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Athletics vs. Yankees in Divisional Series
After a conspicuous absence from the past several post-seasons, the New York Yankees returned to the playoffs in the 2003 season. The Yankees improved six games over their mark of a season ago, and took advantage of a big slide by the Red Sox to capture the East Division pennant. The Yankees would face the West Division champs, the Oakland Athletics in the first round. The A's were coming off another 100+ win season and were looking to recapture the American League crown after being beat by Boston in the ALCS last year.
SERIES BOX SCORES
GAME ONE
It would be a battle of the aces in game one, as New York's Mike Mussina took on Oakland's Mark Mulder. The Yankees would pull out to an early lead as Victor Rodriquez tripled in the top of the 1st and was brought home by a Derek Jeter RBI single. The Yankees extended the lead to 2-0 in the 5th. John Rodriquez would walk and steal second. Tino Martinez would bring him home with an RBI single. But the A's would strike back in the bottom half of the inning. Miguel Tejada would slam a 3-run homerun with one out to give Oakland the 3-2 lead. The Athletics would hold on until the 9th for Jim Mecir to close out the game. Mecir would load the bases by issuing a walk sandwiched by two singles, but Henry Rodriquez would pop up to second to end the game and give Oakland the win.
Oakland-3
New York-2
(Oakland leads series 1-0)
GAME TWO
Oakland would send Barry Zito to the hill to try to take control of the series. The Yankees would counter with lefthander Scott Wiggins. Wiggins would pitch very well and keep the A's offense in check, but Zito would be unhitable. The Yankees would threaten in the 2nd inning. Bernie Williams would double and advance to third on a sacrifice. With two outs Williams would try to advance on a wild pitch, but Brook Fordyce would corral the pitch and nail Williams at the plate with a perfect throw to Zito. Oakland would score the first run of the game in the 5th. Miguel Tejada would single and move to second on Ricky Bells sacrifice bunt. Johnny Damon would connect with an RBI single and give the Athletics a 1-0 lead. The game would stay locked until the 8th when Jermaine Dye would add an insurance run with a solo homerun to and seal the win.
Oakland-2
New York-0
(Oakland leads series 2-0)
GAME THREE
The series would shift to New York for Game 3. The A's would send right hander Tim Hudson to the mound to try to close out the Yankees. Hudson struggled through the season, posting a career high 4.47 ERA. But on this night, he would pitch like the Tim Hudson that has led the A's staff for the past several years. Hudson would mow through the New York lineup, giving up just 4 hits in a complete game shut out. Meanwhile, the A's offense would need just one big inning to seal the series. Brook Fordyce would lead off the 6th with a walk and advance to second on a Mark Ellis single. With one out, Johnny Damon would single to to score Fordyce. One out later Jason Giambi would single to load the bases. Jermaine Dye would end the series with one massive swing. Dye's second homerun of the series would be a base-clearing grand slam. The A's would cruise the rest of the way to the game and series victory.
Oakland-5
New York-0
(Oakland wins series 3-0)
Other Results...
Anaheim beats Minnesota 3 games to 1.
New York Mets beat St. Louis 3 games to 2.
Colorado beats Cincinatti 3 games to 1.
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