1989 Padres knock off 1997 Cubs in five games!
Dick Schofield watches his critical home run leave the yard in Game 5. Dave Henderson's walk off homer sends Padres to the next round in the inaugural Clineman Tournament.
Game 1 (Jack Murphy Stadium)
Game 1 matched up the "Rocket" Roger Clemens vs. the Cubs Kevin Appier. The Padres would jump ahead quickly with RBI singles from Dave Henderson and Carmelo Martinez and a solo homer by John Kruk. It took the Cubs until the 5th inning to score. Larry Walker led off the 5th with a solo homer and Mark Grace would add a 2-run single to tie the game at 3. In the bottom of the 6th the Padres would score all the runs they would need in this game. Paul Molitor's RBI single put the Padres ahead 4-3 and Roger Clemens would hold onto the lead as the Padres took game 1, 5-4.
Game 1 Box score and Play by Play
Game 2 (Jack Murphy Stadium)
In a crucial game for the Cubs, they gave the ball to their ace, Curt Schilling. However, the Padres would draw first blood in the bottom of the first inning on a two run double by Eric Davis. Schilling would only allow 2 more hits after that. Unfortunately, one of those hits left the yard as Eric Davis blasted one over the left center wall. The real story in this game was the stellar pitching from Andy Hawkins. The craft Hawkins would baffle the Cubs and hold them to just 4 hits as the Padres take game 2 by a score of 3-1.
Game 2 Box score and Play by Play
Game 3 (Wrigley Field)
As the series moved onto Wrigley, the Cubs were hoping the friendly confines would be just that. The Padres were counting on Bret Saberhagen, while the Cubs were going to ride the arm of Steve Trachsel. The Cubs would strike first with an RBI double by Jose Canseco and a sacrifice fly by Sammy Sosa. Saberhagen would get very stingy after that. With the Cubs leading 2-1 in the top of the 6th, Dave Henderson strode to the plate and smashed Trachsel's first offering into the bleachers in left to tie the game. The score would stay tied until Henderson led off again, this time in the 8th inning with the same result. The Cubs weren't going down easy this time. With runners and 2nd and 3rd with just one out in the bottom of the 9th, things were looking good for the Cubs. Luis Gonzalez and Bernie Williams would fall victim to Doug Jones as both players strike out to leave the winning run at second base.
Game 3 Box score and Play by Play
Game 4 (Wrigley Field)
With the series at 3-0 in favor of the Padres, the Cubs were in lots of trouble. Therefore, they had to go to a CBL Hall of Famer, Sid Fernandez to try and keep them alive. The Padres countered with their ace, Roger Clemens as they wanted to end things ASAP. Both pitchers would cruise along until the bottom of the 6th inning, when all of a sudden the wind started to blow out. Larry Walker blasted a two run homer and Jose Canseco would follow next with a solo shot. After a Sosa strikeout, Dean Palmer would join in the fun with a solo shot of his own. "El Sid" would do his part by throwing 6 2/3 scoreless baseball as the Cubs take game 4, 5-0, to stay alive.
Game 4 Box score and Play by Play
Game 5 (Jack Murphy Stadium)
Back to San Diego for Game 5. Andy Hawkins was looking to duplicate his game 2 performance. The Padres would score the first two runs on RBI singles by Paul Molitor and Eric Davis, but the Cubs would come back with the long ball. After a solo homer from Ryne Sandberg in the 6th, Dean Palmer's two run blast in the 7th would give the Cubs a 3-2 lead. Then the heroics started. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Dick Schofield would come up with Bob Patterson on the mound. With Marvell Wynne and John Kruk on deck, the manager for the Cubs would stay with the lefty Patterson. After contemplating a pinch hitter, the Padre manager stayed with Dick Schofield and it paid off. Schofield would connect for a solo shot to tie the game at 3! Then in the bottom of the 10th with 2 outs and no one on, Dave Henderson would connect off of Eric Plunk for a series winning walk off homerun. Thus sending the Padres deeper into the inaugural Clineman Tournament.
Game 5 Box score and Play by Play