On this date 1990: October 20
The Reds are World Champions.........
World Series Game 4: Reds 2 A's 1
I'll never forget the first inning: Billy Hatcher, 9 for 12 (.750) in the series, broke his hand when he was hit by a Dave Stewart pitch. Eric Davis suffered a lacerated kidney while attempting a diving catch in the bottom of the 1st inning. Both players were done for the series and the sense of urgency to finish off the A's in Game 4 was heightened.
The Reds trailed 1-0 heading to the 8th inning. Barry Larkin and Herm Winningham started the rally with back to back singles to beging the 8th. Paul O'Neill reached on a Stewart throwing error on his attempted sacrifice bunt. A Glenn Braggs groundout scored Larkin and a Hal Morris sacrifice fly scored Winningham.
Jose Rijo tossed 8.1 innings of 2 hit, 1 run baseball for the win.
Randy Meyers recorded the final two outs for the save.
The Reds (91-71) swept the A's (103-59), outhitting the A's .317 to .207 and outscoring them 22-8. Reds hitters struck out just nine times....in the four game series....in 157 plate appearances. A's hitters struck out 28 times.
Jose Rijo was named series MVP: 2-0 0.59, allowing 1 run in 15.1 innings.
Highlights/notes