Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: W
Score: 2-1
Streak: W1
Record: 45-84
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
This game had almost no offense until the late innings. The Orioles got a couple runners on with non outs in the fifth on a double by Eddie Murray and a Mickey Tettleton hit-by-pitch but they failed to score. Other than that neither team managed to get more than one base runner on in any inning. The A's only had two hits until the eighth inning while the Orioles only had three (including Murray's double).
Terry Steinbach led of the bottom of the eighth with a walk and Mike Gallego came in to run for him. Glenn Hubbard then sacrificed him to second and after pinch hitter Ron Hassey struck out Luis Polonia singled to score Gallego with the first run of the game. It could have been worse for the Orioles but Tettleton threw out Polonia attempting to steal second for the third out of the inning.
A one run lead for the A's meant that Dennis Eckersley would be coming in to close out the game. Eck would get 45 saves this season but today would not be one of them. Pinch hitter Joe Orsulak led off the ninth with a single and then stole second. A ground ball to first base by Pete Stanicek allowed Orsulak to move to third and he then scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Bill Ripken. Cal Ripken then grounded out to end the inning but the game was now tied.
The game remained tied until the top of the eleventh. With two outs Orsulak (who had remained in the game) tripled and then scored on Stanicek's single. This was the only inning the entire game that either team had more than one hit. The A's did get two base runners on in the bottom of the eleventh on a walk and single but Orioles closer Tom Neidenfuer managed to get three outs without giving up a run and notch his 14th save of the season.
Showing posts with label Athletics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Athletics. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Monday, August 27, 2018
Saturday August 27 at the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L2
Record: 44-84
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
For the second straight game the Orioles got on the board first and for the second straight game the lead didn't hold. The Orioles got a run in the first inning on a solo home run from Cal Ripken.
Dave Parker led off the bottom of the second for the A's with a single and after Mark McGwire struck out Carney Lansford hit another single. Terry Steinbach followed with a double that scored Parker with the tying run and next Glenn Hubbard singled to score McGwire with the go-ahead run. After Walt Weiss flew out Luis Polonia singled to knock Lansford in with the third run of the inning. The A's extended their lead two innings later on three consecutive singles by Hubbard, Weiss and Polonia - the third one scoring Hubbard - and a sacrifice fly from Dave Henderson.
Oddly enough these were the only two innings where Oakland had much offense - Oswaldo Peraza and Doug Sisk held the A's to only one hit in the other seven innings. Unfortunately the Orioles couldn't get anything going themselves despite getting 7 hits and 6 walks - including getting the bases loaded with no one out in the sixth inning and not getting any runs out of it. They left 10 men on base and went 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-5
Streak: L2
Record: 44-84
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
For the second straight game the Orioles got on the board first and for the second straight game the lead didn't hold. The Orioles got a run in the first inning on a solo home run from Cal Ripken.
Dave Parker led off the bottom of the second for the A's with a single and after Mark McGwire struck out Carney Lansford hit another single. Terry Steinbach followed with a double that scored Parker with the tying run and next Glenn Hubbard singled to score McGwire with the go-ahead run. After Walt Weiss flew out Luis Polonia singled to knock Lansford in with the third run of the inning. The A's extended their lead two innings later on three consecutive singles by Hubbard, Weiss and Polonia - the third one scoring Hubbard - and a sacrifice fly from Dave Henderson.
Oddly enough these were the only two innings where Oakland had much offense - Oswaldo Peraza and Doug Sisk held the A's to only one hit in the other seven innings. Unfortunately the Orioles couldn't get anything going themselves despite getting 7 hits and 6 walks - including getting the bases loaded with no one out in the sixth inning and not getting any runs out of it. They left 10 men on base and went 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Friday August 26 at the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 5-8
Streak: L1
Record: 44-83
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
After three games against the team with the second worst record in the American League the Orioles traveled to Oakland for three games against the team with the best record in all of baseball (79-49). The Birds got on the board first though. With one out in the fourth inning Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray hit back-to-back singles and moved up on a passed ball with Larry Sheets at the plate. Sheets singled to left, scoring Cal and when left fielder Luis Polonia misplayed the ball Murray was able to score as well. Jim Traber followed with a two run home run and all of a sudden the Orioles had a 4-0 lead.
The lead only lasted for a couple innings. In their half of the fourth the A's cut the lead in half on a solo home run from Dave Henderson and an RBI single from Mark McGwire. In the sixth a two run home run from Jose Canseco tied the game at four. Later in the inning Glenn Hubbard hit a single with the bases loaded that scored two runners and made the score 6-4.
The Orioles cut the lead to one run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run by Terry Kennedy. In the bottom of the inning Oakland got three consecutive singles to start the inning from Polonia, Henderson and Canseco although Polonia was thrown out at third trying to advance on Henderson's single. Dave Parker hit a ground ball to Murray at first who threw to Cal Ripken covering second for the force out on Canseco but Cal made an error on the throw to first attempting to get Parker for an inning ending double play. Instead Henderson scored and Parker was safe at first. Next McGwire walked and Carney Lansford lined a double to left, scoring Parker. Cal made up for his earlier error though by relaying Sheet's throw from left to nail McGwire at the plate. But Oakland was now up 8-5 and that was how it ended.
With two outs in the top of the ninth and a runner on first Jim Dwyer pinch hit for Rene Gonzales. He struck out to end the game. This would be his last at bat in an Oriole uniform.
Outcome: L
Score: 5-8
Streak: L1
Record: 44-83
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
After three games against the team with the second worst record in the American League the Orioles traveled to Oakland for three games against the team with the best record in all of baseball (79-49). The Birds got on the board first though. With one out in the fourth inning Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray hit back-to-back singles and moved up on a passed ball with Larry Sheets at the plate. Sheets singled to left, scoring Cal and when left fielder Luis Polonia misplayed the ball Murray was able to score as well. Jim Traber followed with a two run home run and all of a sudden the Orioles had a 4-0 lead.
The lead only lasted for a couple innings. In their half of the fourth the A's cut the lead in half on a solo home run from Dave Henderson and an RBI single from Mark McGwire. In the sixth a two run home run from Jose Canseco tied the game at four. Later in the inning Glenn Hubbard hit a single with the bases loaded that scored two runners and made the score 6-4.
The Orioles cut the lead to one run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run by Terry Kennedy. In the bottom of the inning Oakland got three consecutive singles to start the inning from Polonia, Henderson and Canseco although Polonia was thrown out at third trying to advance on Henderson's single. Dave Parker hit a ground ball to Murray at first who threw to Cal Ripken covering second for the force out on Canseco but Cal made an error on the throw to first attempting to get Parker for an inning ending double play. Instead Henderson scored and Parker was safe at first. Next McGwire walked and Carney Lansford lined a double to left, scoring Parker. Cal made up for his earlier error though by relaying Sheet's throw from left to nail McGwire at the plate. But Oakland was now up 8-5 and that was how it ended.
With two outs in the top of the ninth and a runner on first Jim Dwyer pinch hit for Rene Gonzales. He struck out to end the game. This would be his last at bat in an Oriole uniform.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Thursday August 18 vs the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: W
Score: 10-1
Streak: W1
Record: 40-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
I was at this game - it was "Three Buck Night" after all - but I don't have a scorecard from it. I have no idea why not.
It was a good night to be out at the stadium. The Orioles got off to a roaring start, scoring five in the bottom of the first of Oakland starter Bob Welch. Welch was having issues with his command this evening as he walked Brady Anderson and Fred Lynn to start the game. Cal Ripken followed with a double to knock both of the base runners in. Welch then walked Eddie Murray and gave up a single to Jim Traber to load the bases. Ripken scored on a sacrifice fly by Larry Sheets and a single by Terry Kennedy brought Murray in. After Rene Gonzales struck out Bill Ripken lined a single to left that brought Traber in with the fifth run but Kennedy was thrown out at third to end the inning.
Oakland got on the board in the fourth on a solo home run from Mark McGwire but the Birds buried the A's in the bottom of the inning. With one out Lynn launched a solo home run. Cal Ripken followed with a single and Murray then walked. Traber hit an RBI double scoring Ripken and knocking Welch out of the game. Rick Honeycutt came into pitch and he got Sheets to ground out for the second out. But Kennedy singled to score both Murray and Traber and after Gonzales drew a walk Bill Ripken singled to score Kennedy with the tenth run of the game. Anderson, who had flown out to start the inning, struck out to end it.
Meanwhile Orioles starter Jeff Ballard was throwing a pretty good game. He held the potent A's lineup to only four hits although he walked five and hit a batter. He ended up with a complete game victory, his second consecutive one after beating Milwaukee on the 13th.
Outcome: W
Score: 10-1
Streak: W1
Record: 40-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
I was at this game - it was "Three Buck Night" after all - but I don't have a scorecard from it. I have no idea why not.
It was a good night to be out at the stadium. The Orioles got off to a roaring start, scoring five in the bottom of the first of Oakland starter Bob Welch. Welch was having issues with his command this evening as he walked Brady Anderson and Fred Lynn to start the game. Cal Ripken followed with a double to knock both of the base runners in. Welch then walked Eddie Murray and gave up a single to Jim Traber to load the bases. Ripken scored on a sacrifice fly by Larry Sheets and a single by Terry Kennedy brought Murray in. After Rene Gonzales struck out Bill Ripken lined a single to left that brought Traber in with the fifth run but Kennedy was thrown out at third to end the inning.
Oakland got on the board in the fourth on a solo home run from Mark McGwire but the Birds buried the A's in the bottom of the inning. With one out Lynn launched a solo home run. Cal Ripken followed with a single and Murray then walked. Traber hit an RBI double scoring Ripken and knocking Welch out of the game. Rick Honeycutt came into pitch and he got Sheets to ground out for the second out. But Kennedy singled to score both Murray and Traber and after Gonzales drew a walk Bill Ripken singled to score Kennedy with the tenth run of the game. Anderson, who had flown out to start the inning, struck out to end it.
Meanwhile Orioles starter Jeff Ballard was throwing a pretty good game. He held the potent A's lineup to only four hits although he walked five and hit a batter. He ended up with a complete game victory, his second consecutive one after beating Milwaukee on the 13th.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Wednesday August 17 vs the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 4-10
Streak: L3
Record: 39-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
This was a game that the Orioles had a lot of opportunities in. They outhit the A's 14 to 11 but only scored 4 runs. They left 11 men on base and went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position. On the other hand Oakland had several opportunities to blow this game open that they didn't take. They had at least one baserunner on in every inning until the ninth. They ended up leaving 10 men on base and were only 3-12 with runners in scoring position. Orioles pitchers issued 10 walks to Oakland hitters this evening - four of those walked batters came in to score.
The Birds got on the board in the bottom of the first. Singles by Pete Stanicek and Eddie Murray and a walk to Mickey Tettleton loaded the bases with two outs and a single by Ken Gerhart brought in Stanicek and Murray to put the O's up 2-0.
Oakland loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the second but didn't score. In the third however with one out Dave Henderson drew a walk. Jose Canseco then tied the game up with a two run home run, his 32nd of the season. The Orioles went back ahead in the bottom of the inning when Jim Traber had an RBI single that scored Cal Ripken.
The Athletics went ahead for good in the fifth. Canseco doubled to lead off the inning and Mark McGwire knocked him in with a single. Orioles pitcher Doug Sisk (who had relieved starter Gordon Dillard a couple batters after Canseco's home run in the third) then loaded the bases by walking Terry Steinbach and Don Baylor. Glenn Hubbard then doubled, scoring McGwire and Steinbach and putting Oakland up 5-3. Orioles manager Frank Robinson made his second pitching change of the game, bringing in Mark Thurmond who gave up a sacrifice fly to Luis Polonia that not only allowed Baylor to score but allowed Hubbard to move up to third. After Walt Weiss grounded out for the second out, Tony Phillips walked and Henderson doubled, bringing in Hubbard to make the score 7-3 A's. Finally Thurmond got Canseco, who had led off the inning, to fly out to end the damage. Oakland sent 10 men to the plate and scored five runs on four hits and three walks.
A solo home run by McGwire leading off the sixth inning extended Oakland's lead to 8-3. They added a couple more in the seventh. With two outs, Phillips tripled and Henderson walked. Stan Javier came in to pinch run for Henderson. Canseco hit a ground ball back to Thurmond who threw the ball down the right field line while throwing to first. Phillips and Javier both scored and Canseco ended up on third. It was now 10-3 in favor of the A's.
The O's got their first two runners on in the bottom of the seventh on back-to-back singles from Murray and Tettleton - Murray going from first to third on Tettleton's hit. Murray scored the Orioles fourth run of the game on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Larry Sheets but the Birds were not able to score any further runs.
I'm fairly confident that I must have flown home from Massachusetts this evening but I honestly have no memory of doing it.
Outcome: L
Score: 4-10
Streak: L3
Record: 39-80
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
This was a game that the Orioles had a lot of opportunities in. They outhit the A's 14 to 11 but only scored 4 runs. They left 11 men on base and went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position. On the other hand Oakland had several opportunities to blow this game open that they didn't take. They had at least one baserunner on in every inning until the ninth. They ended up leaving 10 men on base and were only 3-12 with runners in scoring position. Orioles pitchers issued 10 walks to Oakland hitters this evening - four of those walked batters came in to score.
The Birds got on the board in the bottom of the first. Singles by Pete Stanicek and Eddie Murray and a walk to Mickey Tettleton loaded the bases with two outs and a single by Ken Gerhart brought in Stanicek and Murray to put the O's up 2-0.
Oakland loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the second but didn't score. In the third however with one out Dave Henderson drew a walk. Jose Canseco then tied the game up with a two run home run, his 32nd of the season. The Orioles went back ahead in the bottom of the inning when Jim Traber had an RBI single that scored Cal Ripken.
The Athletics went ahead for good in the fifth. Canseco doubled to lead off the inning and Mark McGwire knocked him in with a single. Orioles pitcher Doug Sisk (who had relieved starter Gordon Dillard a couple batters after Canseco's home run in the third) then loaded the bases by walking Terry Steinbach and Don Baylor. Glenn Hubbard then doubled, scoring McGwire and Steinbach and putting Oakland up 5-3. Orioles manager Frank Robinson made his second pitching change of the game, bringing in Mark Thurmond who gave up a sacrifice fly to Luis Polonia that not only allowed Baylor to score but allowed Hubbard to move up to third. After Walt Weiss grounded out for the second out, Tony Phillips walked and Henderson doubled, bringing in Hubbard to make the score 7-3 A's. Finally Thurmond got Canseco, who had led off the inning, to fly out to end the damage. Oakland sent 10 men to the plate and scored five runs on four hits and three walks.
A solo home run by McGwire leading off the sixth inning extended Oakland's lead to 8-3. They added a couple more in the seventh. With two outs, Phillips tripled and Henderson walked. Stan Javier came in to pinch run for Henderson. Canseco hit a ground ball back to Thurmond who threw the ball down the right field line while throwing to first. Phillips and Javier both scored and Canseco ended up on third. It was now 10-3 in favor of the A's.
The O's got their first two runners on in the bottom of the seventh on back-to-back singles from Murray and Tettleton - Murray going from first to third on Tettleton's hit. Murray scored the Orioles fourth run of the game on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Larry Sheets but the Birds were not able to score any further runs.
I'm fairly confident that I must have flown home from Massachusetts this evening but I honestly have no memory of doing it.
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Tuesday August 16 vs the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 3-6
Streak: L2
Record: 39-79
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
This was one of those game that there's not a whole lot to say about it. Oakland got on the board in the second by loading the bases on a single and a pair of walks and then scoring on a sacrifice fly, a single and another sacrifice fly. They added two more in the fifth on a Dave Henderson single, a Jose Canseco double and a Mark McGwire single. The A's added one more run in the ninth on Dave Henderson's leadoff solo home run.
Meanwhile Oakland's pitchers - starter Storm Davis and relievers Greg Cadaret and Dennis Eckersley - were holding the O's offense in check. The Birds only got six hits and two walks all night. Half of those hits and walks came in the sixth inning. After Bill Ripken's leadoff single was erased on a ground ball double play off the bat of Joe Orsulak, Fred Lynn walked and Cal Ripken doubled. Eddie Murray then hit a three run home run for the Orioles only runs of the evening.
I was still up in Massachusetts and spent the evening in the right field bleachers at Fenway Park with my friend Jeff. Unfortunately the Mariners beat the Red Sox that evening 7-0.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-6
Streak: L2
Record: 39-79
Rank: 7th
GB: 30
This was one of those game that there's not a whole lot to say about it. Oakland got on the board in the second by loading the bases on a single and a pair of walks and then scoring on a sacrifice fly, a single and another sacrifice fly. They added two more in the fifth on a Dave Henderson single, a Jose Canseco double and a Mark McGwire single. The A's added one more run in the ninth on Dave Henderson's leadoff solo home run.
Meanwhile Oakland's pitchers - starter Storm Davis and relievers Greg Cadaret and Dennis Eckersley - were holding the O's offense in check. The Birds only got six hits and two walks all night. Half of those hits and walks came in the sixth inning. After Bill Ripken's leadoff single was erased on a ground ball double play off the bat of Joe Orsulak, Fred Lynn walked and Cal Ripken doubled. Eddie Murray then hit a three run home run for the Orioles only runs of the evening.
I was still up in Massachusetts and spent the evening in the right field bleachers at Fenway Park with my friend Jeff. Unfortunately the Mariners beat the Red Sox that evening 7-0.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Wednesday May 25 at the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 1-8
Streak: L2
Record: 9-36
Rank: 7th
GB: 21.5
Mark Williamson started this evening for the Orioles and like Jay Tibbs the night before he didn't have it. Unlike Tibbs however manager Frank Robinson left him in the game to absorb a pounding by Oakland's offense. Oakland got on the board in the bottom of the first on a two run home run by Dave Parker. The A's doubled their lead to 4-0 when Mike Gallego singled to score Dave Henderson and Ron Hassey in the bottom of the second. The Orioles got their only run off of Bob Welch in the top of the fifth when Rick Schu hit an RBI single to score Terry Kennedy. Oakland completed their scoring in the bottom of the sixth. Dave Henderson had a two run home run and Stan Javier had a two RBI single. The A's might have picked up some more runs but Javier was thrown out trying to extend his single into a double by center fielder Ken Gerhart.
Williamson ended up throwing a complete game loss, giving up eight runs on nine hits (including two home runs and three doubles) and two walks while striking out seven. The outing caused his ERA to jump over half a run - from 4.44 to 5.06. It was his fourth consecutive loss and would knock him out of the starting rotation until September.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-8
Streak: L2
Record: 9-36
Rank: 7th
GB: 21.5
Mark Williamson started this evening for the Orioles and like Jay Tibbs the night before he didn't have it. Unlike Tibbs however manager Frank Robinson left him in the game to absorb a pounding by Oakland's offense. Oakland got on the board in the bottom of the first on a two run home run by Dave Parker. The A's doubled their lead to 4-0 when Mike Gallego singled to score Dave Henderson and Ron Hassey in the bottom of the second. The Orioles got their only run off of Bob Welch in the top of the fifth when Rick Schu hit an RBI single to score Terry Kennedy. Oakland completed their scoring in the bottom of the sixth. Dave Henderson had a two run home run and Stan Javier had a two RBI single. The A's might have picked up some more runs but Javier was thrown out trying to extend his single into a double by center fielder Ken Gerhart.
Williamson ended up throwing a complete game loss, giving up eight runs on nine hits (including two home runs and three doubles) and two walks while striking out seven. The outing caused his ERA to jump over half a run - from 4.44 to 5.06. It was his fourth consecutive loss and would knock him out of the starting rotation until September.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Tuesday May 24 at the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 0-6
Streak: L1
Record: 9-35
Rank: 7th
GB: 20.5
And just like that the Orioles winning streak came to an end. Jay Tibbs started this evening and he didn't have it (which was somewhat surprising as Tibbs had probably been the O's best starter so far this season - he came into this game with a 2-0 record and the team was 3-1 in his four starts). Carney Lansford set the tone of the game when he led off the bottom of the first with a double but Tibbs managed to get out of the inning without giving up a run. He got the first two outs in the bottom of the second as well before the wheels fell off. A walk to Dave Henderson, a Mike Gallego single and a Walt Weiss double brought in the first run of the game. Lansford hit a single that brought both Gallego and Weiss in and he moved to second when right fielder Keith Hughes overthrew the plate attempting to get Weiss. When Stan Javier singled for the fifth consecutive Athletic to reach base, manager Frank Robinson had seen enough - especially since the meat of Oakland's lineup (Jose Canseco, Dave Parker and Mark McGwire) was coming up next. He went to the bullpen and Doug Sisk came in and Canseco to ground out to end the damage at only three runs.
Those three runs would be enough though as the Orioles could get nothing going against Oakland starter Steve Ontiveros. He went seven innings and held the Birds to only four singles and two walks. Greg Caderet came in for the last two innings and held the Orioles offense to only a single walk. Meanwhile the A's scored three more runs on RBI singles by Henderson (bottom of the third), Parker (bottom of the eighth) and Ron Hassey (bottom of the eighth) to extend their lead to 6-0.
One positive for the Orioles pitching staff was that despite giving up 16 hits to the powerful Oakland lineup, 14 of those hits were singles. The only extra base hits tonight were the two doubles by Lansford. This was not a trend that would continue.
Outcome: L
Score: 0-6
Streak: L1
Record: 9-35
Rank: 7th
GB: 20.5
And just like that the Orioles winning streak came to an end. Jay Tibbs started this evening and he didn't have it (which was somewhat surprising as Tibbs had probably been the O's best starter so far this season - he came into this game with a 2-0 record and the team was 3-1 in his four starts). Carney Lansford set the tone of the game when he led off the bottom of the first with a double but Tibbs managed to get out of the inning without giving up a run. He got the first two outs in the bottom of the second as well before the wheels fell off. A walk to Dave Henderson, a Mike Gallego single and a Walt Weiss double brought in the first run of the game. Lansford hit a single that brought both Gallego and Weiss in and he moved to second when right fielder Keith Hughes overthrew the plate attempting to get Weiss. When Stan Javier singled for the fifth consecutive Athletic to reach base, manager Frank Robinson had seen enough - especially since the meat of Oakland's lineup (Jose Canseco, Dave Parker and Mark McGwire) was coming up next. He went to the bullpen and Doug Sisk came in and Canseco to ground out to end the damage at only three runs.
Those three runs would be enough though as the Orioles could get nothing going against Oakland starter Steve Ontiveros. He went seven innings and held the Birds to only four singles and two walks. Greg Caderet came in for the last two innings and held the Orioles offense to only a single walk. Meanwhile the A's scored three more runs on RBI singles by Henderson (bottom of the third), Parker (bottom of the eighth) and Ron Hassey (bottom of the eighth) to extend their lead to 6-0.
One positive for the Orioles pitching staff was that despite giving up 16 hits to the powerful Oakland lineup, 14 of those hits were singles. The only extra base hits tonight were the two doubles by Lansford. This was not a trend that would continue.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Monday May 23 at the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: W
Score: 7-3
Streak: W3
Record: 9-34
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.5
For the second time in 10 days the Orioles were opening a series against the Oakland Athletics, the team with the best record in the American League. The A's had only gone 5-4 in that period but they still had a 7 1/2 game lead over the second place Texas Rangers and still had the second best record in all of baseball. Dave Stewart was starting for Oakland this night - 10 days earlier the Orioles had dealt him his first loss of the season although he still pitched a complete game.
Lightning stuck twice this evening as the Orioles again defeated Stewart despite him throwing a complete game against them. Baltimore exploded for four runs in the top of the second when Eddie Murray hit a single to lead off and Larry Sheets followed with a double. A Jim Dwyer single scored Murray and an RBI ground out by Mickey Tettleton scored Sheets - Dwyer was forced at second but an errant throw by Oakland shortstop Walt Weiss not only kept the A's from doubling up Tettleton but allowed him to reach second. Tettleton then scored when Rick Schu doubled down the left field line. Schu then moved to third when Stewart threw a wild pitch to Bill Ripken. Ripken then executed a suicide squeeze but that scored Schu with the fourth run of the inning. A two run home run by Cal Ripken in the next inning would make the score 6-0.
Mike Boddicker had started for the O's and he ran into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the third when Dave Henderson led off with a double. Carney Lansford brought him in with a two out single a couple batters later and when Dave Parker followed up with another single it looked like Oakland might be getting their offense into gear. But Boddicker struck out Jose Canseco to end the inning without any further trouble.
Boddicker was actually pitching pretty well this evening - through five innings he'd only given up four hits (three of those in the third inning) and walked one against one of the best offenses in baseball. He'd struck out four and had only thrown 71 pitches but for some reason O's manager Frank Robinson pulled him after five innings despite having a 6-1 lead. The only explanation that I can think of is that since Boddicker had lost his previous 13 decisions going back to the 1987 season Robinson wanted to make sure Boddicker would be in line for the win and couldn't lose the game. Not to mention that Boddicker was also going on three days rest having pitched the opener of the disastrous double header against the Angels the previous Thursday.
Dave Schmidt went to the mound in the bottom of the sixth for the O's and made everyone immediately second guess the pitching change when Lansford led off with a single and Parker followed with an RBI double. But Schmidt retired Canseco, Mark McGwire and Ron Hassey to keep the lead at 6-2 and the Orioles got the run back a couple innings later when Fred Lynn led off the eighth with a home run. Schmidt faced the minimum number of batters in the seventh and eighth - the only blemish was when he hit Don Baylor to open the bottom of the seventh but Baylor was erased on an inning ending double play two batters later.
Things got a little dicey in the bottom of the ninth however and the memories of the bullpen meltdowns from the previous week weighed heavily on everyones' minds. Canseco led off the inning with his 11th home run of the season but Schmidt got the next two batters (McGwire and Hassey) out. But Baylor and Henderson hit back to back singles to keep the game alive. Robinson then went to the bullpen and brought Tom Neidenfuer in who promptly hit pinch hitter Doug Jennings to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate in the person of Ed Jurak who was pinch hitting for Weiss. Neidenfuer got Jurak to hit a ground ball to Cal Ripken who threw to his brother Bill at second to force Jennings for the final out.
After not having won back-to-back games all season, the Orioles had now won three in a row. More importantly, Mike Boddicker had won his first game since defeating these same Oakland A's on September 4th, 1987 - a period of 262 days.
Outcome: W
Score: 7-3
Streak: W3
Record: 9-34
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.5
For the second time in 10 days the Orioles were opening a series against the Oakland Athletics, the team with the best record in the American League. The A's had only gone 5-4 in that period but they still had a 7 1/2 game lead over the second place Texas Rangers and still had the second best record in all of baseball. Dave Stewart was starting for Oakland this night - 10 days earlier the Orioles had dealt him his first loss of the season although he still pitched a complete game.
Lightning stuck twice this evening as the Orioles again defeated Stewart despite him throwing a complete game against them. Baltimore exploded for four runs in the top of the second when Eddie Murray hit a single to lead off and Larry Sheets followed with a double. A Jim Dwyer single scored Murray and an RBI ground out by Mickey Tettleton scored Sheets - Dwyer was forced at second but an errant throw by Oakland shortstop Walt Weiss not only kept the A's from doubling up Tettleton but allowed him to reach second. Tettleton then scored when Rick Schu doubled down the left field line. Schu then moved to third when Stewart threw a wild pitch to Bill Ripken. Ripken then executed a suicide squeeze but that scored Schu with the fourth run of the inning. A two run home run by Cal Ripken in the next inning would make the score 6-0.
Mike Boddicker had started for the O's and he ran into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the third when Dave Henderson led off with a double. Carney Lansford brought him in with a two out single a couple batters later and when Dave Parker followed up with another single it looked like Oakland might be getting their offense into gear. But Boddicker struck out Jose Canseco to end the inning without any further trouble.
Boddicker was actually pitching pretty well this evening - through five innings he'd only given up four hits (three of those in the third inning) and walked one against one of the best offenses in baseball. He'd struck out four and had only thrown 71 pitches but for some reason O's manager Frank Robinson pulled him after five innings despite having a 6-1 lead. The only explanation that I can think of is that since Boddicker had lost his previous 13 decisions going back to the 1987 season Robinson wanted to make sure Boddicker would be in line for the win and couldn't lose the game. Not to mention that Boddicker was also going on three days rest having pitched the opener of the disastrous double header against the Angels the previous Thursday.
Dave Schmidt went to the mound in the bottom of the sixth for the O's and made everyone immediately second guess the pitching change when Lansford led off with a single and Parker followed with an RBI double. But Schmidt retired Canseco, Mark McGwire and Ron Hassey to keep the lead at 6-2 and the Orioles got the run back a couple innings later when Fred Lynn led off the eighth with a home run. Schmidt faced the minimum number of batters in the seventh and eighth - the only blemish was when he hit Don Baylor to open the bottom of the seventh but Baylor was erased on an inning ending double play two batters later.
Things got a little dicey in the bottom of the ninth however and the memories of the bullpen meltdowns from the previous week weighed heavily on everyones' minds. Canseco led off the inning with his 11th home run of the season but Schmidt got the next two batters (McGwire and Hassey) out. But Baylor and Henderson hit back to back singles to keep the game alive. Robinson then went to the bullpen and brought Tom Neidenfuer in who promptly hit pinch hitter Doug Jennings to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate in the person of Ed Jurak who was pinch hitting for Weiss. Neidenfuer got Jurak to hit a ground ball to Cal Ripken who threw to his brother Bill at second to force Jennings for the final out.
After not having won back-to-back games all season, the Orioles had now won three in a row. More importantly, Mike Boddicker had won his first game since defeating these same Oakland A's on September 4th, 1987 - a period of 262 days.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Sunday May 15 vs the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 4-7
Streak: L2
Record: 5-31
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.0
The Orioles put up a bit of a fight on this afternoon but Oakland's power was too much for them. The A's got on the board first in top of the second on back-to-back doubles by Mark McGwire and Dave Parker. The O's tied it in the bottom of the inning on Mickey Tettleton's first home run as an Oriole. Oakland would add single runs in the next three innings on an RBI single from Carney Lansford (top of the third) and solo home runs from McGwire (top of the fourth) and Walt Weiss (top of the fifth). The Orioles scored a second run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Rene Gonzales. A two run home run from Jose Canseco in the top of the eighth pushed Oakland's lead to 6-2 but the O's put up two of their own in the bottom of the inning on a Gonzales solo home run and Eddie Murray RBI single. The A's had a two out rally in the top of the ninth on an Orlando Mercado walk, a hit-by-pitch by Weiss and another RBI single by Lansford to make the score 7-4. Dennis Eckersley closed out the game with a perfect bottom of the ninth for his 13th save.
Outcome: L
Score: 4-7
Streak: L2
Record: 5-31
Rank: 7th
GB: 19.0
The Orioles put up a bit of a fight on this afternoon but Oakland's power was too much for them. The A's got on the board first in top of the second on back-to-back doubles by Mark McGwire and Dave Parker. The O's tied it in the bottom of the inning on Mickey Tettleton's first home run as an Oriole. Oakland would add single runs in the next three innings on an RBI single from Carney Lansford (top of the third) and solo home runs from McGwire (top of the fourth) and Walt Weiss (top of the fifth). The Orioles scored a second run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Rene Gonzales. A two run home run from Jose Canseco in the top of the eighth pushed Oakland's lead to 6-2 but the O's put up two of their own in the bottom of the inning on a Gonzales solo home run and Eddie Murray RBI single. The A's had a two out rally in the top of the ninth on an Orlando Mercado walk, a hit-by-pitch by Weiss and another RBI single by Lansford to make the score 7-4. Dennis Eckersley closed out the game with a perfect bottom of the ninth for his 13th save.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Saturday May 14 vs the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: L
Score: 0-8
Streak: L1
Record: 5-30
Rank: 7th
GB: 18.0
OK, this one went as expected. The A's put three on the board in the top of the third on a three run home run by Mark McGwire. It was actually the A's first hit of the game - the two runners who were on base got there via a walk and an error. Oakland added some more in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Walt Weiss and a three run home run by Dave Parker. The Parker's home run knocked Orioles starter Mike Boddicker out of the game and he would end up with the loss - his eighth of the season. He had now lost 13 straight decisions dating back to the 1987 season. Oakland added one more run in the top of the fifth on a Ron Hassey RBI single that scored Dave Henderson. Meanwhile Bob Welch pitched a complete game for the A's, scattering five hits and two walks while getting his sixth win on the season.
I went to this game - you should have been able to guess that since Boddicker was pitching even though it wasn't "Three Buck Night". I wanted to see the Bash Brothers in person so I paid full price for the ticket. In fact if I remember correctly I splurged on a box seat for $9.50(!) so I had one of the best seats in the house for the game. Here's the clipping of the game story from the Washington Post:
Outcome: L
Score: 0-8
Streak: L1
Record: 5-30
Rank: 7th
GB: 18.0
OK, this one went as expected. The A's put three on the board in the top of the third on a three run home run by Mark McGwire. It was actually the A's first hit of the game - the two runners who were on base got there via a walk and an error. Oakland added some more in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Walt Weiss and a three run home run by Dave Parker. The Parker's home run knocked Orioles starter Mike Boddicker out of the game and he would end up with the loss - his eighth of the season. He had now lost 13 straight decisions dating back to the 1987 season. Oakland added one more run in the top of the fifth on a Ron Hassey RBI single that scored Dave Henderson. Meanwhile Bob Welch pitched a complete game for the A's, scattering five hits and two walks while getting his sixth win on the season.
I went to this game - you should have been able to guess that since Boddicker was pitching even though it wasn't "Three Buck Night". I wanted to see the Bash Brothers in person so I paid full price for the ticket. In fact if I remember correctly I splurged on a box seat for $9.50(!) so I had one of the best seats in the house for the game. Here's the clipping of the game story from the Washington Post:
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Friday May 13 vs the Athletics
Opponent: Oakland Athletics
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W1
Record: 5-29
Rank: 7th
GB: 17.0
This might be the most unlikely Orioles victory of the season. The A's came into town with a record of 24-9, the second best in all of baseball (the Mets at 23-8 had the best record). They were in first in the AL West with a 7 1/2 game lead over the Rangers. They had lost their previous two games against the Tigers in Detroit but before that had just won fourteen straight games and 18 of their previous 19. Their starting pitcher this night, Dave Stewart, had won all eight of his starts. So it would not be wrong to say that the A's were on a roll. The Orioles on the other hand had just lost four straight and were outscored 26-6 over that stretch.
The game certainly started off the way most expected. Carney Lansford led off the game with a single and went to third when Dave Henderson doubled. Jose Canseco singled to knock Lansford in and the Bash Brothers looked like they were in business. But Jay Tibbs got Dave Parker to strikeout and Mark McGwire and Ron Hassey to fly out and limit the A's to just the one run.
Stewart started off the game pitching well. He hadn't given up a hit and had only allowed one baserunner (on an Eddie Murray walk) when he faced Murray with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. But Murray then homered for the Orioles first hit and Fred Lynn followed with another home run. The back-to-back shots put the Birds up 2-1. Keith Hughes made it 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single and Larry Sheets had an RBI single of his own in the bottom of the eighth to finish the scoring.
Meanwhile Tibbs was giving up hits and walks but managed to keep the A's from scoring. It helped that a couple baserunners (Don Baylor and Canseco) were caught stealing. The A's ended up leaving 7 players on base and went 1-8 with runners in scoring position. So the A's were getting on base - they just weren't scoring. That trend would not continue.
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W1
Record: 5-29
Rank: 7th
GB: 17.0
This might be the most unlikely Orioles victory of the season. The A's came into town with a record of 24-9, the second best in all of baseball (the Mets at 23-8 had the best record). They were in first in the AL West with a 7 1/2 game lead over the Rangers. They had lost their previous two games against the Tigers in Detroit but before that had just won fourteen straight games and 18 of their previous 19. Their starting pitcher this night, Dave Stewart, had won all eight of his starts. So it would not be wrong to say that the A's were on a roll. The Orioles on the other hand had just lost four straight and were outscored 26-6 over that stretch.
The game certainly started off the way most expected. Carney Lansford led off the game with a single and went to third when Dave Henderson doubled. Jose Canseco singled to knock Lansford in and the Bash Brothers looked like they were in business. But Jay Tibbs got Dave Parker to strikeout and Mark McGwire and Ron Hassey to fly out and limit the A's to just the one run.
Stewart started off the game pitching well. He hadn't given up a hit and had only allowed one baserunner (on an Eddie Murray walk) when he faced Murray with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. But Murray then homered for the Orioles first hit and Fred Lynn followed with another home run. The back-to-back shots put the Birds up 2-1. Keith Hughes made it 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single and Larry Sheets had an RBI single of his own in the bottom of the eighth to finish the scoring.
Meanwhile Tibbs was giving up hits and walks but managed to keep the A's from scoring. It helped that a couple baserunners (Don Baylor and Canseco) were caught stealing. The A's ended up leaving 7 players on base and went 1-8 with runners in scoring position. So the A's were getting on base - they just weren't scoring. That trend would not continue.
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