May 5: Sheffield Shines, Big Unit Strikes Again, and Nomo Arrives
Gary Sheffield led the Mets with a perfect day at the plate (3-for-3, HR, 4 RBIs) as they held off a late Tigers rally, winning 9–5. Detroit threw up three in the 9th, but the deficit was too steep.
Then there’s Randy Johnson, who is currently in god mode. The Big Unit struck out 15 Padres over 9 innings—again—giving the Pilots their seventh straight win after a brutal April. Say what you will, but the Pilots may have found something.
Let’s not forget Hideo Nomo, the much-hyped No. 2 overall pick, who finally lived up to the billing. He handcuffed the defending champ Cubs with 8.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits in a 1–0 Twins victory.
Other Notables:
- The Yankees used a four-run late burst to down the Reds, 7–3.
- The Cardinals outlasted the Royals in extras after a furious KC rally in the 9th.
- Giants edged the Rockies 4–3 with a clutch answer in the 8th.
May 6: Posada Powers Texas, Appier Deals, and Expos Survive Chaos
Jorge Posada turned into a wrecking ball, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a homer, six RBIs, and three runs. That’s how you carry a team, and that’s how the Rangers smashed the White Sox 12–5.
Kevin Appier was surgical, tossing 8 shutout innings with 12 K’s against the Red Sox. The Pirates badly needed a stopper, and Appier delivered, keeping them barely atop their division.
Chris Brown launched two bombs and drove in four, but the Expos nearly blew it. Up late, they coughed up the lead before rallying in extras to beat the Senators 9–6.
Other Highlights:
- Rockies took a tense 12-inning win over the Giants after almost blowing it in the 9th.
- The A’s plated five late runs to sneak by the Dodgers 5–3.
- The Mets walked off the Tigers 9–8 after a wild back-and-forth, capped by a bottom-of-the-9th run.
- Cardinals again beat the Royals in extras. Two games, two heartbreaks for Kansas City.
May 7: Kruk and Chipper Go Nuclear, Bichette Bombs Padres, and Spiders Walk It Off
John Kruk had himself a day—2 homers and 7 RBIs—as the Rangers bulldozed the White Sox 13–1.
Not to be outdone, Chipper Jones tacked on two bombs of his own with three RBIs. Between the two of them, they accounted for 10 of Texas’ 13 runs. That’s how you flatten a team.
Dante Bichette showed up with a 4-for-4 day, including a homer and a double, as the Pilots crushed the Padres 14–2. Don’t look now, but Seattle’s heating up.
Around the League:
- Cleveland Spiders walked off the Sun Rays, plating one in the 9th to win 5–4.
- Pirates bats exploded for 10 runs against Boston, reminding folks they can do it with the sticks, too.
- Giants edged the Rockies 5–4, putting up key runs in the 7th and 8th.