October 7, 1995 – Candlestick Park
Game 2 – United League Championship Series
Final: Giants 4, Senators 3
Series tied 1–1
The San Francisco Giants stormed back late to stun the Washington Senators 4–3 and even the United League Championship Series at one game apiece, riding the brilliance of Floyd Youmans and a game-breaking eighth-inning rally.
Youmans Dominates, Sets Playoff Record
Floyd Youmans was electric on the mound, tossing 8 innings and striking out a UL playoff record 18 batters, surpassing multiple Giants franchise marks in the process. The right-hander allowed only 4 hits and 3 earned runs, improving his postseason ERA to 2.81. Youmans was backed by closer Randy Myers, who worked around a walk and a single in the ninth for his third postseason save.
“Floyd was throwing strikes, locating well,” said Giants manager. “He gave us a chance to breathe.”
Senators Jump Ahead Early
Washington took a 1–0 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI double by Alex Rodriguez, and added two more in the sixth on a towering two-run home run by Albert Belle—his second of the postseason. That gave the Senators a 3–1 lead and appeared to put them in control.
Starter Erik Hanson was excellent through seven innings, allowing just 2 hits and 1 run—a solo homer to Jay Bell in the third.
Giants Flip the Script in the Eighth
San Francisco’s bats came alive in the bottom of the eighth. Facing reliever Lee Smith, Carlos Baerga led off with a double, and Jay Bell delivered again, this time with a single. Then, with two outs, Moises Alou lined a triple into the right-center gap, clearing the bases and flipping the score from 3–1 Senators to 4–3 Giants.
It was the only inning in which the Giants strung together more than one hit—but it was all they needed.
Box Score Highlights
Washington Senators (3 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors)
- Albert Belle: 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI
- Alex Rodriguez: 1-for-3, BB, 2 R, SB, 2B
- Erik Hanson: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 1 BB
- Lee Smith (L, 0–1, BS): 1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER
San Francisco Giants (4 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors)
- Jay Bell: 2-for-3, HR (2), 2 R, 2 RBI
- Moises Alou: 1-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI
- Carlos Baerga: 1-for-3, 2B
- Floyd Youmans (W, 1–0): 8.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 18 K, 2 BB
- Randy Myers (SV, 3): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K
Notable
- Youmans set a UL playoff record with 18 strikeouts in a single game.
- Jay Bell hit his second home run of the postseason and drove in two more, giving him four RBI in the series.
- The Giants outhit Washington 6–5 and stranded only three runners.
Up Next:
The series shifts to Washington, D.C. for Game 3 on Monday, October 9th. The Senators will hand the ball to John Burkett, while the Giants will counter with Omar Daal. With the series tied and momentum swinging, both teams will look to seize control of the ULCS.