Game Two recap, by Tom DiStefano:

Randy Johnson vs Mulder. I don’t care for the Johnson matchup against Akron but I 
figure he’s done it all year so I went with him game 2 (Oswalt was ready to go if I
wanted). 

In the first inning, Bonds and Ramirez hit back to back homers putting me up 2-0. 
At this point I’m thinking, “Oh boy, I should be good for 6 or 7 runs this game!”. 
BUZZZZ. WRONG!!! I didn’t score another freaking run. 

Mulder went 6.1 and then Koch and Rhodes finished it off. 

Akron had tied the game up in the fourth on Scott Rolen’s 2-run homer. The score 
stayed tied until the bottom of the 9th. Hendrickson came in to face Karim Garcia, 
Varitek, and Chris Gomez. 

Garcia grounded out and Varitek flew out. I’m starting to think about extra 
innings. Chris Gomez singles. Vizcaino (who’s 3 for 3 with a walk so far) steps in 
and promptly walks to put runners on first and second. Bernie Williams is up now 
with 2 runners on and 2 outs. Decision time. A single here beats me and the PITCHER
is on deck. I bring in Gagne and intentionally walk Bernie knowing that DJ will 
probably pinch hit Rusty Greer. I figure I’d rather have Gagne face Greer with the 
bases loaded than face Williams (who has the much higher average which is pretty 
much all I care about at this point). Great strategy, right? WRONG!!! Gagne walks 
Greer driving in the winning run. Ugh. 


Game Two recap, by D.J. Shepard:

Game 2: Bonds and Ramirez take Mulder out back-to-back with two outs, and I'm 
thinking I'm in real trouble now. Vizcaino sigles and Bernie walks to lead off 
against Randy. Ordonez then CRUSHES one to left. Long ways back. All the DMB vets 
know what comes next. Caught at the wall! Vizcaino tags and easliy makes it to 3rd 
without a throw. Giambi then hits a one-hopper to short, tailor-made. 

In the 2nd with one on and two outs, Randy sharply singles. At this point, I tell 
Tom good luck in the World Series. I think he said Puh-leeeze. Mulder settles in 
though, and k's 7 of the next 12 hitters. 

In the bottom of the 4th, Burks hits a one-out double and Rolen ties it up with a 
2-run shot. Nothing really happens over the next few innings, and we both go to our
pens in the 7th. Koch relieves Mulder after he gives up a one-out single to Lugo. 
Jenkins PH's and k's, then Tom sends the runner against Billy "I don't worry about 
the runners" Koch. Varitek guns him down anyway to end the inning. 

In the 8th, Koch gives up a one-out walk to Mackowiak with Bonds on deck...
brilliant pitching. I bring in Rhodes to face Bonds, and he promptly throws a wild 
pitch. With first open, I go ahead and walk Bonds. Manny then taps one back to the 
box, 1-4-3. 

Then comes the 9th. Hendrickson comes in and Garcia and Varitek. Up steps Gomez who
sucks against lefties. Since we were staring extras in the face, two-outs, no one 
on;I let him hit instead of having to use two players (one to PH for him and 
another to replace him in the field). Surprise, surprise, he dumps a single into 
RF. Vizcaino then walks to bring Bernie to the plate. Tom has Durocher and Gagne 
ready in the pen. I actually feel pretty good about Bernie against either of those 
guys. Gagne comes in and Tom has him put Bernie on. I go to Greer to PH for Rhodes.

Rusty works the count full, fouls one off, and then looks at ball four to win the 
game. I know I was stunned, and I'm sure Tom was too.