SLCS: Utah vs New York

Game 1: Steven Hyde shuts down the Utah offense with a complete game, 5 hit shutout. The middle of Utah's order (Doug Dodson, Frank Lewis, Ryan Ballard, and Charlie Howard are a combined 0 for 15. Catcher Ed Lake, a light hitting defensive specialist, drives in two of the four New York runs.

Game 2: Mike Perry and Vernon Coles homer to lead New York to a 6-3 victory. New York started fast, scoring 4 runs in the first 4 innings against Duane Garcia. Utah scores 3 in the top of the 6th to make it a one run game, but fall short as Don Thompson relieves Eddie Carey and get Leon Benevides to ground out, stranding two runners. New York adds a pair of insurance runs in the bottom 8th, and Joe Dirte strikes out the side in the 9th.

Game 3: Jerry Ruiz hits a grand slam in the second off Jaret Benser, and New York is never threatened, winning 6-2. Mike Carpenter pitches seven strong innings for the win, and New York is one win away from the World Series by a sweep.

Game 4: Jason Baret gives Utah 7 innings of 1 run ball to avoid the sweep. Frank Lewis and Kermit Crawford hit solo homers to give Utah a 2-1 lead through 7. Doug Dodson drives in 2 with an 8th inning double. New York stages a rally against Chris Grimes in the 9th, scoring a run and loading the bases with one out, down by 2 runs. Grimes gets Bob Brady to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play, and Utah lives another day.

Game 5: Don Muttonly decides to start Drew Pearson over Steven Hyde, as Hyde had thrown a lot of pitches in game one and was feeling shoulder fatigue. Eddie Carey was also an option on three days rest (he did not throw many pitches in game 1). Pearson, the number 5 starter in the regular season, was shaky and walked 3 Utes while allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings. Muttonly had the quick hook and went to Carey, who proceeded to shut down the Utah offense (6 2/3 innings, 1 run on 2 hits).

New York scored four in the third inning off Keith Langford. The first 6 Knights reached base against Langford before he was able to get Vernon Coles on a forceout and Mick McAndrews to hit into a double play.

Going to the bottom 9th, New York held a 5-3 lead and needed three outs to reach the World Series. Joe Dirte took the mound, with the wind blowing through his glorious mullet (out towards left field, to be precise, especially strange in a domed stadium). Dirte struggled to find the strike zone, walking Jason Blaylock and Ryan Ballard to start the inning. Now facing catcher Kennard Gil, Dirte threw a strike, much too good of a strike. Gil pounded it into the second deck of the Popcorn dome. Utah now trails the series 3-2 as they head back to New York.

Game 6: Utah turns on the offense, winning 11-5 as Frank Lewis has 4 hits and a HBP, avoiding any outs, Kennard Gil adds 3 hits including a homer, and Utah scores 6 times in the 8th inning as New York ran through their bullpen. Next up, game 7.