Heartbreaking Loss for the Yankees as Angels Spoil Sweep Bid

The Yankees had looked impressive in the first two games of this series, with strong starting pitching putting them on the verge of a sweep of the Angels. However, with Anaheim reeling and on a six-game losing streak, the Yankees couldn't find a way to finish the job, dropping one of their more frustrating games of 1999.

A Missed Opportunity to Extend Their Lead

Cone's Solid Outing Overshadowed by Luke's Mammoth Homer

David Cone took the mound for the Yankees, continuing New York's run of quality pitching performances. The early innings were largely uneventful for Cone, with one massive exception: an absolute moonshot off the bat of brief '96 teammate Matt Luke. Right fielder Paul O'Neill hardly bothered to move as Luke's two-run shot flew deep into the third deck at Yankee Stadium, giving the Angels a 2-0 second-inning lead. Cone was otherwise solid, giving his offense a chance to chip into the deficit.

Belcher Stifles the Yankees' Lineup

The Yankees did manage to get on the board in the third, with Bernie Williams sending a solo shot out to center for his tenth of the year to make it 2-1. However, the lineup couldn't get much else going against Tim Belcher, a 37-year-old who entered the game with a 6.95 ERA on the year. They did put two on in the first, with Derek Jeter singling with two out from his relatively new spot in the three-hole and Tino Martinez drawing a walk, but O'Neill grounded out to leave a pair.

Girardi's Costly Error Extends the Angels' Lead

With the offense struggling against Belcher, it was Cone's defense that failed him in the fifth. With two down and none on, Jeff Huson reached on an infield single. Huson stole second, then advanced to third on an errant throw by Joe Girardi. The error proved costly, with Darin Erstad reaching on another infield single, scoring Huson in the process and putting Anaheim up 3-1.

Belcher Dominates, Umpire's Call Robs the Yankees

Belcher was slicing through the Yankee lineup, facing the minimum after Williams' dinger in the third until O'Neill singled with one out in the seventh. Belcher's day finished after eight innings of one-run, five-hit ball. The Yankees' most promising threat came in the eighth, when Jorge Posada pinch-hit for Girardi and lined a single off of Belcher. The next batter, Chuck Knoblauch, drove one to the wall in right-center, but the umpires ruled it a catch on the field, with Reggie Williams easily doubling off Posada. A fly ball that should have left the Yankees with a bare minimum of two on with one out instead ended the inning and the Yankees' most promising threat yet.

Rivera Uncharacteristically Falters, Percival Shuts the Door

Joe Torre went to Mariano Rivera in the top of the ninth down two, with Cone having finished a strong eight-inning outing. But it was a rare off day for Mo. A one-out walk and a forceout left Huson at first, with Huson wreaking havoc on the bases again and stealing second. Erstad lined a single to right to drive Huson in, giving Anaheim an insurance run and a 4-1 lead. Down to their final three outs, the Yankee offense finally came alive facing Angels closer Troy Percival. Williams led off with a walk, and Jeter followed with a single, his second of the game. Martinez singled Williams home, cutting the lead to 4-2 and putting the tying run on base with none out. But it just wasn't meant to be, as Tony Tarasco popped up, and Chili Davis walked to load the bases. With the crowd on its feet, Scott Brosius grounded into a crushing 5-5-3 double play to end the game.