Andy Benes lasted just 3 innings for the 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks, and all 3 relievers also gave up runs as the 1998 Houston Astros scored 15 runs on 19 hits to take Game 1 of the series. Sean Berry and Moisés Alou hit 2-run homers off Benes, who allowed 7 runs on 8 hits in his short start. Brian Anderson nearly got out of the 4th, but walked Carl Everett to load the bases with 2 outs and then gave up a 2-run single to Richard Hidalgo and a 2-run double to Ricky Gutiérrez. The Astros scored 2 more runs off Todd Stottlemyre in the 8th, and another 2 runs off Darren Holmes in the 9th. Seven Houston hitters had 2 or more hits, led by Gutiérrez, who went 4 for 5 with 3 RBI and was a home run short of the cycle. Houston’s Shane Reynolds wasn’t sharp, but did enough, allowing 5 runs on 12 hits in 6 innings to pick up the win. The teams face off in the Astrodome again tomorrow. Arizona will be without slugger Luis Gonzalez, who collided with the wall in the 9th inning.

’99 Diamondbacks @ ’98 Astros – 9/15/24

The 1993 Toronto Blue Jays took advantage of 2 errors, pulling ahead late and barely hanging on to top the 1994 Cleveland Indians 8-7 to take a 1-0 series lead in the Loser’s Bracket of the Best of the 1990s Tournament. A throwing error in the 2nd inning by Omar Vizquel led to two unearned runs. Roberto Alomar’s solo home run in the 5th helped Toronto to a 4-1 lead. Toronto starter Juan Guzmán left in the 1st inning after being struck by line drive. Carlos Baerga’s home run was the only run given up by Al Leiter over the next 3 innings. But Cleveland scored 3 runs off Mark Eichhorn in the bottom of the 5th, and another off Danny Cox in the 6th to take back a 5-4 lead. Paul Sorrento misplayed a ball to start the 8th, leading to another unearned run, as the Blue Jays scored 3 runs off a tiring Dennis Martínez to retake the lead, adding an insurance run off Eric Plunk in the 9th. They needed it. Baerga singled, and Albert Belle tripled to lead off the 9th against closer Duane Ward. Belle scored on a groundout by Wayne Kirby after Eddie Murray was injured batting. The Indians then loaded the bases with a Herbert Perry single sandwiched between walks to Manny Ramírez and Sorrento. With the infield in, Sandy Alomar grounded a shot right at Ed Sprague, who started a 5-2-3 double play to end the game. It was Cleveland’s 4th straight loss. Pat Borders was productive in the #9 spot for Toronto, going 2 for 5 with 3 RBI. He also threw out two baserunners. The teams combined for 31 hits.

’93 Blue Jays @ ’94 Indians – 9/15/24

Ryan Klesko and Michael Tucker hit solo home runs off 1994 Montreal Expos starter Pedro Martínez, and Andrés Galarraga added an RBI double to give the 1998 Atlanta Braves an early 3-0 lead. Tom Glavine couldn’t hold the lead. Sean Berry led off the 5th inning with a triple and scored. Rondell White led off the 6th with a single and moved to 3rd on a Moises Alou double. Larry Walker hit a sac fly, and Wil Cordero singled in Alou to tie the game up. Rudy Seánez shut down the Expos in relief, striking out 4 and retiring 6 straight batters. Meanwhile, Andruw Jones doubled with 2 outs in the 7th off Martínez, and scored on a clutch single by Tucker. Keith Lockhart drove in another run off reliever Mel Rojas to give the Braves a 5-3 lead. Kerry Ligtenberg shut the door with a perfect 9th, earning his 1st save of the tournament as Atlanta took a 1-0 series lead.

’94 Expos @ ’98 Braves – 9/15/24

1990 Oakland Athletics starter Bob Welch was amazing today against the 1998 New York Yankees. Welch gave up just two hits in 9 innings. Both hits were solo home runs, one by Derek Jeter and one by Bernie Williams. The only other Yankees baserunner was Chuck Knoblauch, who leaned in and was hit by a pitch in the 9th. Andy Pettitte escaped a rough 1st inning, allowing just 1 run on 3 hits. But Mark McGwire connected with a 2-run home run in the 6th inning to put the Athletics in the lead. Pettitte allowed 4 runs in 6 2/3 innings. The 4-2 win gives Oakland a great start to the series. The teams will face off at Yankee Stadium again tomorrow.

’90 Athletics @ ’98 Yankees – 9/15/24