1995 American League Division Series

Infobox LDS
alds = yes


year = 1995
champion1 = Cleveland Indians (3)
champion1_manager = Mike Hargrove
champion1_games = 100-44, .694, GA: 30
runnerup1 = Boston Red Sox (0)
runnerup1_manager = Kevin Kennedy
runnerup1_games = 86-58, .597, GA: 7
date1 = October 3–October 6
television1 = NBC (Game 1-2)
ABC (Game 3)
announcers1 = Bob Costas and Bob Uecker (Game 1-2)
Steve Zabriskie and Tommy Hutton (Game 3)
champion2 = Seattle Mariners (3)
champion2_manager = Lou Piniella
champion2_games = 79-66, .545, GA: 1
runnerup2 = New York Yankees (2)
runnerup2_manager = Buck Showalter
runnerup2_games = 79-65, .549, GB: 7
date2 = October 3–October 8
television2 = NBC (Game 1-2)
ABC (Game 3-5)
announcers2 = Gary Thorne and Tommy Hutton (Game 1-2)
Brent Musburger and Jim Kaat (Game 3-5)
umpires2 = Tim Welke, John Hirschbeck, Joe Brinkman, Rocky Roe, Don Denkinger (Games 1-2), Jim Evans (Games 3-5), Dan Morrison (Red Sox-Indians, Games 1-2; Mariners-Yankees, Games 3-5)
Mike Reilly, Dale Scott, Jim McKean, Larry McCoy, Rich Garcia, Jim Joyce (Mariners-Yankees, Games 1-2; Red Sox-Indians, Game 3)The by|1995 American League Division Series (ALDS), the opening round of the 1995 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 3, and ended on Sunday, October 8, with the champions of the three AL divisions – along with a "wild card" team – participating in two best-of-five series. As a result of both leagues realigning into three divisions in by|1994, it marked the first time in major league history that a team could qualify for postseason play without finishing in first place in its league or division. The teams were:

*(1) Boston Red Sox (Eastern Division champion, 86-58) vs. (3) Cleveland Indians (Central Division champion, 100-44): Indians win series, 3-0.
*(2) Seattle Mariners (Western Division champion, 79-66) vs. (4) New York Yankees (Wild Card, 79-65): Mariners win series, 3-2.

"The higher seed (in parentheses) had the home field advantage, which was not tied to playing record but was predetermined – a highly unpopular arrangement which was discontinued after the 1997 playoffs. Also, the team with home field "advantage" was required to play the first two games on the road, with potentially the last three at home, in order to reduce travel. The Red Sox played the Indians, rather than the wild card Yankees, because the Red Sox and Yankees are in the same division."

The Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians went on to meet in the AL Championship Series (ALCS). The Indians became the American League champion, and lost to the National League champion Atlanta Braves in the 1995 World Series.

Matchups

Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians

Cleveland wins the series, 3-0

eattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees

Seattle wins the series, 3-2

Boston vs. Cleveland

Game 1, October 3

Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OhioLinescore
Road=Boston|RoadAbr=BOS
R1=0|R2=0|R3=2|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=1|R9=0|R10=0|R11=1|R12=0|R13=0|RR=4|RH=11|RE=2
Home=Cleveland|HomeAbr=CLE
H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=3|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|H10=0|H11=1|H12=0|H13=1|HR=5|HH=10|HE=2
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Ken Hill (1-0)|LP=Zane Smith (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=John Valentin (1), Tim Naehring (1), Luis Alicea (1)|HomeHR=Albert Belle (1), Tony Peña (1)|

After a 39 minute rain delay, Game 1 got underway with two veterans, Roger Clemens and Dennis Martínez, starting the opener. The Red Sox jumped in front first in the 3rd on John Valentin's two run homer. With Clemens pitching masterfully against the Major's best lineup, many believed Game 1 might belong to the Sox. But the Indians rallied against Clemens in the 6th with a two run double by Albert Belle that tied the game and a hit by Eddie Murray that scored Belle. But Luis Alicea's 8th inning homer sent the game into extra innings. Tim Naehring would give the Red Sox the lead in the 11th with a solo homer. But Belle's leadoff homer tied the game in the bottom half. The Indians would put the winning run in scoring position later in the inning but failed to come through. In the bottom of the 13th, 15 year veteran Tony Peña hit the game winning homer with 2 outs. It was the Indians' first postseason win since the clinching Game 6 in the 1948 World Series.

Game 2, October 4

Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OhioLinescore
Road=Boston|RoadAbr=BOS
R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=0|RH=3|RE=1
Home=Cleveland|HomeAbr=CLE
H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=2|H6=0|H7=0|H8=2|H9=X|HR=4|HH=4|HE=2
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Orel Hershiser (1-0)|LP=Erik Hanson (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=|HomeHR=Eddie Murray (1)|

Game 2 featured an unlikely matchup between Erik Hanson and Orel Hershiser. Both pitchers were on even turns until the Indians broke through in the 5th with Omar Vizquel's two run double. It remained 2-0 until the 8th when the Indians put the game away on Eddie Murray's two run homer. That gave the Indian bullpen a comfortable 4-0 lead in the 9th. Hanson went the distance in a losing effort. Hershiser struck out seven and allowed only three hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Game 3, October 6

Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsLinescore
Road=Cleveland|RoadAbr=CLE
R1=0|R2=2|R3=1|R4=0|R5=0|R6=5|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=8|RH=11|RE=2
Home=Boston|HomeAbr=BOS
H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=1|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=1|H9=0|HR=2|HH=7|HE=1
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Charles Nagy (1-0)|LP=Tim Wakefield (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=Jim Thome (1)|HomeHR=|

Charles Nagy faced postseason veteran Tim Wakefield in the potential clincher. In the top of the 2nd, Jim Thome gave the Tribe the lead with a two run homer. Then a bases loaded walk in the 3rd made it 3-0. In the 4th, the Red Sox got a run on a sac fly but in the 6th the Indians looked to put the game away. The Tribe scored 5 runs in an inning that would be highlighted by Omar Vizquel's two run single. The Red Sox would get a run on a fielder's choice but Paul Assenmacher would pitch a scoreless ninth to end the series.

Composite Box

1995 ALDS (3-0): Cleveland Indians over Boston Red SoxLinescore
Road=Cleveland Indians
R1=0|R2=2|R3=1|R4=0|R5=2|R6=8|R7=0|R8=2|R9=0|R10=0|R11=1|R12=0|R13=1|RR=17|RH=25|RE=6
Home=Boston Red Sox
H1=0|H2=0|H3=2|H4=1|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=2|H9=0|H10=0|H11=1|H12=0|H13=0|HR=6|HH=21|HE=4Total Attendance: 122,693 Average Attendance: 40,898|

eattle vs. New York

Many consider this to be one of the greatest division series of all time. Both teams finished the strike-shortened 1995 season with 79 wins. The Seattle Mariners were making their postseason debut on the strength of an amazing divisional comeback. The New York Yankees made it to the postseason for the first time since the 1981 ALDS, and the only time with Don Mattingly on their roster, as the AL Wild Card. The series featured at least 10 runs per game and two extra inning games. Ken Griffey, Jr. was the star, hitting 5 home runs. The total amount of home runs from both teams at the end of the series totaled 22, a record for a postseason series despite only having five games.

Griffey also was one of two key participants in perhaps the most iconic moment ever for Mariners fans, DH Edgar Martínez's two-run double in the bottom of the eleventh inning of Game 5, on which Griffey scored the winning run from first base. The result of the series, and what became known as "The Double," is considered a redemptive moment for long-suffering Mariners fans, and often credited with ensuring that Major League Baseball remained in Seattle.

Seattle's win marked the fourth time in history that an expansion team won its first postseason series, after the New York Mets in by|1969, Montreal in by|1981, and San Diego in by|1984. Florida and Tampa Bay have since accomplished the same feat.

The format of this series and the one in the NL was similar to that of the League Championship Series prior to 1985, a five game set wherein the first two games were played at one stadium and the last three at the other. This was much criticized as the team with homefield advantage had their games back ended. At the same time a team with two games often preferred them in the middle as opposed to three straight in the opposing team's ballpark. The highly unpopular format was later abandoned for the present more logical 2-2-1 format.

Game 1, October 3

Yankee Stadium in New York, New YorkLinescore
Road=Seattle|RoadAbr=SEA
R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=1|R5=0|R6=1|R7=2|R8=0|R9=2|RR=6|RH=9|RE=0
Home=New York|HomeAbr=NYY
H1=0|H2=0|H3=2|H4=0|H5=0|H6=2|H7=4|H8=1|H9=X|HR=9|HH=13|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=David Cone (1-0)|LP=Jeff Nelson (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=Ken Griffey, Jr. 2 (2)|HomeHR=Wade Boggs (1), Rubén Sierra (1)|

Don Mattingly finally made it to the postseason in what would be his final games. Chris Bosio faced David Cone in Game 1. The game remained scoreless into the bottom of the 3rd. Wade Boggs stepped to the plate with Randy Velarde on first and sent a two run homer into the night to make it 2-0 Yankees. But Ken Griffey, Jr. led the top of the 4th off with a homer of his own to cut the lead in half. Then in the 6th the Mariners managed to load the bases against Cone and force him to walk Dan Wilson to tie the game at 2. But two RBI singles made it 4-2 Yankees in the bottom half. But Griffey's second home run tied the game when he sent one into the bleachers with one man on in the 7th. But the Yankees put together a four run 7th inning, which was capped off by a two run homer by Rubén Sierra. The Yankees added another run but the Mariners refused to concede in the 9th. They put the tying run to the plate after scoring two runs but failed to tie the game with a homer as John Wetteland narrowly recorded the save.

Game 2, October 4

Yankee Stadium in New York, New YorkLinescore
Compact=1
Road=Seattle|RoadAbr=SEA
R1=0|R2=0|R3=1|R4=0|R5=0|R6=1|R7=2|R8=0|R9=0|R10=0|R11=0|R12=1|R13=0|R14=0|R15=0|RR=5|RH=16|RE=2
Home=New York|HomeAbr=NYY
H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=1|H6=2|H7=1|H8=0|H9=0|H10=0|H11=0|H12=1|H13=0|H14=0|H15=2|HR=7|HH=11|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Mariano Rivera (1-0)|LP=Tim Belcher (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=Vince Coleman (1), Ken Griffey, Jr. (3)|HomeHR=Paul O'Neill (1), Rubén Sierra (2), Don Mattingly (1), Jim Leyritz (1)|

In what was, at the time, the longest playoff game in terms of innings, both teams would battle back and forth. Andy Benes and Andy Pettitte would start this classic playoff game. On the strength of a surprising Vince Coleman home run, the Mariners jumped out in front in the 3rd. With the game moving quickly, the Yankees responded with a Bernie Williams RBI double that tied the game in the 5th. But the Mariners would take their second lead of the night when Tino Martinez singled home Edgar Martínez in the top of the 6th. However, that lead wouldn't stand as Benes allowed back-to-back homers to Rubén Sierra and Don Mattingly in the bottom half. That would put an end to Benes' night. However, the Mariners would reclaim the lead for the third time with an RBI hit by Luis Sojo and a sac fly by Ken Griffey, Jr. in the 7th. But Paul O'Neill would homer to tie the game in the bottom half of the 7th. The game moved to extra innings and in the 12th the Mariners recaptured the lead once more with a homer by Griffey. But in the bottom of the 12th, the Yankees rallied. With two men on, Rubén Sierra hit a double, scoring Jorge Posada to tie the game, but Williams was thrown out at the plate. Finally, in the bottom of the 15th, Jim Leyritz ended the game with a two run walk-off home run. This game is considered by many to be one of the greatest games in Division Series history.

Game 3, October 6

Kingdome in Seattle, WashingtonLinescore
Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY
R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=1|R5=0|R6=0|R7=1|R8=2|R9=0|RR=4|RH=6|RE=2
Home=Seattle|HomeAbr=SEA
H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=2|H6=4|H7=1|H8=0|H9=X|HR=7|HH=7|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Randy Johnson (1-0)|LP=Jack McDowell (0-1)|SV=Norm Charlton (1)
RoadHR=Bernie Williams 2 (2), Mike Stanley (1)|HomeHR=Tino Martinez (1)|

It was the first ever playoff game in Seattle and both teams pitched their best for Game 3. Jack McDowell faced Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson. Johnson allowed a Bernie Williams homer to make it 1-0 Yankees in the 4th. But Tino Martinez's two-run shot made it 2-1 Mariners in the 5th. In the 6th, the Mariners built a commanding 5-run lead off a weakened Yankee bullpen. Four straight RBI at-bats sent the Yankees packing. The Yankees would scratch out a run in the 7th on a sac fly but the Mariners would respond with a run of their own on Randy Velarde's error. After back-to-back homers to lead off the 8th, the Yankees were within 3 runs. But Norm Charlton would shut the door on Game 3 and give Seattle their first ever postseason win.

Game 4, October 7

Kingdome in Seattle, WashingtonLinescore
Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY
R1=3|R2=0|R3=2|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=1|R9=2|RR=8|RH=14|RE=1
Home=Seattle|HomeAbr=SEA
H1=0|H2=0|H3=4|H4=0|H5=1|H6=1|H7=0|H8=5|H9=X|HR=11|HH=16|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Norm Charlton (1-0)|LP=John Wetteland (0-1)|SV=Bill Risley (1)
RoadHR=Paul O'Neill (2)|HomeHR=Ken Griffey, Jr. (4), Edgar Martínez 2 (2), Jay Buhner (1)|

Scott Kamieniecki faced Chris Bosio in Game 4. The Yankees came out swinging in the 1st as they put three runs on the board on a sac fly and a two run single by Don Mattingly. In the 3rd, the Yanks got two more on Paul O'Neill's two run homer. Bosio was finished, pitching only 2+ innings. The Yankees were poised to take the series but the Mariners would refuse to go quietly again. In the bottom of the 3rd, Edgar Martínez's three run homer energized the crowd and gave the Mariners new life. Later in the inning, Luis Sojo's sac fly would make it a one run game. In the 5th, Mattingly's error allowed the Mariners to tie the game and complete a 5 run comeback. Then in the 6th, with Sterling Hitchcock pitching, Ken Griffey, Jr.'s homer gave the Mariners a 6-5 edge. In the 8th, Norm Charlton's wild pitch allowed the Yankees to tie the game at 6. John Wetteland was called on to keep the game tied for the Yankees. But he would load the bases with nobody out for Edgar Martínez. Martinez would then hit a grand slam, giving him 7 RBIs and the Mariners a 10-6 lead. Then Jay Buhner's homer later in the inning put the Mariners on top 11-6. The Yankees, however, refused to die and scratched out two runs. They would put the tying run at the plate in the person of Bernie Williams. But Williams would fly out to center to set up Game 5.

Game 5, October 8

Kingdome in Seattle, WashingtonLinescore
Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY
R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=2|R5=0|R6=2|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|R10=0|R11=1|RR=5|RH=6|RE=0
Home=Seattle|HomeAbr=SEA
H1=0|H2=0|H3=1|H4=1|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=2|H9=0|H10=0|H11=2|HR=6|HH=15|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Randy Johnson (2-0)|LP=Jack McDowell (0-2)|SV=
RoadHR=Paul O'Neill (3)|HomeHR=Joey Cora (1), Ken Griffey, Jr. (5)|

Not since 1981 had there been a Game 5 in the Division Series (the 1994 strike resulted in cancellation of the playoffs). Andy Benes and David Cone were sent to the mound for the biggest game of their teams' seasons. Joey Cora struck the first blow with a solo home run to make it 1-0 Mariners in the bottom of the 3rd. Paul O'Neill would answer with a two run home run to make it 2-1 Yankees in the top of the 4th. Jay Buhner's RBI single tied the game in the bottom half. In the 6th, Don Mattingly hit a two run double that seemingly put the Yankees out in front for good. It was 4-2 in the bottom of the 8th and time was running out. With 5 outs to go and Cone still pitching, Ken Griffey, Jr. homered to make it a one run game. Then the Mariners would load the bases and force Cone to walk in a run to tie the game at 4. Both teams blew chances in the 9th with 2 men on to score the potential series winning run. Starters Jack McDowell and Randy Johnson came in the game in rare relief appearances in extra innings. The game moved to extra innings and in the top of the 11th, Randy Velarde singled home pinch runner Pat Kelly to put the Yankees up by one and three outs away from a pennant-clinching contest. But Cora dragged a bunt down the first base line that stayed fair in the bottom half to lead things off. Then Griffey singled to put runners on first and third. Then Edgar Martínez walked the series off by hitting the series winning two run double to left field, sending the Mariners to the 1995 American League Championship Series.

Composite Box

1995 ALDS (3-2): Seattle Mariners over New York YankeesLinescore
Compact=1
Road=Seattle Mariners
R1=0|R2=0|R3=6|R4=2|R5=3|R6=7|R7=5|R8=7|R9=2|R10=0|R11=2|R12=1|R13=0|R14=0|R15=0|RR=35|RH=63|RE=2
Home=New York Yankees
H1=3|H2=0|H3=4|H4=3|H5=1|H6=6|H7=6|H8=4|H9=2|H10=0|H11=1|H12=1|H13=0|H14=0|H15=2|HR=33|HH=50|HE=3Total Attendance: 286,839 Average Attendance: 57,368|

Notable Quotes

Notes

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1995_ALDS1.shtml Cleveland-Boston at Baseball-Reference]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1995_ALDS2.shtml Seattle-New York at Baseball-Reference]
* [http://www.1995mariners.com Fan site about the '95 Mariners with stories about the ALDS and links to audio and video clips]