Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Diamondbacks win World Series

PHOENIX, Arizona (REUTERS) — Luis Gonzalez's bloop single completed a thrilling two-run rally off Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees 3-2 to win their first World Series.

The Yankees had taken a 2-1 lead on rookie Alfonso Soriano's homer in the eighth off gallant starter Curt Schilling, but the Diamondbacks refused to die when they were down to their last three outs.

Mark Grace led off the bottom of the ninth with his third single of the game, and Damian Miller laid down a bunt.

Rivera's throw to first went into center field for an error as pinch-runner David Dellucci banged his foot into shortstop Derek Jeter's foot, hard.

Pinch-hitter Jay Bell failed to advance the runners with a bunt, but Tony Womack on a 2-2 count doubled to right to drive in pinch-runner Midre Cummings with the tying run.

With men on second and third, Craig Counsell was hit by a pitch.

Then Gonzalez, who belted 57 home runs and had 142 runs batted in during the regular season, got the biggest little hit of his career: a soft bloop to left that brought home Bell with the winning run.

Randy Johnson, who pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief after going seven innings for the victory the day before, got the win and was 3-0 in the series.

Rivera, the nearly infallible closer who came in with the lowest earned run average in postseason history (.070), took the loss and was 1-1.

For just the third time ever, the home team won every game. The Minnesota Twins did it in 1987 and 1991.
The Yankees, winners of four of the past five World Series, failed to win their fourth in a row in the first Fall Classic ever to extend into November.

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