Opponent: Detroit Tigers
Game 1
Outcome: L
Score: 1-2
Streak: L1
Record: 53-100
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 4-7
Streak: L2
Record: 53-101
Rank: 7th
GB: 34.5
It was a very frustrating afternoon for the Orioles. They got swept in the double header, giving up the winning runs in the top of the ninth in both games.
The Orioles got on the board first in the first game. With one out in the bottom of the first Pete Stanicek reached base safely on an error by first baseman Dave Bergman. Stanicek stole second with Cal Ripken at the plate but it didn't matter because Cal drew a walk. Eddie Murray came up and hit a ground ball that Bergman fielded at first and threw to shortstop Luis Salazar. But Salazar's throw back to first attempting to double up Murray went wild and Stanicek ended up scoring and Murray ended up on second. Mickey Tettleton struck out then to end the inning. The Orioles scored a run on no hits, one walk and two Tiger errors.
It was good that the Orioles had scored without benefit of a hit because Jack Morris was on the mound for Detroit and he was being very stingy when it came to hits. The Birds only got one hit in the game and it didn't come until one out in the seventh inning when Tettleton lined a single. Meanwhile a solo home run off the bat of Darrell Evans in the third had tied the game at 1.
This was yet another game where you wonder if the Orioles should have gone to their bullpen in the ninth inning. Mark Williamson had started for Baltimore and had pitched well - giving up one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three. But he'd thrown over 110 pitches as he started the ninth inning by getting Matt Nokes to ground out. Gary Pettis followed with a single and then stole second with Pat Sheridan at the plate. Sheridan then grounded out to shortstop with Pettis moving to third on the play. Salazar then singled, bring Pettis in with the go-ahead run. Finally the Orioles went to the bullpen, bringing in Gregg Olson who got Tom Brookens to fly out for the third out.
Morris retired the Orioles in order in the bottom of the ninth for the complete game victory, his fourteenth of the season. He ended up giving up just the one unearned run on one hit and two walks while striking out eight.
The loss was the Orioles 100th of the season. It was the first time that the Orioles had lost 100 games in a season since their first season in Baltimore in 1954.
The second game started well for the Orioles. They scored in the bottom of the first again - this time plating two runs on an RBI single by Murray and a sacrifice fly from Jim Traber. The Tigers tied the game on a two run home run by Dwayne Murphy in the fourth but the Orioles had a two run home run of their own off the bat of Ken Gerhart in their half of the fourth to go up 4-2. Torey Lovullo led off the fifth with a solo home run to pull the Tigers within one run.
I've been beating up the Birds the last few days about their bullpen management and this game is an example of why manager Frank Robinson was reluctant to use it. Mark Williamson had come in for starter Jose Bautista to start the sixth inning and had pitched very well for three innings, holding the Tigers to no hits and only one walk. But he walked Bergman to start the ninth inning and Robinson, perhaps because not going to the bullpen had been burning him lately, decided to bring in a reliever. He brought in the closer, Tom Niedenfuer and Niedenfuer, like so many other times this season, didn't have it. He walked Evans to put the go-ahead run on base. Bill Bean laid down a sacrifice bunt to move up the runners so he ended up issuing an intentional walk to Nokes to load the bases. Former Oriole Fred Lynn came in as a pinch hitter for Lovullo and crushed a shot to deep right field for a grand slam. The Tigers were now up 7-4. This was the second time in nine days that Lynn had hit a game winning home run against his old team.
The Tigers weren't quite done - Mike Heath followed Lynn with a single before Niedenfuer was finally able to get the last two outs of the inning on a Ray Knight fly out and a Chet Lemon strikeout. The Orioles again went quietly in the ninth for their 101st loss of the season.
This was the last time Niedenfuer came in in a save situation for the Orioles this season. I'm not sure the Orioles gave up on him - there really was only one save situation the rest of the season. But he only made one more appearance ever for the Birds - on the last day of the season. He left the team as a free agent over the winter and signed with the Mariners where he went 0-3 with a 6.69 ERA. He finished his career with the Cardinals in 1990 with an 0-6 record and a 3.46 ERA.
Showing posts with label Doubleheader. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doubleheader. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Friday, August 24, 2018
Wednesday August 24 vs the Mariners (2)
Opponent: Seattle Mariners
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 43-82
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
Game 2
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W2
Record: 44-82
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
I'm not sure when I first starting hearing it but at some point this summer the PA system at Memorial Stadium had started playing "Good Times" by the Hoodoo Gurus.
The song is about a guy trying to get back together with his ex-girl friend which has nothing to do with the 1988 Orioles. But the chorus was very appropriate:
It wasn't looking very promising for the Orioles in the opener. Going into the bottom of the seventh the Mariners had built a 3-0 lead on a solo home run by Henry Cotto in the third, an RBI double play grounder by Rey Quinones in the fourth and a suicide squeeze bunt by Cotto in the seventh. Mark Langston was on the mound for Seattle and he had held the Orioles to only two hits over the first six innings.
The Birds finally broke through against Langston in the bottom of the seventh. Cal Ripken led off with a single and Eddie Murray followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Mickey Tettleton knocked in Ripken with an RBI single. Murray moved to third on the play which allowed him to score on Fred Lynn's sacrifice fly. The Orioles had cut the Mariner lead to just one run. But Langston was able to get out of trouble by striking out Ken Gerhart and getting Jim Traber to fly out to end the inning.
The Orioles threatened in the bottom of the eighth. Rene Gonzales singled to start the frame and two batters later Bill Ripken singled, moving Gonzales all the way to third. After only giving up two hits in the first six innings Langston had now given up five in an inning and a third and with the meat of the Orioles lineup coming up Mariners manager Jim Snyder decided it would be best to go to his bullpen. Mike Jackson came in and struck out Cal Ripken for the second out although Bill Ripken stole second on strike three. With first base open the Mariners elected to walk Murray to load the bases. Jackson then got Tettleton to fly out to end the threat and preserve the Mariners one run lead.
Lynn singled to start the bottom of the ninth which kicked off a flurry of replacement activity. Brady Anderson came in to run for Lynn and Jim Dwyer came in to pinch hit for Gerhart. On the Seattle side Mike Schooler came in to relieve Jackson. Dwyer flew out for the first out of the inning. With Traber at the plate Anderson stole second and then went to third on Traber's ground out. With the tying run on third Orioles manager Frank Robinson sent up Larry Sheets to pinch hit for Gonzales. Sheets came through with a two run home run to win the game 4-3.
The nightcap was more of the same. The Orioles got on the board first in their half of the first inning on a Cal Ripken sacrifice fly but the Mariners scored two in the second on an RBI single from Jim Presley. A Joe Orsulak solo home run in the fifth tied the game at two and that's how it stayed until the ninth.
The Mariners took the lead 3-2 in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Mario Diaz but the Orioles tied it back up in the bottom of the ninth on a solo home run from Murray.
The game rolled on into extra innings. The Mariners got a couple runners on on walks in the top of the tenth but failed to score while the Birds got a couple runners on in the eleventh and also failed to score.
Sheets walked to lead off the bottom of the twelfth inning and Gerhart came in to run for him. Terry Kennedy followed with a single and Gonzales laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. Dwyer pinch hit for Bill Ripken and was walked intentionally by Jackson who had just come into relieve Rod Scurry one batter earlier. That loaded the bases with one out for Orsulak who lofted a sacrifice fly to center to bring in Gerhart with the winning run.
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 43-82
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
Game 2
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W2
Record: 44-82
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
I'm not sure when I first starting hearing it but at some point this summer the PA system at Memorial Stadium had started playing "Good Times" by the Hoodoo Gurus.
The song is about a guy trying to get back together with his ex-girl friend which has nothing to do with the 1988 Orioles. But the chorus was very appropriate:
All the good times we had we'll have again.Some good times were had tonight - the Orioles swept a double header from the Mariners and they won each game by a score of 4-3. What's more both victories were of the walk-off variety.
It wasn't looking very promising for the Orioles in the opener. Going into the bottom of the seventh the Mariners had built a 3-0 lead on a solo home run by Henry Cotto in the third, an RBI double play grounder by Rey Quinones in the fourth and a suicide squeeze bunt by Cotto in the seventh. Mark Langston was on the mound for Seattle and he had held the Orioles to only two hits over the first six innings.
The Birds finally broke through against Langston in the bottom of the seventh. Cal Ripken led off with a single and Eddie Murray followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Mickey Tettleton knocked in Ripken with an RBI single. Murray moved to third on the play which allowed him to score on Fred Lynn's sacrifice fly. The Orioles had cut the Mariner lead to just one run. But Langston was able to get out of trouble by striking out Ken Gerhart and getting Jim Traber to fly out to end the inning.
The Orioles threatened in the bottom of the eighth. Rene Gonzales singled to start the frame and two batters later Bill Ripken singled, moving Gonzales all the way to third. After only giving up two hits in the first six innings Langston had now given up five in an inning and a third and with the meat of the Orioles lineup coming up Mariners manager Jim Snyder decided it would be best to go to his bullpen. Mike Jackson came in and struck out Cal Ripken for the second out although Bill Ripken stole second on strike three. With first base open the Mariners elected to walk Murray to load the bases. Jackson then got Tettleton to fly out to end the threat and preserve the Mariners one run lead.
Lynn singled to start the bottom of the ninth which kicked off a flurry of replacement activity. Brady Anderson came in to run for Lynn and Jim Dwyer came in to pinch hit for Gerhart. On the Seattle side Mike Schooler came in to relieve Jackson. Dwyer flew out for the first out of the inning. With Traber at the plate Anderson stole second and then went to third on Traber's ground out. With the tying run on third Orioles manager Frank Robinson sent up Larry Sheets to pinch hit for Gonzales. Sheets came through with a two run home run to win the game 4-3.
The nightcap was more of the same. The Orioles got on the board first in their half of the first inning on a Cal Ripken sacrifice fly but the Mariners scored two in the second on an RBI single from Jim Presley. A Joe Orsulak solo home run in the fifth tied the game at two and that's how it stayed until the ninth.
The Mariners took the lead 3-2 in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Mario Diaz but the Orioles tied it back up in the bottom of the ninth on a solo home run from Murray.
The game rolled on into extra innings. The Mariners got a couple runners on on walks in the top of the tenth but failed to score while the Birds got a couple runners on in the eleventh and also failed to score.
Sheets walked to lead off the bottom of the twelfth inning and Gerhart came in to run for him. Terry Kennedy followed with a single and Gonzales laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. Dwyer pinch hit for Bill Ripken and was walked intentionally by Jackson who had just come into relieve Rod Scurry one batter earlier. That loaded the bases with one out for Orsulak who lofted a sacrifice fly to center to bring in Gerhart with the winning run.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Friday August 5 vs the Brewers (2)
Opponent: Milwaukee Brewers
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W3
Record: 36-71
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 1-3
Streak: L1
Record: 36-72
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
As you might expect, baseball did not rate very highly to me today. The news about my grandfather was devastating and I didn't sleep much overnight. Unfortunately I wasn't going to be able to take any time off from work. Today I had to travel down to the DC suburbs for some sort of orientation class for the company I had started working for in June - in addition to the orientation that I did on my first day with them. I also was going to be leaving on Monday to go to Massachusetts for training for a week and a half - I was going to learn to be a System Administrator on Masscomp computers. If you've never heard of Masscomp it's because they were acquired by Concurrent computers later in 1988. Because of this I wasn't going to be able to go to Kansas for my grandfather's funeral, something I regret to this day.
The Orioles were playing a double header tonight against the Brewers. They were making up the game that had been rained out back on April 7th, almost four months earlier. The Brewers had Ted Higuera on the mound for the opener - last time the Birds had faced him was their 12-0 Opening Day shellacking. The outcome was a bit better for the O's tonight. They took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an Eddie Murray sacrifice fly. The Brewers tied it in the top of the fifth - the Brewers loaded the bases with none out on a single and two errors. Orioles starter Jose Bautista almost got out of it - he struck out BJ Surhoff and Dale Sveum - but Paul Molitor singled to tie the game up although the runner on second (Rob Deer) was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
The Orioles would go ahead for good in the sixth inning when they scored two runs on back-to-back RBI singles from Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart. A Pete Stanicek home run in the seventh made the score 4-1 which was how it ended. Baltimore had now won four straight which would end up being their longest winning streak of the season.
That streak ended with the night cap. Both teams scored a run in the first inning on an RBI double (Greg Brock for the Brewers and Larry Sheets for the Birds) but the Brew Crew followed up with two more in the third on an RBI groundout by Robin Yount and an RBI single by Brock. The O's on the other hand only got four more hits after the first.
One thing that happened tonight I didn't find out for a few weeks. My friend Steve drove down from Delaware for the second straight night and made it out to the Stadium in time for Game Two. He got seats in the lower deck on the first base side. During the first inning, Eddie Murray hit a screaming liner into the stands. Everyone in his section ducked except Steve. He stood up and raised his hands to catch the ball, only to have it pass right through his hands. It bounced off a nearby fan and rolled away. The best part of this story is that the cable systems in Delaware were carrying the game so when Steve got to work on Monday, one of his co-workers gave him a hard time about him missing the ball.
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W3
Record: 36-71
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 1-3
Streak: L1
Record: 36-72
Rank: 7th
GB: 29
As you might expect, baseball did not rate very highly to me today. The news about my grandfather was devastating and I didn't sleep much overnight. Unfortunately I wasn't going to be able to take any time off from work. Today I had to travel down to the DC suburbs for some sort of orientation class for the company I had started working for in June - in addition to the orientation that I did on my first day with them. I also was going to be leaving on Monday to go to Massachusetts for training for a week and a half - I was going to learn to be a System Administrator on Masscomp computers. If you've never heard of Masscomp it's because they were acquired by Concurrent computers later in 1988. Because of this I wasn't going to be able to go to Kansas for my grandfather's funeral, something I regret to this day.
The Orioles were playing a double header tonight against the Brewers. They were making up the game that had been rained out back on April 7th, almost four months earlier. The Brewers had Ted Higuera on the mound for the opener - last time the Birds had faced him was their 12-0 Opening Day shellacking. The outcome was a bit better for the O's tonight. They took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an Eddie Murray sacrifice fly. The Brewers tied it in the top of the fifth - the Brewers loaded the bases with none out on a single and two errors. Orioles starter Jose Bautista almost got out of it - he struck out BJ Surhoff and Dale Sveum - but Paul Molitor singled to tie the game up although the runner on second (Rob Deer) was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
The Orioles would go ahead for good in the sixth inning when they scored two runs on back-to-back RBI singles from Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart. A Pete Stanicek home run in the seventh made the score 4-1 which was how it ended. Baltimore had now won four straight which would end up being their longest winning streak of the season.
That streak ended with the night cap. Both teams scored a run in the first inning on an RBI double (Greg Brock for the Brewers and Larry Sheets for the Birds) but the Brew Crew followed up with two more in the third on an RBI groundout by Robin Yount and an RBI single by Brock. The O's on the other hand only got four more hits after the first.
One thing that happened tonight I didn't find out for a few weeks. My friend Steve drove down from Delaware for the second straight night and made it out to the Stadium in time for Game Two. He got seats in the lower deck on the first base side. During the first inning, Eddie Murray hit a screaming liner into the stands. Everyone in his section ducked except Steve. He stood up and raised his hands to catch the ball, only to have it pass right through his hands. It bounced off a nearby fan and rolled away. The best part of this story is that the cable systems in Delaware were carrying the game so when Steve got to work on Monday, one of his co-workers gave him a hard time about him missing the ball.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Tuesday July 19 vs the White Sox (2)
Opponent: Chicago White Sox
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 6-4
Streak: W1
Record: 30-63
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 0-2
Streak: L1
Record: 30-64
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
For the second time in less than a week the Orioles were playing a twi-night doubleheader to make up an earlier rain out. This time it was to make up the game that had been rained out on May 6th. And for the second time in less than a week Mike Boddicker started the first game and came away with the victory. And once again the team that won the game had fewer hits than the team that lost.
The White Sox got on the board first in game one when Steve Lyons hit an RBI double in third inning to score Gary Redus. It looked like Chicago was going to blow the game open in the fourth when they loaded the bases with nobody out but Boddicker got Fred Manrique to line out for the first out and then got Redus to hit a sacrifice fly for the second out. After walking Lyons to reload the bases he got Harold Baines to fly out to end the inning. The White Sox now led 2-0 though.
The Orioles came back in the bottom of the fourth, scoring their first run on three consecutive singles by Ken Gerhart, Pete Stanicek and Cal Ripken. After Eddie Murray grounded into a double play it looked like White Sox starter Jerry Reuss was going to get out of the inning with only giving up the one run but Mickey Tettleton clubed a two run home run to put the Birds up 3-2. Baltimore added three more runs in the sixth inning on a three run shot by Jim Traber.
The White Sox added solo home runs by Redus and Daryl Boston in the seventh and eighth innings respectively but that was all they got against Boddicker and Tom Neidenfuer. Chicago had 12 hits to the Orioles 9 but the Orioles scored five of their six runs on home runs. This would be Boddicker's final start at home for the Orioles and his final victory in a Baltimore uniform.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Orioles batters could get nothing going against White Sox starter Bill Long, who held them to four hits and two walks. Only one Baltimore base runner made it into scoring position - Murray singled in the fourth with one out and moved to second on a ground out by Larry Sheets - Jim Traber left him stranded there when he flew out to end the inning.
Meanwhile the White Sox were only faring a little better against Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. Lyons reached to lead off the fourth on an error by Traber at first base. Baines singled to move Lyons to third and Lyons came in to score when Dan Pasqua ground into a double play. The White Sox added a second run on a solo home run from Baines in the ninth, the only extra base hit of the game for either team. Final score was 2-0 White Sox.
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 6-4
Streak: W1
Record: 30-63
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 0-2
Streak: L1
Record: 30-64
Rank: 7th
GB: 25.5
For the second time in less than a week the Orioles were playing a twi-night doubleheader to make up an earlier rain out. This time it was to make up the game that had been rained out on May 6th. And for the second time in less than a week Mike Boddicker started the first game and came away with the victory. And once again the team that won the game had fewer hits than the team that lost.
The White Sox got on the board first in game one when Steve Lyons hit an RBI double in third inning to score Gary Redus. It looked like Chicago was going to blow the game open in the fourth when they loaded the bases with nobody out but Boddicker got Fred Manrique to line out for the first out and then got Redus to hit a sacrifice fly for the second out. After walking Lyons to reload the bases he got Harold Baines to fly out to end the inning. The White Sox now led 2-0 though.
The Orioles came back in the bottom of the fourth, scoring their first run on three consecutive singles by Ken Gerhart, Pete Stanicek and Cal Ripken. After Eddie Murray grounded into a double play it looked like White Sox starter Jerry Reuss was going to get out of the inning with only giving up the one run but Mickey Tettleton clubed a two run home run to put the Birds up 3-2. Baltimore added three more runs in the sixth inning on a three run shot by Jim Traber.
The White Sox added solo home runs by Redus and Daryl Boston in the seventh and eighth innings respectively but that was all they got against Boddicker and Tom Neidenfuer. Chicago had 12 hits to the Orioles 9 but the Orioles scored five of their six runs on home runs. This would be Boddicker's final start at home for the Orioles and his final victory in a Baltimore uniform.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Orioles batters could get nothing going against White Sox starter Bill Long, who held them to four hits and two walks. Only one Baltimore base runner made it into scoring position - Murray singled in the fourth with one out and moved to second on a ground out by Larry Sheets - Jim Traber left him stranded there when he flew out to end the inning.
Meanwhile the White Sox were only faring a little better against Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. Lyons reached to lead off the fourth on an error by Traber at first base. Baines singled to move Lyons to third and Lyons came in to score when Dan Pasqua ground into a double play. The White Sox added a second run on a solo home run from Baines in the ninth, the only extra base hit of the game for either team. Final score was 2-0 White Sox.
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Thursday July 14 vs the Twins (2)
Opponent: Minnesota Twins
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W3
Record: 29-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
Game 1
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W3
Record: 29-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
Game 2
Outcome: L
Score: 2-8
Streak: L1
Record: 29-60
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
The Orioles kicked off the post All Star break portion of the season with a twi-night double header against the Twins. One of these games was the makeup of the May 5th game that had been rained out. Since it was Thursday, it was "Three Buck Night" and since it was "Three Buck Night", I was at the ballpark this night. I was accompanied this evening by my friends Steve and Chris who had driven down from Delaware. Unlike the last "Three Buck Night" double header I went to, I got to the ballpark in time to see all of both games.
And of course since I was there that night Mike Boddicker was on the mound for the Birds in the first game - this was his eighth home start of the season and the sixth one I had attended. It would turn out to be the last time I saw him pitch for the Orioles but obviously I didn't know that yet.
Boddicker pitched a very good game that night although it started out a little shakey. Mark Davidson and Randy Bush had back-to-back singles to start the game and Kirby Puckett followed with an RBI groundout that brought Davidson in from third. But after a walk to Kent Hrbek Boddicker settled down and got out of the inning.
The Orioles got him off the hook in the bottom of the inning. Ken Gerhart singled to lead off and Fred Lynn followed with a two run home run off of Twins starter Bert Blyleven. Two batters later Eddie Murray teed off on Blyleven for a solo home run. 3-1 Orioles.
The Orioles added two more runs in the next two innings. Cal Ripken had a sacrifice fly in the second inning and Murray led off the third with his second home run of the game. Not to be outdone, Lynn hit his second home run of the game in the fourth inning - another two run shot that again brought in Gerhart. That made the score 7-1 in favor of the Birds.
And that's the way it finished. Boddicker allowed just four more hits the rest of the game along with four walks. The Twins made it interesting in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with only one out and the top of the lineup coming up but Boddicker struck out Davidson and got Bush to fly out to end the threat. Boddicker ended up throwing a complete game for the victory, his first one at home all season.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Twins took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI double from Dan Gladden but the Orioles tied it up in their half of the inning on a Bill Ripken sacrifice fly. A solo home run by Mickey Tettleton put the O's up 2-1 in the fourth inning but that lead was short lived.
Al Newman led off the top of the fifth with a single and John Moses followed with a double. Greg Gagne flew out for the first out but Orioles starter Jay Tibbs hit Gladden with a pitch to load the bases. Tibbs got Hrbek to strike out but then gave up a bases clearing triple to Gene Larkin to put the Twins up 4-2. Bush was intentionally walked to set up a force play at second but Tibbs threw a wild pitch while pitching to Brian Harper which moved Bush to second (although Larkin remained at third). Harper then doubled to bring in both Larkin and Bush. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced Tibbs with John Habyan who promptly gave up another RBI double, this time to Steve Lombardozzi before getting Newman (who had started all this with a single) to ground out to end the inning. The Twins sent ten men to the plate and scored six runs on five hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch.
The Twins added another run in the seventh inning on a second RBI double for Harper. Meanwhile Allan Anderson was mowing down the Orioles, holding them to only two hits and a walk over his last four innings of work before giving way to Juan Berenguer who pitched a perfect ninth for the Twins. Final score was 8-2 and the Birds three game win streak (tied for their longest of the season so far) was over.
In other baseball news this day, the Red Sox fired manager John McNamara. The Red Sox had been expected to contend this season but entered today with a record of 43-42, tied for fourth with the Brewers nine games behind the front running Tigers in the AL East. McNamara had managed the Red Sox since 1985, taking them to World Series and one pitch away from a Championship in 1986. He was replaced on an interim basis by third base coach Joe Morgan, who is not the Joe Morgan that you're probably thinking of. The interim label didn't last long - the Red Sox won their first 12 games under Morgan and 19 of their first 20 under him to catapult into a first place tie with Tigers on August 3rd. It was dubbed "Morgan Magic" and earned him the "permanent" job.
There's one other thing about this night I want to mention. At some point during the game my friend Steve mentioned that he'd met a woman that he thought I should meet. Her name was Sabra and she was into a lot of the same music that I was into and knew her way around a baseball game. He promised to introduce us at some point.
Here's the game stories from the next day's Evening Sun. There's a lot of talk in the article about Frank Robinson's ailing back. I've been trying to determine if he missed any more games due to his back this season and I've not been able to confirm it so far.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-8
Streak: L1
Record: 29-60
Rank: 7th
GB: 24.5
The Orioles kicked off the post All Star break portion of the season with a twi-night double header against the Twins. One of these games was the makeup of the May 5th game that had been rained out. Since it was Thursday, it was "Three Buck Night" and since it was "Three Buck Night", I was at the ballpark this night. I was accompanied this evening by my friends Steve and Chris who had driven down from Delaware. Unlike the last "Three Buck Night" double header I went to, I got to the ballpark in time to see all of both games.
And of course since I was there that night Mike Boddicker was on the mound for the Birds in the first game - this was his eighth home start of the season and the sixth one I had attended. It would turn out to be the last time I saw him pitch for the Orioles but obviously I didn't know that yet.
Boddicker pitched a very good game that night although it started out a little shakey. Mark Davidson and Randy Bush had back-to-back singles to start the game and Kirby Puckett followed with an RBI groundout that brought Davidson in from third. But after a walk to Kent Hrbek Boddicker settled down and got out of the inning.
The Orioles got him off the hook in the bottom of the inning. Ken Gerhart singled to lead off and Fred Lynn followed with a two run home run off of Twins starter Bert Blyleven. Two batters later Eddie Murray teed off on Blyleven for a solo home run. 3-1 Orioles.
The Orioles added two more runs in the next two innings. Cal Ripken had a sacrifice fly in the second inning and Murray led off the third with his second home run of the game. Not to be outdone, Lynn hit his second home run of the game in the fourth inning - another two run shot that again brought in Gerhart. That made the score 7-1 in favor of the Birds.
And that's the way it finished. Boddicker allowed just four more hits the rest of the game along with four walks. The Twins made it interesting in the eighth inning when they loaded the bases with only one out and the top of the lineup coming up but Boddicker struck out Davidson and got Bush to fly out to end the threat. Boddicker ended up throwing a complete game for the victory, his first one at home all season.
The nightcap didn't go as well for the Birds. The Twins took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI double from Dan Gladden but the Orioles tied it up in their half of the inning on a Bill Ripken sacrifice fly. A solo home run by Mickey Tettleton put the O's up 2-1 in the fourth inning but that lead was short lived.
Al Newman led off the top of the fifth with a single and John Moses followed with a double. Greg Gagne flew out for the first out but Orioles starter Jay Tibbs hit Gladden with a pitch to load the bases. Tibbs got Hrbek to strike out but then gave up a bases clearing triple to Gene Larkin to put the Twins up 4-2. Bush was intentionally walked to set up a force play at second but Tibbs threw a wild pitch while pitching to Brian Harper which moved Bush to second (although Larkin remained at third). Harper then doubled to bring in both Larkin and Bush. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced Tibbs with John Habyan who promptly gave up another RBI double, this time to Steve Lombardozzi before getting Newman (who had started all this with a single) to ground out to end the inning. The Twins sent ten men to the plate and scored six runs on five hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch.
The Twins added another run in the seventh inning on a second RBI double for Harper. Meanwhile Allan Anderson was mowing down the Orioles, holding them to only two hits and a walk over his last four innings of work before giving way to Juan Berenguer who pitched a perfect ninth for the Twins. Final score was 8-2 and the Birds three game win streak (tied for their longest of the season so far) was over.
In other baseball news this day, the Red Sox fired manager John McNamara. The Red Sox had been expected to contend this season but entered today with a record of 43-42, tied for fourth with the Brewers nine games behind the front running Tigers in the AL East. McNamara had managed the Red Sox since 1985, taking them to World Series and one pitch away from a Championship in 1986. He was replaced on an interim basis by third base coach Joe Morgan, who is not the Joe Morgan that you're probably thinking of. The interim label didn't last long - the Red Sox won their first 12 games under Morgan and 19 of their first 20 under him to catapult into a first place tie with Tigers on August 3rd. It was dubbed "Morgan Magic" and earned him the "permanent" job.
There's one other thing about this night I want to mention. At some point during the game my friend Steve mentioned that he'd met a woman that he thought I should meet. Her name was Sabra and she was into a lot of the same music that I was into and knew her way around a baseball game. He promised to introduce us at some point.
Here's the game stories from the next day's Evening Sun. There's a lot of talk in the article about Frank Robinson's ailing back. I've been trying to determine if he missed any more games due to his back this season and I've not been able to confirm it so far.
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.
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