) to stop the bleeding and Detroit went with Bonderman again – who was looking for redemption for Game 1.

This game was decided in the very 1st inning, when Davey Lopes led off the game with a Single and then scored on a Steve Garvey Double. LA struck again in the top 2nd inning, when Ted Martinez Singled and scored on a Steve Yeager Single. Still not done, LA struck again in the top 3rd inning, when LA scored 3 more runs off 5 Singles and a Walk. LA led 5-0 after 3 innings of play and really got after Bonderman, who only lasted 2.2 innings and gave up all 5 runs. Maroth came in for Bonderman and cooled LA off in the 4th inning. However, in the top 5th inning, Dusty Baker Walked and scored on a Reggie Smith Double – who eventually scored on a SAC fly from Hale. With those 2 runs, LA now led 7-0 after 5 innings of play – and that is where the score stayed. Maroth did not allow another run, but Detroit could not find any weakness at all in Rau’s game, as he mowed down the mighty Detroit lineup. LA took Game 5 with a final score of 7-0 and a series lead of 3 games to 2 heading back to LA – and that Dodger Blue sky.

Doug Rau has pitched like a Cy Young candidate all season long – and this game was no different. He pitched a complete game shutout and gave up only 4 hits – and finished the game with 2 dramatic K’s in the 9th inning, as fatigue was clearly setting in with a high pitch-count. The Detroit manager was quoted as saying that he was glad that he did not have to face him again. The Commissioner, Marc Weiss, was quoted as saying that Rau has been a “statistical anomaly” all season. The Game MVP went to Hale who went 1-for-3 and had 3 RBI’s….but I believe the Game MVP should have went to Rau, who improved to 5-1 and actually lowered his ERA to a league-leading 1.32. It is my feeling that both Rau and Roger Clemens of Houston (who also posted an identical 1.32 ERA) should share the NL Cy Young award – but a deciding factor could be that LA made the playoffs and Houston did not. A case for the NL Cy Young award could also be made for LA’s Burt Hooton, who went 5-0 and posted a 1.75 ERA, and SF’s Juan Marichal, who went 7-2 with a 1.79 ERA. The NL Cy Young voting should be close and interesting

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