Washington advances to world series defeating New York in five games

[cywaterbucket]

The Washington Senators advanced to the World Series by defeating the New York Firebirds in five games in the American League Championship Series.

Washington shortstop Jay Holm (6 for 19 .316 with a double, triple and two run homerun) and third baseman Jim Sparks 7 for 21 .333) led the offence for Washington. Sparks overcame a four strikeout performance in the game one loss. Holm score four runs and Spark came in five times.

Myles Chapman started game one and game five for Washington and came away with a 1-1 record, totaling twelve and a third innings, allowing ten hits, and just two earned runs. An unearned run in game one was the difference in that game.

In game five Chapman went five and two thirds innings surrendering one run on five hits. New York got to him for its only run in the sixth inning and had two men on when he departed with two outs, Adrian Evans came in a retired pinch hitter Stoney Kirke on a flyball to Unser, in leftfield.

Bill Carreon then threw three scoreless innings of one hit relief for a save.

Washington scored twice in the fifth inning on a homerun by Holm and once in the sixth on singles by Smallwood and Unser.

Washington evened the series at a game a peace at home in game two behind Jeff Walter.

Walter was very impressive over his eight innings allowing just two runs on nine hits, walking one batter, and recording eight strikeouts. Willie Fisher took care of the ninth inning for his first post season save.

Washington took the first lead in this game in the second inning when Nyles Pezullo and Jim Sparks both singled, putting runners on first and third. Pezzullo then scored on a sacrifice fly by Del Unser.

new York came right back in the top of the third inning took take a 2-1 lead on a two out two run triple by Ad Rommel.

Washington regained the lead in the fifth inning. Catcher Casey Thigpen reached on an error by New York third baseman Lou Teachout. Walter forced him at second on a nice play by Teachout. New York starter Vernon Klein walked Holm. Charlie Gosger singled with Walter stopping at third base. Walter scored on a deep sacrifice fly by Washington All Star first baseman Marshall Smallwood for a 3-2 Washington lead.

The Senators added their final run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Smallwood drew a walk and scored on Ted Myrick's single.

The Senators took game three 4-1. Washington starting pitcher Bill McElveen went eight innings for the win. McElveen limited New York to one run on six hits. Willie Frazier, who saved 20 games during the regular season, picked up his second save of the series.

Washington pounded out twelve hits to score four runs. Jim Sparks led the way with three hits. Jay Holm and Nyls Pezzullo had triples and pinch hitter Jim Arias and Unser added doubles to the hit total. Bud Thomas took the loss for New York,

Washington put itself firmly in command of the series with a 8-4 game four win, in 10 innings.

Game four was the highest scoring affair of the series. New York fought back from an early 3-0 deficit, to tie the game, and send it into extra innings.

Washington scored three times in the second inning. Myles Pezullo singled past diving second baseman Rich Jordan. Jim Sparks singled to left field and Del Unser followed with Washington's third straight hit off New York starting pitcher Ray Young. Center fielder Tony Woodall threw Pezzullo out at the plate with Sparks taking third base on the play. Young induced a one hopper to Jordan for the second out, with Unser advancing to second base. Washington's star defensive catcher Casey Thigpen collected his only hit of the series, a deep fly to left center field, off Young, for three runs.

The home team, New York, rewarded its capacity jubilant cheering crowd by coming back with two in the sixth inning on Rich Jordan's two run homerun. That made the score 3-2.

Washington added to its' lead in the eighth to go up 4-2.

Jay Holm doubled off the center field wall and Marshall Smallwood grounded a single up the middle for the run batted in.

New York inched closer in the eighth on a run scoring single by Jim Fisher and then tied it in the ninth off Washington bullpen ace Willie Fisher, who was in vying for his third save of the series.

Howard reached on a two out throwing error on shortstop Jay Holm that scored Lou Teachout who had doubled with one out.

After Washington bullpen ace Willie Frazier struggled in the ninth inning, New York bullpen ace Jeff Lelivelt came on to keep the game tied in the top of the tenth. Lelivelt saved 22 games during the regular season, was the Fireman of the Year, but he gave up two runs on two hits in his biggest outing of the campaign to put Washington in the series driver's seat at three games to one.

Gosger singled past Jordan to open the frame and then stole second base. Marshall Smallwood ripped a single to left center field driving in the go ahead run (5-4). Nyls Pezzullo reached on an error by Jordan. Sparks grounded into a 6-4-3 double play with Smallwood scoring from third base on the play (6-4). Del Unser singled and Washington's second baseman Ted Myrick homered to make it 8-4.

Fisher came back out in the bottom of the tenth. Smallwood made a diving stop on a smash by Goodall for the first out. Rich Jordan grounded a single past Myrick to right field but Fisher smashed one back to Frazier who started a 1-6-3 double play to end the key game of the series.