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.