Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 1-4
Streak: L3
Record: 32-71
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
After a game when the Orioles kept getting men on base but could not bring them in, today the Orioles went back to not getting anyone on. Charlie Leibrandt threw a complete game for the Royals, giving up just four hits and two walks while striking out 11. He almost had a shutout but Cal Ripken had a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth (the fourth consecutive game that he had homered). Meanwhile the Royals scored three in the fourth on a three run home run from Bo Jackson and picked up another run in the seventh on a Kurt Stillwell RBI double.
The Orioles record for July ended up being 10-16 which was roughly what it was in May (10-17) and June (11-16). They were outscored by their opponents 127 to 94. Their record for the month doesn't indicate the kind of schizophrenic month they had though. Their record for the pre-All Star break portion of the month (July 1-10) was 6-4 while their post-break record (July 14-31) was 4-12.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
Saturday July 30 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 7-8
Streak: L2
Record: 32-70
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
This was a game of lost opportunities for the Orioles. They got 11 hits on the night and additionally got 11 walks but ended up leaving 15 men on base. They took an early lead in the first inning when with one out Brady Anderson (making his Oriole debut after being acquired from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade the day before) doubled. Cal Ripken singled to score him and moved to second on the throw home. Ripken then scored on a single by Eddie Murray. After Mickey Tettleton flew out for the second out singles from Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart loaded the bases. Rick Schu flew out though to end the inning.
George Brett led off the second with a solo home run to cut the Orioles lead in half. But in the bottom of the second the Orioles got another run when Royals starter Israel Sanchez pretty much lost the strike zone. He walked Bill Ripken and Pete Stanicek to start the inning. Anderson put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. Sanchez then intentionally walked Cal Ripken to load the bases and after Murray flew out for the second out he then walked Tettleton to force in a run. Jim Traber struck out though to end the inning and leave the bases loaded for the second straight inning.
The Royals tied the game up in the fourth when Frank White homered to lead off the inning and Willie Wilson had an RBI single later in the inning. The Orioles got two base runners in the bottom of the inning on a hit-by-pitch and an intentional walk but they weren't able to get a run out of it. The Royals took the lead in the fifth on a three run home run by Danny Tartabull. In the bottom of the inning the Orioles again got two runners on base with a walk and single with only one out but Bill Ripken grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Birds cut the lead to 6-5 on a two run home run by Murray in the sixth but the Royals put up another pair of runs in the seventh. With two outs White doubled and scored on a single by Tartabull (who advanced to second when the Orioles threw to the plate to try to catch White). Tartabull then scored on a single by Pat Tabler.
The Orioles again got the bases loaded without a hit in the seventh inning. Walks to Joe Orsulak, Schu and Stanicek loaded them up with only one out but Anderson struck out and Cal Ripken flew out to leave the bases loaded for a third time in the game. They got a couple guys on in the bottom o the eighth as well but could not score them. In fact the Orioles were only retired in order once during the game - in the bottom of the third.
The Orioles made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Larry Sheets led off with a double and two batters later Cal hit a two run home run to pull the Orioles within one run. But Eddie Murray grounded out to end the game.
Outcome: L
Score: 7-8
Streak: L2
Record: 32-70
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
This was a game of lost opportunities for the Orioles. They got 11 hits on the night and additionally got 11 walks but ended up leaving 15 men on base. They took an early lead in the first inning when with one out Brady Anderson (making his Oriole debut after being acquired from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade the day before) doubled. Cal Ripken singled to score him and moved to second on the throw home. Ripken then scored on a single by Eddie Murray. After Mickey Tettleton flew out for the second out singles from Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart loaded the bases. Rick Schu flew out though to end the inning.
George Brett led off the second with a solo home run to cut the Orioles lead in half. But in the bottom of the second the Orioles got another run when Royals starter Israel Sanchez pretty much lost the strike zone. He walked Bill Ripken and Pete Stanicek to start the inning. Anderson put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. Sanchez then intentionally walked Cal Ripken to load the bases and after Murray flew out for the second out he then walked Tettleton to force in a run. Jim Traber struck out though to end the inning and leave the bases loaded for the second straight inning.
The Royals tied the game up in the fourth when Frank White homered to lead off the inning and Willie Wilson had an RBI single later in the inning. The Orioles got two base runners in the bottom of the inning on a hit-by-pitch and an intentional walk but they weren't able to get a run out of it. The Royals took the lead in the fifth on a three run home run by Danny Tartabull. In the bottom of the inning the Orioles again got two runners on base with a walk and single with only one out but Bill Ripken grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Birds cut the lead to 6-5 on a two run home run by Murray in the sixth but the Royals put up another pair of runs in the seventh. With two outs White doubled and scored on a single by Tartabull (who advanced to second when the Orioles threw to the plate to try to catch White). Tartabull then scored on a single by Pat Tabler.
The Orioles again got the bases loaded without a hit in the seventh inning. Walks to Joe Orsulak, Schu and Stanicek loaded them up with only one out but Anderson struck out and Cal Ripken flew out to leave the bases loaded for a third time in the game. They got a couple guys on in the bottom o the eighth as well but could not score them. In fact the Orioles were only retired in order once during the game - in the bottom of the third.
The Orioles made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Larry Sheets led off with a double and two batters later Cal hit a two run home run to pull the Orioles within one run. But Eddie Murray grounded out to end the game.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Friday July 29 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 2-6
Streak: L1
Record: 32-69
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
After a week on the road the Birds returned home to open a ten game home stand with a three game series against the Royals. But the big news of the day was off the field - the Orioles sent Mike Boddicker, the final starting pitcher remaining from the 1983 World Champions, to the Red Sox for outfielder Brady Anderson and pitcher Curt Schilling.
The trade may have taken some of the wind out of the O's as they only managed four hits this evening against Bret Saberhagen and Jeff Montgomery. Meanwhile the Royals were teeing off on Jeff Ballard. George Brett had a two run home run in the first inning and Bo Jackson had a three run shot in the fourth. The Royals also picked up another run in the first when Frank White doubled and Danny Tartabull hit a ground ball to Rick Schu at third that Schu threw away.
The Orioles got one run in the first inning on Cal Ripken's second home run in as many days and got their other run in the fourth inning when Jim Traber had an RBI single that scored Bill Ripken.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-6
Streak: L1
Record: 32-69
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
After a week on the road the Birds returned home to open a ten game home stand with a three game series against the Royals. But the big news of the day was off the field - the Orioles sent Mike Boddicker, the final starting pitcher remaining from the 1983 World Champions, to the Red Sox for outfielder Brady Anderson and pitcher Curt Schilling.
The trade may have taken some of the wind out of the O's as they only managed four hits this evening against Bret Saberhagen and Jeff Montgomery. Meanwhile the Royals were teeing off on Jeff Ballard. George Brett had a two run home run in the first inning and Bo Jackson had a three run shot in the fourth. The Royals also picked up another run in the first when Frank White doubled and Danny Tartabull hit a ground ball to Rick Schu at third that Schu threw away.
The Orioles got one run in the first inning on Cal Ripken's second home run in as many days and got their other run in the fourth inning when Jim Traber had an RBI single that scored Bill Ripken.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Thursday July 28 at Cleveland
Opponent: Cleveland Indians
Outcome: W
Score: 5-2
Streak: W1
Record: 32-68
Rank: 7th
GB: 27
The Orioles managed to avoid being swept in Cleveland this night but even so managed to find a unique way to kill a rally. With one out in the second Mickey Tettleton drew a walk and then moved to second on ground out by Ken Gerhart. Jim Traber then singled to bring in Tettleton with the first run of the ballgame. The Orioles loaded the bases when Rene Gonzales and Joe Orsulak followed with singles of their own. Pete Stanicek followed with the Birds' fourth consecutive single which scored Traber but Gonzales stumbled and fell rounding third. He got up and retreated back to third with the help of a push from Orioles third base coach Mike Hart. That of course is interference and Gonzales was called out which ended the inning. But the Orioles had a 2-0 lead.
An out on the bases ended the next inning for the Birds as well. With two outs Eddie Murray singled and went to second on third baseman Brook Jacoby's throwing error. Tettleton followed with a single to left but somehow Murray got himself thrown out at third on the play to end the inning. He made up for his base running gaffe a few innings later when he hit his 17th home run of the year, a solo shot in the sixth to make it 3-0.
The Birds had yet another rally end on a base running out in the seventh. With two outs Stanicek singled and stole second. Bill Ripken singled to bring him in but was thrown out at second attempting to take an extra base to end the inning. Ripken's brother Cal led off the top of the eighth with a solo home run to give the Birds a 5-0 lead.
Meanwhile Oswaldo Peraza had been pitching a pretty good game. He had held the Indians to only four hits and two walks over the first eight innings but things got a little interesting in the ninth. With one out, the Tribe picked up a run on three consecutive singles by Joe Carter, Mel Hall and Jacoby. Orioles manager Frank Robinson lifted Peraza and brought in Tom Niedenfeur, the team's closer. Niedenfeur was able to get the final two outs although he gave up a hit to Carmelo Castillo that scored Hall with the Indians' second and final run.
Outcome: W
Score: 5-2
Streak: W1
Record: 32-68
Rank: 7th
GB: 27
The Orioles managed to avoid being swept in Cleveland this night but even so managed to find a unique way to kill a rally. With one out in the second Mickey Tettleton drew a walk and then moved to second on ground out by Ken Gerhart. Jim Traber then singled to bring in Tettleton with the first run of the ballgame. The Orioles loaded the bases when Rene Gonzales and Joe Orsulak followed with singles of their own. Pete Stanicek followed with the Birds' fourth consecutive single which scored Traber but Gonzales stumbled and fell rounding third. He got up and retreated back to third with the help of a push from Orioles third base coach Mike Hart. That of course is interference and Gonzales was called out which ended the inning. But the Orioles had a 2-0 lead.
An out on the bases ended the next inning for the Birds as well. With two outs Eddie Murray singled and went to second on third baseman Brook Jacoby's throwing error. Tettleton followed with a single to left but somehow Murray got himself thrown out at third on the play to end the inning. He made up for his base running gaffe a few innings later when he hit his 17th home run of the year, a solo shot in the sixth to make it 3-0.
The Birds had yet another rally end on a base running out in the seventh. With two outs Stanicek singled and stole second. Bill Ripken singled to bring him in but was thrown out at second attempting to take an extra base to end the inning. Ripken's brother Cal led off the top of the eighth with a solo home run to give the Birds a 5-0 lead.
Meanwhile Oswaldo Peraza had been pitching a pretty good game. He had held the Indians to only four hits and two walks over the first eight innings but things got a little interesting in the ninth. With one out, the Tribe picked up a run on three consecutive singles by Joe Carter, Mel Hall and Jacoby. Orioles manager Frank Robinson lifted Peraza and brought in Tom Niedenfeur, the team's closer. Niedenfeur was able to get the final two outs although he gave up a hit to Carmelo Castillo that scored Hall with the Indians' second and final run.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Wednesday July 27 at Cleveland
Opponent: Cleveland Indians
Outcome: L
Score: 2-12
Streak: L3
Record: 31-68
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
This one got out of hand pretty quick. Jose Bautista started for the Birds and he was not a mystery for the Cleveland hitters. Ron Washington and Terry Francona hit back to back singles to start the game for the Tribe. Julio Franco doubled to knock in Washington and Joe Carter then hit a three run home run. So four batters in the Orioles were already down 4-0. But Bautista was able to get out of the inning without any further trouble.
But trouble showed up again in the bottom of the second. Chris Bando led off with a single. After Washington popped out for the first out Francona hit a single that knocked Bautista out of the game. In came Mike Morgan to relieve him but it didn't make any difference. Franco greeted Morgan with a bases clearing double to make the score 6-0. After Carter grounded out for the second out Mel Hall doubled to bring in Franco and Cory Snyder singled to bring in Hall. A single to Willie Upshaw and a walk to Brook Jacoby loaded the bases. With Bando at the plate (the tenth man to bat in the inning) Morgan then threw a wild pitch that scored Snyder and moved the other two runners up. Finally Morgan struck out Bando to end the inning. After two innings the Indians had sent 18 men to the plate and nine of them had scored.
The Indians didn't let up in the third. Washington walked to start the inning and Francona got his third hit of the evening in as many innings when he followed with a single. Then Franco hit his third double of the first three innings and knocked both Washington and Francona in. Franco ended up stranded at second though as Morgan managed to get the next three batters out. But Cleveland got yet another run in the fourth after Upshaw led off the inning with a walk and was forced at second on a ground out by Jacoby. Bando then doubled to put runners on second and third and Jacoby then scored when Washington grounded out. After four innings the score was 12-0 Cleveland.
Mark Thurmond came in to pitch for the Orioles in the fifth inning and he and Don Aase (who pitched the eighth inning) were able to shut down the Indians' offense the rest of the game on only one hit. Meanwhile the Orioles got themselves on the board finally in the seventh on a two run home run by Jim Traber. Tom Candiotti went the distance to pick up the win for the Indians.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-12
Streak: L3
Record: 31-68
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
This one got out of hand pretty quick. Jose Bautista started for the Birds and he was not a mystery for the Cleveland hitters. Ron Washington and Terry Francona hit back to back singles to start the game for the Tribe. Julio Franco doubled to knock in Washington and Joe Carter then hit a three run home run. So four batters in the Orioles were already down 4-0. But Bautista was able to get out of the inning without any further trouble.
But trouble showed up again in the bottom of the second. Chris Bando led off with a single. After Washington popped out for the first out Francona hit a single that knocked Bautista out of the game. In came Mike Morgan to relieve him but it didn't make any difference. Franco greeted Morgan with a bases clearing double to make the score 6-0. After Carter grounded out for the second out Mel Hall doubled to bring in Franco and Cory Snyder singled to bring in Hall. A single to Willie Upshaw and a walk to Brook Jacoby loaded the bases. With Bando at the plate (the tenth man to bat in the inning) Morgan then threw a wild pitch that scored Snyder and moved the other two runners up. Finally Morgan struck out Bando to end the inning. After two innings the Indians had sent 18 men to the plate and nine of them had scored.
The Indians didn't let up in the third. Washington walked to start the inning and Francona got his third hit of the evening in as many innings when he followed with a single. Then Franco hit his third double of the first three innings and knocked both Washington and Francona in. Franco ended up stranded at second though as Morgan managed to get the next three batters out. But Cleveland got yet another run in the fourth after Upshaw led off the inning with a walk and was forced at second on a ground out by Jacoby. Bando then doubled to put runners on second and third and Jacoby then scored when Washington grounded out. After four innings the score was 12-0 Cleveland.
Mark Thurmond came in to pitch for the Orioles in the fifth inning and he and Don Aase (who pitched the eighth inning) were able to shut down the Indians' offense the rest of the game on only one hit. Meanwhile the Orioles got themselves on the board finally in the seventh on a two run home run by Jim Traber. Tom Candiotti went the distance to pick up the win for the Indians.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Tuesday July 26 at Cleveland
Opponent: Cleveland Indians
Outcome: L
Score: 3-7
Streak: L2
Record: 31-67
Rank: 7th
GB: 26.5
The Orioles held their own against the Indians over first third of tonight's ballgame. They got on the board in the top of the first when Joe Orsulak led off the game with a double and scored on next batter Bill Ripken's single but Cleveland tied it up in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back doubles by Terry Francona and Julio Franco and went ahead in the second on a solo home run by Cory Snyder. The Orioles knotted the game back up at 2 when Orsulak scored on a Larry Sheets grounded out with the bases loaded.
The game got away from the Birds in the fourth. Mel Hall led off the inning with a single and after Snyder flew out for the first out Willie Upshaw doubled. The Tribe then got the bases loaded when Brook Jacoby walked and then Chris Bando partly unloaded them with a single that scored Hall and Upshaw. Ron Washington followed with a single that scored Jacoby but Sheets threw out Bando trying to get to third on the play. With Francona at the plate Washington stole second which allowed him to score the fourth run of the inning on Francona's single. Orioles manager Frank Robinson replaced starter Jay Tibbs with Dave Schmidt at this point. After walking the first batter he faced (Franco) Schmidt got Joe Carter to ground out to end the inning.
The O's got a run back in the fifth on a Sheets RBI single but the Indians got it back in bottom of the inning. For the second inning in a row Hall led off with a single and moved to third on Snyder's single. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Upshaw but the Orioles threw out a base runner for the second straight inning when Orsulak nailed Snyder attempting to move up to second on the fly out.
That was pretty much the end of the ballgame. The Orioles got a couple singles in the eighth that ended up chasing Indians' starter John Farrell but their closer Doug Jones came in and closed it out with a perfect inning and a third.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-7
Streak: L2
Record: 31-67
Rank: 7th
GB: 26.5
The Orioles held their own against the Indians over first third of tonight's ballgame. They got on the board in the top of the first when Joe Orsulak led off the game with a double and scored on next batter Bill Ripken's single but Cleveland tied it up in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back doubles by Terry Francona and Julio Franco and went ahead in the second on a solo home run by Cory Snyder. The Orioles knotted the game back up at 2 when Orsulak scored on a Larry Sheets grounded out with the bases loaded.
The game got away from the Birds in the fourth. Mel Hall led off the inning with a single and after Snyder flew out for the first out Willie Upshaw doubled. The Tribe then got the bases loaded when Brook Jacoby walked and then Chris Bando partly unloaded them with a single that scored Hall and Upshaw. Ron Washington followed with a single that scored Jacoby but Sheets threw out Bando trying to get to third on the play. With Francona at the plate Washington stole second which allowed him to score the fourth run of the inning on Francona's single. Orioles manager Frank Robinson replaced starter Jay Tibbs with Dave Schmidt at this point. After walking the first batter he faced (Franco) Schmidt got Joe Carter to ground out to end the inning.
The O's got a run back in the fifth on a Sheets RBI single but the Indians got it back in bottom of the inning. For the second inning in a row Hall led off with a single and moved to third on Snyder's single. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Upshaw but the Orioles threw out a base runner for the second straight inning when Orsulak nailed Snyder attempting to move up to second on the fly out.
That was pretty much the end of the ballgame. The Orioles got a couple singles in the eighth that ended up chasing Indians' starter John Farrell but their closer Doug Jones came in and closed it out with a perfect inning and a third.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Monday July 25 at Rochester
For over 40 years (1961-2002) the Orioles Triple A affiliate was in Rochester, New York. For years the Orioles would travel to Rochester for an exhibition game in the middle of season and 1988 was no different. I haven't been able to find out a whole lot about this year's game other than the fact that the Orioles beat the Red Wings 10-8.
The Orioles relationship with the Red Wings went south in the late 90's when players started objecting to having to play a mid-season exhibition game, especially in 1999 when the Orioles played another mid-season exhibition game against the Cuban National team. Rochester broke off ties with the Orioles by signing a working agreement with the Twins at the end of the 2002 season. The Orioles ended up having a working agreement with the Ottawa Lynx from 2003 to 2006 before signing on with the Norfolk Tides in 2007. Both Rochester and Norfolk are still affiliated with the Twins and Orioles respectively.
The Orioles relationship with the Red Wings went south in the late 90's when players started objecting to having to play a mid-season exhibition game, especially in 1999 when the Orioles played another mid-season exhibition game against the Cuban National team. Rochester broke off ties with the Orioles by signing a working agreement with the Twins at the end of the 2002 season. The Orioles ended up having a working agreement with the Ottawa Lynx from 2003 to 2006 before signing on with the Norfolk Tides in 2007. Both Rochester and Norfolk are still affiliated with the Twins and Orioles respectively.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Sunday July 24 at the Twins
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L1
Record: 31-66
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
We didn't know it at the time but this was Mike Boddicker's last appearance as an Oriole and it didn't go well. The Twins jumped on him for three runs in the bottom of the second. Gary Gaetti doubled to lead off and Gene Larkin followed with a single. Larkin moved to second when Ken Gerhart threw home to keep Gaetti from scoring. After Brian Harper popped out for the first out, John Moses hit a ground ball to Eddie Murray at first who threw the ball away when throwing home to try to keep Gaetti from scoring. Not only did Gaetti score but Larkin did as well and Moses ended up at second. Steve Lombardozzi popped out to Murray in foul territory for the second out but Moses was able to tag up and move to third which allowed him to score on Al Newman's single.
The Orioles didn't get on the board until the seventh when Bill Ripken had an RBI single that brought in Rick Schu. The Twins put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth though when Randy Bush hit a three run home run (his second against the Birds in as many days). Boddicker ended up taking the loss, making his final record for the 1988 Orioles 6-12.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L1
Record: 31-66
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
We didn't know it at the time but this was Mike Boddicker's last appearance as an Oriole and it didn't go well. The Twins jumped on him for three runs in the bottom of the second. Gary Gaetti doubled to lead off and Gene Larkin followed with a single. Larkin moved to second when Ken Gerhart threw home to keep Gaetti from scoring. After Brian Harper popped out for the first out, John Moses hit a ground ball to Eddie Murray at first who threw the ball away when throwing home to try to keep Gaetti from scoring. Not only did Gaetti score but Larkin did as well and Moses ended up at second. Steve Lombardozzi popped out to Murray in foul territory for the second out but Moses was able to tag up and move to third which allowed him to score on Al Newman's single.
The Orioles didn't get on the board until the seventh when Bill Ripken had an RBI single that brought in Rick Schu. The Twins put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth though when Randy Bush hit a three run home run (his second against the Birds in as many days). Boddicker ended up taking the loss, making his final record for the 1988 Orioles 6-12.
Monday, July 23, 2018
Saturday May 23 at the Twins
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Outcome: W
Score: 11-8
Streak: W1
Record: 31-65
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
It was a wild one tonight at the Metrodome but if you got there late you missed all the fun. The Orioles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on an Eddie Murray two run home run.
The Twins came back though with three of their own. Dan Gladden lead off with a single and stole second before scoring on Randy Bush's double. Kirby Puckett followed with a single (moving Bush to third) and then he stole second as well. Kent Hrbek grounded out to second for the first out of the game for the Twins but the runners advanced with Bush tying the game. A Gary Gaetti single brought in Puckett with the Twins' third run. The Orioles caught a break though when Gaetti was thrown out trying for the Twins' third stolen base of the inning before Tim Laudner lined out to end the inning.
The Twins' lead was short lived. The Orioles got back to back walks to Jim Traber and Mickey Tettleton to start the second. After Ken Gerhart struck out Rick Schu singled bringing Traber in with the tying run and moving Tettleton to third. Schu was thrown out trying to steal for the second out of the inning, a decision that would prove costly as Joe Orsulak tripled to put the Birds up 4-3. A Bill Ripken single brought Orsulak in with another run and after Cal Ripken walked, Twins manager Tom Kelly had seen enough from Bert Blyleven and went to the bullpen. Eddie Murray greeted Mark Portugal with a three run home run (his second round tripper of the game) though and the Birds now lead 8-3. Larry Sheets followed with a single before Traber grounded out to end the inning.
The Twins cut into the Orioles lead in the third inning when Bush hit a two run home run. But the Orioles came back with three in the next inning. With one out, Murray walked, went to second on a wild pitch and then scored on a single by Sheets. Traber followed with a two run home run to make it 11-5 Orioles.
The Twins kept it interesting in the bottom of the fourth. With one out they loaded the bases on a Laudner single and back to back walks to Greg Gagne and Al Newman. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and brought Mike Morgan in to relieve starter Oswaldo Peraza but Morgan issued the third consecutive walk of the inning to Gladden to force in a run. He then gave up a two RBI single to Bush (who ended up with five RBI in the game) to bring the score to 11-8. But Morgan settled down and struck out Puckett and got Hrbek to line out to end the inning with no further damage.
And that was that for the evening. Neither team scored over the remaining five innings. The Orioles mounted a couple of threats but ended up leaving 7 men on base. The Twins on the other hand were held to only four baserunners the rest of the game on one hit, two walks and an error.
Outcome: W
Score: 11-8
Streak: W1
Record: 31-65
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
It was a wild one tonight at the Metrodome but if you got there late you missed all the fun. The Orioles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on an Eddie Murray two run home run.
The Twins came back though with three of their own. Dan Gladden lead off with a single and stole second before scoring on Randy Bush's double. Kirby Puckett followed with a single (moving Bush to third) and then he stole second as well. Kent Hrbek grounded out to second for the first out of the game for the Twins but the runners advanced with Bush tying the game. A Gary Gaetti single brought in Puckett with the Twins' third run. The Orioles caught a break though when Gaetti was thrown out trying for the Twins' third stolen base of the inning before Tim Laudner lined out to end the inning.
The Twins' lead was short lived. The Orioles got back to back walks to Jim Traber and Mickey Tettleton to start the second. After Ken Gerhart struck out Rick Schu singled bringing Traber in with the tying run and moving Tettleton to third. Schu was thrown out trying to steal for the second out of the inning, a decision that would prove costly as Joe Orsulak tripled to put the Birds up 4-3. A Bill Ripken single brought Orsulak in with another run and after Cal Ripken walked, Twins manager Tom Kelly had seen enough from Bert Blyleven and went to the bullpen. Eddie Murray greeted Mark Portugal with a three run home run (his second round tripper of the game) though and the Birds now lead 8-3. Larry Sheets followed with a single before Traber grounded out to end the inning.
The Twins cut into the Orioles lead in the third inning when Bush hit a two run home run. But the Orioles came back with three in the next inning. With one out, Murray walked, went to second on a wild pitch and then scored on a single by Sheets. Traber followed with a two run home run to make it 11-5 Orioles.
The Twins kept it interesting in the bottom of the fourth. With one out they loaded the bases on a Laudner single and back to back walks to Greg Gagne and Al Newman. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and brought Mike Morgan in to relieve starter Oswaldo Peraza but Morgan issued the third consecutive walk of the inning to Gladden to force in a run. He then gave up a two RBI single to Bush (who ended up with five RBI in the game) to bring the score to 11-8. But Morgan settled down and struck out Puckett and got Hrbek to line out to end the inning with no further damage.
And that was that for the evening. Neither team scored over the remaining five innings. The Orioles mounted a couple of threats but ended up leaving 7 men on base. The Twins on the other hand were held to only four baserunners the rest of the game on one hit, two walks and an error.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Friday July 22 at the Twins
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L2
Record: 30-65
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
Tonight Minnesota starter Frank Viola stymied the Birds for eight innings. They kept getting guys on and kept leaving them on. They got five hits off Viola as well as three walks but they ended up with 7 runners left on base and an 0 for 7 with Runners In Scoring Position. Probably the worst was the top of the third when they got two runners on with no one out and failed to score. They finally got on the board when Juan Berenguer came in to pitch the ninth and gave up a solo home run to Larry Sheets.
Meanwhile the Twins batters weren't having too many issues with the Orioles pitching. They scored three runs in the second on an RBI single by Al Newman and an RBI double by Dan Gladden. They picked up another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Gary Gaetti and their final runs scored on a two run home run by Kirby Puckett in the seventh.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L2
Record: 30-65
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
Tonight Minnesota starter Frank Viola stymied the Birds for eight innings. They kept getting guys on and kept leaving them on. They got five hits off Viola as well as three walks but they ended up with 7 runners left on base and an 0 for 7 with Runners In Scoring Position. Probably the worst was the top of the third when they got two runners on with no one out and failed to score. They finally got on the board when Juan Berenguer came in to pitch the ninth and gave up a solo home run to Larry Sheets.
Meanwhile the Twins batters weren't having too many issues with the Orioles pitching. They scored three runs in the second on an RBI single by Al Newman and an RBI double by Dan Gladden. They picked up another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Gary Gaetti and their final runs scored on a two run home run by Kirby Puckett in the seventh.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Thursday July 21 - Off Day
The Orioles had an off day today before heading out on the road for what was officially a two city, six game road trip to Minnesota and Cleveland. It actually was a three city, seven game road trip as the Birds had an exhibition game in Rochester, home of their Triple A team, sandwiched in between the two three game series.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Wednesday July 20 vs the White Sox - Rainout
After making up an earlier rained out game yesterday, the Orioles and White Sox had today's game rained out. Since this was the Chicago's last visit to Baltimore this season and the game would have no bearing on the final standings, the game was never made up.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Tuesday July 19 vs the White Sox (2)
Opponent: Chicago White Sox
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 6-4
Streak: W1
Record: 30-63
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 0-2
Streak: L1
Record: 30-64
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
For the second time in less than a week the Orioles were playing a twi-night doubleheader to make up an earlier rain out. This time it was to make up the game that had been rained out on May 6th. And for the second time in less than a week Mike Boddicker started the first game and came away with the victory. And once again the team that won the game had fewer hits than the team that lost.
The White Sox got on the board first in game one when Steve Lyons hit an RBI double in third inning to score Gary Redus. It looked like Chicago was going to blow the game open in the fourth when they loaded the bases with nobody out but Boddicker got Fred Manrique to line out for the first out and then got Redus to hit a sacrifice fly for the second out. After walking Lyons to reload the bases he got Harold Baines to fly out to end the inning. The White Sox now led 2-0 though.
The Orioles came back in the bottom of the fourth, scoring their first run on three consecutive singles by Ken Gerhart, Pete Stanicek and Cal Ripken. After Eddie Murray grounded into a double play it looked like White Sox starter Jerry Reuss was going to get out of the inning with only giving up the one run but Mickey Tettleton clubed a two run home run to put the Birds up 3-2. Baltimore added three more runs in the sixth inning on a three run shot by Jim Traber.
The White Sox added solo home runs by Redus and Daryl Boston in the seventh and eighth innings respectively but that was all they got against Boddicker and Tom Neidenfuer. Chicago had 12 hits to the Orioles 9 but the Orioles scored five of their six runs on home runs. This would be Boddicker's final start at home for the Orioles and his final victory in a Baltimore uniform.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Orioles batters could get nothing going against White Sox starter Bill Long, who held them to four hits and two walks. Only one Baltimore base runner made it into scoring position - Murray singled in the fourth with one out and moved to second on a ground out by Larry Sheets - Jim Traber left him stranded there when he flew out to end the inning.
Meanwhile the White Sox were only faring a little better against Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. Lyons reached to lead off the fourth on an error by Traber at first base. Baines singled to move Lyons to third and Lyons came in to score when Dan Pasqua ground into a double play. The White Sox added a second run on a solo home run from Baines in the ninth, the only extra base hit of the game for either team. Final score was 2-0 White Sox.
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 6-4
Streak: W1
Record: 30-63
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 0-2
Streak: L1
Record: 30-64
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
For the second time in less than a week the Orioles were playing a twi-night doubleheader to make up an earlier rain out. This time it was to make up the game that had been rained out on May 6th. And for the second time in less than a week Mike Boddicker started the first game and came away with the victory. And once again the team that won the game had fewer hits than the team that lost.
The White Sox got on the board first in game one when Steve Lyons hit an RBI double in third inning to score Gary Redus. It looked like Chicago was going to blow the game open in the fourth when they loaded the bases with nobody out but Boddicker got Fred Manrique to line out for the first out and then got Redus to hit a sacrifice fly for the second out. After walking Lyons to reload the bases he got Harold Baines to fly out to end the inning. The White Sox now led 2-0 though.
The Orioles came back in the bottom of the fourth, scoring their first run on three consecutive singles by Ken Gerhart, Pete Stanicek and Cal Ripken. After Eddie Murray grounded into a double play it looked like White Sox starter Jerry Reuss was going to get out of the inning with only giving up the one run but Mickey Tettleton clubed a two run home run to put the Birds up 3-2. Baltimore added three more runs in the sixth inning on a three run shot by Jim Traber.
The White Sox added solo home runs by Redus and Daryl Boston in the seventh and eighth innings respectively but that was all they got against Boddicker and Tom Neidenfuer. Chicago had 12 hits to the Orioles 9 but the Orioles scored five of their six runs on home runs. This would be Boddicker's final start at home for the Orioles and his final victory in a Baltimore uniform.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Orioles batters could get nothing going against White Sox starter Bill Long, who held them to four hits and two walks. Only one Baltimore base runner made it into scoring position - Murray singled in the fourth with one out and moved to second on a ground out by Larry Sheets - Jim Traber left him stranded there when he flew out to end the inning.
Meanwhile the White Sox were only faring a little better against Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. Lyons reached to lead off the fourth on an error by Traber at first base. Baines singled to move Lyons to third and Lyons came in to score when Dan Pasqua ground into a double play. The White Sox added a second run on a solo home run from Baines in the ninth, the only extra base hit of the game for either team. Final score was 2-0 White Sox.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Monday July 18 - Off Day
The Orioles were off on July 18th before starting a series against the Chicago White Sox.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Sunday July 17 vs the Twins
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Outcome: L
Score: 2-7
Streak: L4
Record: 29-63
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
The long balls kept coming in this game, at least for the Twins. Gene Larkin hit a solo home run in the second inning to start things off and Greg Gagne added a two run shot in the third inning to run the score to 3-0. When Kirby Puckett hit a two run shot in the fifth for the Twins' third home run of the day and sixth of the last two games the score was now 5-0.
The Orioles got a threat going in the bottom of the fifth when they loaded the bases with no outs on a Larry Sheets single, a Rick Schu walk and a Bill Ripken single. But Pete Stanicek grounded into a double play although Sheets did come in for the Orioles' first run. Cal Ripken hit a single to bring in Schu for the second run of the inning before Twins starter Frank Viola got Eddie Murray to fly out to end the inning.
The Twins added two more runs in the sixth without the benefit of a home run - the first time they'd done that since Friday night. Al Newman and Dan Gladden started the inning with back to back singles and after being moved up by a Gagne sacrifice bunt both came in to score on a Randy Bush RBI single. That made the score 7-2 which was how it ended.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-7
Streak: L4
Record: 29-63
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
The long balls kept coming in this game, at least for the Twins. Gene Larkin hit a solo home run in the second inning to start things off and Greg Gagne added a two run shot in the third inning to run the score to 3-0. When Kirby Puckett hit a two run shot in the fifth for the Twins' third home run of the day and sixth of the last two games the score was now 5-0.
The Orioles got a threat going in the bottom of the fifth when they loaded the bases with no outs on a Larry Sheets single, a Rick Schu walk and a Bill Ripken single. But Pete Stanicek grounded into a double play although Sheets did come in for the Orioles' first run. Cal Ripken hit a single to bring in Schu for the second run of the inning before Twins starter Frank Viola got Eddie Murray to fly out to end the inning.
The Twins added two more runs in the sixth without the benefit of a home run - the first time they'd done that since Friday night. Al Newman and Dan Gladden started the inning with back to back singles and after being moved up by a Gagne sacrifice bunt both came in to score on a Randy Bush RBI single. That made the score 7-2 which was how it ended.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Saturday July 16 vs the Twins
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L3
Record: 29-62
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
Tonight almost all the runs were scored on home runs - three by the Twins and two by the Orioles. The Twins kicked things off with a two run home run from Kirby Puckett in the top of the first. Greg Gagne and Gary Gaetti hit solo home runs to lead off the fifth and sixth innings respectively to run the Twins lead to 4-0. The Orioles got into the spirit of the night with a solo home run from Ken Gerhart in the bottom of the sixth and Mickey Tettleton added another one in the seventh. The final run of the game was scored on an RBI single from Cal Ripken in the eighth that scored Gerhart.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L3
Record: 29-62
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
Tonight almost all the runs were scored on home runs - three by the Twins and two by the Orioles. The Twins kicked things off with a two run home run from Kirby Puckett in the top of the first. Greg Gagne and Gary Gaetti hit solo home runs to lead off the fifth and sixth innings respectively to run the Twins lead to 4-0. The Orioles got into the spirit of the night with a solo home run from Ken Gerhart in the bottom of the sixth and Mickey Tettleton added another one in the seventh. The final run of the game was scored on an RBI single from Cal Ripken in the eighth that scored Gerhart.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Friday July 15 vs the Twins
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L2
Record: 29-61
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
In a turnabout from their games against the Rangers the previous weekend, tonight the Orioles out hit the Twins 9 to 6 but ended up on the short end of the stick when it came to runs. The Twins jumped on top of the Birds early with a two run home run by Gary Gaetti in the first inning. They added two more in the top of the second when they loaded the bases with one out and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Dan Gladden and an RBI single from Mark Davidson.
The Orioles picked up a run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Bill Ripken. They added an additional run on a solo home run from Rick Schu in the seventh but that was all they got. Orioles starter Jeff Ballard ended up with a complete game loss although he pitched pretty well after the first two innings - he only gave up two hits and no walks over the last seven innings.
The fact that half the runs scored on home runs tonight should be viewed as foreshadowing for the next two games.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L2
Record: 29-61
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
In a turnabout from their games against the Rangers the previous weekend, tonight the Orioles out hit the Twins 9 to 6 but ended up on the short end of the stick when it came to runs. The Twins jumped on top of the Birds early with a two run home run by Gary Gaetti in the first inning. They added two more in the top of the second when they loaded the bases with one out and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Dan Gladden and an RBI single from Mark Davidson.
The Orioles picked up a run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Bill Ripken. They added an additional run on a solo home run from Rick Schu in the seventh but that was all they got. Orioles starter Jeff Ballard ended up with a complete game loss although he pitched pretty well after the first two innings - he only gave up two hits and no walks over the last seven innings.
The fact that half the runs scored on home runs tonight should be viewed as foreshadowing for the next two games.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Thursday July 14 vs the Twins (2)
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W3
Record: 29-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W3
Record: 29-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 2-8
Streak: L1
Record: 29-60
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
The Orioles kicked off the post All Star break portion of the season with a twi-night double header against the Twins. One of these games was the makeup of the May 5th game that had been rained out. Since it was Thursday, it was "Three Buck Night" and since it was "Three Buck Night", I was at the ballpark this night. I was accompanied this evening by my friends Steve and Chris who had driven down from Delaware. Unlike the last "Three Buck Night" double header I went to, I got to the ballpark in time to see all of both games.
And of course since I was there that night Mike Boddicker was on the mound for the Birds in the first game - this was his eighth home start of the season and the sixth one I had attended. It would turn out to be the last time I saw him pitch for the Orioles but obviously I didn't know that yet.
Boddicker pitched a very good game that night although it started out a little shakey. Mark Davidson and Randy Bush had back-to-back singles to start the game and Kirby Puckett followed with an RBI groundout that brought Davidson in from third. But after a walk to Kent Hrbek Boddicker settled down and got out of the inning.
The Orioles got him off the hook in the bottom of the inning. Ken Gerhart singled to lead off and Fred Lynn followed with a two run home run off of Twins starter Bert Blyleven. Two batters later Eddie Murray teed off on Blyleven for a solo home run. 3-1 Orioles.
The Orioles added two more runs in the next two innings. Cal Ripken had a sacrifice fly in the second inning and Murray led off the third with his second home run of the game. Not to be outdone, Lynn hit his second home run of the game in the fourth inning - another two run shot that again brought in Gerhart. That made the score 7-1 in favor of the Birds.
And that's the way it finished. Boddicker allowed just four more hits the rest of the game along with four walks. The Twins made it interesting in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with only one out and the top of the lineup coming up but Boddicker struck out Davidson and got Bush to fly out to end the threat. Boddicker ended up throwing a complete game for the victory, his first one at home all season.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Twins took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI double from Dan Gladden but the Orioles tied it up in their half of the inning on a Bill Ripken sacrifice fly. A solo home run by Mickey Tettleton put the O's up 2-1 in the fourth inning but that lead was short lived.
Al Newman led off the top of the fifth with a single and John Moses followed with a double. Greg Gagne flew out for the first out but Orioles starter Jay Tibbs hit Gladden with a pitch to load the bases. Tibbs got Hrbek to strike out but then gave up a bases clearing triple to Gene Larkin to put the Twins up 4-2. Bush was intentionally walked to set up a force play at second but Tibbs threw a wild pitch while pitching to Brian Harper which moved Bush to second (although Larkin remained at third). Harper then doubled to bring in both Larkin and Bush. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced Tibbs with John Habyan who promptly gave up another RBI double, this time to Steve Lombardozzi before getting Newman (who had started all this with a single) to ground out to end the inning. The Twins sent ten men to the plate and scored six runs on five hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch.
The Twins added another run in the seventh inning on a second RBI double for Harper. Meanwhile Allan Anderson was mowing down the Orioles, holding them to only two hits and a walk over his last four innings of work before giving way to Juan Berenguer who pitched a perfect ninth for the Twins. Final score was 8-2 and the Birds three game win streak (tied for their longest of the season so far) was over.
In other baseball news this day, the Red Sox fired manager John McNamara. The Red Sox had been expected to contend this season but entered today with a record of 43-42, tied for fourth with the Brewers nine games behind the front running Tigers in the AL East. McNamara had managed the Red Sox since 1985, taking them to World Series and one pitch away from a Championship in 1986. He was replaced on an interim basis by third base coach Joe Morgan, who is not the Joe Morgan that you're probably thinking of. The interim label didn't last long - the Red Sox won their first 12 games under Morgan and 19 of their first 20 under him to catapult into a first place tie with Tigers on August 3rd. It was dubbed "Morgan Magic" and earned him the "permanent" job.
There's one other thing about this night I want to mention. At some point during the game my friend Steve mentioned that he'd met a woman that he thought I should meet. Her name was Sabra and she was into a lot of the same music that I was into and knew her way around a baseball game. He promised to introduce us at some point.
Here's the game stories from the next day's Evening Sun. There's a lot of talk in the article about Frank Robinson's ailing back. I've been trying to determine if he missed any more games due to his back this season and I've not been able to confirm it so far.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-8
Streak: L1
Record: 29-60
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
The Orioles kicked off the post All Star break portion of the season with a twi-night double header against the Twins. One of these games was the makeup of the May 5th game that had been rained out. Since it was Thursday, it was "Three Buck Night" and since it was "Three Buck Night", I was at the ballpark this night. I was accompanied this evening by my friends Steve and Chris who had driven down from Delaware. Unlike the last "Three Buck Night" double header I went to, I got to the ballpark in time to see all of both games.
And of course since I was there that night Mike Boddicker was on the mound for the Birds in the first game - this was his eighth home start of the season and the sixth one I had attended. It would turn out to be the last time I saw him pitch for the Orioles but obviously I didn't know that yet.
Boddicker pitched a very good game that night although it started out a little shakey. Mark Davidson and Randy Bush had back-to-back singles to start the game and Kirby Puckett followed with an RBI groundout that brought Davidson in from third. But after a walk to Kent Hrbek Boddicker settled down and got out of the inning.
The Orioles got him off the hook in the bottom of the inning. Ken Gerhart singled to lead off and Fred Lynn followed with a two run home run off of Twins starter Bert Blyleven. Two batters later Eddie Murray teed off on Blyleven for a solo home run. 3-1 Orioles.
The Orioles added two more runs in the next two innings. Cal Ripken had a sacrifice fly in the second inning and Murray led off the third with his second home run of the game. Not to be outdone, Lynn hit his second home run of the game in the fourth inning - another two run shot that again brought in Gerhart. That made the score 7-1 in favor of the Birds.
And that's the way it finished. Boddicker allowed just four more hits the rest of the game along with four walks. The Twins made it interesting in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with only one out and the top of the lineup coming up but Boddicker struck out Davidson and got Bush to fly out to end the threat. Boddicker ended up throwing a complete game for the victory, his first one at home all season.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Twins took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI double from Dan Gladden but the Orioles tied it up in their half of the inning on a Bill Ripken sacrifice fly. A solo home run by Mickey Tettleton put the O's up 2-1 in the fourth inning but that lead was short lived.
Al Newman led off the top of the fifth with a single and John Moses followed with a double. Greg Gagne flew out for the first out but Orioles starter Jay Tibbs hit Gladden with a pitch to load the bases. Tibbs got Hrbek to strike out but then gave up a bases clearing triple to Gene Larkin to put the Twins up 4-2. Bush was intentionally walked to set up a force play at second but Tibbs threw a wild pitch while pitching to Brian Harper which moved Bush to second (although Larkin remained at third). Harper then doubled to bring in both Larkin and Bush. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced Tibbs with John Habyan who promptly gave up another RBI double, this time to Steve Lombardozzi before getting Newman (who had started all this with a single) to ground out to end the inning. The Twins sent ten men to the plate and scored six runs on five hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch.
The Twins added another run in the seventh inning on a second RBI double for Harper. Meanwhile Allan Anderson was mowing down the Orioles, holding them to only two hits and a walk over his last four innings of work before giving way to Juan Berenguer who pitched a perfect ninth for the Twins. Final score was 8-2 and the Birds three game win streak (tied for their longest of the season so far) was over.
In other baseball news this day, the Red Sox fired manager John McNamara. The Red Sox had been expected to contend this season but entered today with a record of 43-42, tied for fourth with the Brewers nine games behind the front running Tigers in the AL East. McNamara had managed the Red Sox since 1985, taking them to World Series and one pitch away from a Championship in 1986. He was replaced on an interim basis by third base coach Joe Morgan, who is not the Joe Morgan that you're probably thinking of. The interim label didn't last long - the Red Sox won their first 12 games under Morgan and 19 of their first 20 under him to catapult into a first place tie with Tigers on August 3rd. It was dubbed "Morgan Magic" and earned him the "permanent" job.
There's one other thing about this night I want to mention. At some point during the game my friend Steve mentioned that he'd met a woman that he thought I should meet. Her name was Sabra and she was into a lot of the same music that I was into and knew her way around a baseball game. He promised to introduce us at some point.
Here's the game stories from the next day's Evening Sun. There's a lot of talk in the article about Frank Robinson's ailing back. I've been trying to determine if he missed any more games due to his back this season and I've not been able to confirm it so far.
Friday, July 13, 2018
Wednesday July 13 - Off Day
The Orioles continued to be off as it was the last day of the All Star break.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Tuesday July 12 - All Star Game
The American League defeated the National League 2-1 in the All Star Game held at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati tonight. Cal Ripken was the only member of the Orioles to make the team - he was voted in as the starting shortstop for the AL. It was Cal's sixth All Star game and the fifth consecutive time he was elected to the starting lineup. He would go on to appear in 19 All Star games and was elected to the starting lineup 16 consecutive years from 1984 to 1999.
Ripken played eight innings of the game going 0 for 3 with a walk on the night. He was replaced in the field by Kurt Stilwell of the Royals going into the bottom of the ninth. The Athletics' Terry Steinbach took the game's MVP award thanks to his solo home run in the third inning off of Dwight Gooden of the Mets.
Ripken played eight innings of the game going 0 for 3 with a walk on the night. He was replaced in the field by Kurt Stilwell of the Royals going into the bottom of the ninth. The Athletics' Terry Steinbach took the game's MVP award thanks to his solo home run in the third inning off of Dwight Gooden of the Mets.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Monday July 11 - Off Day
Today was the first day of the All Star break so the Orioles like everyone else were off. Cal Ripken was the sole member of the Birds to make the All Star team so he was in Cincinnati while everyone else got three days off at home.
Normally the day before the All Star game features the Home Run Derby. The Derby was first held in 1985 in Minnesota and has been held annually ever since with one exception. That exception was 1988 - rain in Cincinnati forced its cancelation.
Normally the day before the All Star game features the Home Run Derby. The Derby was first held in 1985 in Minnesota and has been held annually ever since with one exception. That exception was 1988 - rain in Cincinnati forced its cancelation.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Sunday July 10 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 2-1
Streak: W2
Record: 28-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
For the second game in a row the Rangers outhit the Orioles but didn't come away with a win. The Orioles got on the board first in the fifth inning when Ken Gerhart singled to bring in Jim Traber (whi had led off the inning with a single). They scored their second run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Mickey Tettleton which scored Joe Orsulak who had pinch run for Larry Sheets after Sheets had tripled. The Orioles only had one other hit the rest of the game - Eddie Murray's single in the first inning.
The Rangers mounted their largest threat of the game in the eighth inning. With one out Geno Pertralli singled and two batters later Curtis Wilkerson singled. Mark Thurmond now came on to pitch for Baltimore, replacing started Jose Bautista. Oddibe McDowell greeted him with a single to bring in Petralli and move Wikerson to third. With Cecil Espy at the plate, McDowell scored second and Orioles manager Frank Robinson brought in Dave Schmidt to relieve Thurmond in the middle of the at bat. Schmidt eventually walked Espy to load the bases but got Scott Fletcher to ground back to the box to end the threat.
With the 2-1 victory the Orioles went into the All Star break with a modest 2 game winning streak.
Outcome: W
Score: 2-1
Streak: W2
Record: 28-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
For the second game in a row the Rangers outhit the Orioles but didn't come away with a win. The Orioles got on the board first in the fifth inning when Ken Gerhart singled to bring in Jim Traber (whi had led off the inning with a single). They scored their second run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Mickey Tettleton which scored Joe Orsulak who had pinch run for Larry Sheets after Sheets had tripled. The Orioles only had one other hit the rest of the game - Eddie Murray's single in the first inning.
The Rangers mounted their largest threat of the game in the eighth inning. With one out Geno Pertralli singled and two batters later Curtis Wilkerson singled. Mark Thurmond now came on to pitch for Baltimore, replacing started Jose Bautista. Oddibe McDowell greeted him with a single to bring in Petralli and move Wikerson to third. With Cecil Espy at the plate, McDowell scored second and Orioles manager Frank Robinson brought in Dave Schmidt to relieve Thurmond in the middle of the at bat. Schmidt eventually walked Espy to load the bases but got Scott Fletcher to ground back to the box to end the threat.
With the 2-1 victory the Orioles went into the All Star break with a modest 2 game winning streak.
Monday, July 9, 2018
Saturday July 9 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W1
Record: 27-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The Rangers got 10 hits this evening off the Orioles' pitchers but somehow only managed to get one run. The main reason for that appears to be the fact that they hit into three double plays. In fact twice during the game the first two batters of an inning singled and both times a double play ground ball killed their rally. The Rangers ended up leaving eight men on base and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile the Birds only got six hits but made the most of their opportunities and scored four runs. In the bottom of the third Rick Schu led off with a single and Bill Ripken attempted to bunt him to second. The throw from catcher Geno Petralli pulled second baseman Curtis Wilkerson off the bag though and both Schu and Ripken were safe. Pete Stanicek followed with a sacrifice bunt of his own that moved up the baserunners and Fred Lynn then hit a sacrifice fly to score Schu. The next batter Cal Ripken doubled to knock in his brother Bill with the second run of the inning.
The Rangers cut the Birds' lead to 2-1 in the sixth inning. With one out Cecil Espy singled. He stole second with Scott Fletcher at bat and then scored a batter later on a Ruben Sierra single. But the Birds extended their lead in the bottom of the inning when Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart hit back-to-back home runs. The Rangers made it a little interesting in the eighth and ninth innings when they got two runners on in each inning but Orioles relievers Dave Schmidt and Tom Niedenfuer managed to keep them from scoring.
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W1
Record: 27-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The Rangers got 10 hits this evening off the Orioles' pitchers but somehow only managed to get one run. The main reason for that appears to be the fact that they hit into three double plays. In fact twice during the game the first two batters of an inning singled and both times a double play ground ball killed their rally. The Rangers ended up leaving eight men on base and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile the Birds only got six hits but made the most of their opportunities and scored four runs. In the bottom of the third Rick Schu led off with a single and Bill Ripken attempted to bunt him to second. The throw from catcher Geno Petralli pulled second baseman Curtis Wilkerson off the bag though and both Schu and Ripken were safe. Pete Stanicek followed with a sacrifice bunt of his own that moved up the baserunners and Fred Lynn then hit a sacrifice fly to score Schu. The next batter Cal Ripken doubled to knock in his brother Bill with the second run of the inning.
The Rangers cut the Birds' lead to 2-1 in the sixth inning. With one out Cecil Espy singled. He stole second with Scott Fletcher at bat and then scored a batter later on a Ruben Sierra single. But the Birds extended their lead in the bottom of the inning when Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart hit back-to-back home runs. The Rangers made it a little interesting in the eighth and ninth innings when they got two runners on in each inning but Orioles relievers Dave Schmidt and Tom Niedenfuer managed to keep them from scoring.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Friday July 8 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 5-8
Streak: L1
Record: 26-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
For second time in three games the Orioles only managed four hits in the game. Unlike Wednesday night though they were able to parlay those four hits into five runs. But it wasn't enough against the Rangers' offense this evening.
Texas got to Baltimore starter Jeff Ballard earlier this night. Cecil Espy led off the game with a double and went to third on Scott Fletcher's single. Ruben Sierra then hit a ground ball that forced Fletcher at second but also brought in Espy with the game's first run. Two batters later Pete O'Brien hit a two run home run to make it 3-0.
The Birds got two of those runs back in the bottom of the inning. With one out Cal Ripken reached on an error by Rangers starter Jose Guzman and Eddie Murray followed with a two run home run. The score was now 3-2.
The Rangers put up another run in the fourth. Bob Brower started the inning with a single before Steve Beuchele popped out. On the second pitch to Mike Stanley Brower stole second and a pitch later he stole third. Stanley then singled to bring him (and knock Ballard out of the game). John Habyan came in and got the next two batters out but ran into trouble of his own the next inning. Fletcher singled to lead off the inning and Sierra reached on an error by Cal Ripken that allowed Fletcher to get to third. Pete Incaviligia hit a sacrifice fly to score Fletcher and O'Brien followed with a double to bring in Sierra. The Rangers lead was now 6-2.
The Orioles would battle back in the bottom of the fifth with one of THOSE kind of innings. Terry Kennedy led off the inning with a solo home run - it was the Birds' first hit since Murray's home run in the first. After Rick Schu followed with a groundout Pete Stanicek walked and stole second during Bill Ripken's at bat. When Bill singled Stanicek moved up to third, Fred Lynn then hit a ground ball to Beuchele that he couldn't handle although he kept the ball in front of him so Stanicek couldn't score. But the bases were now loaded with Cal Ripken at the plate. Guzman's third pitch to Cal went to the backstop and Stanicek scored the Birds' fourth run with the other baserunners moving up also. Cal then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in his brother with another run, cutting the Rangers' lead back to only one run. Murray then flew out to end the inning. The Orioles had scored three runs on two hits, a walk and error.
Unfortunately for Baltimore that was as close as they would get. The Rangers picked up two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Sierra and an RBI double by Incaviligia. The Orioles on the other hand only got one more hit the rest of the game - a single by Larry Sheets in the eighth - although they got two baserunners on walks in the seventh. The final score was 8-5 - only two of the Orioles five runs were earned.
Outcome: L
Score: 5-8
Streak: L1
Record: 26-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
For second time in three games the Orioles only managed four hits in the game. Unlike Wednesday night though they were able to parlay those four hits into five runs. But it wasn't enough against the Rangers' offense this evening.
Texas got to Baltimore starter Jeff Ballard earlier this night. Cecil Espy led off the game with a double and went to third on Scott Fletcher's single. Ruben Sierra then hit a ground ball that forced Fletcher at second but also brought in Espy with the game's first run. Two batters later Pete O'Brien hit a two run home run to make it 3-0.
The Birds got two of those runs back in the bottom of the inning. With one out Cal Ripken reached on an error by Rangers starter Jose Guzman and Eddie Murray followed with a two run home run. The score was now 3-2.
The Rangers put up another run in the fourth. Bob Brower started the inning with a single before Steve Beuchele popped out. On the second pitch to Mike Stanley Brower stole second and a pitch later he stole third. Stanley then singled to bring him (and knock Ballard out of the game). John Habyan came in and got the next two batters out but ran into trouble of his own the next inning. Fletcher singled to lead off the inning and Sierra reached on an error by Cal Ripken that allowed Fletcher to get to third. Pete Incaviligia hit a sacrifice fly to score Fletcher and O'Brien followed with a double to bring in Sierra. The Rangers lead was now 6-2.
The Orioles would battle back in the bottom of the fifth with one of THOSE kind of innings. Terry Kennedy led off the inning with a solo home run - it was the Birds' first hit since Murray's home run in the first. After Rick Schu followed with a groundout Pete Stanicek walked and stole second during Bill Ripken's at bat. When Bill singled Stanicek moved up to third, Fred Lynn then hit a ground ball to Beuchele that he couldn't handle although he kept the ball in front of him so Stanicek couldn't score. But the bases were now loaded with Cal Ripken at the plate. Guzman's third pitch to Cal went to the backstop and Stanicek scored the Birds' fourth run with the other baserunners moving up also. Cal then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in his brother with another run, cutting the Rangers' lead back to only one run. Murray then flew out to end the inning. The Orioles had scored three runs on two hits, a walk and error.
Unfortunately for Baltimore that was as close as they would get. The Rangers picked up two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Sierra and an RBI double by Incaviligia. The Orioles on the other hand only got one more hit the rest of the game - a single by Larry Sheets in the eighth - although they got two baserunners on walks in the seventh. The final score was 8-5 - only two of the Orioles five runs were earned.
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Thursday July 7 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 6-0
Streak: W1
Record: 26-58
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The day started on a somber note - Ralph Salvon, the longtime trainer for the Orioles, passed away after complications from heart surgery. Salvon had been with the team since 1966 and had been head trainer since 1968. He was just 60 years old. The team held a moment of silence before the game in his honor.
The Birds used the long ball tonight for most of their runs. Mickey Tettleton lead off the second with a solo home run and Ken Gerhart added a two run shot later in the evening. They got an unearned run in the seventh when Texas shortstop Scott Fletcher fumbled a ground ball from Bill Ripken that allowed Rick Schu to score. Cal Ripken led off the eighth with a solo shot and Eddie Murray scored later in the inning on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly to make it 6-0.
I was at the game as it was "Three Buck Night". Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun:
Outcome: W
Score: 6-0
Streak: W1
Record: 26-58
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The day started on a somber note - Ralph Salvon, the longtime trainer for the Orioles, passed away after complications from heart surgery. Salvon had been with the team since 1966 and had been head trainer since 1968. He was just 60 years old. The team held a moment of silence before the game in his honor.
The Birds used the long ball tonight for most of their runs. Mickey Tettleton lead off the second with a solo home run and Ken Gerhart added a two run shot later in the evening. They got an unearned run in the seventh when Texas shortstop Scott Fletcher fumbled a ground ball from Bill Ripken that allowed Rick Schu to score. Cal Ripken led off the eighth with a solo shot and Eddie Murray scored later in the inning on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly to make it 6-0.
I was at the game as it was "Three Buck Night". Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun:
Friday, July 6, 2018
Wednesday July 6 at the White Sox
Opponent: Chicago White Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 1-4
Streak: L1
Record: 25-58
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
Not much to say about this one. Mike Boddicker started for the Birds and didn't pitch terrible but the team didn't hit - they only had four hits the entire game and half of them were in the ninth inning. Greg Walker got the White Sox on the board in the second with a solo home run and Fred Manrique added another run later in the same inning with an RBI double. Gary Redus had an RBI triple in the fifth to make it 3-0 and a Dan Pasqua sacrifice fly in the eighth made it 4-0. Fred Lynn hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth for the Orioles' sole run in the game.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-4
Streak: L1
Record: 25-58
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
Not much to say about this one. Mike Boddicker started for the Birds and didn't pitch terrible but the team didn't hit - they only had four hits the entire game and half of them were in the ninth inning. Greg Walker got the White Sox on the board in the second with a solo home run and Fred Manrique added another run later in the same inning with an RBI double. Gary Redus had an RBI triple in the fifth to make it 3-0 and a Dan Pasqua sacrifice fly in the eighth made it 4-0. Fred Lynn hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth for the Orioles' sole run in the game.
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Tuesday July 5 at the White Sox
Opponent: Chicago White Sox
Outcome: W
Score: 5-1
Streak: W1
Record: 25-57
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
This game was pretty much a mirror image of the previous day's game. This time the Orioles got out to a 5-0 lead on a Jim Traber sacrifice fly in the first, a bases loaded walk to Cal Ripken in the fourth and an RBI single by Bill Ripken and two run home run by Cal in the sixth. The White Sox scored their one run on a sacrifice fly by Gary Redus in the bottom of the sixth. Orioles starter Jose Bautista had one of the best outings by a Baltimore starter that year - he had a complete game victory, striking out six while giving up one run on only five hits and no walks.
Outcome: W
Score: 5-1
Streak: W1
Record: 25-57
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
This game was pretty much a mirror image of the previous day's game. This time the Orioles got out to a 5-0 lead on a Jim Traber sacrifice fly in the first, a bases loaded walk to Cal Ripken in the fourth and an RBI single by Bill Ripken and two run home run by Cal in the sixth. The White Sox scored their one run on a sacrifice fly by Gary Redus in the bottom of the sixth. Orioles starter Jose Bautista had one of the best outings by a Baltimore starter that year - he had a complete game victory, striking out six while giving up one run on only five hits and no walks.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Monday July 4 at the White Sox
Opponent: Chicago White Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L1
Record: 24-57
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The Orioles hit the halfway point of the season on Independence Day and celebrated by dropping the series opener in Chicago. Mark Salas got the White Sox on the board with a solo home run in the second and Dan Pasqua made it 2-0 in the third with an RBI single that scored Harold Baines. The White Sox put up three more in the sixth when Pasqua and Daryl Boston kicked off the inning with back-to-back doubles and when Gary Redus hit a two RBI single with the bases loaded four batters later. The Orioles got their lone run in the eighth when Eddie Murray hit an RBI single that scored Joe Orsulak and chased White Sox starter Melido Perez from the game.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L1
Record: 24-57
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The Orioles hit the halfway point of the season on Independence Day and celebrated by dropping the series opener in Chicago. Mark Salas got the White Sox on the board with a solo home run in the second and Dan Pasqua made it 2-0 in the third with an RBI single that scored Harold Baines. The White Sox put up three more in the sixth when Pasqua and Daryl Boston kicked off the inning with back-to-back doubles and when Gary Redus hit a two RBI single with the bases loaded four batters later. The Orioles got their lone run in the eighth when Eddie Murray hit an RBI single that scored Joe Orsulak and chased White Sox starter Melido Perez from the game.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Sunday July 3 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 1-13
Streak: L1
Record: 24-56
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles had had a pretty good week up to this game. They'd won four of five since last Sunday and had outscored their opponents 29-11. All of which meant nothing for this game. The Rangers exploded for five runs in the second inning on back-to-back-to-back RBI doubles by Cecil Espy, Bob Brower and Scott Fletcher which chased Orioles' starter Jeff Ballard from the game. The Rangers added solo runs in the third and fifth on an RBI single by Steve Beuchele and a solo home run by Geno Petralli.
The Rangers put the game out of reach in the seventh. Ruben Sierra walked to start the inning and two batters later Pete O'Brien doubled. Petralli was intentionally walked to load the bases and Beuchele followed with a double to bring in two runs. After Jeff Kunkel struck out for the second out Espy worked a walk to reload the bases. Brower then unloaded them by hitting a grand slam. At this point the game was 13-0 Rangers.
The Orioles finally got on the board in the top of the eighth on a solo home run by Joe Orsulak. But that's all they got. For the third consecutive Sunday the Orioles had given up double digit runs.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-13
Streak: L1
Record: 24-56
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles had had a pretty good week up to this game. They'd won four of five since last Sunday and had outscored their opponents 29-11. All of which meant nothing for this game. The Rangers exploded for five runs in the second inning on back-to-back-to-back RBI doubles by Cecil Espy, Bob Brower and Scott Fletcher which chased Orioles' starter Jeff Ballard from the game. The Rangers added solo runs in the third and fifth on an RBI single by Steve Beuchele and a solo home run by Geno Petralli.
The Rangers put the game out of reach in the seventh. Ruben Sierra walked to start the inning and two batters later Pete O'Brien doubled. Petralli was intentionally walked to load the bases and Beuchele followed with a double to bring in two runs. After Jeff Kunkel struck out for the second out Espy worked a walk to reload the bases. Brower then unloaded them by hitting a grand slam. At this point the game was 13-0 Rangers.
The Orioles finally got on the board in the top of the eighth on a solo home run by Joe Orsulak. But that's all they got. For the third consecutive Sunday the Orioles had given up double digit runs.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Saturday July 2 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 7-4
Streak: W2
Record: 24-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
Ho hum, another day, another seven runs for the Orioles. The game was a little more competitive tonight compared to the previous game. The Orioles exploded for six run in the top of the fourth. Eddie Murray lead off the inning with a single and two batters later Jim Traber also singled. A Ken Gerhart single brought Murray in with the first run of the evening and after Larry Sheets grounded out Bill Ripken walked to load the bases. Pete Stanicek singled to bring home the second run and then Rick Schu launched a grand slam to make it 6-0 Birds.
The Rangers mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Larry Parrish and Bob Brower had singles in between a couple outs and both scored with Mike Stanley doubled. Curtis Wilkerson singled to bring in Stanley and Cecil Espy tripled to score Wilkerson. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced starter Oswaldo Peraza with John Habyan who got Scott Fletcher to ground out to end the inning and limit the damage to four runs.
Habyan and three other Orioles relievers (Dave Schmidt Mark Thurmond and Ton Niedenfuer) limited the Rangers to just three hits and two walks the remainder of the game. Meanwhile the O's scored a final run in the top of the ninth on a Gerhart RBI single.
A bit of foreshadowing - after leaving 10 men on base and going 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position in the previous game, the Rangers only left four on base tonight and went 3 for 6 with RISP. This trend would continue with disastrous results in the next game.
Outcome: W
Score: 7-4
Streak: W2
Record: 24-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
Ho hum, another day, another seven runs for the Orioles. The game was a little more competitive tonight compared to the previous game. The Orioles exploded for six run in the top of the fourth. Eddie Murray lead off the inning with a single and two batters later Jim Traber also singled. A Ken Gerhart single brought Murray in with the first run of the evening and after Larry Sheets grounded out Bill Ripken walked to load the bases. Pete Stanicek singled to bring home the second run and then Rick Schu launched a grand slam to make it 6-0 Birds.
The Rangers mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Larry Parrish and Bob Brower had singles in between a couple outs and both scored with Mike Stanley doubled. Curtis Wilkerson singled to bring in Stanley and Cecil Espy tripled to score Wilkerson. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced starter Oswaldo Peraza with John Habyan who got Scott Fletcher to ground out to end the inning and limit the damage to four runs.
Habyan and three other Orioles relievers (Dave Schmidt Mark Thurmond and Ton Niedenfuer) limited the Rangers to just three hits and two walks the remainder of the game. Meanwhile the O's scored a final run in the top of the ninth on a Gerhart RBI single.
A bit of foreshadowing - after leaving 10 men on base and going 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position in the previous game, the Rangers only left four on base tonight and went 3 for 6 with RISP. This trend would continue with disastrous results in the next game.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Friday July 1 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W1
Record: 23-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles offense seemed to have gotten rolling of late as they scored seven runs for the second time in three games. Fred Lynn kicked things off by hitting a solo home run in the first. The Rangers tied it up in the bottom of the inning on a Pete O'Brien RBI single but a Rick Schu RBI ground out in the top of the second put the Orioles back up. They put up another five unanswered runs with two in the third on back to back RBI singles by Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray, one in the sixth on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly and finally two in the ninth on an RBI double by Murray and an RBI single by Jim Traber. Meanwhile Mike Boddicker pitched a complete game for the victory despite giving up 10 hits and walking one. The Rangers left 10 men on base and went one for six with runners in scoring position.
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W1
Record: 23-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles offense seemed to have gotten rolling of late as they scored seven runs for the second time in three games. Fred Lynn kicked things off by hitting a solo home run in the first. The Rangers tied it up in the bottom of the inning on a Pete O'Brien RBI single but a Rick Schu RBI ground out in the top of the second put the Orioles back up. They put up another five unanswered runs with two in the third on back to back RBI singles by Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray, one in the sixth on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly and finally two in the ninth on an RBI double by Murray and an RBI single by Jim Traber. Meanwhile Mike Boddicker pitched a complete game for the victory despite giving up 10 hits and walking one. The Rangers left 10 men on base and went one for six with runners in scoring position.
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