34 years ago
Remembering a Classic Blue Jays Comeback: Game 2 of the 1992 World Series 34 years ago
In the ninth inning, with the Blue Jays trailing 4-3, Ed Sprague delivered a dramatic pinch-hit home run, propelling Toronto to a thrilling victory in Game 2 of the 1992 World Series.
Game one saw the Blue Jays fall 3-1. Jack Morris surrendered three runs in the sixth, while Toronto could only muster a single run—a Joe Carter home run—against Braves ace Tom Glavine, who threw a complete-game four-hitter.
David Cone, acquired from the Mets on August 27th for Jeff Kent, took the mound in Game 2. While Cone’s autobiography is an excellent read (though it covers little about his Jays tenure), his outing that day was tough—he allowed four runs (three earned) over 4.1 innings.
Atlanta struck first in the second inning. David Justice walked, stole second, advanced to third on a Manny Lee throwing error, and came home on a wild pitch.
The Braves added another run in the fourth as Sid Bream walked, Jeff Blauser singled, and Mark Lemke drove in Bream with an RBI single.
Toronto tied the game at two in the fifth. Pat Borders walked with two outs, Lee singled, and both Cone (helped by the designated hitter rule not being in effect in Atlanta) and Devon White hit singles to bring home two runs. Cone’s hit must be among the most impactful by a Blue Jays pitcher.
The Braves reclaimed a two-run lead in the bottom of the fifth. Deion Sanders singled and stole second, Terry Pendleton walked, and Justice singled home Sanders, ending Cone’s night. David Wells relieved and surrendered a sacrifice fly to Brian Hunter.
The Jays cut the deficit to one in the eighth. Roberto Alomar doubled, Carter singled, and Dave Winfield drove in Alomar with a single. That ended John Smoltz’s night after 7.1 innings (8 hits, 3 runs—2 earned, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts). Lefty Mike Stanton got Olerud to pop out, and Jeff Reardon struck out Kelly Gruber to end the threat.
In the ninth, Reardon induced a lineout from Borders. Derek Bell pinch-hit for Lee and walked. Ed Sprague then pinch-hit for Duane Ward and, on the first pitch, launched a home run over the left-field wall, giving Toronto its first lead. That homer easily ranks among the most important in Blue Jays history.
Tom Henke was called upon to close, but the save was anything but routine. With one out, he hit pinch-hitter Lonnie Smith, who was replaced by pinch-runner Ron Gant. Otis Nixon flied out to center. Gant then stole second with Deion Sanders at the plate, who proceeded to walk on a full count. Ultimately, Henke induced a pop-out from Pendleton to secure the win.
The Blue Jays tied the series at one and returned to Toronto, eventually winning the World Series in six games.
Toronto’s bullpen was outstanding, delivering 4.2 hitless innings: Wells (1.2),Stottlemyre (1), Ward (1, earning the win), and Henke (1, with the save). The Braves managed just five hits but drew seven walks.
Offensively, the Jays collected nine hits and four walks. Remarkably, Cone contributed two of those hits (and an RBI); no other Blue Jay had more than one hit.
Jays of the Day would have been Sprague (.669 WPA), Cone for his batting (.154) and Henke (.187).
Other award: Cone for his pitching (-.273), Olerud (-.273, 0 for 4, 1 strikeout) and Gruber (-.181, 0 for 4, 3 strikeouts).
Here is the home run: