WASHINGTON — Carl Everett brought the fireworks, but the San Francisco Giants walked away with the win. Despite a grand slam from Everett that sparked a five-run fifth inning, the Washington Senators came up just short in a 7–6 loss in Game 3 of the United League Championship Series.
With the win, San Francisco takes a 2–1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The Giants jumped out to a 4–0 lead by the middle of the third, punctuated by Moisés Alou’s three-run homer off John Burkett in the top of the third. But RFK Stadium erupted in the fifth when Everett crushed a bases-loaded pitch from Shawn Sanders over the wall in right-center for a grand slam, pulling the Senators even and then ahead 5–4 on Albert Belle’s sacrifice fly.
Just as the momentum shifted, it swung again. With two outs in the top of the seventh, Jay Bell launched a two-run homer to reclaim the lead for San Francisco. An RBI double from Carlos Baerga extended the lead to 7–5.
Washington got one back in the bottom of the seventh on a sac fly from Belle, but that was as close as they would get. Closer Randy Myers retired the Senators in order in the ninth for his fourth postseason save.
Box Score Highlights
San Francisco Giants
- Jay Bell: 1-for-3, HR (3), 2 RBI, 2 R
- Moisés Alou: 1-for-4, HR (3), 3 RBI
- Delino DeShields: 2-for-4, 2B, R, SB (6)
- Carlos Baerga: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
- Shawn Sanders: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 7 K
- Joe Poole (W, 1–0): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K
- Randy Myers (SV, 4): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K
Washington Senators
- Carl Everett: 1-for-4, HR (4), 4 RBI, R, BB
- Alex Rodriguez: 1-for-4, 2B, R, BB
- Albert Belle: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, SF
- Ray Durham: 2-for-4, R, SB (1)
- John Burkett (L, 2–1): 6.2 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 5 K
Turning Point
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Jay Bell’s two-run homer erased Washington’s brief lead and silenced the RFK crowd. It was the second time in the series Bell delivered a late-inning blow.
What’s Next
Game 4 is set for Tuesday in Washington with Mike Harkey taking the mound for San Francisco and veteran Mike Morgan starting for the Senators. Down 2–1 in the series, Washington will need to respond quickly—or risk letting this series slip away.