October 24 in Cleveland Indians history: Murray walks off first postseason win in 47 years

October 24

1995 World Series Game 3, Jacobs Field: Indians 7, Braves 6, 11 innings

After two pitching duels in Atlanta, the Indians hoped a trip back to the friendly confines of Jacobs Field would awaken the slumbering offense. But it would not be easy as the Braves sent their third straight Cy Young caliber starter John Smoltz to the rubber with workhorse Charles Nagy his opponent.

Nagy retired both Marquis Grissom and Luis Polonia to start the game. But Chipper Jones doubled to the left-center gap and scored on Fred McGriff's single to right, and just like that, the Braves had a quick 1-0 lead. Davis Justice popped out to end their first. Kenny Lofton hit one back up the middle and scored when Omar Vizquel tripled down the right field line. Carlos Baerga finally didn't pop out, but grounded one to first and the Indians had answered the call, taking a 2-1 lead. Both Albert Belle and Eddie Murray grounded out to complete the first.

Nagy retired Ryan Klesko, Javy Lopez and Mark Lemke in order in the top of the second while Smoltz struck out the side (Jim Thome, Paul Sorrento and Sandy Alomar) while walking Manny Ramirez in the bottom half. Nagy continued pitching well in third, whiffing both Rafael Belliard and Grissom and Polonia flying out to left.

The Indians opened the bottom of the fourth with four straight hits. Lofton doubled to center, Omar laid down a bunt single, Baerga got his first hit of the series and Belle also singled. Smoltz struck out Murray but walked Jim Thome to load the bases. Bobby Cox had seen enough and in came Brad Clontz, who induced a double play grounder from Manny Ramirez.

Nagy navigated around a leadoff walk to Chipper and a two out single by Klesko in the fourth. Lofton had his third hit of the game in the fourth, but was caught attempting to steal his fifth bag of the series. In the fifth, Grissom ended up on second after an infield single and Nagy's throwing error with two out, but he too was caught stealing, attempting to go to third. Clontz retired both Omar and Baerga in the fifth, but Belle reached on Belliard's error. Cox brought in Kent Mercker to face Murray, who whiffed.

Nagy allowed solo shots by McGriff in the sixth and Klesko in the seventh, but the Tribe still led 4-3. Lofton worked a one out walk of Mercker in the seventh and took second on Omar's grounder. He was successful at stealing third and scored on Baerga's second RBI single. Belle walked and Cox called for Greg McMichael who stopped the bleeding by whiffing Murray. But the Indians had gotten an insurance run, now up 5-3.

Hargrove let Nagy come out for the eighth but probably shouldn't have. Grissom smoked a double to right and Polonia plated him on a seeing eye grounder to right. In came Paul Assenmacher who walked Chipper after Polonia had swiped second. McGriff was retired, but his fly ball was deep enough to move both Polonia and Jones up. Justice hit a grounder to Baerga who booted it, tying the score and now runners were at first and third. Julian Tavarez came in and Cox pinch hit Mike Devereaux for Klesko. He rewarded Cox with a single and now the Braves led 6-5. Lopez ended the inning with a 4-6-3 twin killing, but all those Cleveland fans with tickets for game five (including myself) were seriously worried about getting swept.

McMichael got Thome to pop up, but Manny walked and went to third on Sorrento's single. Mark Wohlers was again called in for eighth inning duty with Wayne Kirby running for Sorrento. Sandy Alomar finally got his first hit of the series, a double to right, tying the game and Kirby stopping at third. Wohlers walked Lofton to load the bases but neither Omar nor Baerga could push across the lead run.

A well-rested Jose Mesa came out for the ninth and Lemke led off with a single. Mike Mordecai (who took over at short in the seventh) bunted him over. Grissom stuck out swinging. Polonia worked a nine pitch walk, but Chipper grounded out to leave the game tied. The Tribe went in order in bottom half and we were off to extra innings.

Mesa allowed another leadoff single in the tenth, this time to McGriff, who stole second with two out but he was stranded. The Tribe threatened in the tenth as well. Manny walked and stole second after Herb Perry whiffed. He took third on Alomar's grounder. Lofton was given first base, but Omar grounded out to end the inning.

Mesa came out for his third inning of work, and for the third straight time, the leadoff hitter was aboard, this time on a Lemke single to left. Mordecai struck out attempting to bunt and Grissom hit into the pitcher's best friend (PBF), 4-6-3. Alejandro Pena replaced Wohlers for the bottom half. After a nine pitch battle, Baerga doubled to the right-center gap. Alvaro Espinoza ran for him and Pena put Belle on first with an intentional pass. Murray ended the game with a liner into center and the Tribe had averted a 3-0 deficit.