SAN FRANCISCO — Game 6 had everything: lead changes, long balls, rallies, and a deafening Candlestick Park crowd that refused to sit down. In the end, the San Francisco Giants held off a furious Washington comeback to win 10–8, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 for the United League pennant.
The Senators got a heroic effort from Alex Rodriguez, who homered, doubled, and drove in four runs in a 3-for-4 night, but Steve Finley’s fifth-inning grand slam shifted the balance. From there, the Giants bullpen—frayed but determined—staggered to the finish line.
“We needed that,” Finley said postgame. “They don’t go down easy. But neither do we.”
Game Summary
The Giants jumped out with solo shots from Moisés Alou and Carlos Baerga in the 1st and 2nd innings. But in the top of the 3rd, A-Rod flipped the game with a three-run homer off Floyd Youmans. After Washington added runs in the 5th and 7th, they appeared poised to clinch the pennant.
Then came the bottom of the 5th.
Trailing 4–2 with the bases loaded, Finley launched a first-pitch fastball from Erik Hanson into the right-field seats. The grand slam ignited the home crowd and gave the Giants a 7–4 lead.
Alou and Canseco tacked on homers in the 6th to make it 10–5, which proved just enough cushion. Washington pushed back with two runs in the 7th and another in the 8th, but Rod Myers struck out two in the 9th to notch the save.
Series Now Even
The Giants’ 14-hit, 10-run outburst marked the second time this series they’ve scored double-digit runs. All nine starters reached base. With the win, San Francisco forces Game 7 at Candlestick Park.
Box Score Highlights
Washington Senators
- Alex Rodriguez: 3-for-4, HR (4), 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, SB
- Carl Everett: 3-for-5, HR (5), 2 R, 2 RBI
- Juwan Nunnally: 1-for-4, BB, R
- Mike Stanley: 0-for-2, 3 BB
- Erik Hanson (L, 0–1): 4.1 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 4 HR allowed
San Francisco Giants
- Steve Finley: 1-for-5, Grand Slam (4), 4 RBI
- Moisés Alou: 2-for-4, HR (4), 2B, 3 RBI
- Jose Canseco: 2-for-4, HR (2)
- Carlos Baerga: 3-for-4, HR (1), RBI
- Floyd Youmans (W, 2–0): 6.1 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 10 K
What’s Next
Game 7. Saturday night. Candlestick Park.
John Burkett takes the mound for Washington. Scott Sanders will go for San Francisco. One game to decide it all.
“We’ve been through a lot just to get here,” A-Rod said. “Now we have to finish it.”
Final Score: Giants 10, Senators 8
Series: Tied 3–3