European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 26 b the stars and stripes Friday october 25, 1991willard an unlikely series hero Atlan i a apr Jerry Willard a Journeyman minor leaguer who once tried a regal1 a he could t stand became an  world series hero wednesday night. Placed on Atlanta s postseason roster at the last i minute Willard delivered a sacrifice ii Iii one out in the ninth inning to Gic the braves a 3-2 Victory Over the Minnesota twins squaring the series at two Gars Cuch. A live always been the 26th Man a Willard had said when he made the braves playoff roster 10 minutes before the plane left for Pittsburgh and the first playoff game. A maybe this was the break i  he made the most of that break against the twins. The 31-year-old Catcher spent All or parts of 11 seasons in the minor leagues and played i icily in the majors for parts of three. He considered quitting baseball when a Back injury sidelined him for the entire 1988 season. He worked in construction then took a Job in an athletic club working out during off hours. A i knew it Wasny to for me a he said. A i could t handle those 9-to-5 jobs. I had to get Back in  his game winning rib came after Mark Lemke had tripled with one out in the ninth and Jeff Blauser was intentionally walked As the twins hoped to set up an inning ending double play. Steve Bedrosian a former Brave was summoned from the bullpen after the right handed Francisco Cabrera was announced As a Pinch hitter for Pitcher Mike Stanton. When Bedrosian a right hander came in manager Bobby Cox called Cabrera Back and went with the left handed Willard. A i was the last left hander on the Bench a Willard said. A they had no other Choice i  he took a Ball then fouled off two pitches before sending his Fly Ball to medium right Field. Shane Mack made the catch and then threw to the plate forcing Lemke to slide around Catcher Brian Harper to avoid the tag. A i knew Mack had a Good Arm a Willard said. A when i hit it i looked Back and saw that Lemke got a late jump. I kept thinking go As far As you can farther  it went just far enough for Willard and the braves. Game 4 Star Lonnie Smith is Cut Down at Home in fifth inning collision with Brian Harper. Jerry Willard is All smiles moments after his Fly Ball brought Home the winning run for Atlanta in game 4.braves madness on bases finally pays off in ninth by Steve Wilstein Atlanta apr daring or dangerous the Atlanta braves ran the bases As if they were on a suicide Mission. Their madness finally paid off. Mark Lemkes sprint for Home in the ninth inning on a shallow sacrifice Fly bailed out the braves 3-2 Victory wednesday night and tied the world series with Minnesota after some dubious base running by both teams. Lemke Slid cleverly from the outside into the plate after his triple and a sacrifice Fly by Pinch hitter Jerry Willard and barely eluded Minnesota Catcher Brian harpers tag on a Good throw from right fielder Shane Mack. A i was taking my time tagging up a Lemke said. A i did t get a real Good jump because i wanted to make game 4 key sure i did no to leave too soon. I saw him get the Ball and we touched shoulders but he never touched me with the  Minnesota manager Tom Kelly said Macks throw was Good but it bounced and a scooted up on Harper. The twins blew a scoring Opportunity in the fourth inning when Mack was tagged out easily at Home on a suicide squeeze As Greg Gagne missed a bunt attempt. The braves running mistakes were More dramatic. Lonnie Smith urged on by Arm waving third base coach Jimy Williams turned himself into a misguided missile in the fifth inning As he slammed into Harper in a vain attempt to score. Williams decision to Send Smith Home violated a coaching Maxim not to risk a runner with none out. That Blunder was compounded moments later when Terry Pendleton unwisely tried to sneak Home with a slide from third when Jack Morris threw a pitch in the dirt. But Harper kept the Ball in front of him grabbed it and easily tagged out Pendleton. Until the ninth. Harper was turning Home plate into a burial ground for the braves with Fine plays that belied his reputation As a defensively liability. Smith led off the fifth with a single Down the line in left then stole second. Pendleton followed with a double Over Kirby Puckett a head in Center a liner that Puckett seemed to misjudge and get a late Start on. But Puckett took the carom off the Fence wheeled and threw to second baseman Chuck Knoblauch who threw Home Well ahead of Smith. Smith had been waved Home by Williams but his Only Chance of scoring was to Knock the Ball Loose but Harper absorbed the hit and held the Ball. Pendleton took third on the play and. After a walk to Ron Gant tried to score when Morris pitch hit the dirt in front of Harper. But Harper pounced on the Ball turned and tagged out Pendleton. Dave Justice then flied out to end the inning