If you thought Game 1 delivered the drama, Game 2 brought the swings—both literal and figurative. Two series are tied heading into the travel day, and two clubs now find themselves in a 2–0 hole. Here’s how it all played out.
Expos 3, Senators 0 — Clemens Slams the Door as Montreal Evens Series
Roger Clemens didn’t just pitch the Expos to a win—he pitched them back into control.
After Pedro Martinez’s 17-strikeout masterpiece went to waste in Game 1, Clemens answered the call with 7.1 shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven. Washington never got a man past second base. Keith Howell recorded the final five outs for the save.
The bats came alive just enough in the sixth when Mike Sweeney smoked a two-run double. Raul Mondesi added insurance in the eighth with a sharp RBI single.
📊 Box Score:
Washington Senators – 0 R, 4 H, 3 E
Montreal Expos – 3 R, 5 H, 0 E
Key Players:
- Roger Clemens: 7.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 7 K (W)
- Mike Sweeney: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
- Raul Mondesi: 1-for-3, RBI
- Keith Howell: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 K (Save)
Series: Tied 1–1
Giants 3, Mets 1 — Harkey, Alomar Lead San Francisco to Bounce-Back Victory
The Giants didn’t need a slugfest. They just needed Mike Harkey.
The right-hander shut down a potent Mets lineup, tossing eight innings of one-run ball to even the series. Closer Randy Myers struck out the side in the ninth to slam the door.
Sandy Alomar Jr. was the offensive star, going 3-for-3 with a solo homer in the fifth. Rondell White added a two-run single in the sixth, giving the Giants all the cushion they’d need.
📊 Box Score:
New York Mets – 1 R, 4 H, 0 E
San Francisco Giants – 3 R, 7 H, 1 E
Key Players:
- Mike Harkey: 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 K (W)
- Sandy Alomar Jr.: 3-for-3, HR, RBI
- Rondell White: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
- Tom Glavine: 8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER (L)
- Randy Myers: 1.0 IP, 3 K (Save)
Series: Tied 1–1
Royals 4, Pirates 2 — Neagle’s Arm, Naehring’s Bat Give KC 2–0 Lead
Denny Neagle was nails. He had to be.
The Pirates came out looking to even the series, but Neagle kept them at bay with 7.1 innings of two-run ball, striking out nine. The Royals scratched out runs with timely hitting, including an RBI single from Tim Naehring and a solo homer from Danny Tartabull.
Edgardo Alfonzo tried to make it interesting with a two-run shot in the eighth, but Jeff Habyan cleaned it up in the ninth for the save.
📊 Box Score:
Pittsburgh Pirates – 2 R, 9 H, 1 E
Kansas City Royals – 4 R, 11 H, 0 E
Key Players:
- Denny Neagle: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 9 K (W)
- Danny Tartabull: 1-for-4, HR
- Quilvio Veras: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
- Edgardo Alfonzo: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
- Jeff Habyan: 1.2 IP, 0 R (Save)
Series: Royals lead 2–0
Cubs 11, Reds 2 — Greenwell, Piazza Power Rout as Chicago Ties Series
Game 1 was a grind. Game 2? A blowout.
The Cubs unleashed an offensive assault in Cincinnati, pounding out 17 hits and hanging 11 runs on a stunned Reds team. Mike Greenwell led the way, going 3-for-5 with a homer and three runs scored. Mike Piazza added three hits and two RBI. Even Mark Grace joined the party with a solo homer.
Jason Robinson did his job on the mound, giving Chicago eight solid innings and handing the ball to the bullpen with a massive lead.
📊 Box Score:
Chicago Cubs – 11 R, 17 H, 0 E
Cincinnati Reds – 2 R, 8 H, 2 E
Key Players:
- Mike Greenwell: 3-for-5, HR, 3 R, RBI
- Mike Piazza: 3-for-5, 2 RBI
- Mark Grace: 2-for-5, HR
- Jason Robinson: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 5 K (W)
- Joey Hamilton: 4.1 IP, 11 H, 8 R (6 ER) (L)
Series: Tied 1–1
Looking Ahead: Shifting Venues, Rising Stakes
The series now move to new cities with new pressure points. The Royals look to finish things off in Pittsburgh, while the other three matchups are set for pivotal Game 3s. For teams like the Mets, Expos, Cubs, and Giants, the margins are razor-thin. All four clubs have tasted victory—and all four know what it’s like to bleed.
We’ll find out soon who survives the swing.