Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: L
Score: 5-7
Streak: L1
Record: 46-86
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
The Orioles made a trade before the game today, sending veteran outfielder Fred Lynn to the Tigers in exchange for three players to be named later. Lynn had joined the Orioles as a free agent prior to the 1985 season after 10 years playing with the Red Sox and Angels. He played OK for the Birds but he was frequently injured during his almost four seasons with the team. The most games he ever played in a season for Baltimore was 124 in 1985. He had been one of my favorite players when he was with the Red Sox - the first year I followed baseball was 1975, the season in which he became the first player to ever win the Rookie Of The Year and MVP awards in the same season (Ichiro Suzuki is the only other player to do it) - and I was sad to see him leave the Orioles but I understood the move. He would spend the 1989 season in Detroit before returning to southern California in 1990 with the Padres for the final season of his career.
"Later" in the case of the three players the Orioles received for Lynn turned out to be September 9th when it was announced that they had received catcher Chris Hoiles and pitchers Cesar Mejia and Robinson Garces from Detroit. Neither Mejia or Garces ever played in the majors - in fact each of them only spent one season in the Orioles' organization (1989) and both were out of baseball (at least as active players) after 1990. Hoiles on the other hand became the regular catcher for the Birds during most of the 90's and was elected to the Orioles Hall Of Fame in 2006.
Tonight's game was exceptionally frustrating. The Orioles would get 16 batters on base tonight behind 14 hits and two walks but would only score five runs. They managed to only have six guys left on base however. How did they achieve this feat? They grounded into four double plays and had a runner picked off.
The Orioles came out of the gate swinging this evening. Joe Orsulak led off the game with a double and Brady Anderson followed with a bunt single. A Cal Ripken sacrifice fly brought Orsulak in with the first run of the game. After Eddie Murray popped out, Anderson stole second which allowed him to score on Larry Sheets' single. Jim Traber then connected for a two run home run to make it 4-0. Terry Kennedy followed with a single before Rene Gonzales grounded out to end the inning.
Orioles starter Jay Tibbs pitched very well over the first six innings of the game. He walked one batter and gave up two hits but ended up only facing one batter over the minimum through six innings due to Jim Eppard of the Angels grounding into two double plays. Unfortunately as I mentioned before the Orioles were having similar offensive issues of their own. A Cal Ripken lead off single in the third was immediately erased when Eddie Murray ground into a double play. In the fourth the Birds got two on with one out when Kennedy and Gonzales had back-to-back singles but Bill Ripken hit into an inning ending double play. The fifth inning was exceptionally egregious. Orsulak led off the inning with a single but was picked off of first immediately by Angels starter Wille Fraser. Anderson then walked but Cal Ripken followed with a ground ball to shortstop that the Angels converted into their third double play in three innings. The Orioles had gotten a single and a walk in the inning and yet still managed to finish the inning with having only sent three men to the plate.
Things fell apart for the Orioles in the bottom of the seventh. Johnny Ray broke up Tibbs' shutout by leading off the inning with a home run. Wally Joyner followed with a single and after Brian Downing popped out Chili Davis his a single as well to chase Tibbs from the mound.
Sometimes when a team makes a defensive replacement you'll sometimes hear announcers talking about how the ball will find the new guy. I'm not sure I've heard it with pitchers before but the ball found new Orioles reliever Doug Sisk - the first batter he faced (Tony Armas) hit a ground ball that Sisk fielded and made a bad throw to first on. Armas was safe and the bases were now loaded. Eppard made up for hitting into two double plays by lining a two RBI single. Orioles manager Frank Robinson pulled Sisk from the game and replaced him with Mark Thurmond who hit Jack Howell with a pitch to load the bases back up. Out went Thurmond and in came Mark Williamson. Dick Schofield greeted the new pitcher with a two RBI single to put the Angels up 5-4. Williamson managed to get Mark McLemore to line out and Ray to fly out to end the inning. The Angels sent 10 men to the plate and scored five runs on five hits, an error and a hit by pitch.
The Orioles came back in the eighth. George Hendrick had come in to play left field this inning and the ball immediately found him - Cal Ripken lined a shot into the gap between left and center field that Hendrick somehow misplayed. Cal ended up at third and was given credit for a double and Hendrick was charged with an error that allowed Cal the extra base. After Murray had a shallow fly out Pete Stanicek (who had replaced Sheets in left the previous inning) singled to score Cal with the game tying run. But Jim Traber grounded into the Birds' fourth double play of the evening to end the threat.
Joyner led off the Angel's half of the eighth with a double and moved to third on Downing's ground out. Williamson issued an intentional walk to Davis to set up a double play but Armas foiled that plan by lining a double to put the Angels back on top. After Darrell Miller (who had run for Eppard in the previous inning) struck out for the second out Williamson issued his second intentional walk of the inning - this time to Jack Howell. This loaded the bases for Schofield who was able to work a walk to force in a run and extend the Angels' lead to two. Finally Williamson got McLemore to fly out to end the inning.
The Orioles would manage to get a couple runners on base in the ninth but they failed to score. On the plus side though they at least failed with out the benefit of yet another double play.
The loss brought what had been the Orioles best month by far of the season to an end on a sour note. The Birds almost managed to break even in August, going 14-15 on the month. They actually outscored their opponents 120-117 this month. Unfortunately they would not sustain this improvement over the final month of the season.
My friend Steve had moved from Delaware to Boston without having introduced me to Sabra, the woman that he thought I should meet. But he gave me her phone number and told me that he told her that I would be calling. I'm a fairly shy person and the thought of cold calling someone like this terrified me but I called her this evening and she turned out to be very nice. We ended up talking on the phone for almost two hours and set up a date to go out to dinner on Friday up in Delaware.
Showing posts with label Angels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Angels. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2018
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Tuesday August 30 at the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: W
Score: 5-2
Streak: W1
Record: 46-85
Rank: 7th
GB: 28
It apparently was solo home run night out at the Big A this evening as the two teams combined to hit four solo shots. Luckily for the Orioles they got some runs from other sources as well.
Eddie Murray kicked off the scoring with a lead off home run in the top of the second. Mickey Tettleton and Fred Lynn (in his last game as an Oriole) followed with back to back singles and Brady Anderson moved them up to third and second respectively with a sacrifice bunt. Rene Gonzales brought them both in to score on a single. After Bill Ripken lined out for the second out of the inning Gonzales stole second with Joe Orsulak at the plate, putting him into position to score on Orsulak's single two pitches later. After Pete Stanicek walked Cal Ripken grounded out to end the inning - the Orioles had batted around though, scoring four runs on five hits and a walk.
All the rest of the scoring in the game was on the other three solo home runs. The Angels cut the Birds' lead in half with solo shots from Chili Davis and Wally Joyner in the second and third innings but the Orioles extended their lead to three with a home run off the bat of Orsulak in the fourth.
Outcome: W
Score: 5-2
Streak: W1
Record: 46-85
Rank: 7th
GB: 28
It apparently was solo home run night out at the Big A this evening as the two teams combined to hit four solo shots. Luckily for the Orioles they got some runs from other sources as well.
Eddie Murray kicked off the scoring with a lead off home run in the top of the second. Mickey Tettleton and Fred Lynn (in his last game as an Oriole) followed with back to back singles and Brady Anderson moved them up to third and second respectively with a sacrifice bunt. Rene Gonzales brought them both in to score on a single. After Bill Ripken lined out for the second out of the inning Gonzales stole second with Joe Orsulak at the plate, putting him into position to score on Orsulak's single two pitches later. After Pete Stanicek walked Cal Ripken grounded out to end the inning - the Orioles had batted around though, scoring four runs on five hits and a walk.
All the rest of the scoring in the game was on the other three solo home runs. The Angels cut the Birds' lead in half with solo shots from Chili Davis and Wally Joyner in the second and third innings but the Orioles extended their lead to three with a home run off the bat of Orsulak in the fourth.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Monday August 29 at the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L1
Record: 45-85
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
The Orioles made a trade before today's game, sending Jim Dwyer to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later (who was announced as pitcher Doug Kline two days later). Dwyer had joined the Orioles as a free agent prior to the 1981 season and established himself as one of the best pinch hitters in baseball. The highlight of his Orioles career was probably the home run he hit in Game One of the 1983 World Series.
Tonight's game featured a somewhat rare event - both pitchers throw complete games although since the Orioles lost Jeff Ballard only threw eight innings. The Angels drew first blood in this game. They loaded the bases with one out in the third inning on two singles (by Dick Schofield and Jack Howell) and walk (to Devon White). Johnny Ray then hit a ground ball up the middle that Bill Ripken fielded and then stepped on second to force White. But he threw the ball away when trying for the double play which allowed Howell to score and Ray to end up on second. The Angels led 2-0.
The Orioles cut California's lead in half in the fifth. Fred Lynn led off with a single and went to third on Terry Kennedy's single. Rene Gonzales then grounded into a double play but Lynn was able to score on the play. Brady Anderson followed with a single but was thrown out at second trying to extend it to a double to end the inning.
A Tony Armas solo home run leading off the seventh pushed the Angels lead back up to two but the Orioles managed to score a run on a ground out again in the eighth. The Angels picked up a final run in the ninth on a pair of singles by Thad Bosley and Brian Downing that were separated by a couple ground outs that allowed Bosley to get to third.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L1
Record: 45-85
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
The Orioles made a trade before today's game, sending Jim Dwyer to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later (who was announced as pitcher Doug Kline two days later). Dwyer had joined the Orioles as a free agent prior to the 1981 season and established himself as one of the best pinch hitters in baseball. The highlight of his Orioles career was probably the home run he hit in Game One of the 1983 World Series.
Tonight's game featured a somewhat rare event - both pitchers throw complete games although since the Orioles lost Jeff Ballard only threw eight innings. The Angels drew first blood in this game. They loaded the bases with one out in the third inning on two singles (by Dick Schofield and Jack Howell) and walk (to Devon White). Johnny Ray then hit a ground ball up the middle that Bill Ripken fielded and then stepped on second to force White. But he threw the ball away when trying for the double play which allowed Howell to score and Ray to end up on second. The Angels led 2-0.
The Orioles cut California's lead in half in the fifth. Fred Lynn led off with a single and went to third on Terry Kennedy's single. Rene Gonzales then grounded into a double play but Lynn was able to score on the play. Brady Anderson followed with a single but was thrown out at second trying to extend it to a double to end the inning.
A Tony Armas solo home run leading off the seventh pushed the Angels lead back up to two but the Orioles managed to score a run on a ground out again in the eighth. The Angels picked up a final run in the ninth on a pair of singles by Thad Bosley and Brian Downing that were separated by a couple ground outs that allowed Bosley to get to third.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Sunday August 21 vs the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: L
Score: 2-3
Streak: L1
Record: 42-81
Rank: 7th
GB: 31
Both teams must have been a little tired this afternoon after the previous night's late inning dramatics as neither team mounted much of a threat through the first half of the game. Finally the Angels scored a couple runs in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Jack Howell and a Thad Bosley sacrifice fly. Joe Orsulak led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to cut the Angels' lead in half but California put another run on the board in the next inning on a sacrifice fly from Chili Davis. The Orioles got one more run in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly of their own by Pete Stanicek but they couldn't get any closer than that one run. With the 3-2 loss their modest 3 game winning streak came to an end.
I spent this weekend up in Delaware at my parent's house. My friend Linda had had a party at her house on Saturday night and my friend Steve was going to be DJ-ing it. I was hoping that he'd bring the woman he'd wanted me to meet - Sabra - with him but she had family in town and wasn't able to come. I was wondering if I'd ever get to meet her as Steve was moving to Boston at the end of the month which was now about ten days away.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-3
Streak: L1
Record: 42-81
Rank: 7th
GB: 31
Both teams must have been a little tired this afternoon after the previous night's late inning dramatics as neither team mounted much of a threat through the first half of the game. Finally the Angels scored a couple runs in the sixth inning on an RBI double by Jack Howell and a Thad Bosley sacrifice fly. Joe Orsulak led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to cut the Angels' lead in half but California put another run on the board in the next inning on a sacrifice fly from Chili Davis. The Orioles got one more run in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly of their own by Pete Stanicek but they couldn't get any closer than that one run. With the 3-2 loss their modest 3 game winning streak came to an end.
I spent this weekend up in Delaware at my parent's house. My friend Linda had had a party at her house on Saturday night and my friend Steve was going to be DJ-ing it. I was hoping that he'd bring the woman he'd wanted me to meet - Sabra - with him but she had family in town and wasn't able to come. I was wondering if I'd ever get to meet her as Steve was moving to Boston at the end of the month which was now about ten days away.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Saturday August 20 vs the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: W
Score: 3-2
Streak: W3
Record: 42-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
The Orioles were either behind the Angels or tied with them up until the last batter of the game but it all turned out all right in the end. Devon White led off the game for the Angels with a home run to put the Angels up 1-0 after one. The Orioles tied it in the fourth on an RBI single from Jim Traber. And that's the way it stood through the remainder of the first nine innings. Both teams mounted threats - the Angels left the bases loaded in the fifth while the O's had runners on second and third with one out in the seventh - but neither team could put another run on the board until extra innings.
In the top of the eleventh inning Chili Davis hit a single to lead off for the Angels and Thad Bosley sacrificed him to second. Orioles pitcher Mark Williamson issued an intentional walk to Jack Howell to set up a force play but instead of hitting a ground ball Dick Schofield flew out to center, deep enough for Davis to move up to third. Pinch hitter Jim Eppard then doubled, scoring Davis and moving Howell to third. Williamson issued his second intentional walk to White, loading the bases for Mark McLemore who grounded out to end the inning. But the Angels now led 2-1.
The Angels' closer, Bryan Harvey, had pitched the previous couple innings so Angels manager Cookie Rojas brought Greg Minton in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh. Minton had been the closer for the Giants in the early 80's so he was no stranger to save situations. He struck out Cal Ripken to start the inning but then issued a walk to Eddie Murray. When Terry Kennedy hit a ground ball to McLemore at second it looked like it would be an easy game ending double play but McLemore booted the ball, leaving Murray safe at second and Kennedy safe at first. Pinch hitter Larry Sheets followed with a single that scored Murray with the tying run and moved Kennedy to third. Minton walked Traber intentionally to load the bases and set up a force at any base. But like Schofield in the top of the inning, instead of a ground ball pinch hitter Jim Dwyer lifted a fly ball to the outfield - left field in this case - that was deep enough to bring in Kennedy with the winning run.
This was the Orioles fifth walk off victory of the year but their first in over two months - their last one was June 17th against the Red Sox. The game winning RBI was the last one for Dwyer in an Orioles uniform. His nearly eight year career as a pinch hitter extraordinaire for Baltimore would end with a trade before the end of the month.
Outcome: W
Score: 3-2
Streak: W3
Record: 42-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
The Orioles were either behind the Angels or tied with them up until the last batter of the game but it all turned out all right in the end. Devon White led off the game for the Angels with a home run to put the Angels up 1-0 after one. The Orioles tied it in the fourth on an RBI single from Jim Traber. And that's the way it stood through the remainder of the first nine innings. Both teams mounted threats - the Angels left the bases loaded in the fifth while the O's had runners on second and third with one out in the seventh - but neither team could put another run on the board until extra innings.
In the top of the eleventh inning Chili Davis hit a single to lead off for the Angels and Thad Bosley sacrificed him to second. Orioles pitcher Mark Williamson issued an intentional walk to Jack Howell to set up a force play but instead of hitting a ground ball Dick Schofield flew out to center, deep enough for Davis to move up to third. Pinch hitter Jim Eppard then doubled, scoring Davis and moving Howell to third. Williamson issued his second intentional walk to White, loading the bases for Mark McLemore who grounded out to end the inning. But the Angels now led 2-1.
The Angels' closer, Bryan Harvey, had pitched the previous couple innings so Angels manager Cookie Rojas brought Greg Minton in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh. Minton had been the closer for the Giants in the early 80's so he was no stranger to save situations. He struck out Cal Ripken to start the inning but then issued a walk to Eddie Murray. When Terry Kennedy hit a ground ball to McLemore at second it looked like it would be an easy game ending double play but McLemore booted the ball, leaving Murray safe at second and Kennedy safe at first. Pinch hitter Larry Sheets followed with a single that scored Murray with the tying run and moved Kennedy to third. Minton walked Traber intentionally to load the bases and set up a force at any base. But like Schofield in the top of the inning, instead of a ground ball pinch hitter Jim Dwyer lifted a fly ball to the outfield - left field in this case - that was deep enough to bring in Kennedy with the winning run.
This was the Orioles fifth walk off victory of the year but their first in over two months - their last one was June 17th against the Red Sox. The game winning RBI was the last one for Dwyer in an Orioles uniform. His nearly eight year career as a pinch hitter extraordinaire for Baltimore would end with a trade before the end of the month.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Friday August 19 vs the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: W
Score: 3-1
Streak: W2
Record: 41-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
Kind of an odd first inning tonight - both teams scored a run with only getting one hit and neither hit was a home run. Devon White led off the game for the Angels with a double and went to third on a fly ball by Mark McLemore. This allowed him to score on Wally Joyner's ground out. In the Orioles half of the inning they got a lead off triple by Joe Orsulak. A fly ball to center from Brady Anderson was not deep enough to score him but a ground ball by Cal Ripken that Jack Howell couldn't handle at third did allow him to score the tying run.
The Orioles went ahead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Orsulak doubled to start the inning and Anderson put down a sacrifice bunt to move him to third. After a walk to Cal Ripken Eddie Murray singled to bring in Orsulak with the Birds' second run of the night. Mickey Tettleton walked to load the bases and Fred Lynn followed with a ground ball to first baseman Joyner that the Angels were not able to turn a double play on although Tettleton was forced at second. On the play Cal scored to put the Birds up 3-1.
The Angels had their only other threat of the game in the seventh when they loaded the bases with two outs on a Thad Bosley double, a Dick Schofield walk and a Darrell Miller hit-by-pitch. But Mark Williamson came in to relieve Orioles starter Dave Schmidt and struck out White to end the threat.
Outcome: W
Score: 3-1
Streak: W2
Record: 41-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
Kind of an odd first inning tonight - both teams scored a run with only getting one hit and neither hit was a home run. Devon White led off the game for the Angels with a double and went to third on a fly ball by Mark McLemore. This allowed him to score on Wally Joyner's ground out. In the Orioles half of the inning they got a lead off triple by Joe Orsulak. A fly ball to center from Brady Anderson was not deep enough to score him but a ground ball by Cal Ripken that Jack Howell couldn't handle at third did allow him to score the tying run.
The Orioles went ahead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Orsulak doubled to start the inning and Anderson put down a sacrifice bunt to move him to third. After a walk to Cal Ripken Eddie Murray singled to bring in Orsulak with the Birds' second run of the night. Mickey Tettleton walked to load the bases and Fred Lynn followed with a ground ball to first baseman Joyner that the Angels were not able to turn a double play on although Tettleton was forced at second. On the play Cal scored to put the Birds up 3-1.
The Angels had their only other threat of the game in the seventh when they loaded the bases with two outs on a Thad Bosley double, a Dick Schofield walk and a Darrell Miller hit-by-pitch. But Mark Williamson came in to relieve Orioles starter Dave Schmidt and struck out White to end the threat.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Sunday May 29 at the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: W
Score: 3-2
Streak: W1
Record: 10-38
Rank: 7th
GB: 22.5
Outcome: W
Score: 3-2
Streak: W1
Record: 10-38
Rank: 7th
GB: 22.5
The Orioles only got five hits this afternoon but they made them count. It helped that Mike Boddicker held the Angels to only four hits.
The O's got on the board in the top of the first on back-to-back doubles by Fred Lynn and Cal Ripken. The Angels tied it up on a solo home run by Jack Howell to lead off the bottom of the fifth.
The Orioles went ahead in the top of the seventh in another one of those weird innings. With one out Joe Orsulak reached on an error by first baseman Jim Eppard, who had just come into the game in place of Wally Joyner. After Lynn flew out for the second out, Angels pitcher Greg Minton uncorked a wild pitch while pitching to Cal Ripken that moved Orsulak to second. Minton walked Ripken and then walked Eddie Murray to load the bases. Angels manager Cookie Rojas went to his bullpen to bring in DeWayne Buice who promptly gave up a two RBI single to Larry Sheets. Buice then walked Ken Gerhart to reload the bases but got Terry Kennedy to ground out to end the inning. The O's got 2 runs on one hit, three walks and one error.
Meanwhile Boddicker was cruising along. He started the bottom of the ninth but Brian Downing led off the inning with a solo home run to make it 3-2. Baltimore manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen to bring in close Tom Neidenfuer who got the final three outs (although he put the tying run on with a two out walk to Howell). It was Boddicker's second consecutive win after 13 consecutive losses. Baltimore finally had reached double digits in wins in their 48th game of the season.
The O's got on the board in the top of the first on back-to-back doubles by Fred Lynn and Cal Ripken. The Angels tied it up on a solo home run by Jack Howell to lead off the bottom of the fifth.
The Orioles went ahead in the top of the seventh in another one of those weird innings. With one out Joe Orsulak reached on an error by first baseman Jim Eppard, who had just come into the game in place of Wally Joyner. After Lynn flew out for the second out, Angels pitcher Greg Minton uncorked a wild pitch while pitching to Cal Ripken that moved Orsulak to second. Minton walked Ripken and then walked Eddie Murray to load the bases. Angels manager Cookie Rojas went to his bullpen to bring in DeWayne Buice who promptly gave up a two RBI single to Larry Sheets. Buice then walked Ken Gerhart to reload the bases but got Terry Kennedy to ground out to end the inning. The O's got 2 runs on one hit, three walks and one error.
Meanwhile Boddicker was cruising along. He started the bottom of the ninth but Brian Downing led off the inning with a solo home run to make it 3-2. Baltimore manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen to bring in close Tom Neidenfuer who got the final three outs (although he put the tying run on with a two out walk to Howell). It was Boddicker's second consecutive win after 13 consecutive losses. Baltimore finally had reached double digits in wins in their 48th game of the season.
Monday, May 28, 2018
Saturday May 28 at the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: L
Score: 0-5
Streak: L4
Record: 9-38
Rank: 7th
GB: 22.5
Another poor offensive showing for the team resulted in their second shutout loss in four games and their eighth on the season. It was Jose Bautista's turn to have a short outing on the mound as he only lasted 2 2/3 innings. The Angels led off the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles from Dick Schofield and Johnny Ray - who both got an extra base when right fielder Joe Orsulak misplayed Ray's single for an error. Wally Joyner then knocked in Schofield with the Angels first run by grounding out to the first baseman. Brian Downing then doubled to bring in Ray and the Angels were now up 2-0. Bautista got Chili Davis to ground out and struck out George Hendrick to prevent any further damage.
Schofield led off the bottom of the third by hitting another single and then stole second with Ray at the plate. He moved to third when Ray grounded out to first and then scored on Joyner's second RBI ground out of the game - once again a grounder to first. Bautista then proceeded to hit Downing with a pitch and gave up a single to Davis at which point Baltimore manager Frank Robinson decided he'd seen enough. Mike Morgan came in to relieve Bautista and got Hendrick to fly out to Orsulak in right to end the inning. The game remained at 3-0 until the bottom of the eighth when Davis hit a two run home run off of Tom Neidenfuer to make it 5-0.
Meanwhile the Orioles weren't able to get much done against Angels starter Mike Witt although they did load the bases with nobody out in the top of third. But Bill Ripken lined out to Ray at second for the first out and Cal Ripken grounded into a rally-killing and inning-ending double play. The Orioles actually hit into three double plays on the evening with Cal hitting into two of them. The team had seven hits on the evening - all singles except for Eddie Murray's double in the sixth.
Outcome: L
Score: 0-5
Streak: L4
Record: 9-38
Rank: 7th
GB: 22.5
Another poor offensive showing for the team resulted in their second shutout loss in four games and their eighth on the season. It was Jose Bautista's turn to have a short outing on the mound as he only lasted 2 2/3 innings. The Angels led off the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles from Dick Schofield and Johnny Ray - who both got an extra base when right fielder Joe Orsulak misplayed Ray's single for an error. Wally Joyner then knocked in Schofield with the Angels first run by grounding out to the first baseman. Brian Downing then doubled to bring in Ray and the Angels were now up 2-0. Bautista got Chili Davis to ground out and struck out George Hendrick to prevent any further damage.
Schofield led off the bottom of the third by hitting another single and then stole second with Ray at the plate. He moved to third when Ray grounded out to first and then scored on Joyner's second RBI ground out of the game - once again a grounder to first. Bautista then proceeded to hit Downing with a pitch and gave up a single to Davis at which point Baltimore manager Frank Robinson decided he'd seen enough. Mike Morgan came in to relieve Bautista and got Hendrick to fly out to Orsulak in right to end the inning. The game remained at 3-0 until the bottom of the eighth when Davis hit a two run home run off of Tom Neidenfuer to make it 5-0.
Meanwhile the Orioles weren't able to get much done against Angels starter Mike Witt although they did load the bases with nobody out in the top of third. But Bill Ripken lined out to Ray at second for the first out and Cal Ripken grounded into a rally-killing and inning-ending double play. The Orioles actually hit into three double plays on the evening with Cal hitting into two of them. The team had seven hits on the evening - all singles except for Eddie Murray's double in the sixth.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Friday May 27 at the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L3
Record: 9-37
Rank: 7th
GB: 22.5
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L3
Record: 9-37
Rank: 7th
GB: 22.5
For the third night in a row the Orioles couldn't get much of an offense going so for the third night in a row they lost. It was close early on since the Angels had some issues with their offense as well. Jeff Ballard started for the Birds and he immediately got into trouble by giving up a leadoff home run to Dick Schofield in the bottom of the first. But Mickey Tettleton responded in the top of the second by hitting a two run home run off Chuck Finley to put the O's on top 2-1. The lead lasted until the bottom of the fourth when Wally Joyner's RBI single scored Brian Downing to tie the score. The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth when Tony Armas singled with the bases loaded and scored Downing and Chili Davis with the go ahead and eventual winning runs.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Thursday May 19 vs the Angels (2)
Opponent: California Angels
Game 1
Outcome: L
Score: 1-2
Streak: L1
Record: 6-32
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.5
Game 1
Outcome: L
Score: 1-2
Streak: L1
Record: 6-32
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 6-9
Streak: L2
Record: 6-33
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.5
The rainout on Tuesday night this week created the first double header in 1988 for the Orioles this night. It was "Three Buck Night" so fans could get two games for the low, low price of $3. It turned out to be one of the most frustrating, disheartening and disappointing nights of the season.
Since it was "Three Buck Night" I was already planning on going that evening. I don't remember exactly what I did in getting there that evening but I'm fairly certain that I got to the ballpark after the first game started at 5:05 PM simply because I didn't keep score for that game. Not sure how much I missed but I definitely missed the top of the first inning when the Angels scored a run on an RBI single by Johnny Ray.
I was in time to watch quite the frustrating game. Mike Boddicker (but of course!) and Kirk McCaskill were the starters and neither pitcher pitched really well but they managed to keep the other team off the board for most of the game. As I mentioned the Angels score a single run in the top of the first. The Orioles tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Mickey Tettleton brought in Eddie Murray with a single.
Both teams squandered numerous opportunities to score in the game. The Angels left 7 men on base and were 1-10 with runners in scoring position (Ray's RBI single being the one). The Orioles left 9 men on base and were 1-9 with runners in scoring position (Tettleton's single being the one). Even more frustrating was the fact that the Orioles hit into FIVE double plays. The Angels hit into double plays of their own over the first nine innings as well.
The game was tied 1-1 going into the top of the tenth. Interim manager Ellie Hendricks replaced Boddicker on the mound with Dave Schmidt (this would be the first start by Boddicker this season that he did not get the loss in) and the Angels greeted him with back-to-back singles by Bob Boone and Brian Downing. Boone had advanced all the way to third on Downing's single which became important minutes later when he was able to score when Chili Davis hit into a double play (of course!). The Orioles went quietly in the bottom of the tenth for the 2-1 loss.
As frustrating as that game was, it was just an appetizer for the nightcap. The game started ominously as the Orioles committed two errors in the top of the first but they got out of it without giving up a run. The Orioles appeared to blow the game open in the bottom of the third. Bill Ripken and Rene Gonzales led off the inning with singles and Keith Hughes hit a double to bring them both in. Joe Orsulak then singled and Cal Ripken hit a sacrifice fly to score Hughes (although Orsulak was doubled up at second trying to advance). Eddie Murray singled and then Fred Lynn hit a two run home run to put the Orioles up 5-0.
The Angels got a run back in the top of the fourth when Johnny Ray tripled and scored on a Tony Armas ground out but Lynn hit his second homer of the game leading off the bottom of the sixth to keep the Orioles five runs up.
Then came the top of the eighth.
Jay Tibbs had started the game for the Birds and was still on the mound when the inning started. Tibbs hadn't pitched a particularly good game - he'd only given up one run but California had left at least one runner on base every inning except one. The Angels were continuing to have issues with getting hits with runners in scoring position. Until this inning anyway.
Wally Joyner led off the inning with a single and then Tibbs walked Ray. Armas singled which scored Joyner and Davis followed up with another single that scored Ray. That was it for Tibbs who left the game with the score 6-3 and was replaced by Doug Sisk who had failed to get anyone out the night before.
Lightning struck twice as Sisk couldn't get anyone out this evening either - Jack Howell and Boone hit singles that each scored Armas and Davis respectively and now the score was 6-5. Sisk was replaced on the mound by Orioles closer Tom Niedenfuer (and the Angels replaced Boone with Junior Noboa as a pinch runner). Niedenfuer got his first hitter Dick Scofield to ground into a fielders choice that forced Howell at third for the first out of the inning (finally). But Brian Downing singled to load the bases.
This brought Mark McLemore to the plate. The Angels manager Cookie Rojas decided to attempt a suicide squeeze and McLemore bunted right back to the pitcher. I remember thinking to myself from my seat in the upper deck "Great - they'll get the force at the plate and maybe even get a double play out of this!" And then Neidenfuer threw the ball away. Noboa and Scofield both scored to put the Angels up 7-6. When the dust settled Downing was on third and McLemore was on second. The Orioles intentionally walked Joyner (who had started this inning hours before it seemed at this point) to load the bases back up. Ray struck out for the second out but Armas then singled to bring home the seventh (and mercifully final) run of the inning. Neidenfuer got Davis to fly out to end the inning. The Angels sent 13 men to the plate and scored seven runs on seven hits, two walks and one big error.
After the Birds went three up, three down in the bottom of the eight the Angels came back for a little more off Neidenfuer in the top of the ninth. Butch Wyneger (who had replaced Boone behind the plate after he was lifted for pinch runner Noboa) hit a triple with one out and scored when Downing singled two batters later. McLemore doubled, moving Downing to third and Wally Joyner was intentionally walked to load the bases for the second inning in a row before Hendricks replaced Neidenfuer with Mike Morgan who got Ray to fly out to end the Angels' scoring. The Orioles got a single in the bottom of the ninth from Bill Ripken but couldn't do anything with it. The final score was 9-6. The Orioles had been swept in a double header that they could have easily swept had their offense shown up in the opener and had the bullpen not had a meltdown in the nightcap. With game two ending around midnight it had been a rough seven hours on 33rd Street.
It ended up being a little bit longer of a night for me. It had been drizzling when I left work that afternoon and I had had to turn my headlights on. But the sun was out by the time I got to Memorial Stadium and parked across the street at Eastern High School. You can probably guess where this is going - I left my headlights on. The Orioles would periodically check the parking lot and put up announcements on the scoreboard at least during the game if someone had an issue with their car. I remember glancing up at the scoreboard as the announcement was going off and wondering if I had just seen my license plate. It turns out that I had but I didn't realize it until the game was over. Luckily someone was able and willing to give me a jump so my departure wasn't delayed too much.
Which was good because I was actually moving the next day! I had been sharing an apartment with a married couple in Silver Spring and it was less than an ideal situation for both me and them. I won't get into the details too much other than while I got along well (and had worked with) the husband, I didn't get along well with the wife. Looking back over 30 years I know that I was partly at fault as well but after nine months of living with them it was time to move on. I moved into an apartment by myself in Ellicott City, just west of Baltimore. You can tell I moved from the DC suburbs to the Baltimore suburbs because my clippings for the game are from the Baltimore Evening Sun rather than the Washington Post:
And in case you're wondering - yes, it's THAT Ken Rosenthal.
Outcome: L
Score: 6-9
Streak: L2
Record: 6-33
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.5
The rainout on Tuesday night this week created the first double header in 1988 for the Orioles this night. It was "Three Buck Night" so fans could get two games for the low, low price of $3. It turned out to be one of the most frustrating, disheartening and disappointing nights of the season.
Since it was "Three Buck Night" I was already planning on going that evening. I don't remember exactly what I did in getting there that evening but I'm fairly certain that I got to the ballpark after the first game started at 5:05 PM simply because I didn't keep score for that game. Not sure how much I missed but I definitely missed the top of the first inning when the Angels scored a run on an RBI single by Johnny Ray.
I was in time to watch quite the frustrating game. Mike Boddicker (but of course!) and Kirk McCaskill were the starters and neither pitcher pitched really well but they managed to keep the other team off the board for most of the game. As I mentioned the Angels score a single run in the top of the first. The Orioles tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Mickey Tettleton brought in Eddie Murray with a single.
Both teams squandered numerous opportunities to score in the game. The Angels left 7 men on base and were 1-10 with runners in scoring position (Ray's RBI single being the one). The Orioles left 9 men on base and were 1-9 with runners in scoring position (Tettleton's single being the one). Even more frustrating was the fact that the Orioles hit into FIVE double plays. The Angels hit into double plays of their own over the first nine innings as well.
The game was tied 1-1 going into the top of the tenth. Interim manager Ellie Hendricks replaced Boddicker on the mound with Dave Schmidt (this would be the first start by Boddicker this season that he did not get the loss in) and the Angels greeted him with back-to-back singles by Bob Boone and Brian Downing. Boone had advanced all the way to third on Downing's single which became important minutes later when he was able to score when Chili Davis hit into a double play (of course!). The Orioles went quietly in the bottom of the tenth for the 2-1 loss.
As frustrating as that game was, it was just an appetizer for the nightcap. The game started ominously as the Orioles committed two errors in the top of the first but they got out of it without giving up a run. The Orioles appeared to blow the game open in the bottom of the third. Bill Ripken and Rene Gonzales led off the inning with singles and Keith Hughes hit a double to bring them both in. Joe Orsulak then singled and Cal Ripken hit a sacrifice fly to score Hughes (although Orsulak was doubled up at second trying to advance). Eddie Murray singled and then Fred Lynn hit a two run home run to put the Orioles up 5-0.
The Angels got a run back in the top of the fourth when Johnny Ray tripled and scored on a Tony Armas ground out but Lynn hit his second homer of the game leading off the bottom of the sixth to keep the Orioles five runs up.
Then came the top of the eighth.
Jay Tibbs had started the game for the Birds and was still on the mound when the inning started. Tibbs hadn't pitched a particularly good game - he'd only given up one run but California had left at least one runner on base every inning except one. The Angels were continuing to have issues with getting hits with runners in scoring position. Until this inning anyway.
Wally Joyner led off the inning with a single and then Tibbs walked Ray. Armas singled which scored Joyner and Davis followed up with another single that scored Ray. That was it for Tibbs who left the game with the score 6-3 and was replaced by Doug Sisk who had failed to get anyone out the night before.
Lightning struck twice as Sisk couldn't get anyone out this evening either - Jack Howell and Boone hit singles that each scored Armas and Davis respectively and now the score was 6-5. Sisk was replaced on the mound by Orioles closer Tom Niedenfuer (and the Angels replaced Boone with Junior Noboa as a pinch runner). Niedenfuer got his first hitter Dick Scofield to ground into a fielders choice that forced Howell at third for the first out of the inning (finally). But Brian Downing singled to load the bases.
This brought Mark McLemore to the plate. The Angels manager Cookie Rojas decided to attempt a suicide squeeze and McLemore bunted right back to the pitcher. I remember thinking to myself from my seat in the upper deck "Great - they'll get the force at the plate and maybe even get a double play out of this!" And then Neidenfuer threw the ball away. Noboa and Scofield both scored to put the Angels up 7-6. When the dust settled Downing was on third and McLemore was on second. The Orioles intentionally walked Joyner (who had started this inning hours before it seemed at this point) to load the bases back up. Ray struck out for the second out but Armas then singled to bring home the seventh (and mercifully final) run of the inning. Neidenfuer got Davis to fly out to end the inning. The Angels sent 13 men to the plate and scored seven runs on seven hits, two walks and one big error.
After the Birds went three up, three down in the bottom of the eight the Angels came back for a little more off Neidenfuer in the top of the ninth. Butch Wyneger (who had replaced Boone behind the plate after he was lifted for pinch runner Noboa) hit a triple with one out and scored when Downing singled two batters later. McLemore doubled, moving Downing to third and Wally Joyner was intentionally walked to load the bases for the second inning in a row before Hendricks replaced Neidenfuer with Mike Morgan who got Ray to fly out to end the Angels' scoring. The Orioles got a single in the bottom of the ninth from Bill Ripken but couldn't do anything with it. The final score was 9-6. The Orioles had been swept in a double header that they could have easily swept had their offense shown up in the opener and had the bullpen not had a meltdown in the nightcap. With game two ending around midnight it had been a rough seven hours on 33rd Street.
It ended up being a little bit longer of a night for me. It had been drizzling when I left work that afternoon and I had had to turn my headlights on. But the sun was out by the time I got to Memorial Stadium and parked across the street at Eastern High School. You can probably guess where this is going - I left my headlights on. The Orioles would periodically check the parking lot and put up announcements on the scoreboard at least during the game if someone had an issue with their car. I remember glancing up at the scoreboard as the announcement was going off and wondering if I had just seen my license plate. It turns out that I had but I didn't realize it until the game was over. Luckily someone was able and willing to give me a jump so my departure wasn't delayed too much.
Which was good because I was actually moving the next day! I had been sharing an apartment with a married couple in Silver Spring and it was less than an ideal situation for both me and them. I won't get into the details too much other than while I got along well (and had worked with) the husband, I didn't get along well with the wife. Looking back over 30 years I know that I was partly at fault as well but after nine months of living with them it was time to move on. I moved into an apartment by myself in Ellicott City, just west of Baltimore. You can tell I moved from the DC suburbs to the Baltimore suburbs because my clippings for the game are from the Baltimore Evening Sun rather than the Washington Post:
And in case you're wondering - yes, it's THAT Ken Rosenthal.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Wednesday May 18 vs the Angels
Opponent: California Angels
Outcome: W
Score: 8-7
Streak: W1
Record: 6-31
Rank: 7th
GB: 18.5
After three games against the AL West leading A's, the Orioles got to face the team at the other end of the standings. The Angels came into town with a record of 14-23 and were in seventh place, 13.5 games behind Oakland. Of course they were still about 8.5 games better than the Orioles.
Tonight was the managerial debut of the Orioles third manager of the year - Elrod Hendricks. Frank Robinson hadn't been fired but his back pain had reached the point that he needed to be hospitalized for a few days so Hendricks was taking over on an interim basis. I'm not entirely sure how long he was at the helm but I think it was only for about four or five games.
His debut was victorious but it was an ugly game. The Orioles scored their first run in the bottom of the first without a hit. Keith Hughes led off with a walk. After Fred Lynn flied out, Angels pitcher Mike Witt uncorked a wild pitch with Cal Ripken at the plate that moved Hughes to second. Witt then walked Ripken. Eddie Murray hit a ground ball to first baseman Wally Joyner who threw to second to force Cal but the return throw was not in time to double up Murray. With Larry Sheets at the plate Witt threw another wild pitch that scored Hughes from third and moved Murray to second. Sheets then got the Orioles first hit with a single that brought Murray in with the second run.
The Angels got on the board in the top of the third in a similar fashion. With one out Dick Schofield singled. Brian Downing was then hit by a pitch from Orioles starter Jose Bautista. The second pitch to the next batter Mark McLemore got by catcher Mickey Tettleton and the runners moved up to second and third. McLemore brought Schofield in from third when he grounded out to Murray with Bautista covering first. The Angels tied the score in a more traditional fashion the next inning when a Chili Davis single and a Johnny Ray double was followed up by an RBI ground out by Jack Howell.
The Orioles seemingly broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth. Fred Lynn led off with a walk. Cal Ripken hit a ground ball in the hole between shortstop and third that third baseman Howell fielded and then threw away. Lynn and Ripken ended up at third and second respectively. Murray was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Sheets grounded out to second to move the runners up and knock Lynn in for the go ahead run. Witt intentionally walked Jim Dwyer to load the bases again and then unintentionally walked Tettleton to bring Cal in. After Rick Schu struck out, Bill Ripken hit a bases-clearing double to the alley in right field. Keith Hughes then flew out to end the inning - an inning in which the Orioles sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs on four walks, two hits and one error. When Fred Lynn led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run to make the score 8-2, things looked well in hand for the Birds.
But nothing came easy for the Orioles this night (or much of this season for that matter). Schofield walked to lead off the top of the eighth for the Angels and Downing followed with a single. Hendricks went to the bullpen at this point and replaced Bautista on the mound with Doug Sisk. Sisk immediately loaded the bases by walking McLemore and the Joyner hit a two RBI single. Sisk then walked Chili Davis to reload the bases and Hendricks had seen enough. Don Aase came in to pitch for the Birds and he gave up an RBI single to the first batter he faced (Ray) before getting Howell, Tony Armas and Butch Wyneger out to leave the bases loaded. The Orioles lead was now down to 8-5.
The Orioles closer (in theory - they'd only had one save so far this season) Tom Niedenfuer came in to pitch the top of the ninth. With one out Downing tripled. McLemore then hit what Baseball-Reference describes as a "Single to SS (Pop Fly to Deep 3B)". I'm not sure what that means but in any case McLemore ended up on first and was credited with a single while Downing remained at third. Joyner then singled to right to score Downing and move McLemore to third. Davis hit a ground ball to Murray at first who threw to Niedenfuer covering for the out but McLemore scored on the play and the tying run in the form of Joyner was now on second. Finally Niedenfuer got Ray to fly out to center to end the threat and the game.
Jose Bautista got the win - it was his first MLB victory.
Here's the game story from the Washington Post - I found it when I was researching when Hendricks had managed the team.
Outcome: W
Score: 8-7
Streak: W1
Record: 6-31
Rank: 7th
GB: 18.5
After three games against the AL West leading A's, the Orioles got to face the team at the other end of the standings. The Angels came into town with a record of 14-23 and were in seventh place, 13.5 games behind Oakland. Of course they were still about 8.5 games better than the Orioles.
Tonight was the managerial debut of the Orioles third manager of the year - Elrod Hendricks. Frank Robinson hadn't been fired but his back pain had reached the point that he needed to be hospitalized for a few days so Hendricks was taking over on an interim basis. I'm not entirely sure how long he was at the helm but I think it was only for about four or five games.
His debut was victorious but it was an ugly game. The Orioles scored their first run in the bottom of the first without a hit. Keith Hughes led off with a walk. After Fred Lynn flied out, Angels pitcher Mike Witt uncorked a wild pitch with Cal Ripken at the plate that moved Hughes to second. Witt then walked Ripken. Eddie Murray hit a ground ball to first baseman Wally Joyner who threw to second to force Cal but the return throw was not in time to double up Murray. With Larry Sheets at the plate Witt threw another wild pitch that scored Hughes from third and moved Murray to second. Sheets then got the Orioles first hit with a single that brought Murray in with the second run.
The Angels got on the board in the top of the third in a similar fashion. With one out Dick Schofield singled. Brian Downing was then hit by a pitch from Orioles starter Jose Bautista. The second pitch to the next batter Mark McLemore got by catcher Mickey Tettleton and the runners moved up to second and third. McLemore brought Schofield in from third when he grounded out to Murray with Bautista covering first. The Angels tied the score in a more traditional fashion the next inning when a Chili Davis single and a Johnny Ray double was followed up by an RBI ground out by Jack Howell.
The Orioles seemingly broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth. Fred Lynn led off with a walk. Cal Ripken hit a ground ball in the hole between shortstop and third that third baseman Howell fielded and then threw away. Lynn and Ripken ended up at third and second respectively. Murray was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Sheets grounded out to second to move the runners up and knock Lynn in for the go ahead run. Witt intentionally walked Jim Dwyer to load the bases again and then unintentionally walked Tettleton to bring Cal in. After Rick Schu struck out, Bill Ripken hit a bases-clearing double to the alley in right field. Keith Hughes then flew out to end the inning - an inning in which the Orioles sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs on four walks, two hits and one error. When Fred Lynn led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run to make the score 8-2, things looked well in hand for the Birds.
But nothing came easy for the Orioles this night (or much of this season for that matter). Schofield walked to lead off the top of the eighth for the Angels and Downing followed with a single. Hendricks went to the bullpen at this point and replaced Bautista on the mound with Doug Sisk. Sisk immediately loaded the bases by walking McLemore and the Joyner hit a two RBI single. Sisk then walked Chili Davis to reload the bases and Hendricks had seen enough. Don Aase came in to pitch for the Birds and he gave up an RBI single to the first batter he faced (Ray) before getting Howell, Tony Armas and Butch Wyneger out to leave the bases loaded. The Orioles lead was now down to 8-5.
The Orioles closer (in theory - they'd only had one save so far this season) Tom Niedenfuer came in to pitch the top of the ninth. With one out Downing tripled. McLemore then hit what Baseball-Reference describes as a "Single to SS (Pop Fly to Deep 3B)". I'm not sure what that means but in any case McLemore ended up on first and was credited with a single while Downing remained at third. Joyner then singled to right to score Downing and move McLemore to third. Davis hit a ground ball to Murray at first who threw to Niedenfuer covering for the out but McLemore scored on the play and the tying run in the form of Joyner was now on second. Finally Niedenfuer got Ray to fly out to center to end the threat and the game.
Jose Bautista got the win - it was his first MLB victory.
Here's the game story from the Washington Post - I found it when I was researching when Hendricks had managed the team.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Tuesday May 17 vs the Angels - Rained Out
The Orioles game on May 17th was rained out and would be made up as part of a double header on May 19th, two days later.
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