Ace lefty John Garza had a dilemma.  He had big shoes to fill, both figuratively and literally.  Figuratively, he needed to back up ace righty Harold Soria’s gem from the week before.  Literally – he forgot his shoes.  Forced to wear 1^st basemen Johnson’s mammoth size 13 running shoes, Garza got the job done, giving up only 5 runs in a complete game effort.

The Bugbusters busted out the whipping stick, blasting 26 hits and batted around in two different innings.  The Johnson Boyz Craig Nate and Ed led the way by going 10 for 11 plus a walk, scoring 8 runs between them.  Rookie September call-up Matt Thirionet chipped in with his 3^rd triple of the Fall campaign. And Young Geo Ruberte picked up his injured Dad by blasting a three run HR. Mike had earlier injured his leg in the 1st inning with his daring basepath antics, yet had a run and RBI despite his injury.

Chris Jones, still high from the Tiger’s beat down of the Yanks in the ALCS, contributed 4 RBIs from the middle of the order.  Chuck Chapa, fresh from his Hawaiian vacation, said “Aloha” to home plate three times.

Jeremy Palmer showed the “never say die” attitude of his Oakland A’s by scoring twice in the lead off slot. Veteran Tony Telles showed the young guys how to hustle with a run scored on a mad dash from second, along with an RBI knock.

Manager Soria, drenched in Champagne after the playoff clinching effort, said he was proud of how everyone on the team contributed. This was rare praise indeed from the salty vet Soria.