Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
Outcome: L
Score: 0-4
Streak: L2
Record: 54-105
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
The Orioles suffered any number of indignities during the 1988 season but one thing they managed to avoid was getting no-hit. Tonight was the closest all season they came to succumbing to that fate - Dave Stieb of the Blue Jays held them hitless until two outs in the ninth inning when pinch hitter Jim Traber lined a single. It was the second straight start that Stieb had lost a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth (he had done it against Cleveland on September 24th) and his third consecutive complete game shutout. Stieb would end up losing three no-hitters in the ninth inning in his career which is the record. He did eventually throw a no-hitter in 1990 - it was the first and so far only no-hitter in Toronto Blue Jays history.
With the Orioles not hitting (and they only drew one walk) the game went very quickly, clocking in at one hour and 52 minutes, the second shortest game by time for the Birds all season (behind the September 3rd game against the Mariners).
Toronto got a run in the bottom of the first when Tony Fernandez led off with a triple and Kelly Gruder followed with a single. Those two knocked in three more runs in the fifth inning when Fernandez singled with two on to knock in one run and Gruber tripled to knock in the other two.
From May through August the Orioles had pretty much just been mediocre. They'd held steady from May through July and actually were almost a .500 team in August. September though was a disaster. With today's loss the Orioles had gone 8-19 this month, allowing 118 runs while only scoring 75.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Thursday September 29 vs the Yankees
Opponent: New York Yankees
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L1
Record: 54-104
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
This was the Orioles final home game of the season and the Orioles were running a somewhat unique promotion called "Shirts Off Out Back Night". The O's would be changing their uniform design in the off-season and were giving away all the jerseys the players were wearing to the fans. I was at the game but I don't remember the details of how it worked - if I had to actually register somewhere at the ballpark to be in the running or if they were doing everything by seat location - but it doesn't really matter as I didn't win a jersey.
There were 38,958 fans in attendance that evening which was the third highest home crowd of the season (behind Opening Day and Fantastic Fans Night). The Orioles ended up drawing 1,660,738 which at the time was the eighth highest total in the club's history (and the fourth highest total for any team that had lost over 100 games). I'll note that while this is a tribute to the fans of Baltimore who came out to support a bad team, it also reflects a trend upward in overall baseball attendance over the past 30 years. The 1988 attendance is actually the Orioles lowest since the 1982 season.
The game was kind of an after thought and the Orioles played like it. The Yankees went up 2-0 on a two run home run by Ken Phelps in the fourth and added a third run on an RBI single by Rafael Santana in the sixth. Cal Ripken led off the bottom of the sixth with his 23rd home run of the season to get the Birds on the board but the Yankees got the run back in the top of the seventh on a bases loaded walk to Jack Clark. New York got a final run in the ninth inning on a solo home from Don Mattingly.
The Orioles ended up leaving nine men on base and went 0 for six with runners in scoring position so they certainly had opportunities in this game. Of course the Yankees squandered just as many opportunities to score more runs - they left 10 men on base and went one for eight with runners in scoring position.
Here are the clippings about the game from the next day's Evening Sun:
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L1
Record: 54-104
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
This was the Orioles final home game of the season and the Orioles were running a somewhat unique promotion called "Shirts Off Out Back Night". The O's would be changing their uniform design in the off-season and were giving away all the jerseys the players were wearing to the fans. I was at the game but I don't remember the details of how it worked - if I had to actually register somewhere at the ballpark to be in the running or if they were doing everything by seat location - but it doesn't really matter as I didn't win a jersey.
There were 38,958 fans in attendance that evening which was the third highest home crowd of the season (behind Opening Day and Fantastic Fans Night). The Orioles ended up drawing 1,660,738 which at the time was the eighth highest total in the club's history (and the fourth highest total for any team that had lost over 100 games). I'll note that while this is a tribute to the fans of Baltimore who came out to support a bad team, it also reflects a trend upward in overall baseball attendance over the past 30 years. The 1988 attendance is actually the Orioles lowest since the 1982 season.
The game was kind of an after thought and the Orioles played like it. The Yankees went up 2-0 on a two run home run by Ken Phelps in the fourth and added a third run on an RBI single by Rafael Santana in the sixth. Cal Ripken led off the bottom of the sixth with his 23rd home run of the season to get the Birds on the board but the Yankees got the run back in the top of the seventh on a bases loaded walk to Jack Clark. New York got a final run in the ninth inning on a solo home from Don Mattingly.
The Orioles ended up leaving nine men on base and went 0 for six with runners in scoring position so they certainly had opportunities in this game. Of course the Yankees squandered just as many opportunities to score more runs - they left 10 men on base and went one for eight with runners in scoring position.
Here are the clippings about the game from the next day's Evening Sun:
Friday, September 28, 2018
Wednesday September 28 vs the Yankees
Opponent: New York Yankees
Outcome: W
Score: 2-0
Streak: W1
Record: 54-103
Rank: 7th
GB: 33.5
The Orioles played very poorly over their final 20 games of the 1988 season, going 3-17 in games after September 12th. (Note - they still have four more games after tonight so I'm giving away the fact that they didn't win any of them.) The three games that they won were all starts by rookie Bob Milacki. Oddly enough of the three starting pitchers that debuted with the Orioles in September of 1988 (Milacki, Curt Schilling and Pete Harnisch), Milacki had the most successful debut month but the least succssful career.
At 23 Milacki was two years older than both Schilling and Harnisch which may have played into how their careers went. Milacki was a mainstay of the Orioles rotation the next couple years, leading the AL in starts with 36 in 1989. Injuries (possibly related to his workload) started taking their toll in the early 1990's. In 1992 he went 6-8 with an ERA of 5.84 which led to him being called "Bob Shellac-i" among Orioles fans. He left the Orioles as a free agent and spent the next few years bouncing around the A's, Indians, Royals, Red Sox, Mariners, Astros and Pirates organization along with a stint with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of Japan in 1997. He finished his career with the St Paul Saints of the independent Northern League in 2000.
But all of that was in the future. Tonight Milacki pitched a gem against the Yankees, holding them to three hits and two walks while striking out ten. He had a complete game shutout, only the second one the Orioles got all season (the other was by Jeff Ballard against the Brewers back on August 13th).
This was yet another game in which the Orioles had baserunners but couldn't get runners in. They had 10 hits tonight along with two walks as well as getting two runners on via Yankees errors. But they only scored two run - one on a double play in the second by Craig Worthington and the other on an RBI single by Rick Schu in the fourth. They left 10 men on base tonight and went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
Outcome: W
Score: 2-0
Streak: W1
Record: 54-103
Rank: 7th
GB: 33.5
The Orioles played very poorly over their final 20 games of the 1988 season, going 3-17 in games after September 12th. (Note - they still have four more games after tonight so I'm giving away the fact that they didn't win any of them.) The three games that they won were all starts by rookie Bob Milacki. Oddly enough of the three starting pitchers that debuted with the Orioles in September of 1988 (Milacki, Curt Schilling and Pete Harnisch), Milacki had the most successful debut month but the least succssful career.
At 23 Milacki was two years older than both Schilling and Harnisch which may have played into how their careers went. Milacki was a mainstay of the Orioles rotation the next couple years, leading the AL in starts with 36 in 1989. Injuries (possibly related to his workload) started taking their toll in the early 1990's. In 1992 he went 6-8 with an ERA of 5.84 which led to him being called "Bob Shellac-i" among Orioles fans. He left the Orioles as a free agent and spent the next few years bouncing around the A's, Indians, Royals, Red Sox, Mariners, Astros and Pirates organization along with a stint with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of Japan in 1997. He finished his career with the St Paul Saints of the independent Northern League in 2000.
But all of that was in the future. Tonight Milacki pitched a gem against the Yankees, holding them to three hits and two walks while striking out ten. He had a complete game shutout, only the second one the Orioles got all season (the other was by Jeff Ballard against the Brewers back on August 13th).
This was yet another game in which the Orioles had baserunners but couldn't get runners in. They had 10 hits tonight along with two walks as well as getting two runners on via Yankees errors. But they only scored two run - one on a double play in the second by Craig Worthington and the other on an RBI single by Rick Schu in the fourth. They left 10 men on base tonight and went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Tuesday September 27 vs the Yankees
Opponent: New York Yankees
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L4
Record: 53-103
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
Curt Schilling made the third major league start of his young career and was saddled with the second loss of his career. Don Mattingly did a number on him in this game, hitting a two run home run in the first inning and a solo shot in the third to put New York up 3-0.
But it was the fourth inning that really did Schilling in tonight. With one out Wayne Tolleson singled and two batters later Randy Velarde walked. With Rickey Henderson at bat the Yankees pulled a successful double steal, moving both runners into scoring position. They both then scored when Henderson doubled, making it 5-0 Yankees. Schilling got Claudell Washington to fly out to end the inning and his day. Doug Sisk came in to pitch the next four innings and Gregg Olson pitched the ninth and neither of them gave up any more runs.
Not that it mattered though - the Orioles only managed to score one run this evening and that was almost by accident. Mickey Tettleton singled to start the seventh inning and Ken Gerhart was hit by a pitch from Yankees starter Ron Guidry. Carl Nichols popped out to Mattingly in foul territory down the right field line, deep enough for Tettleton to alertly advance to third. This put him in position to score when Guidry's first pitch to the next batter Craig Worthington went wild. Guidry struck out Worthington and got Rene Gonzales to ground out to end the inning without any further damage.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L4
Record: 53-103
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
Curt Schilling made the third major league start of his young career and was saddled with the second loss of his career. Don Mattingly did a number on him in this game, hitting a two run home run in the first inning and a solo shot in the third to put New York up 3-0.
But it was the fourth inning that really did Schilling in tonight. With one out Wayne Tolleson singled and two batters later Randy Velarde walked. With Rickey Henderson at bat the Yankees pulled a successful double steal, moving both runners into scoring position. They both then scored when Henderson doubled, making it 5-0 Yankees. Schilling got Claudell Washington to fly out to end the inning and his day. Doug Sisk came in to pitch the next four innings and Gregg Olson pitched the ninth and neither of them gave up any more runs.
Not that it mattered though - the Orioles only managed to score one run this evening and that was almost by accident. Mickey Tettleton singled to start the seventh inning and Ken Gerhart was hit by a pitch from Yankees starter Ron Guidry. Carl Nichols popped out to Mattingly in foul territory down the right field line, deep enough for Tettleton to alertly advance to third. This put him in position to score when Guidry's first pitch to the next batter Craig Worthington went wild. Guidry struck out Worthington and got Rene Gonzales to ground out to end the inning without any further damage.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Monday September 26 vs the Yankees
Opponent: New York Yankees
Outcome: L
Score: 4-5
Streak: L3
Record: 53-102
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
Jeff Ballard started this evening for the Orioles but if you blinked you missed him. He got leadoff hitter Rickey Henderson to fly out to start the game but then loaded the bases on a Don Mattingly single and walks to Dave Winfield and Jack Clark. Gary Ward hit a single to bring in Mattingly and Winfield and Don Slaught followed with another single to score Clark. Jay Tibbs came in to relieve Ballard and despite walking Rafael Santana to load the bases got out of the inning without giving up any more runs. But the Yankees led 3-0.
The Orioles started a comeback in the second inning when Mickey Tettleton had a two run home run. They tied the game in the fifth on a Ken Gerhart sacrifice fly and took the lead in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Rick Schu.
Meanwhile Jay Tibbs was actually pitching pretty well for the Orioles. He entered the eighth inning having held the Yankees to only two hits and two walks while striking out six after entering the game with only one out in the first. He got two quick outs in the eighth on a strikeout of Clark and a flyball from Ward but he then ran into trouble. Slaught singled to put the tying run on and pinch hitter Ken Phelps followed with a double that put both the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to his bullpen and brought in Don Aase. Santana greeted the new pitcher with a single that brought both runners in to score. The Orioles bullpen had failed yet again and the Yankees were back on top 5-4 which is how the game ended.
Outcome: L
Score: 4-5
Streak: L3
Record: 53-102
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
Jeff Ballard started this evening for the Orioles but if you blinked you missed him. He got leadoff hitter Rickey Henderson to fly out to start the game but then loaded the bases on a Don Mattingly single and walks to Dave Winfield and Jack Clark. Gary Ward hit a single to bring in Mattingly and Winfield and Don Slaught followed with another single to score Clark. Jay Tibbs came in to relieve Ballard and despite walking Rafael Santana to load the bases got out of the inning without giving up any more runs. But the Yankees led 3-0.
The Orioles started a comeback in the second inning when Mickey Tettleton had a two run home run. They tied the game in the fifth on a Ken Gerhart sacrifice fly and took the lead in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Rick Schu.
Meanwhile Jay Tibbs was actually pitching pretty well for the Orioles. He entered the eighth inning having held the Yankees to only two hits and two walks while striking out six after entering the game with only one out in the first. He got two quick outs in the eighth on a strikeout of Clark and a flyball from Ward but he then ran into trouble. Slaught singled to put the tying run on and pinch hitter Ken Phelps followed with a double that put both the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to his bullpen and brought in Don Aase. Santana greeted the new pitcher with a single that brought both runners in to score. The Orioles bullpen had failed yet again and the Yankees were back on top 5-4 which is how the game ended.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Another Comment On The 2018 Orioles
The 2018 Orioles not only have a worse record than the 1988 version but are in serious danger of being outdrawn by them as well. The attendance for the 1988 team was 1,660,738. The 2018 Orioles current attendance is 1,494,822. The current team has four more home dates - they'll need to average more than 41,479 for those games to beat the 1988 team. Can they do it? Considering their last four home games drew an average of about 12,000 per game I'm going to say it's unlikely.
Sunday September 25 vs the Tigers (2)
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
Game 1
Outcome: L
Score: 1-2
Streak: L1
Record: 53-100
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 4-7
Streak: L2
Record: 53-101
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
It was a very frustrating afternoon for the Orioles. They got swept in the double header, giving up the winning runs in the top of the ninth in both games.
The Orioles got on the board first in the first game. With one out in the bottom of the first Pete Stanicek reached base safely on an error by first baseman Dave Bergman. Stanicek stole second with Cal Ripken at the plate but it didn't matter because Cal drew a walk. Eddie Murray came up and hit a ground ball that Bergman fielded at first and threw to shortstop Luis Salazar. But Salazar's throw back to first attempting to double up Murray went wild and Stanicek ended up scoring and Murray ended up on second. Mickey Tettleton struck out then to end the inning. The Orioles scored a run on no hits, one walk and two Tiger errors.
It was good that the Orioles had scored without benefit of a hit because Jack Morris was on the mound for Detroit and he was being very stingy when it came to hits. The Birds only got one hit in the game and it didn't come until one out in the seventh inning when Tettleton lined a single. Meanwhile a solo home run off the bat of Darrell Evans in the third had tied the game at 1.
This was yet another game where you wonder if the Orioles should have gone to their bullpen in the ninth inning. Mark Williamson had started for Baltimore and had pitched well - giving up one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three. But he'd thrown over 110 pitches as he started the ninth inning by getting Matt Nokes to ground out. Gary Pettis followed with a single and then stole second with Pat Sheridan at the plate. Sheridan then grounded out to shortstop with Pettis moving to third on the play. Salazar then singled, bring Pettis in with the go-ahead run. Finally the Orioles went to the bullpen, bringing in Gregg Olson who got Tom Brookens to fly out for the third out.
Morris retired the Orioles in order in the bottom of the ninth for the complete game victory, his fourteenth of the season. He ended up giving up just the one unearned run on one hit and two walks while striking out eight.
The loss was the Orioles 100th of the season. It was the first time that the Orioles had lost 100 games in a season since their first season in Baltimore in 1954.
The second game started well for the Orioles. They scored in the bottom of the first again - this time plating two runs on an RBI single by Murray and a sacrifice fly from Jim Traber. The Tigers tied the game on a two run home run by Dwayne Murphy in the fourth but the Orioles had a two run home run of their own off the bat of Ken Gerhart in their half of the fourth to go up 4-2. Torey Lovullo led off the fifth with a solo home run to pull the Tigers within one run.
I've been beating up the Birds the last few days about their bullpen management and this game is an example of why manager Frank Robinson was reluctant to use it. Mark Williamson had come in for starter Jose Bautista to start the sixth inning and had pitched very well for three innings, holding the Tigers to no hits and only one walk. But he walked Bergman to start the ninth inning and Robinson, perhaps because not going to the bullpen had been burning him lately, decided to bring in a reliever. He brought in the closer, Tom Niedenfuer and Niedenfuer, like so many other times this season, didn't have it. He walked Evans to put the go-ahead run on base. Bill Bean laid down a sacrifice bunt to move up the runners so he ended up issuing an intentional walk to Nokes to load the bases. Former Oriole Fred Lynn came in as a pinch hitter for Lovullo and crushed a shot to deep right field for a grand slam. The Tigers were now up 7-4. This was the second time in nine days that Lynn had hit a game winning home run against his old team.
The Tigers weren't quite done - Mike Heath followed Lynn with a single before Niedenfuer was finally able to get the last two outs of the inning on a Ray Knight fly out and a Chet Lemon strikeout. The Orioles again went quietly in the ninth for their 101st loss of the season.
This was the last time Niedenfuer came in in a save situation for the Orioles this season. I'm not sure the Orioles gave up on him - there really was only one save situation the rest of the season. But he only made one more appearance ever for the Birds - on the last day of the season. He left the team as a free agent over the winter and signed with the Mariners where he went 0-3 with a 6.69 ERA. He finished his career with the Cardinals in 1990 with an 0-6 record and a 3.46 ERA.
Game 1
Outcome: L
Score: 1-2
Streak: L1
Record: 53-100
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 4-7
Streak: L2
Record: 53-101
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
It was a very frustrating afternoon for the Orioles. They got swept in the double header, giving up the winning runs in the top of the ninth in both games.
The Orioles got on the board first in the first game. With one out in the bottom of the first Pete Stanicek reached base safely on an error by first baseman Dave Bergman. Stanicek stole second with Cal Ripken at the plate but it didn't matter because Cal drew a walk. Eddie Murray came up and hit a ground ball that Bergman fielded at first and threw to shortstop Luis Salazar. But Salazar's throw back to first attempting to double up Murray went wild and Stanicek ended up scoring and Murray ended up on second. Mickey Tettleton struck out then to end the inning. The Orioles scored a run on no hits, one walk and two Tiger errors.
It was good that the Orioles had scored without benefit of a hit because Jack Morris was on the mound for Detroit and he was being very stingy when it came to hits. The Birds only got one hit in the game and it didn't come until one out in the seventh inning when Tettleton lined a single. Meanwhile a solo home run off the bat of Darrell Evans in the third had tied the game at 1.
This was yet another game where you wonder if the Orioles should have gone to their bullpen in the ninth inning. Mark Williamson had started for Baltimore and had pitched well - giving up one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three. But he'd thrown over 110 pitches as he started the ninth inning by getting Matt Nokes to ground out. Gary Pettis followed with a single and then stole second with Pat Sheridan at the plate. Sheridan then grounded out to shortstop with Pettis moving to third on the play. Salazar then singled, bring Pettis in with the go-ahead run. Finally the Orioles went to the bullpen, bringing in Gregg Olson who got Tom Brookens to fly out for the third out.
Morris retired the Orioles in order in the bottom of the ninth for the complete game victory, his fourteenth of the season. He ended up giving up just the one unearned run on one hit and two walks while striking out eight.
The loss was the Orioles 100th of the season. It was the first time that the Orioles had lost 100 games in a season since their first season in Baltimore in 1954.
The second game started well for the Orioles. They scored in the bottom of the first again - this time plating two runs on an RBI single by Murray and a sacrifice fly from Jim Traber. The Tigers tied the game on a two run home run by Dwayne Murphy in the fourth but the Orioles had a two run home run of their own off the bat of Ken Gerhart in their half of the fourth to go up 4-2. Torey Lovullo led off the fifth with a solo home run to pull the Tigers within one run.
I've been beating up the Birds the last few days about their bullpen management and this game is an example of why manager Frank Robinson was reluctant to use it. Mark Williamson had come in for starter Jose Bautista to start the sixth inning and had pitched very well for three innings, holding the Tigers to no hits and only one walk. But he walked Bergman to start the ninth inning and Robinson, perhaps because not going to the bullpen had been burning him lately, decided to bring in a reliever. He brought in the closer, Tom Niedenfuer and Niedenfuer, like so many other times this season, didn't have it. He walked Evans to put the go-ahead run on base. Bill Bean laid down a sacrifice bunt to move up the runners so he ended up issuing an intentional walk to Nokes to load the bases. Former Oriole Fred Lynn came in as a pinch hitter for Lovullo and crushed a shot to deep right field for a grand slam. The Tigers were now up 7-4. This was the second time in nine days that Lynn had hit a game winning home run against his old team.
The Tigers weren't quite done - Mike Heath followed Lynn with a single before Niedenfuer was finally able to get the last two outs of the inning on a Ray Knight fly out and a Chet Lemon strikeout. The Orioles again went quietly in the ninth for their 101st loss of the season.
This was the last time Niedenfuer came in in a save situation for the Orioles this season. I'm not sure the Orioles gave up on him - there really was only one save situation the rest of the season. But he only made one more appearance ever for the Birds - on the last day of the season. He left the team as a free agent over the winter and signed with the Mariners where he went 0-3 with a 6.69 ERA. He finished his career with the Cardinals in 1990 with an 0-6 record and a 3.46 ERA.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Saturday September 24 vs the Tigers - Rained Out
The Orioles game against the Tigers was rained out today and would be made up as part of a double header the next day on September 25th.
I spent this weekend up in Delaware. Sabra was away for a week or so - she had gone back to the Midwest to visit family - but I went up to Delaware to hang out with my parents and my friends. I ended up going to the Phillies game this evening and saw something special. The Expos were in town and their starting pitcher Pascual Perez threw a no-hitter. It was raining in Philadelphia that evening as well and the game ended up getting called after six innings so it's not an "official" no-hitter. (Actually it was at the time - MLB didn't change the definition of an "official no-hitter" to exclude any games shorter than nine innings until a few years later.)
I got back to my parents' house in time to watch the local news at 11 PM. The sportscaster mentioned that the no-hitter would have an asterisk next to it - not because it was rain shortened but because it was against the 1988 Phillies. The Phillies were the third worst team in baseball that year, behind the Orioles and the Braves (who actually had a worse record than the Orioles at this point in the season). I was able to watch all three of these teams from my parents' house. Their cable system carried the sports channels from both Philadelphia and Baltimore as well as Superstation WTBS which was the Braves TV home at the time. The only last place team my parents couldn't watch on a regular basis that year was the Seattle Mariners.
I spent this weekend up in Delaware. Sabra was away for a week or so - she had gone back to the Midwest to visit family - but I went up to Delaware to hang out with my parents and my friends. I ended up going to the Phillies game this evening and saw something special. The Expos were in town and their starting pitcher Pascual Perez threw a no-hitter. It was raining in Philadelphia that evening as well and the game ended up getting called after six innings so it's not an "official" no-hitter. (Actually it was at the time - MLB didn't change the definition of an "official no-hitter" to exclude any games shorter than nine innings until a few years later.)
I got back to my parents' house in time to watch the local news at 11 PM. The sportscaster mentioned that the no-hitter would have an asterisk next to it - not because it was rain shortened but because it was against the 1988 Phillies. The Phillies were the third worst team in baseball that year, behind the Orioles and the Braves (who actually had a worse record than the Orioles at this point in the season). I was able to watch all three of these teams from my parents' house. Their cable system carried the sports channels from both Philadelphia and Baltimore as well as Superstation WTBS which was the Braves TV home at the time. The only last place team my parents couldn't watch on a regular basis that year was the Seattle Mariners.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Friday September 23 vs the Tigers
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
Outcome: W
Score: 5-4
Streak: W1
Record: 53-99
Rank: 7th
GB: 33.5
Bob Milacki was on the mound tonight for the Birds making his second career start and this game almost went as well as his first game - at least through the first eight innings.
The Orioles scored first in the bottom of the first. With one out Pete Stanicek and Cal Ripken hit back to back singles. Eddie Murray then hit a ground ball that Tigers second baseman Jim Walewander fielded cleanly but made a bad throw on. Murray was safe and Stanicek scored.
The Tigers tied the game at 1 on an RBI single from Dwayne Murphy. The Orioles went back ahead in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Cal Ripken and extended their lead to two runs on an RBI ground out by Ripken in the eighth.
After eight innings Milacki had given up one run on four hits, three walks and four strikeouts. He'd also thrown 120 pitches but no one really paid a lot of attention to pitch counts in 1988. While it wouldn't have been unexpected for the Orioles to bring in their closer Tom Niedenfuer in the ninth, the decision was made to leave Milacki in to try for a complete game. Matt Nokes led off the ninth with a solo home run to make it 3-2 and at now Orioles manager Frank Robinson decided to bring in Niedenfuer. Darrell Evans greeted Niedenfuer with a solo home run of his own to tie the game at 3. Niedenfuer got Chet Lemon and Tom Brookens to strike out but then Torey Lovullo doubled and Dave Bergman knocked him in with a single. The Tigers now led for the first time all game. Niedenfuer got Murphy to fly out to end the inning.
Walt Terrell was the starting pitcher for the Tigers tonight and he also was allowed to start the ninth. He gave up back-to-back singles to Brady Anderson and pinch hitter Larry Sheets before Tigers manager Sparky Anderson decided he should bring in a relief pitcher. Willie Hernandez replaced Terrell on the mound while Butch Davis came in to run for Sheets. Jeff Stone came in to hit for Bill Ripken and lined a single to right that scored Anderson with the tying run and moved Davis to third base. Joe Orsulak drew an intentional walk to load the bases and set up a force out at every base. The strategy almost worked - Stanicek hit a ground ball to Brookens at third who threw home to force out Davis. But Tigers catcher Nokes tried to get Stanicek at first for a double play and threw the ball away. Stone came in to score and the Orioles won 5-4. It was the Birds' ninth and final walk off victory of the season.
Outcome: W
Score: 5-4
Streak: W1
Record: 53-99
Rank: 7th
GB: 33.5
Bob Milacki was on the mound tonight for the Birds making his second career start and this game almost went as well as his first game - at least through the first eight innings.
The Orioles scored first in the bottom of the first. With one out Pete Stanicek and Cal Ripken hit back to back singles. Eddie Murray then hit a ground ball that Tigers second baseman Jim Walewander fielded cleanly but made a bad throw on. Murray was safe and Stanicek scored.
The Tigers tied the game at 1 on an RBI single from Dwayne Murphy. The Orioles went back ahead in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Cal Ripken and extended their lead to two runs on an RBI ground out by Ripken in the eighth.
After eight innings Milacki had given up one run on four hits, three walks and four strikeouts. He'd also thrown 120 pitches but no one really paid a lot of attention to pitch counts in 1988. While it wouldn't have been unexpected for the Orioles to bring in their closer Tom Niedenfuer in the ninth, the decision was made to leave Milacki in to try for a complete game. Matt Nokes led off the ninth with a solo home run to make it 3-2 and at now Orioles manager Frank Robinson decided to bring in Niedenfuer. Darrell Evans greeted Niedenfuer with a solo home run of his own to tie the game at 3. Niedenfuer got Chet Lemon and Tom Brookens to strike out but then Torey Lovullo doubled and Dave Bergman knocked him in with a single. The Tigers now led for the first time all game. Niedenfuer got Murphy to fly out to end the inning.
Walt Terrell was the starting pitcher for the Tigers tonight and he also was allowed to start the ninth. He gave up back-to-back singles to Brady Anderson and pinch hitter Larry Sheets before Tigers manager Sparky Anderson decided he should bring in a relief pitcher. Willie Hernandez replaced Terrell on the mound while Butch Davis came in to run for Sheets. Jeff Stone came in to hit for Bill Ripken and lined a single to right that scored Anderson with the tying run and moved Davis to third base. Joe Orsulak drew an intentional walk to load the bases and set up a force out at every base. The strategy almost worked - Stanicek hit a ground ball to Brookens at third who threw home to force out Davis. But Tigers catcher Nokes tried to get Stanicek at first for a double play and threw the ball away. Stone came in to score and the Orioles won 5-4. It was the Birds' ninth and final walk off victory of the season.
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Thursday September 22 vs the Tigers
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
Outcome: L
Score: 4-7
Streak: L4
Record: 52-99
Rank: 7th
GB: 33.5
The Orioles returned to Baltimore tonight to take on the Tigers, opening an eight game home stand - the final one of the season. Tonight was the last "Three Buck Night" of the year so of course I was in attendance. I had made it to all eleven "Three Buck Nights" that weren't rained out this season.
It was a very sloppy game by the Orioles. They had 15 hits this evening along with a walk but only scored 4 runs. They left 10 men on base and went 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position. They also made three errors in the game.
The first error came on the very first pitch of the game. Dave Bergman led off for the Tigers and hit Dave Schmidt's first pitch for a ground ball to third baseman Craig Worthington who made a bad throw to first that pulled first baseman Rick Schu off the bag. Dwayne Murphy followed with a ground ball that moved Bergman to second. An Alan Trammell single moved Bergman to third which allowed him to score when Fred Lynn hit a line drive to center field for a sacrifice fly. The Birds second error of the game came when center fielder Ken Gerhart attempted to double Trammell off first on Lynn's liner - no one was covering first. Trammell was able to move up to second on Gerhart's error and then scored on Matt Nokes' single. 2-0 Tigers.
The Orioles cut the lead in half when Pete Stanicek led off the bottom of the first with a home run. The Birds actually briefly took the lead in the third inning (and ended up knocking Tigers starter Frank Tanana out of the game) on Eddie Murray's 28th home run of the season - a two run shot.
The Tigers took the lead back in fourth inning. Nokes led off with a double. After Darrell Evans struck out, Chet Lemon drew a walk. Tom Brookens then knocked both Nokes and Lemon in with a double. After Jim Walewander struck out for the second out, Bergman hit the third double of the innin which scored Brookens. Jay Tibbs now came in to relieve Schmidt and Murphy greeted him with a single that brought in Bergman before Trammell struck out to end the inning. It was now 6-3 Tigers. A Bergman RBI single in the sixth would extend the Tigers lead to 7-3.
The Orioles blew a golden opportunity to have a big inning in the seventh. Singles from Bill Ripken, Cal Ripken and Murray loaded the bases with no outs. Mickey Tettleton then singled to score Bill Ripken. The key play of the inning came next - Brady Anderson hit a fly ball to center field that Murray, expecting that Cal Ripken would score on it, tagged up and tried to advance. When he realized that Cal was still on third he had to beat a hasty retreat and was doubled up by the Tigers. Rick Schu then flied out to end the threat. The score was 7-4 and that's how it ended.
I have to confess that I didn't make it to the end of the game this evening. I was pretty anal about always staying for the entire game but I was pretty tired this week after the concert on Monday night and a couple other late nights. And this game was dragging. I remember ducking out after what seemed like an interminable Chet Lemon at bat in the top of the sixth but I'm not sure now that that's what happened. My scorecard doesn't have anything in it after the top of the fifth so maybe I remember hearing the Lemon at bat on the radio on the way home. Regardless I did get an Evening Sun the next day and I saved the clippings about the game:
Outcome: L
Score: 4-7
Streak: L4
Record: 52-99
Rank: 7th
GB: 33.5
The Orioles returned to Baltimore tonight to take on the Tigers, opening an eight game home stand - the final one of the season. Tonight was the last "Three Buck Night" of the year so of course I was in attendance. I had made it to all eleven "Three Buck Nights" that weren't rained out this season.
It was a very sloppy game by the Orioles. They had 15 hits this evening along with a walk but only scored 4 runs. They left 10 men on base and went 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position. They also made three errors in the game.
The first error came on the very first pitch of the game. Dave Bergman led off for the Tigers and hit Dave Schmidt's first pitch for a ground ball to third baseman Craig Worthington who made a bad throw to first that pulled first baseman Rick Schu off the bag. Dwayne Murphy followed with a ground ball that moved Bergman to second. An Alan Trammell single moved Bergman to third which allowed him to score when Fred Lynn hit a line drive to center field for a sacrifice fly. The Birds second error of the game came when center fielder Ken Gerhart attempted to double Trammell off first on Lynn's liner - no one was covering first. Trammell was able to move up to second on Gerhart's error and then scored on Matt Nokes' single. 2-0 Tigers.
The Orioles cut the lead in half when Pete Stanicek led off the bottom of the first with a home run. The Birds actually briefly took the lead in the third inning (and ended up knocking Tigers starter Frank Tanana out of the game) on Eddie Murray's 28th home run of the season - a two run shot.
The Tigers took the lead back in fourth inning. Nokes led off with a double. After Darrell Evans struck out, Chet Lemon drew a walk. Tom Brookens then knocked both Nokes and Lemon in with a double. After Jim Walewander struck out for the second out, Bergman hit the third double of the innin which scored Brookens. Jay Tibbs now came in to relieve Schmidt and Murphy greeted him with a single that brought in Bergman before Trammell struck out to end the inning. It was now 6-3 Tigers. A Bergman RBI single in the sixth would extend the Tigers lead to 7-3.
The Orioles blew a golden opportunity to have a big inning in the seventh. Singles from Bill Ripken, Cal Ripken and Murray loaded the bases with no outs. Mickey Tettleton then singled to score Bill Ripken. The key play of the inning came next - Brady Anderson hit a fly ball to center field that Murray, expecting that Cal Ripken would score on it, tagged up and tried to advance. When he realized that Cal was still on third he had to beat a hasty retreat and was doubled up by the Tigers. Rick Schu then flied out to end the threat. The score was 7-4 and that's how it ended.
I have to confess that I didn't make it to the end of the game this evening. I was pretty anal about always staying for the entire game but I was pretty tired this week after the concert on Monday night and a couple other late nights. And this game was dragging. I remember ducking out after what seemed like an interminable Chet Lemon at bat in the top of the sixth but I'm not sure now that that's what happened. My scorecard doesn't have anything in it after the top of the fifth so maybe I remember hearing the Lemon at bat on the radio on the way home. Regardless I did get an Evening Sun the next day and I saved the clippings about the game:
Friday, September 21, 2018
Wednesday September 21 at the Yankees
Opponent: New York Yankees
Outcome: L
Score: 2-3
Streak: L3
Record: 52-98
Rank: 7th
GB: 33
Tonight's game was certainly one that the Orioles could have won. They had 11 hits and three walk in the game but ended up leaving 7 men on base and only going 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
The Birds got on the board first in the top of the second when Rick Schu's single scored Mickey Tettleton. But a Rickey Henderson RBI ground out in the third allowed the Yankees to tie the game and a Jack Clark solo home run in the fourth put them up 2-1. The Orioles tied it in the fifth on an RBI single by Craig Worthington.
The game remained tied into the twelfth inning. Mark Thurmond came in that inning in relief and after striking out Gary Ward he gave up a game winning home run to Don Slaught. It was the second walk off home run surrendered by Thurmond in less than a week - he'd given up the game winner to Fred Lynn of the Tigers the previous Friday night.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-3
Streak: L3
Record: 52-98
Rank: 7th
GB: 33
Tonight's game was certainly one that the Orioles could have won. They had 11 hits and three walk in the game but ended up leaving 7 men on base and only going 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
The Birds got on the board first in the top of the second when Rick Schu's single scored Mickey Tettleton. But a Rickey Henderson RBI ground out in the third allowed the Yankees to tie the game and a Jack Clark solo home run in the fourth put them up 2-1. The Orioles tied it in the fifth on an RBI single by Craig Worthington.
The game remained tied into the twelfth inning. Mark Thurmond came in that inning in relief and after striking out Gary Ward he gave up a game winning home run to Don Slaught. It was the second walk off home run surrendered by Thurmond in less than a week - he'd given up the game winner to Fred Lynn of the Tigers the previous Friday night.
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Tuesday September 20 at the Yankees
Opponent: New York Yankees
Outcome: L
Score: 1-7
Streak: L2
Record: 52-97
Rank: 7th
GB: 33
No way to really sugar coat tonight's game - the Orioles got slapped around pretty well by the Yankees bats and New York starter Rick Rhoden was able to keep the Baltimore bats from doing muc of anything. The Yankees got on the board first in the fourth inning on an RBI double by Ken Phelps but really put themselves in control in the game on back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. The first one was a three run shot from Jack Clark which was followed by a solo (obviously) shot by Phelps. The Yankees led 5-0 after five.
Craig Worthington led off the sixth with a solo home run for the Birds to make it 5-1 but the Yankees got two more in the eighth inning on an RBI ground out with the bases loaded by Don Slaught followed by an RBI single by Rafael Santana. Meanwhile Rhoden ended up pitching a complete game giving up just the one run on five hits and a walk en route to his 12th win of the season.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-7
Streak: L2
Record: 52-97
Rank: 7th
GB: 33
No way to really sugar coat tonight's game - the Orioles got slapped around pretty well by the Yankees bats and New York starter Rick Rhoden was able to keep the Baltimore bats from doing muc of anything. The Yankees got on the board first in the fourth inning on an RBI double by Ken Phelps but really put themselves in control in the game on back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. The first one was a three run shot from Jack Clark which was followed by a solo (obviously) shot by Phelps. The Yankees led 5-0 after five.
Craig Worthington led off the sixth with a solo home run for the Birds to make it 5-1 but the Yankees got two more in the eighth inning on an RBI ground out with the bases loaded by Don Slaught followed by an RBI single by Rafael Santana. Meanwhile Rhoden ended up pitching a complete game giving up just the one run on five hits and a walk en route to his 12th win of the season.
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Monday September 19 at the Yankees
Opponent: New York Yankees
Outcome: L
Score: 2-3
Streak: L1
Record: 52-96
Rank: 7th
GB: 32
It had been a little more than three months since the last time the Orioles had faced the Yankees and New York's situation had changed quite a bit in the meantime. When the Orioles lost to the Yankees back on June 12th the Bronx Bombers had been in first place with a 38-21 record and a two game lead over the second place Tigers. The Yankees now were in fourth place with a 78-70 record, 6 1/2 games behind the first place Red Sox. Lou Piniella was now the manager, having replaced Billy Martin in late June.
Pete Harnisch was making his second major league start for the Orioles tonight and it went slightly better than his first outing. He got behind 3-0 after three innings after a Wille Randolph RBI single in the second and a Jack Clark two RBI double in the third but worked out of bases loaded jams in the fifth and sixth innings without giving up any further runs. Meanwhile a pair of RBI singles - one by Cal Ripken in the fourth and the other by Pete Stanicek in the fifth - brought the Birds to within a run of tying the game. But ultimately they fell short. Dave Righetti came in in the ninth inning and notched his 23rd save of the season by striking out Eddie Murray, Butch Davis and Mickey Tettleton to end the game.
I spent the evening at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia at the Amnesty International Human Rights Now! concert. I got to see Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel, Sting and Bruce Springsteen. It was a pretty good show but way too big of a venue - I'm not a big fan of stadium concerts and JFK Stadium was probably the largest stadium I've ever seen a concert in.
One other significant event this day - out in California my sister gave birth to a little girl. Sarah was the first grandchild for my parents and was born on my grandmother's 76th birthday. Earlier this year Sarah gave birth to a little boy who was the first great-grandchild for my parents.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-3
Streak: L1
Record: 52-96
Rank: 7th
GB: 32
It had been a little more than three months since the last time the Orioles had faced the Yankees and New York's situation had changed quite a bit in the meantime. When the Orioles lost to the Yankees back on June 12th the Bronx Bombers had been in first place with a 38-21 record and a two game lead over the second place Tigers. The Yankees now were in fourth place with a 78-70 record, 6 1/2 games behind the first place Red Sox. Lou Piniella was now the manager, having replaced Billy Martin in late June.
Pete Harnisch was making his second major league start for the Orioles tonight and it went slightly better than his first outing. He got behind 3-0 after three innings after a Wille Randolph RBI single in the second and a Jack Clark two RBI double in the third but worked out of bases loaded jams in the fifth and sixth innings without giving up any further runs. Meanwhile a pair of RBI singles - one by Cal Ripken in the fourth and the other by Pete Stanicek in the fifth - brought the Birds to within a run of tying the game. But ultimately they fell short. Dave Righetti came in in the ninth inning and notched his 23rd save of the season by striking out Eddie Murray, Butch Davis and Mickey Tettleton to end the game.
I spent the evening at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia at the Amnesty International Human Rights Now! concert. I got to see Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel, Sting and Bruce Springsteen. It was a pretty good show but way too big of a venue - I'm not a big fan of stadium concerts and JFK Stadium was probably the largest stadium I've ever seen a concert in.
One other significant event this day - out in California my sister gave birth to a little girl. Sarah was the first grandchild for my parents and was born on my grandmother's 76th birthday. Earlier this year Sarah gave birth to a little boy who was the first great-grandchild for my parents.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Sunday September 18 at the Tigers
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
Outcome: W
Score: 2-0
Streak: W1
Record: 52-95
Rank: 7th
GB: 32
This afternoon's starting pitcher for the Orioles was the third starter who made their major league debut with the Birds this month. Bob Milacki had been the Orioles second pick in the June 1983 draft (secondary phase). He didn't start pitching in the minors until 1984 and had mixed results for his first couple seasons. He started 1988 with Double A Charlotte and went 3-1 in five starts before being promoted to Triple A Rochester and going 12-8 in 24 starts with the Red Wings.
Milacki's debut was something to write home about - he went eight innings and only gave up one hit - a double to Tom Brookens in the third inning. He struck out four and walked four.
A Pete Stanicek solo home run in the sixth inning gave the Birds the lead and an RBI single by Ken Gerhart in the seventh made the lead 2-0. Tom Neidenfuer relieved Milacki in the ninth inning and got his 18th save of the year.
The win snapped the Orioles' five game losing streak. It was the second five game losing streak they had had this season - the two streaks were tied for the longest losing streak the Birds had since they had opened the season 0-21.
Outcome: W
Score: 2-0
Streak: W1
Record: 52-95
Rank: 7th
GB: 32
This afternoon's starting pitcher for the Orioles was the third starter who made their major league debut with the Birds this month. Bob Milacki had been the Orioles second pick in the June 1983 draft (secondary phase). He didn't start pitching in the minors until 1984 and had mixed results for his first couple seasons. He started 1988 with Double A Charlotte and went 3-1 in five starts before being promoted to Triple A Rochester and going 12-8 in 24 starts with the Red Wings.
Milacki's debut was something to write home about - he went eight innings and only gave up one hit - a double to Tom Brookens in the third inning. He struck out four and walked four.
A Pete Stanicek solo home run in the sixth inning gave the Birds the lead and an RBI single by Ken Gerhart in the seventh made the lead 2-0. Tom Neidenfuer relieved Milacki in the ninth inning and got his 18th save of the year.
The win snapped the Orioles' five game losing streak. It was the second five game losing streak they had had this season - the two streaks were tied for the longest losing streak the Birds had since they had opened the season 0-21.
Monday, September 17, 2018
Saturday September 17 at the Tigers
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
Outcome: L
Score: 3-7
Streak: L5
Record: 51-95
Rank: 7th
GB: 32
The Orioles scored first tonight, getting on the board with two runs in the first inning. With one out Brady Anderson tripled and scored on Cal Ripken's ground out. Eddie Murray then doubled and came around to score on Larry Sheets' single.
Mark Williamson had started the game for the Birds and pitched pretty well, giving up only three hits and a walk over five innings. The problems for Baltimore started after he came out of the game before the sixth inning. Don Aase came in and had nothing. He walked Dave Bergman to start the inning and Dwayne Murphy followed with a single. Bergman then scored on Alan Trammell's single. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went back to the bullpen and brought in Gregg Olson. Olson almost got out of the inning unscathed. He struck out Fred Lynn for the first out of the inning, then got Matt Nokes to ground into a force out of Trammell at second while Murphy moved to third base. But with Darrell Evans at the plate Olson got called for a balk which brought Murphy in with the tying run. Olson got Evans to ground out to end the inning.
Olson ran into problems in the next inning. Chet Lemon led off with a double and moved to third on Tom Brookens' ground out. He got Pat Sheridan to ground out for the second out before walking both Bergman and Murphy to load the bases. Trammell then lined a single to bring in Lemon and Bergman and move Murphy to third. The Tigers were now up 4-2. The Orioles went back to their bullpen and brought Mark Thurmond in to pitch to Lynn - a somewhat gutsy move since Lynn had hti a game winning home run against Thurmond the night before. But the Thurmond-Lynn rematch ended up unresolved - Murphy attempted to steal home and was thrown out for the third out of the inning.
The Birds went to Doug Sisk for the eighth inning and he walked Lynn. Nokes sacrificed Lynn to second with a bunt, bringing up Evans who was intentionally walked. Lemon then put the game out of reach with a three run home run. It was now 7-2 Tigers.
Eddie Murray led off the ninth inning with a home run and the Orioles managed to load the bases against Tigers reliever Willie Hernandez (who had gotten the win the night before on only one pitch) but Mike Henneman came in and got Pete Stanicek to ground out to end the game. Olson ended up with the loss - it was the first of his major league career.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-7
Streak: L5
Record: 51-95
Rank: 7th
GB: 32
The Orioles scored first tonight, getting on the board with two runs in the first inning. With one out Brady Anderson tripled and scored on Cal Ripken's ground out. Eddie Murray then doubled and came around to score on Larry Sheets' single.
Mark Williamson had started the game for the Birds and pitched pretty well, giving up only three hits and a walk over five innings. The problems for Baltimore started after he came out of the game before the sixth inning. Don Aase came in and had nothing. He walked Dave Bergman to start the inning and Dwayne Murphy followed with a single. Bergman then scored on Alan Trammell's single. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went back to the bullpen and brought in Gregg Olson. Olson almost got out of the inning unscathed. He struck out Fred Lynn for the first out of the inning, then got Matt Nokes to ground into a force out of Trammell at second while Murphy moved to third base. But with Darrell Evans at the plate Olson got called for a balk which brought Murphy in with the tying run. Olson got Evans to ground out to end the inning.
Olson ran into problems in the next inning. Chet Lemon led off with a double and moved to third on Tom Brookens' ground out. He got Pat Sheridan to ground out for the second out before walking both Bergman and Murphy to load the bases. Trammell then lined a single to bring in Lemon and Bergman and move Murphy to third. The Tigers were now up 4-2. The Orioles went back to their bullpen and brought Mark Thurmond in to pitch to Lynn - a somewhat gutsy move since Lynn had hti a game winning home run against Thurmond the night before. But the Thurmond-Lynn rematch ended up unresolved - Murphy attempted to steal home and was thrown out for the third out of the inning.
The Birds went to Doug Sisk for the eighth inning and he walked Lynn. Nokes sacrificed Lynn to second with a bunt, bringing up Evans who was intentionally walked. Lemon then put the game out of reach with a three run home run. It was now 7-2 Tigers.
Eddie Murray led off the ninth inning with a home run and the Orioles managed to load the bases against Tigers reliever Willie Hernandez (who had gotten the win the night before on only one pitch) but Mike Henneman came in and got Pete Stanicek to ground out to end the game. Olson ended up with the loss - it was the first of his major league career.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Friday September 16 at the Tigers
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
Outcome: L
Score: 7-8
Streak: L4
Record: 51-94
Rank: 7th
GB: 31
Two days after the Orioles were beaten by a former teammate on the mound (Mike Boddicker) they were victimized by another ex-teammate. Fred Lynn, who had been traded to the Tigers just over two weeks earlier, went 3 for 5 tonight, scoring two runs and knocking in four.
Lynn and the Tigers drew first blood in this game. After Gary Pettis lead off the bottom of the first with a triple and Luis Salazar was hit by a pitch, Lynn hit a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken that forced Salazar at second but also brought Pettis in with the game's first run.
The Tigers lead didn't last long. Larry Sheets led off the second inning with a solo home run off Tigers starter Jack Morris. Morris would run into more trouble in the third. After Bill Ripken flew out to start the frame, Joe Orsulak singled and came around to score on Brady Anderson's double. After Cal Ripken walked, Eddie Murray came up and connected for his 26th home run of the season - a three run shot that put the Birds up 5-1. The home run knocked Morris out of the game after 2 1/3 innings - Tigers manager Sparky Anderson went to the bullpen and brought in Paul Gibson who got out of the inning without giving up any more runs.
The Tigers got a run back in their half of the third off the bat of Lynn again. Two batters after Pettis led off the inning with a double, Lynn hit a single that brought him in from second. The Orioles though scored another run in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Anderson, keeping the Birds lead at four runs.
The Tigers started coming back against Orioles starter Jeff Ballard. Larry Herndon led off the fourth with a home run. Two batters later Tom Brookens tripled and then came into score on Jim Walewander's sacrifice fly. The O's lead was now only 6-4.
In the next inning the Tigers tied the game up and Lynn was involved of course. He singled with one out and then scored when Dwayne Murphy followed with a two run home run. The blast knocked Ballard out of the game. Jay Tibbs came in to relieve him and like Gibson a little earlier he got out of the inning without any more damage.
The game remained tied at six until the top of the ninth. With one out, Anderson hit his second double of the game and moved to third when Tigers shortstop Salazar misplayed the throw from the outfield. Cal Ripken was intentionally walked and Eddie Murray hit a ground ball to first baseman Dave Bergman that looked like it was going to be an inning ending double play, Bergman threw the ball to Salazar covering second to force Ripken but Salazar threw the ball away for his second error of the inning - Anderson scored the go-ahead run and Murray ended up at second. Sparky Anderson went to his bullpen again and replaced Mike Henneman with Willie Hernandez who got Sheets to ground out on his first pitch to close out the inning.
I'm curious now about a decision that Orioles manager Frank Robinson made going into the bottom of the ninth. Or rather a decision he didn't make. With a one run lead I would have expected him to have brought in Tom Neidenfuer, the closer, to close out the game. He didn't though. He left Mark Thurmond on the mound. Thurmond had relieved Tibbs in the seventh and hadn't given up any hits although he did walk two batters in the ninth. I'm not sure why Robinson didn't bring in Neidenfuer though.
Of course, the way 1988 went for the Orioles it probably didn't matter. Salazar led off the bottom of the ninth with a single and Lynn completed his night of tormenting his former team by crushing a two run game winning home run to deep right field, making the final score 8-7. Willie Hernandez got credit for the win after throwing only one pitch.
Sabra and I went out this evening to the Power Plant in Baltimore which at the time was a night club - it's now a Barnes & Noble. I was able to win a free beer by knowing that Curt Schilling and Pete Harnisch were the answer to the question "Who are the two pitchers who made their big league debuts this month for the Orioles?" It's nice that occasionally paying constant attention to this stuff pays off...
Outcome: L
Score: 7-8
Streak: L4
Record: 51-94
Rank: 7th
GB: 31
Two days after the Orioles were beaten by a former teammate on the mound (Mike Boddicker) they were victimized by another ex-teammate. Fred Lynn, who had been traded to the Tigers just over two weeks earlier, went 3 for 5 tonight, scoring two runs and knocking in four.
Lynn and the Tigers drew first blood in this game. After Gary Pettis lead off the bottom of the first with a triple and Luis Salazar was hit by a pitch, Lynn hit a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken that forced Salazar at second but also brought Pettis in with the game's first run.
The Tigers lead didn't last long. Larry Sheets led off the second inning with a solo home run off Tigers starter Jack Morris. Morris would run into more trouble in the third. After Bill Ripken flew out to start the frame, Joe Orsulak singled and came around to score on Brady Anderson's double. After Cal Ripken walked, Eddie Murray came up and connected for his 26th home run of the season - a three run shot that put the Birds up 5-1. The home run knocked Morris out of the game after 2 1/3 innings - Tigers manager Sparky Anderson went to the bullpen and brought in Paul Gibson who got out of the inning without giving up any more runs.
The Tigers got a run back in their half of the third off the bat of Lynn again. Two batters after Pettis led off the inning with a double, Lynn hit a single that brought him in from second. The Orioles though scored another run in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Anderson, keeping the Birds lead at four runs.
The Tigers started coming back against Orioles starter Jeff Ballard. Larry Herndon led off the fourth with a home run. Two batters later Tom Brookens tripled and then came into score on Jim Walewander's sacrifice fly. The O's lead was now only 6-4.
In the next inning the Tigers tied the game up and Lynn was involved of course. He singled with one out and then scored when Dwayne Murphy followed with a two run home run. The blast knocked Ballard out of the game. Jay Tibbs came in to relieve him and like Gibson a little earlier he got out of the inning without any more damage.
The game remained tied at six until the top of the ninth. With one out, Anderson hit his second double of the game and moved to third when Tigers shortstop Salazar misplayed the throw from the outfield. Cal Ripken was intentionally walked and Eddie Murray hit a ground ball to first baseman Dave Bergman that looked like it was going to be an inning ending double play, Bergman threw the ball to Salazar covering second to force Ripken but Salazar threw the ball away for his second error of the inning - Anderson scored the go-ahead run and Murray ended up at second. Sparky Anderson went to his bullpen again and replaced Mike Henneman with Willie Hernandez who got Sheets to ground out on his first pitch to close out the inning.
I'm curious now about a decision that Orioles manager Frank Robinson made going into the bottom of the ninth. Or rather a decision he didn't make. With a one run lead I would have expected him to have brought in Tom Neidenfuer, the closer, to close out the game. He didn't though. He left Mark Thurmond on the mound. Thurmond had relieved Tibbs in the seventh and hadn't given up any hits although he did walk two batters in the ninth. I'm not sure why Robinson didn't bring in Neidenfuer though.
Of course, the way 1988 went for the Orioles it probably didn't matter. Salazar led off the bottom of the ninth with a single and Lynn completed his night of tormenting his former team by crushing a two run game winning home run to deep right field, making the final score 8-7. Willie Hernandez got credit for the win after throwing only one pitch.
Sabra and I went out this evening to the Power Plant in Baltimore which at the time was a night club - it's now a Barnes & Noble. I was able to win a free beer by knowing that Curt Schilling and Pete Harnisch were the answer to the question "Who are the two pitchers who made their big league debuts this month for the Orioles?" It's nice that occasionally paying constant attention to this stuff pays off...
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Thursday September 15 - Off Day
The Orioles were off on this day as they prepared for a three game weekend series in Detroit. This would be the last scheduled off day for the team this season.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Wednesday September 14 at the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L3
Record: 51-93
Rank: 7th
GB: 30.5
Tonight was the Mike Greenwell show. The Red Sox left fielder went 4 for 4, hitting for the cycle and scoring three runs.
The Red Sox starting pitcher this evening former Oriole Mike Boddicker who had been traded to Boston back at the end of July. This was Boddicker's first start ever against his former team. He had a bit of a rough going early on. With one out in the second inning he loaded the bases by walking Larry Sheets and Mickey Tettleton and giving up a single to Jim Traber. Rick Schu then came through with a single that brought in Sheets and Tettleton to put the O's up 2-0. Boddicker struck out Bill Ripken and got Joe Orsulak to ground out to get out of the inning without giving up any more runs.
Greenwell led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run to cut the Birds' lead in half. Boston pulled ahead a couple innings later. After Dwight Evans struck out to open the fourth, Greenwell hit a shot into the right field corner that bounced into the stands for a ground rule double. Ellis Burks followed with a single that moved Greenwell to third. Burks then stole second with Jim Rice at the plate. Rice hit a sacrifice fly that scored Greenwell with the tying run and then Larry Parrish put the Red Sox up by a run when Burks scored on his single. But the Orioles came back in the top of the fifth, tying the game at 3-3 on a sacrifice fly by Eddie Murray that scored Brady Anderson (who had been acquired from Boston in the Boddicker trade).
Boston went up for good in the sixth inning. Greenwell led off the inning with a ball that was misplayed in deep left-center field by Sheets. Greenwell ended up on a third and was given credit for a triple. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Burks to put the Red Sox up 4-3.
Greenwell led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to complete his cycle but for the first time in the game he failed to score.
Boddicker ended up going seven innings against his former team tonight, giving up three runs (only two of which were earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out five. He got his 12th win of the season - it was his sixth win since joining the Red Sox.
Here's a YouTube clip showing Greenwell's four hits from that night:
My friend Steve had moved up to Boston at the beginning of the month and was at this game.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L3
Record: 51-93
Rank: 7th
GB: 30.5
Tonight was the Mike Greenwell show. The Red Sox left fielder went 4 for 4, hitting for the cycle and scoring three runs.
The Red Sox starting pitcher this evening former Oriole Mike Boddicker who had been traded to Boston back at the end of July. This was Boddicker's first start ever against his former team. He had a bit of a rough going early on. With one out in the second inning he loaded the bases by walking Larry Sheets and Mickey Tettleton and giving up a single to Jim Traber. Rick Schu then came through with a single that brought in Sheets and Tettleton to put the O's up 2-0. Boddicker struck out Bill Ripken and got Joe Orsulak to ground out to get out of the inning without giving up any more runs.
Greenwell led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run to cut the Birds' lead in half. Boston pulled ahead a couple innings later. After Dwight Evans struck out to open the fourth, Greenwell hit a shot into the right field corner that bounced into the stands for a ground rule double. Ellis Burks followed with a single that moved Greenwell to third. Burks then stole second with Jim Rice at the plate. Rice hit a sacrifice fly that scored Greenwell with the tying run and then Larry Parrish put the Red Sox up by a run when Burks scored on his single. But the Orioles came back in the top of the fifth, tying the game at 3-3 on a sacrifice fly by Eddie Murray that scored Brady Anderson (who had been acquired from Boston in the Boddicker trade).
Boston went up for good in the sixth inning. Greenwell led off the inning with a ball that was misplayed in deep left-center field by Sheets. Greenwell ended up on a third and was given credit for a triple. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Burks to put the Red Sox up 4-3.
Greenwell led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to complete his cycle but for the first time in the game he failed to score.
Boddicker ended up going seven innings against his former team tonight, giving up three runs (only two of which were earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out five. He got his 12th win of the season - it was his sixth win since joining the Red Sox.
Here's a YouTube clip showing Greenwell's four hits from that night:
My friend Steve had moved up to Boston at the beginning of the month and was at this game.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Tuesday September 13 at the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 4-6
Streak: L2
Record: 51-92
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
Tonight's starting pitcher for the Orioles was another player making his major league debut. Pete Harnisch had been a first round pick for Baltimore in the 1987 draft out of Fordham University and had rapidly moved through the minors. He started the 1988 season in Double A with Charlotte and after 20 started moved up to Triple A Rochester. He would end up packaged with his fellow 1988 MLB debuter Curt Schilling and Steve Finley in the infamous trade with the Astros in the 1990-91 offseason for Glenn Davis . Harnisch would eventually spend 14 seasons in the majors with the Orioles, Astros, Mets and Reds.
His debut didn't go particularly well. He walked Wade Boggs to start the game but got out of the first without giving up any runs. He gave up two singles in the second but again didn't give up a run. His luck ran out in the third. Boggs lead off the inning with a double and was sacrificed to third on a bunt by Marty Barrett. Dwight Evans flew out for the second out but Harnisch then walked Mike Greenwell and Ellis Burks to load the bases. Jim Rice then unloaded them by crushing a grand slam to deep left-center field. Surprisingly Orioles manager Frank Robinson left Harnisch in the game and he struck out Larry Parrish to end the inning.
Mickey Tettleton got the Birds on the board in the fourth inning with a two RBI double that cut the Red Sox lead in half. Harnisch rewarded his manager for his patience by settling down and retiring the Red Sox in order over the next three innings. But in the seventh inning he gave up another run on a pair of doubles by Jody Reed and Boggs to put the Sox up 5-2. This would prove costly as the Orioles cashed in on doubles by Joe Orsulak, Eddie Murray and Larry Sheets to score two runs in the top of eight, cutting the Red Sox lead to 5-4.
The Orioles now finally went to the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth, bringing in Mark Williamson to replace Harnish. Williamson ended up giving up a final run to Boston on an RBI single by Reed. Lee Smith closed out the game for his 25th save on the season. Harnisch ended up going 7 innings in his debut, giving up five runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts and took the loss.
Outcome: L
Score: 4-6
Streak: L2
Record: 51-92
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
Tonight's starting pitcher for the Orioles was another player making his major league debut. Pete Harnisch had been a first round pick for Baltimore in the 1987 draft out of Fordham University and had rapidly moved through the minors. He started the 1988 season in Double A with Charlotte and after 20 started moved up to Triple A Rochester. He would end up packaged with his fellow 1988 MLB debuter Curt Schilling and Steve Finley in the infamous trade with the Astros in the 1990-91 offseason for Glenn Davis . Harnisch would eventually spend 14 seasons in the majors with the Orioles, Astros, Mets and Reds.
His debut didn't go particularly well. He walked Wade Boggs to start the game but got out of the first without giving up any runs. He gave up two singles in the second but again didn't give up a run. His luck ran out in the third. Boggs lead off the inning with a double and was sacrificed to third on a bunt by Marty Barrett. Dwight Evans flew out for the second out but Harnisch then walked Mike Greenwell and Ellis Burks to load the bases. Jim Rice then unloaded them by crushing a grand slam to deep left-center field. Surprisingly Orioles manager Frank Robinson left Harnisch in the game and he struck out Larry Parrish to end the inning.
Mickey Tettleton got the Birds on the board in the fourth inning with a two RBI double that cut the Red Sox lead in half. Harnisch rewarded his manager for his patience by settling down and retiring the Red Sox in order over the next three innings. But in the seventh inning he gave up another run on a pair of doubles by Jody Reed and Boggs to put the Sox up 5-2. This would prove costly as the Orioles cashed in on doubles by Joe Orsulak, Eddie Murray and Larry Sheets to score two runs in the top of eight, cutting the Red Sox lead to 5-4.
The Orioles now finally went to the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth, bringing in Mark Williamson to replace Harnish. Williamson ended up giving up a final run to Boston on an RBI single by Reed. Lee Smith closed out the game for his 25th save on the season. Harnisch ended up going 7 innings in his debut, giving up five runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts and took the loss.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Monday September 12 at the Red Soc
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L1
Record: 51-91
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Curt Schilling made his second career start this evening - it didn't go as well tonight as his first start against the Red Sox went last week. He walked Wade Boggs on four pitches to start the game and gave up a single to the second hitter Marty Barrett. His third pitch to Dwight Evans got by catcher Mickey Tettleton and both runners moved up but ultimately it didn't matter because Evans drew a walk on four pitches as well to load the bases. Schilling got a break when Mike Greenwell hit a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken who was able to convert it into a double play although Boggs scored on the play. Ellis Burks followed with a single that brought Barrett in for the second run of the inning. With Todd Benzinger at the plate Schilling attempted to pick off Burks at first but he threw the ball away - Burks made it all the way to third on the throwing error. Two pitches later Burks came in to score when Schilling threw a wild pitch. Benzinger then mercifully struck out to end the inning. Boston scored three runs on two hits, two walks, an error, a passed ball and a wild pitch.
The second inning went only a little better for Schilling. After Larry Parrish flied out to start the inning Jody Reed hit a double. Rich Gedman flew out for the second out but Boggs hit an RBI single to score Reed. When Barrett followed with another single, Orioles manager Frank Robinson had seen enough. Doug Sisk came in to relieve Schilling and got Evans to fly out to end the inning. In the next inning Sisk gave up another run on an RBI double by Benzinger. The Red Sox led 5-0 after three innings.
Meanwhile Bruce Hurst was pitching pretty well for the Red Sox this evening. He scattered eight hits over the first six innings and struck out seven. But he ran into some trouble in the seventh inning. Tettleton started the inning with a single and after Ken Gerhart and Rick Schu flew out Pete Stanicek drew a walk. The Red Sox went to their bullpen and brought in Dennis Lamp. Lamp gave up a single to pinch hitter Larry Sheets to load the bases, then uncorked a wild pitch to bring Tettleton in with the Birds' first (and ultimately only) run of the game. Lamp got Cal Ripken to fly out to end the threat. Boston would get the run back in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Reed to make the final score 6-1. Hurst earned his 17th win of the season.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L1
Record: 51-91
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Curt Schilling made his second career start this evening - it didn't go as well tonight as his first start against the Red Sox went last week. He walked Wade Boggs on four pitches to start the game and gave up a single to the second hitter Marty Barrett. His third pitch to Dwight Evans got by catcher Mickey Tettleton and both runners moved up but ultimately it didn't matter because Evans drew a walk on four pitches as well to load the bases. Schilling got a break when Mike Greenwell hit a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken who was able to convert it into a double play although Boggs scored on the play. Ellis Burks followed with a single that brought Barrett in for the second run of the inning. With Todd Benzinger at the plate Schilling attempted to pick off Burks at first but he threw the ball away - Burks made it all the way to third on the throwing error. Two pitches later Burks came in to score when Schilling threw a wild pitch. Benzinger then mercifully struck out to end the inning. Boston scored three runs on two hits, two walks, an error, a passed ball and a wild pitch.
The second inning went only a little better for Schilling. After Larry Parrish flied out to start the inning Jody Reed hit a double. Rich Gedman flew out for the second out but Boggs hit an RBI single to score Reed. When Barrett followed with another single, Orioles manager Frank Robinson had seen enough. Doug Sisk came in to relieve Schilling and got Evans to fly out to end the inning. In the next inning Sisk gave up another run on an RBI double by Benzinger. The Red Sox led 5-0 after three innings.
Meanwhile Bruce Hurst was pitching pretty well for the Red Sox this evening. He scattered eight hits over the first six innings and struck out seven. But he ran into some trouble in the seventh inning. Tettleton started the inning with a single and after Ken Gerhart and Rick Schu flew out Pete Stanicek drew a walk. The Red Sox went to their bullpen and brought in Dennis Lamp. Lamp gave up a single to pinch hitter Larry Sheets to load the bases, then uncorked a wild pitch to bring Tettleton in with the Birds' first (and ultimately only) run of the game. Lamp got Cal Ripken to fly out to end the threat. Boston would get the run back in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Reed to make the final score 6-1. Hurst earned his 17th win of the season.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Sunday September 11 vs the Blue Jays
Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
Outcome: W
Score: 4-2
Streak: W2
Record: 51-90
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
Outcome: W
Score: 4-2
Streak: W2
Record: 51-90
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
For the third game in a row Toronto got on the board in the top of the first inning. Today Lloyd Moseby had a solo home run and Ernie Whitt had an RBI single to put the Jays up 2-0. But that would be all the runs that Toronto would get this afternoon.
Toronto's lead was short-lived. An Eddie Murray double in the bottom of the first brought Cal Ripken in with the Birds' first run of the game and the O's scored two more in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Rick Schu and an RBI ground out with the bases loaded by Bill Ripken. The Birds extended their lead to 4-2 on a Joe Orsulak pinch hit RBI single in the 7th.
Meanwhile the Orioles pitching was shutting down the Blue Jays. After giving up four hits in the first inning, Baltimore starter Dave Schmidt and reliever Mark Thurmond only gave up four more hits the rest of the game and didn't issue any walks.
This was the last time the Orioles would win consecutive games in the 1988 season.
Monday, September 10, 2018
Saturday September 10 vs the Blue Jays
Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
Outcome: W
Score: 7-4
Streak: W1
Record: 50-90
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Toronto got things going this evening early. For the second consecutive game George Bell got an RBI in the top of the first - tonight it was an RBI single rather than a two run home run. And for the second consecutive evening the Orioles got a run in the bottom of the first - this time it was an RBI single by Eddie Murray. The score was tied 1-1 after one.
Toronto went ahead 2-1 in the top of the sixth on an RBI groundout by Tony Fernandez but the Orioles came back big time in the bottom of the inning. Jim Traber led off the frame with a double and Rick Schu followed with a single. Pete Stanicek then knocked in Traber with the tying run with a single. With Bill Ripken at the plate the O's pulled a double steal with both Schu and Stanicek moving up a base. Ripken then hit a ground ball to third baseman Kelly Gruber who made an error on his throw to first that allowed Ripken to make it all the way to second. Schu scored on the play to give the O's the lead although Stanicek only made it to third. Cal Ripken was intentionally walked to load the bases and Eddie Murray lofted a sacrifice fly that was deep enough to not only score Stanicek from third but also allowed both Ripkens to move up a base. Toronto starter Jeff Musselman's last act in the game was then to intentionally walk Mickey Tettleton to re-load the bases. Musselman was then replaced by Frank Willis who was greeted with a double by pinch hitter Joe Orsulak that scored both Ripkens and sent Tettleton to third. A sacrifice fly from Ken Gerhart plated Tettleton with the O's sixth run of the evening before Traber ended the inning he had started with a double with a line out. Baltimore now lead 7-2.
Toronto made it a little interesting in the ninth. Orioles closer Tom Neidenfuer came in to pitch despite it not being a save situation. Fred McGriff and Gruber hit back-to-back solo home runs to start the inning and after Tony Fernandez singled following a Manny Lee strikeout, Orioles manager Frank Robinson decided to replace Neidenfuer with Mark Thurmond who got Lloyd Moseby to groundout and move Fernandez to second. Robinson again went to the bullpen and brought in Mark Williamson to get the final out - a line out from pinch hitter Rick Leach.
I was at this game - I spent the weekend in Delaware and Sabra and I came down to Baltimore for the game. I don't have any newspaper clippings for this game for some reason - I'm guessing I came back home too late on Sunday to get that day's Sun paper.
Outcome: W
Score: 7-4
Streak: W1
Record: 50-90
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Toronto got things going this evening early. For the second consecutive game George Bell got an RBI in the top of the first - tonight it was an RBI single rather than a two run home run. And for the second consecutive evening the Orioles got a run in the bottom of the first - this time it was an RBI single by Eddie Murray. The score was tied 1-1 after one.
Toronto went ahead 2-1 in the top of the sixth on an RBI groundout by Tony Fernandez but the Orioles came back big time in the bottom of the inning. Jim Traber led off the frame with a double and Rick Schu followed with a single. Pete Stanicek then knocked in Traber with the tying run with a single. With Bill Ripken at the plate the O's pulled a double steal with both Schu and Stanicek moving up a base. Ripken then hit a ground ball to third baseman Kelly Gruber who made an error on his throw to first that allowed Ripken to make it all the way to second. Schu scored on the play to give the O's the lead although Stanicek only made it to third. Cal Ripken was intentionally walked to load the bases and Eddie Murray lofted a sacrifice fly that was deep enough to not only score Stanicek from third but also allowed both Ripkens to move up a base. Toronto starter Jeff Musselman's last act in the game was then to intentionally walk Mickey Tettleton to re-load the bases. Musselman was then replaced by Frank Willis who was greeted with a double by pinch hitter Joe Orsulak that scored both Ripkens and sent Tettleton to third. A sacrifice fly from Ken Gerhart plated Tettleton with the O's sixth run of the evening before Traber ended the inning he had started with a double with a line out. Baltimore now lead 7-2.
Toronto made it a little interesting in the ninth. Orioles closer Tom Neidenfuer came in to pitch despite it not being a save situation. Fred McGriff and Gruber hit back-to-back solo home runs to start the inning and after Tony Fernandez singled following a Manny Lee strikeout, Orioles manager Frank Robinson decided to replace Neidenfuer with Mark Thurmond who got Lloyd Moseby to groundout and move Fernandez to second. Robinson again went to the bullpen and brought in Mark Williamson to get the final out - a line out from pinch hitter Rick Leach.
I was at this game - I spent the weekend in Delaware and Sabra and I came down to Baltimore for the game. I don't have any newspaper clippings for this game for some reason - I'm guessing I came back home too late on Sunday to get that day's Sun paper.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Friday September 9 vs the Blue Jays
Opponent: Toronto Blue Jays
Outcome: L
Score: 1-8
Streak: L1
Record: 49-90
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Not a lot to say about this game - the O's really took it on the chin. George Bell had a two run home run in the top of the first to put the Jays up 2-0 and despite Joe Orsulak leading off the bottom of the first with a home run of his own, it pretty much was downhill for the Birds after that. Toronto scored single runs in the second and third off RBI singles by Kelly Gruber and Ernie Whitt respectively before blowing the game open with four runs in the sixth inning. The loss was Baltimore's 90th of the season - this was the first time since the team's first two seasons in Maryland (1954-55) that they had lost 90 games in two consecutive seasons.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-8
Streak: L1
Record: 49-90
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Not a lot to say about this game - the O's really took it on the chin. George Bell had a two run home run in the top of the first to put the Jays up 2-0 and despite Joe Orsulak leading off the bottom of the first with a home run of his own, it pretty much was downhill for the Birds after that. Toronto scored single runs in the second and third off RBI singles by Kelly Gruber and Ernie Whitt respectively before blowing the game open with four runs in the sixth inning. The loss was Baltimore's 90th of the season - this was the first time since the team's first two seasons in Maryland (1954-55) that they had lost 90 games in two consecutive seasons.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Thursday September 8 - Off Day
The Orioles were off today as they waited for the Toronto Blue Jays to come to town for a week end series.
Friday, September 7, 2018
Wednesday September 7 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 49-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The starting pitcher for the Orioles tonight was one of the players they had gotten from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade a little over a month earlier who was making his major league debut. Curt Schilling would go on to have a 20 year major league career, winning 216 games and three World Series championships. I'm going to avoid talking about his politics because for the purposes of this blog I want to concentrate on what he did on the field. He ended his career with 3116 strikeouts - here's the first one, against Todd Benzinger in the second inning:
The Orioles got Schilling an early run on a sacrifice fly from Ken Gerhart in the bottom of the second but Boston tied it up on a solo home run from Ellis Burks in the fourth. The Red Sox took the lead in the fifth on a bases loaded double from Dwight Evans that brought in two runs. The Orioles cut the lead to 3-2 on an RBI single by Jim Traber in the bottom of the seventh.
And that's how it stood going into the bottom of the ninth with Lee Smith, the Red Sox ace closer on the mound. But the Orioles had one of their few 1988 miracles happen this night. Smith struck out Brady Anderson to open the inning but then gave up a single to Traber. Smith then complained of a crick in his neck and had to be replaced on the mound by Bob Stanley. Rick Schu came in to run for Traber. Maybe because he had to rush to get ready to pitch (or maybe just because he was Bob F*cking Stanley - sorry, just letting my inner 1980's Red Sox fan vent) Stanley couldn't throw a strike. He walked Larry Sheets on five pitches and Pete Stanicek on four pitches to load the bases. Bill Ripken then blooped a single down the right field line that scored Schu with the tying run. Red Sox manager Joe Morgan put his team into an unorthodox fielding alignment - he made left fielder Mike Greenwell into a fifth infielder, positioning him between shortstop Jody Reed and second base. Cal Ripken then hit what looked like a tailor-made double play ball right at Reed who throw to Marty Barrett at second to force Bill Ripken but Barrett's throw to first deflected off of first baseman Benzinger's glove while Sheets came across the plate with the winning run. It was their eighth walk off win of the season.
I was at the game that night of course. Here are the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 49-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The starting pitcher for the Orioles tonight was one of the players they had gotten from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade a little over a month earlier who was making his major league debut. Curt Schilling would go on to have a 20 year major league career, winning 216 games and three World Series championships. I'm going to avoid talking about his politics because for the purposes of this blog I want to concentrate on what he did on the field. He ended his career with 3116 strikeouts - here's the first one, against Todd Benzinger in the second inning:
The Orioles got Schilling an early run on a sacrifice fly from Ken Gerhart in the bottom of the second but Boston tied it up on a solo home run from Ellis Burks in the fourth. The Red Sox took the lead in the fifth on a bases loaded double from Dwight Evans that brought in two runs. The Orioles cut the lead to 3-2 on an RBI single by Jim Traber in the bottom of the seventh.
And that's how it stood going into the bottom of the ninth with Lee Smith, the Red Sox ace closer on the mound. But the Orioles had one of their few 1988 miracles happen this night. Smith struck out Brady Anderson to open the inning but then gave up a single to Traber. Smith then complained of a crick in his neck and had to be replaced on the mound by Bob Stanley. Rick Schu came in to run for Traber. Maybe because he had to rush to get ready to pitch (or maybe just because he was Bob F*cking Stanley - sorry, just letting my inner 1980's Red Sox fan vent) Stanley couldn't throw a strike. He walked Larry Sheets on five pitches and Pete Stanicek on four pitches to load the bases. Bill Ripken then blooped a single down the right field line that scored Schu with the tying run. Red Sox manager Joe Morgan put his team into an unorthodox fielding alignment - he made left fielder Mike Greenwell into a fifth infielder, positioning him between shortstop Jody Reed and second base. Cal Ripken then hit what looked like a tailor-made double play ball right at Reed who throw to Marty Barrett at second to force Bill Ripken but Barrett's throw to first deflected off of first baseman Benzinger's glove while Sheets came across the plate with the winning run. It was their eighth walk off win of the season.
I was at the game that night of course. Here are the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Tuesday September 6 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 6-1
Streak: L2
Record: 48-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett had been a bit a thorn in the side of the Orioles this season. It wasn't that he hit a bunch of home runs against them or anything - it was just that he seemed to outsmart them all season with odd little plays. The big ones were the straight steal of home off Jeff Ballard back on June 16th and pulling the hidden ball trick on Jim Traber in yesterday's game. And then there was tonight. With one out in the first inning Barrett hit a single off of Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. With a 3-2 count on Dwight Evans at the plate, Barrett broke for second. Evans swung at the pitch, striking out and O's catcher Terry Kennedy threw to Bill Ripken covering at second to try to catch Barrett. The throw beat Barrett to the bag but Barrett stopped his slide just short of the bag so Ripken's tag missed him. Barrett then popped up and stuck out his foot out onto the base. Safe!
I'm not sure I'm doing this slide justice so here's the video:
Barrett being on second put him in position to score when Mike Greenwell followed with a single. Ellis Burks hit another single to move Greenwell to third where he scored when Todd Benzinger hit Boston's fourth single of the inning. The Sox were up 2-0 after one.
Barrett factored in Boston's scoring in the second inning as well albeit in a more conventional way. The Red Sox loaded the bases with nobody out on a pair of singles by Jody Reed and Rich Gedman and a ground ball from Wade Boggs that Cal Ripken misplayed at shortstop for an error. Barrett lofted a sacrifice fly to left that brought Reed in with Boston's third run of the evening.
The Orioles got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly of their own off the bat of Cal Ripken. But a two run home run from Greenwell in the top of the fifth made if 5-1 Red Sox and they got their sixth run in the sixth on an RBI single from Evans. Meanwhile Wes Gardner was holding the Orioles to just the one run on five hits and two walks over nine innings, throwing a complete game en route to the victory.
Once again I was at the game. Here's the clippings from Wednesday's Evening Sun:
Outcome: L
Score: 6-1
Streak: L2
Record: 48-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett had been a bit a thorn in the side of the Orioles this season. It wasn't that he hit a bunch of home runs against them or anything - it was just that he seemed to outsmart them all season with odd little plays. The big ones were the straight steal of home off Jeff Ballard back on June 16th and pulling the hidden ball trick on Jim Traber in yesterday's game. And then there was tonight. With one out in the first inning Barrett hit a single off of Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. With a 3-2 count on Dwight Evans at the plate, Barrett broke for second. Evans swung at the pitch, striking out and O's catcher Terry Kennedy threw to Bill Ripken covering at second to try to catch Barrett. The throw beat Barrett to the bag but Barrett stopped his slide just short of the bag so Ripken's tag missed him. Barrett then popped up and stuck out his foot out onto the base. Safe!
I'm not sure I'm doing this slide justice so here's the video:
Barrett being on second put him in position to score when Mike Greenwell followed with a single. Ellis Burks hit another single to move Greenwell to third where he scored when Todd Benzinger hit Boston's fourth single of the inning. The Sox were up 2-0 after one.
Barrett factored in Boston's scoring in the second inning as well albeit in a more conventional way. The Red Sox loaded the bases with nobody out on a pair of singles by Jody Reed and Rich Gedman and a ground ball from Wade Boggs that Cal Ripken misplayed at shortstop for an error. Barrett lofted a sacrifice fly to left that brought Reed in with Boston's third run of the evening.
The Orioles got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly of their own off the bat of Cal Ripken. But a two run home run from Greenwell in the top of the fifth made if 5-1 Red Sox and they got their sixth run in the sixth on an RBI single from Evans. Meanwhile Wes Gardner was holding the Orioles to just the one run on five hits and two walks over nine innings, throwing a complete game en route to the victory.
Once again I was at the game. Here's the clippings from Wednesday's Evening Sun:
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Monday September 5 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 4-1
Streak: L1
Record: 48-88
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The Orioles returned home after 10 days on the road to face the Red Sox on Labor Day. A lot had changed for Boston since the Birds last faced them in June. I had previously mentioned that the Red Sox had fired manager John McNamara on July 14th just after the All Star break and replaced him with third base coach Joe Morgan (who was not the Joe Morgan of the 1970's Reds). The Red Sox promptly won 19 of their next 20 games (including their first 12 in a row under the new manager) and catapulted themselves from a fourth place tie with the Brewers to a first place tie with the Tigers on August 2. The Sox spent most of the month of August in second place but their victory over the Angels on September 4th combined with the Tigers loss to the Brewers put them back into a first place tie coming into tonight's game.
The Red Sox put a couple on the board early. Dwight Evans had an RBI single in the first and Larry Parrish (who the Red Sox had signed in mid-July after he'd been released by the Rangers) had a solo home run in the second to put the Sox up 2-0.
The key play of the night happened in the bottom of the second. Larry Sheets and Jim Traber started off the inning with back-to-back singles. Rene Gonzales attempted to move the two runners up with a sacrifice bunt but Sheets was thrown out at third. Wade Boggs throw to first where Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett was covering was too late to double up Gonzales. Bill Ripken stepped into the batters box and Red Sox pitcher Mike Smithson stood behind the mound acting like he was getting ready to pitch. No one on the Orioles realized that Smithson didn't have the ball - Barrett still had it. He waited until Traber took a lead off of second then threw the ball to shortstop Jody Reed who tagged Traber out with a successful execution of the hidden ball trick. Ripken flew out to left to end the inning.
The Orioles had many opportunities to score in this game - they got 10 hits and three walks but left nine men on base and went 1-9 with runners in scoring position. They pushed across their lone run in the fifth. Gonzales and Bill Ripken hit back-to-back singles. After Joe Orsulak flew out Brady Anderson doubled, scoring Gonzales. Ripken stopped at third however and I think Anderson ended up overrunning second as the throw from Evans in right field was cut off by Smithson who threw to Reed to catch Anderson trying to get back to second. Cal Ripken then flew out to end the inning.
The Red Sox got a two run home run from Evans in the top of the ninth to make the score 4-1. Combined with Detroit's loss to Toronto the victory put the Red Sox into first place by themselves for the first time all season. They would not fall out of first the rest of the season although I don't think they actually clinched the division title until October 2nd, the last day of season. The loss by the Orioles mathematically eliminated them from the division race.
I was at this game - as I did in June I decided to go to all of the games the Red Sox were playing in Baltimore this week. Here's the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Outcome: L
Score: 4-1
Streak: L1
Record: 48-88
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The Orioles returned home after 10 days on the road to face the Red Sox on Labor Day. A lot had changed for Boston since the Birds last faced them in June. I had previously mentioned that the Red Sox had fired manager John McNamara on July 14th just after the All Star break and replaced him with third base coach Joe Morgan (who was not the Joe Morgan of the 1970's Reds). The Red Sox promptly won 19 of their next 20 games (including their first 12 in a row under the new manager) and catapulted themselves from a fourth place tie with the Brewers to a first place tie with the Tigers on August 2. The Sox spent most of the month of August in second place but their victory over the Angels on September 4th combined with the Tigers loss to the Brewers put them back into a first place tie coming into tonight's game.
The Red Sox put a couple on the board early. Dwight Evans had an RBI single in the first and Larry Parrish (who the Red Sox had signed in mid-July after he'd been released by the Rangers) had a solo home run in the second to put the Sox up 2-0.
The key play of the night happened in the bottom of the second. Larry Sheets and Jim Traber started off the inning with back-to-back singles. Rene Gonzales attempted to move the two runners up with a sacrifice bunt but Sheets was thrown out at third. Wade Boggs throw to first where Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett was covering was too late to double up Gonzales. Bill Ripken stepped into the batters box and Red Sox pitcher Mike Smithson stood behind the mound acting like he was getting ready to pitch. No one on the Orioles realized that Smithson didn't have the ball - Barrett still had it. He waited until Traber took a lead off of second then threw the ball to shortstop Jody Reed who tagged Traber out with a successful execution of the hidden ball trick. Ripken flew out to left to end the inning.
The Orioles had many opportunities to score in this game - they got 10 hits and three walks but left nine men on base and went 1-9 with runners in scoring position. They pushed across their lone run in the fifth. Gonzales and Bill Ripken hit back-to-back singles. After Joe Orsulak flew out Brady Anderson doubled, scoring Gonzales. Ripken stopped at third however and I think Anderson ended up overrunning second as the throw from Evans in right field was cut off by Smithson who threw to Reed to catch Anderson trying to get back to second. Cal Ripken then flew out to end the inning.
The Red Sox got a two run home run from Evans in the top of the ninth to make the score 4-1. Combined with Detroit's loss to Toronto the victory put the Red Sox into first place by themselves for the first time all season. They would not fall out of first the rest of the season although I don't think they actually clinched the division title until October 2nd, the last day of season. The loss by the Orioles mathematically eliminated them from the division race.
I was at this game - as I did in June I decided to go to all of the games the Red Sox were playing in Baltimore this week. Here's the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Sunday September 4 at the Mariners
Opponent: Seattle Mariners
Outcome: W
Score: 6-4
Streak: W1
Record: 48-87
Rank: 7th
GB: 26.5
This afternoon's game was played before an announced crowd of 6, 503, the smallest attendance of any game the Orioles played all season. To be fair I'm sure a lot of people in the Pacific Northwest had more attractive options on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend then spending a couple hours in the Kingdome watching two of the worst teams in baseball playing.
The fans that did attend that day got to see five home runs hit between the two teams. Bill Ripken hit the first of these - a two run shot - in the third to put the Birds up 2-0. The Orioles extended their lead to 4-0 on a pair of runs in the fourth that were NOT scored on home runs - one was on an RBI groundout by Jim Traber and the other was on a single by Terry Kennedy.
The Mariners got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run from Alvin Davis. They added a second run in the fifth on an RBI single by Mickey Brantley and cut the O's lead to just one run on a solo home run from Jay Buhner in the sixth. But the Orioles hit their second two run home run of the day - this one off the bat of Joe Orsulak - to extend their lead to 6-3. A Steve Balboni solo home run in the eighth off of Gregg Olson (Olson's first home run given up in the majors) made the score 6-4 and that's how it ended.
This was the final game that the Orioles would play against Seattle this season. The Mariners were the only team that the O's had a winning record against in 1988 - they went 7-5 in 12 games against them.
I was still up in Delaware on this day. Sabra and I got together again and went to see a movie that afternoon ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit?") before hanging out over at my friend Linda's house.
Outcome: W
Score: 6-4
Streak: W1
Record: 48-87
Rank: 7th
GB: 26.5
This afternoon's game was played before an announced crowd of 6, 503, the smallest attendance of any game the Orioles played all season. To be fair I'm sure a lot of people in the Pacific Northwest had more attractive options on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend then spending a couple hours in the Kingdome watching two of the worst teams in baseball playing.
The fans that did attend that day got to see five home runs hit between the two teams. Bill Ripken hit the first of these - a two run shot - in the third to put the Birds up 2-0. The Orioles extended their lead to 4-0 on a pair of runs in the fourth that were NOT scored on home runs - one was on an RBI groundout by Jim Traber and the other was on a single by Terry Kennedy.
The Mariners got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run from Alvin Davis. They added a second run in the fifth on an RBI single by Mickey Brantley and cut the O's lead to just one run on a solo home run from Jay Buhner in the sixth. But the Orioles hit their second two run home run of the day - this one off the bat of Joe Orsulak - to extend their lead to 6-3. A Steve Balboni solo home run in the eighth off of Gregg Olson (Olson's first home run given up in the majors) made the score 6-4 and that's how it ended.
This was the final game that the Orioles would play against Seattle this season. The Mariners were the only team that the O's had a winning record against in 1988 - they went 7-5 in 12 games against them.
I was still up in Delaware on this day. Sabra and I got together again and went to see a movie that afternoon ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit?") before hanging out over at my friend Linda's house.
Monday, September 3, 2018
Saturday September 3 at the Mariners
Opponent: Seattle Mariners
Outcome: L
Score: 0-1
Streak: L1
Record: 47-87
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
Tonight's game lasted just one hour and 45 minutes, the shortest game the Orioles played all season. As you might expect there wasn't a whole lot of action in the game - the two teams combined for only seven hits. The Mariners were the only team that managed to score a run - they capitalized on a pair of doubles by Jim Presley and Mickey Brantley in the sixth to plate the only run of the game. Mark Langston struck out eight Orioles en route to a complete game win while Jose Bautista took the tough complete game loss for the Birds.
It was the thirteenth time the Orioles had been shut out this season but it was also the first time in almost a month and a half. The last time they were shut out was on July 19th against the White Sox.
Outcome: L
Score: 0-1
Streak: L1
Record: 47-87
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
Tonight's game lasted just one hour and 45 minutes, the shortest game the Orioles played all season. As you might expect there wasn't a whole lot of action in the game - the two teams combined for only seven hits. The Mariners were the only team that managed to score a run - they capitalized on a pair of doubles by Jim Presley and Mickey Brantley in the sixth to plate the only run of the game. Mark Langston struck out eight Orioles en route to a complete game win while Jose Bautista took the tough complete game loss for the Birds.
It was the thirteenth time the Orioles had been shut out this season but it was also the first time in almost a month and a half. The last time they were shut out was on July 19th against the White Sox.
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Friday September 2 at the Mariners
Opponent: Seattle Mariners
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 47-86
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
Tonight's game initially looked positive for the Orioles, then looked bleak for a while and then abruptly turned out well for them. Joe Orsulak started the night off right for Baltimore by homering to lead off the game. But Seattle tied it up in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Steve Balboni. A Rey Quinones RBI double in the second inning gave the M's the lead and Harold Reynolds extended that lead with a solo home run in the seventh.
History was made in the bottom of the eighth. Alvin Davis singled to start the inning and Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to his bullpen to replace Mark Thurmond. His choice was Gregg Olson, the Orioles first round pick (and fourth overall) in June's amateur draft. Olson was the first of the 1988 draft picks to make his major league debut. He struck out the first batter he faced (Balboni) then gave up a single to Scott Bradley who was thrown out at second attempting to get an extra base. He walked Jay Buhner but was able to strike out Jim Presley to end the inning.
The Orioles rallied in the top of the ninth. Mariners starter Mike Moore was still on the mound at this point but he was replaced by Mike Schooler after Eddie Murray singled to start the inning. After Mickey Tettleton struck out Larry Sheets singled to put the tying run on base (and Butch Davis came in to run for him). But Jim Traber struck out and the Orioles were down to their final out. A walk to pinch hitter Terry Kennedy loaded the bases though and Pete Stanicek came through with a two RBI single to tie up the game. Seattle went back to their bullpen and brought in Bill Wilkinson but Joe Orsulak greeted him with a single that brought Rick Schu (who had pinch run for Kennedy) in with the go-ahead run. Finally Wilkinson got Brady Anderson to fly out to end the inning.
Orioles closer Tom Niedenfuer came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and he kept the Mariners off the board for his 16th save of the season. Olson got the win in his big league debut.
I went up to Delaware this evening for my blind date with Sabra. It's funny - Sabra is an unusual name and I didn't think I had ever seen it before. But I stopped off at my parent's house before picking Sabra up and I noticed a bird watching book that my folks had had for years was sitting out - one of the author's names was "Sabra". Also the Phillies had just picked up a pitcher named Bob Sebra from the Expos the day before and there was a copy of sports section of the Philadelphia Inquirer sitting on my parent's kitchen table with the headline "Sebra's New for The Phillies" or something like that. I picked her up at her apartment and we went out for dinner and ice cream and hung out for a while talking. We hit it off pretty well and made plans to meet up again.
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 47-86
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
Tonight's game initially looked positive for the Orioles, then looked bleak for a while and then abruptly turned out well for them. Joe Orsulak started the night off right for Baltimore by homering to lead off the game. But Seattle tied it up in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Steve Balboni. A Rey Quinones RBI double in the second inning gave the M's the lead and Harold Reynolds extended that lead with a solo home run in the seventh.
History was made in the bottom of the eighth. Alvin Davis singled to start the inning and Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to his bullpen to replace Mark Thurmond. His choice was Gregg Olson, the Orioles first round pick (and fourth overall) in June's amateur draft. Olson was the first of the 1988 draft picks to make his major league debut. He struck out the first batter he faced (Balboni) then gave up a single to Scott Bradley who was thrown out at second attempting to get an extra base. He walked Jay Buhner but was able to strike out Jim Presley to end the inning.
The Orioles rallied in the top of the ninth. Mariners starter Mike Moore was still on the mound at this point but he was replaced by Mike Schooler after Eddie Murray singled to start the inning. After Mickey Tettleton struck out Larry Sheets singled to put the tying run on base (and Butch Davis came in to run for him). But Jim Traber struck out and the Orioles were down to their final out. A walk to pinch hitter Terry Kennedy loaded the bases though and Pete Stanicek came through with a two RBI single to tie up the game. Seattle went back to their bullpen and brought in Bill Wilkinson but Joe Orsulak greeted him with a single that brought Rick Schu (who had pinch run for Kennedy) in with the go-ahead run. Finally Wilkinson got Brady Anderson to fly out to end the inning.
Orioles closer Tom Niedenfuer came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and he kept the Mariners off the board for his 16th save of the season. Olson got the win in his big league debut.
I went up to Delaware this evening for my blind date with Sabra. It's funny - Sabra is an unusual name and I didn't think I had ever seen it before. But I stopped off at my parent's house before picking Sabra up and I noticed a bird watching book that my folks had had for years was sitting out - one of the author's names was "Sabra". Also the Phillies had just picked up a pitcher named Bob Sebra from the Expos the day before and there was a copy of sports section of the Philadelphia Inquirer sitting on my parent's kitchen table with the headline "Sebra's New for The Phillies" or something like that. I picked her up at her apartment and we went out for dinner and ice cream and hung out for a while talking. We hit it off pretty well and made plans to meet up again.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Thursday September 1 - Off Day
The Orioles were off on Thursday, September 1st. They spent the day in Seattle preparing for a three game series against the Mariners starting on Friday.
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