Sheffield’s Bat Potent, but Glove Also a Key

CLEVELAND â€”  Defense isn’t what comes to mind when one examines how Gary Sheffield causes problems. Unless it’s problems for the Florida Marlins.

The Marlin outfielder, to put it kindly, isn’t among the game’s most skilled fielders. But Sheffield’s ability at the plate keeps him in the Marlin lineup, and he showed why again Tuesday night at Jacobs Field.

Sheffield was the star on offense in Game 3 of the World Series. Sheffield hit a solo home run in the first inning, had three hits in five at-bats and tied a World Series record with five runs batted in during the Marlins’ 14-11 victory.

“Gary was big tonight,� Marlin outfielder Moises Alou said. “He swung the bat and came through with some big, big hits.�

Sheffield’s teammates and coaches have come to expect big things on offense from their right fielder. But to their surprise, Sheffield had a big impact on defense as well.

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The situation: The score was tied, 7-7, in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Marlins had rallied from a 7-3 deficit after five innings.

They overcame a poor pitching performance from starter Al Leiter, who had walked six. They also overcame a poor defensive performance, committing three errors.

Sheffield had been a key to the rally with three RBIs to that point, including a run-scoring double in the top of the inning.

With one out, Jim Thome came to the plate against reliever Felix Heredia. On a 1-and-1 count, Thome crushed a pitch to right field.

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The stakes: Each team earlier had seized the momentum, then given it away. Each team had been waiting for a boost. A homer, or even a double, could have provided Cleveland with a spark. An error by Sheffield, who had committed five during the regular season, could have demoralized the Marlins.

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The outcome: As good as it could get for the Marlins. Sheffield made a leaping catch at the wall, timing his jump just right. His glove hit the lip of the wall, but Sheffield held on for the out. Had the ball popped out, Thome would have had a homer and the Indians would have had the lead.

“How ‘bout that!� Marlin Manager Jim Leyland said. “That baby was a dandy, wasn’t it?�

From his vantage point in left field, Alou immediately realized the significance of his friend’s catch.

“Gary made a hell of a catch,� Alou said. “That’s what you need in big games, plays like that.�

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The bottom line: Tony Fernandez grounded out to end the inning. The Marlins said the catch provided much-needed inspiration in a back-and-forth game.

The Marlins went on to score seven runs in the top of the ninth, including two on Sheffield’s two-out single to right.

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The last word: Sheffield had been criticized by Marlin fans after batting .250 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs this season. Last season, he had batted .314 with 42 homers and 120 RBIs.

But Sheffield entered Tuesday’s game batting .333 in the postseason. He also had broken Albert Belle’s record for walks in the postseason with 15. And Tuesday, Sheffield provided South Florida with another reason to be a little kinder and gentler to him.

“I get a lot of bad publicity as far as my defense in concerned,� Sheffield said. “But I came through for my teammates tonight. Thank God I held onto the ball.�