World Series Game 3

With the series tied at one game apiece, and after one day of rest, we travel to New York for Game 3.  Miami will utilize Carlos Padron, while New York will start reigning Cy Young award winner and big game pitcher Silvanos Tonka.

In the first inning, Miami threatens as Billy Bass singles and steals second base.  He moves to third on a ground out and following a walk, its first and third with 2 outs for Todd Merkich.  Tonka rises to the occasion to whiff the slugging catcher to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Jeff Bowman, New York's slow-footed defensive catcher reaches first on an infield single.  Clearly, he has very little in common with Manny Machado, but that's another story altogether.  With one out, Nick McKeller blasts a double to deep centerfield, and Bowman is able to score on the play without a throw.  New York leads 1-0.  The next batter is hit by a pitch, but Miami's Carlos Padron gets the next two batters out to end the threat.

The next few innings showcases both starting pitchers at the top of their games, as the score remains 1-0 through the 6th inning.  In the bottom of the 5th, New York squandered a real chance to blow the game open.  Leadoff batter Lee Thompson starts with a double off the wall.  David Jackson singled to short left, but the speedy Thompson is gunned down by leftfielder Trevor Burton.  Jackson then tried to steal second base but was gunned down.  Chad White grounded out to the mound to end the inning.

After the top of the 7th inning, Tonka had pitched 7 scoreless innings with only 1 hit allowed (back in the first inning), issued 2 walks, and struck out 9 batters.  In the bottom of the 7th, speedy Luis Harris reached first on a throwing error by Devan Arceneaux.  With the hit and run on, Daniel Klein made weak contact, but it was placed well enough for an infield hit.  With the pitchers spot due up, manager George Kird elected to send the runners.  They responded with a double steal, and the throw to third base going into left field, allowing Harris to score.  2-0 New York with Klein taking 3rd base.  New York then decides to pinch hit for Tonka with Chris Gruber, looking for some contact.

Gruber responds with a single to make it 3-0 New York.  After a Lee Thompson  fly out, David Jackson and Chad White hit back to back singles to extend the lead to 4-0.  After a W. Gehrig Bear strikeout, Jeff Bowman hits into a force play to end the inning.

In the 8th inning, New York elects to make several defensive substitutions to maximize their defense, with Chad White leaving the game due to being old.  New York brings in Todd McCarthy to pitch who records a 1-2-3 inning.

New York doesn't threaten in their half of the 8th inning.  To the 9th inning, Miami leadoff hitter Ricky Buckley starts things off with a double.  After a Billy Bass walk, New York relieves McCathy for Stephen Jiannetti.  Arceneaux hits into a force play and Trevor Burton grounds out as Buckley scores to make it 4-1.  Jiannetti then whiffs Todd Merkitch to end the game.