Game Six

New York returns home one game away from elimination. Jaret Benser makes his first start of the series, and Jim Farmer returns for Miami on short rest.

Early on it was all New York. They led 5-0 after 5 innings. Jackie Garrison led off the first with a homerun. Brett Solo doubled in two in the 5th to extend the lead to 5 runs. Benser was mowing down the Stars, striking out 8 through the first 4 innings.

In the 6th, he finally yielded some runs. With 2 out, Benser walked Favre and Brian Kelly before surrendering a 3 run homer to Damon Nkik. Favre singled in another in the 7th to make it a 1 run game. Rudiger Rocker retired two in the 8th, allowing one baserunner, when New York again went to Troy Everett. Everett got Jimenez to line out to end the inning.

For Miami, Ed LeRoy and Bill Nolan held New York scoreless for the 6th through 8th innings. Miami had one more chance to take the lead against Everett in the 9th. Everett got the first two outs but again was unable to hold the lead. Brian Kaat blooped a single to left, then Favre hit a 2 run homer to put Miami in the lead.

Now it was Miami’s chance to show how shaky closers can be. After Tim Griffin singled to lead off, pinch hitter Pete Cooney hit into a double play. Miami was now one out away from the championship. Todd Allen drew a pinch hit walk, and then Pudge Fernandez made the first pinch running appearance of his career. Jackie Garrison walked, then Manfred Mueller singled to tie the game. Belardi avoided further damage as Joe Thomas grounded to first, and the game went to extra innings.

New York brought game 4 starter Pedro Lewis out of the pen, and he shut down Miami into the 14th inning. In the bottom 14th, with Don Thompson on the mound, Garrison singled. Mueller doubled to left. Garrison never stopped, and was thrown out at the plate by Nkik. Mueller went to third on the play, and with the infield drawn in, Joe Thomas finally ended the game with a single. There would be a game 7.