Bonilla, Leyland Share Emotions

The embrace lasted only seconds.

Bobby Bonilla and Jim Leyland hugged and whispered a few words to each other Tuesday night, sharing one of many special moments after the Marlins clinched the National League championship series against the Braves.

Though the moment was short, Bonilla said it was significant for him and his manager.

“Just a lot of emotion out there,” the Marlin third baseman said. “I’ve been here with [Leyland] before so this was very special.”

Bonilla played for Leyland in Pittsburgh from 1986 to ’91. They were together when the Pirates lost the championship series to the Reds in 1990 and the Braves in 1991.

Bonilla struggled in the first four games of this championship series, batting .067 (one hit in 15 at-bats). But he was the Marlins’ offensive catalyst in Games 4 and 5, batting .625 (five for eight) with four runs batted in and two runs.

What did Bonilla and Leyland say during their hug?

“It was something between us,” Bonilla said. “Let’s just say I’m happy to finally go to the World Series, and there isn’t another guy I’d rather get there with than Jim Leyland.”

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Injured right-hander Alex Fernandez was among the first players to race from the dugout to congratulate starter Kevin Brown after the victory.

“I said all along I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team,” Fernandez said. “I know I can’t be out there, so I’m going to be a cheerleader in every game.”

Fernandez said he probably will delay having surgery on his torn right rotator cuff until after the World Series.

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Before Game 6, the Braves were still upset about umpire Eric Gregg’s strike zone in Game 5.

Rookie right-hander Livan Hernandez set a record with 15 strikeouts in the game and was named the most valuable player of the championship series. The Braves said Gregg’s strike zone was too wide, among other things.

Leyland had said little about the Braves’ comments--until after Game 6.

“I’ve seen a lot of games on TV where Tom Glavine gets the outside of the plate,” Leyland said, “so I don’t think the Braves are in any position to complain about this.”

WORLD SERIES REPORT

* Game 1: Indians at Marlins,

Saturday, 5 p.m.

* Game 2: Indians at Marlins,

Sunday, 4:30 p.m.

* Game 3: Marlins at Indians,

Oct. 21, 5:20 p.m.

* Game 4: Marlins at Indians,

Oct. 22, 5:20 p.m.

* Game 5: Marlins at Indians,

Oct. 23, 5:20 p.m.*

* Game 6: Indians at Marlins,

Oct. 25, 5 p.m.*

* Game 7: Indians at Marlins,

Oct. 26, 4:30 p.m.*

*--if necessary