Still, the Reds led the NL West from wire to wire, and after three games against the A's, they were on the verge of sweeping Goliath in the World Series. For Game 4, the A's trotted out Dave Stewart, who had just completed his fourth consecutive 20-win season. The Reds countered with Game 1 winner Jose Rijo.
For the first time this series, it looked like things were going Oakland's way. In the top of the first, Stewart plunked Billy Hatcher -- who had already set a Series record with seven consecutive hits and was 9-for-12 overall -- in the hand, causing him to leave the game. Then in the bottom half of the inning, Reds center fielder Eric Davis also left after bruising his kidney while diving to make a catch. Adding insult to his injury, Davis couldn't hang on to the ball and the play led to a run for the A's.
Still trailing 1-0 in the top of the eighth, the Reds finally got to Stewart. Barry Larkin led off with a single and Herm Winningham -- Hatcher's replacement -- followed with a bunt single. Both runners advanced when Paul O'Neill dropped a sacrifice bunt down the third base line. Glenn Braggs, who had replaced Eric Davis, grounded into a fielder's choice to score Larkin and Hal Morris then flied out to right, scoring Winningham with the go-ahead run.
With a one-run lead in the ninth, Reds manager Lou Piniella had the luxury of choosing from among Randy Myers, Norm Charlton and Rob Dibble -- a trio of relievers affectionately known as the Nasty Boys -- to face pinch-hitter Jose Canseco. Canseco, who was battling injuries and ineffectiveness, had been benched before the game by Tony LaRussa.
Piniella called on Myers, who retired Canseco and then Carney Lansford to give the Reds their first World Series title since the days of the Big Red Machine. Rijo was named MVP for a series in which he won both his starts and posted a miniscule 0.59 ERA