Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 2-1
Streak: W2
Record: 28-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
For the second game in a row the Rangers outhit the Orioles but didn't come away with a win. The Orioles got on the board first in the fifth inning when Ken Gerhart singled to bring in Jim Traber (whi had led off the inning with a single). They scored their second run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Mickey Tettleton which scored Joe Orsulak who had pinch run for Larry Sheets after Sheets had tripled. The Orioles only had one other hit the rest of the game - Eddie Murray's single in the first inning.
The Rangers mounted their largest threat of the game in the eighth inning. With one out Geno Pertralli singled and two batters later Curtis Wilkerson singled. Mark Thurmond now came on to pitch for Baltimore, replacing started Jose Bautista. Oddibe McDowell greeted him with a single to bring in Petralli and move Wikerson to third. With Cecil Espy at the plate, McDowell scored second and Orioles manager Frank Robinson brought in Dave Schmidt to relieve Thurmond in the middle of the at bat. Schmidt eventually walked Espy to load the bases but got Scott Fletcher to ground back to the box to end the threat.
With the 2-1 victory the Orioles went into the All Star break with a modest 2 game winning streak.
Showing posts with label Rangers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rangers. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Monday, July 9, 2018
Saturday July 9 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W1
Record: 27-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The Rangers got 10 hits this evening off the Orioles' pitchers but somehow only managed to get one run. The main reason for that appears to be the fact that they hit into three double plays. In fact twice during the game the first two batters of an inning singled and both times a double play ground ball killed their rally. The Rangers ended up leaving eight men on base and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile the Birds only got six hits but made the most of their opportunities and scored four runs. In the bottom of the third Rick Schu led off with a single and Bill Ripken attempted to bunt him to second. The throw from catcher Geno Petralli pulled second baseman Curtis Wilkerson off the bag though and both Schu and Ripken were safe. Pete Stanicek followed with a sacrifice bunt of his own that moved up the baserunners and Fred Lynn then hit a sacrifice fly to score Schu. The next batter Cal Ripken doubled to knock in his brother Bill with the second run of the inning.
The Rangers cut the Birds' lead to 2-1 in the sixth inning. With one out Cecil Espy singled. He stole second with Scott Fletcher at bat and then scored a batter later on a Ruben Sierra single. But the Birds extended their lead in the bottom of the inning when Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart hit back-to-back home runs. The Rangers made it a little interesting in the eighth and ninth innings when they got two runners on in each inning but Orioles relievers Dave Schmidt and Tom Niedenfuer managed to keep them from scoring.
Outcome: W
Score: 4-1
Streak: W1
Record: 27-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The Rangers got 10 hits this evening off the Orioles' pitchers but somehow only managed to get one run. The main reason for that appears to be the fact that they hit into three double plays. In fact twice during the game the first two batters of an inning singled and both times a double play ground ball killed their rally. The Rangers ended up leaving eight men on base and went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile the Birds only got six hits but made the most of their opportunities and scored four runs. In the bottom of the third Rick Schu led off with a single and Bill Ripken attempted to bunt him to second. The throw from catcher Geno Petralli pulled second baseman Curtis Wilkerson off the bag though and both Schu and Ripken were safe. Pete Stanicek followed with a sacrifice bunt of his own that moved up the baserunners and Fred Lynn then hit a sacrifice fly to score Schu. The next batter Cal Ripken doubled to knock in his brother Bill with the second run of the inning.
The Rangers cut the Birds' lead to 2-1 in the sixth inning. With one out Cecil Espy singled. He stole second with Scott Fletcher at bat and then scored a batter later on a Ruben Sierra single. But the Birds extended their lead in the bottom of the inning when Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart hit back-to-back home runs. The Rangers made it a little interesting in the eighth and ninth innings when they got two runners on in each inning but Orioles relievers Dave Schmidt and Tom Niedenfuer managed to keep them from scoring.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Friday July 8 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 5-8
Streak: L1
Record: 26-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
For second time in three games the Orioles only managed four hits in the game. Unlike Wednesday night though they were able to parlay those four hits into five runs. But it wasn't enough against the Rangers' offense this evening.
Texas got to Baltimore starter Jeff Ballard earlier this night. Cecil Espy led off the game with a double and went to third on Scott Fletcher's single. Ruben Sierra then hit a ground ball that forced Fletcher at second but also brought in Espy with the game's first run. Two batters later Pete O'Brien hit a two run home run to make it 3-0.
The Birds got two of those runs back in the bottom of the inning. With one out Cal Ripken reached on an error by Rangers starter Jose Guzman and Eddie Murray followed with a two run home run. The score was now 3-2.
The Rangers put up another run in the fourth. Bob Brower started the inning with a single before Steve Beuchele popped out. On the second pitch to Mike Stanley Brower stole second and a pitch later he stole third. Stanley then singled to bring him (and knock Ballard out of the game). John Habyan came in and got the next two batters out but ran into trouble of his own the next inning. Fletcher singled to lead off the inning and Sierra reached on an error by Cal Ripken that allowed Fletcher to get to third. Pete Incaviligia hit a sacrifice fly to score Fletcher and O'Brien followed with a double to bring in Sierra. The Rangers lead was now 6-2.
The Orioles would battle back in the bottom of the fifth with one of THOSE kind of innings. Terry Kennedy led off the inning with a solo home run - it was the Birds' first hit since Murray's home run in the first. After Rick Schu followed with a groundout Pete Stanicek walked and stole second during Bill Ripken's at bat. When Bill singled Stanicek moved up to third, Fred Lynn then hit a ground ball to Beuchele that he couldn't handle although he kept the ball in front of him so Stanicek couldn't score. But the bases were now loaded with Cal Ripken at the plate. Guzman's third pitch to Cal went to the backstop and Stanicek scored the Birds' fourth run with the other baserunners moving up also. Cal then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in his brother with another run, cutting the Rangers' lead back to only one run. Murray then flew out to end the inning. The Orioles had scored three runs on two hits, a walk and error.
Unfortunately for Baltimore that was as close as they would get. The Rangers picked up two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Sierra and an RBI double by Incaviligia. The Orioles on the other hand only got one more hit the rest of the game - a single by Larry Sheets in the eighth - although they got two baserunners on walks in the seventh. The final score was 8-5 - only two of the Orioles five runs were earned.
Outcome: L
Score: 5-8
Streak: L1
Record: 26-59
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
For second time in three games the Orioles only managed four hits in the game. Unlike Wednesday night though they were able to parlay those four hits into five runs. But it wasn't enough against the Rangers' offense this evening.
Texas got to Baltimore starter Jeff Ballard earlier this night. Cecil Espy led off the game with a double and went to third on Scott Fletcher's single. Ruben Sierra then hit a ground ball that forced Fletcher at second but also brought in Espy with the game's first run. Two batters later Pete O'Brien hit a two run home run to make it 3-0.
The Birds got two of those runs back in the bottom of the inning. With one out Cal Ripken reached on an error by Rangers starter Jose Guzman and Eddie Murray followed with a two run home run. The score was now 3-2.
The Rangers put up another run in the fourth. Bob Brower started the inning with a single before Steve Beuchele popped out. On the second pitch to Mike Stanley Brower stole second and a pitch later he stole third. Stanley then singled to bring him (and knock Ballard out of the game). John Habyan came in and got the next two batters out but ran into trouble of his own the next inning. Fletcher singled to lead off the inning and Sierra reached on an error by Cal Ripken that allowed Fletcher to get to third. Pete Incaviligia hit a sacrifice fly to score Fletcher and O'Brien followed with a double to bring in Sierra. The Rangers lead was now 6-2.
The Orioles would battle back in the bottom of the fifth with one of THOSE kind of innings. Terry Kennedy led off the inning with a solo home run - it was the Birds' first hit since Murray's home run in the first. After Rick Schu followed with a groundout Pete Stanicek walked and stole second during Bill Ripken's at bat. When Bill singled Stanicek moved up to third, Fred Lynn then hit a ground ball to Beuchele that he couldn't handle although he kept the ball in front of him so Stanicek couldn't score. But the bases were now loaded with Cal Ripken at the plate. Guzman's third pitch to Cal went to the backstop and Stanicek scored the Birds' fourth run with the other baserunners moving up also. Cal then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in his brother with another run, cutting the Rangers' lead back to only one run. Murray then flew out to end the inning. The Orioles had scored three runs on two hits, a walk and error.
Unfortunately for Baltimore that was as close as they would get. The Rangers picked up two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Sierra and an RBI double by Incaviligia. The Orioles on the other hand only got one more hit the rest of the game - a single by Larry Sheets in the eighth - although they got two baserunners on walks in the seventh. The final score was 8-5 - only two of the Orioles five runs were earned.
Saturday, July 7, 2018
Thursday July 7 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 6-0
Streak: W1
Record: 26-58
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The day started on a somber note - Ralph Salvon, the longtime trainer for the Orioles, passed away after complications from heart surgery. Salvon had been with the team since 1966 and had been head trainer since 1968. He was just 60 years old. The team held a moment of silence before the game in his honor.
The Birds used the long ball tonight for most of their runs. Mickey Tettleton lead off the second with a solo home run and Ken Gerhart added a two run shot later in the evening. They got an unearned run in the seventh when Texas shortstop Scott Fletcher fumbled a ground ball from Bill Ripken that allowed Rick Schu to score. Cal Ripken led off the eighth with a solo shot and Eddie Murray scored later in the inning on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly to make it 6-0.
I was at the game as it was "Three Buck Night". Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun:
Outcome: W
Score: 6-0
Streak: W1
Record: 26-58
Rank: 7th
GB: 26
The day started on a somber note - Ralph Salvon, the longtime trainer for the Orioles, passed away after complications from heart surgery. Salvon had been with the team since 1966 and had been head trainer since 1968. He was just 60 years old. The team held a moment of silence before the game in his honor.
The Birds used the long ball tonight for most of their runs. Mickey Tettleton lead off the second with a solo home run and Ken Gerhart added a two run shot later in the evening. They got an unearned run in the seventh when Texas shortstop Scott Fletcher fumbled a ground ball from Bill Ripken that allowed Rick Schu to score. Cal Ripken led off the eighth with a solo shot and Eddie Murray scored later in the inning on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly to make it 6-0.
I was at the game as it was "Three Buck Night". Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun:
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Sunday July 3 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 1-13
Streak: L1
Record: 24-56
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles had had a pretty good week up to this game. They'd won four of five since last Sunday and had outscored their opponents 29-11. All of which meant nothing for this game. The Rangers exploded for five runs in the second inning on back-to-back-to-back RBI doubles by Cecil Espy, Bob Brower and Scott Fletcher which chased Orioles' starter Jeff Ballard from the game. The Rangers added solo runs in the third and fifth on an RBI single by Steve Beuchele and a solo home run by Geno Petralli.
The Rangers put the game out of reach in the seventh. Ruben Sierra walked to start the inning and two batters later Pete O'Brien doubled. Petralli was intentionally walked to load the bases and Beuchele followed with a double to bring in two runs. After Jeff Kunkel struck out for the second out Espy worked a walk to reload the bases. Brower then unloaded them by hitting a grand slam. At this point the game was 13-0 Rangers.
The Orioles finally got on the board in the top of the eighth on a solo home run by Joe Orsulak. But that's all they got. For the third consecutive Sunday the Orioles had given up double digit runs.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-13
Streak: L1
Record: 24-56
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles had had a pretty good week up to this game. They'd won four of five since last Sunday and had outscored their opponents 29-11. All of which meant nothing for this game. The Rangers exploded for five runs in the second inning on back-to-back-to-back RBI doubles by Cecil Espy, Bob Brower and Scott Fletcher which chased Orioles' starter Jeff Ballard from the game. The Rangers added solo runs in the third and fifth on an RBI single by Steve Beuchele and a solo home run by Geno Petralli.
The Rangers put the game out of reach in the seventh. Ruben Sierra walked to start the inning and two batters later Pete O'Brien doubled. Petralli was intentionally walked to load the bases and Beuchele followed with a double to bring in two runs. After Jeff Kunkel struck out for the second out Espy worked a walk to reload the bases. Brower then unloaded them by hitting a grand slam. At this point the game was 13-0 Rangers.
The Orioles finally got on the board in the top of the eighth on a solo home run by Joe Orsulak. But that's all they got. For the third consecutive Sunday the Orioles had given up double digit runs.
Monday, July 2, 2018
Saturday July 2 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 7-4
Streak: W2
Record: 24-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
Ho hum, another day, another seven runs for the Orioles. The game was a little more competitive tonight compared to the previous game. The Orioles exploded for six run in the top of the fourth. Eddie Murray lead off the inning with a single and two batters later Jim Traber also singled. A Ken Gerhart single brought Murray in with the first run of the evening and after Larry Sheets grounded out Bill Ripken walked to load the bases. Pete Stanicek singled to bring home the second run and then Rick Schu launched a grand slam to make it 6-0 Birds.
The Rangers mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Larry Parrish and Bob Brower had singles in between a couple outs and both scored with Mike Stanley doubled. Curtis Wilkerson singled to bring in Stanley and Cecil Espy tripled to score Wilkerson. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced starter Oswaldo Peraza with John Habyan who got Scott Fletcher to ground out to end the inning and limit the damage to four runs.
Habyan and three other Orioles relievers (Dave Schmidt Mark Thurmond and Ton Niedenfuer) limited the Rangers to just three hits and two walks the remainder of the game. Meanwhile the O's scored a final run in the top of the ninth on a Gerhart RBI single.
A bit of foreshadowing - after leaving 10 men on base and going 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position in the previous game, the Rangers only left four on base tonight and went 3 for 6 with RISP. This trend would continue with disastrous results in the next game.
Outcome: W
Score: 7-4
Streak: W2
Record: 24-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
Ho hum, another day, another seven runs for the Orioles. The game was a little more competitive tonight compared to the previous game. The Orioles exploded for six run in the top of the fourth. Eddie Murray lead off the inning with a single and two batters later Jim Traber also singled. A Ken Gerhart single brought Murray in with the first run of the evening and after Larry Sheets grounded out Bill Ripken walked to load the bases. Pete Stanicek singled to bring home the second run and then Rick Schu launched a grand slam to make it 6-0 Birds.
The Rangers mounted a comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Larry Parrish and Bob Brower had singles in between a couple outs and both scored with Mike Stanley doubled. Curtis Wilkerson singled to bring in Stanley and Cecil Espy tripled to score Wilkerson. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced starter Oswaldo Peraza with John Habyan who got Scott Fletcher to ground out to end the inning and limit the damage to four runs.
Habyan and three other Orioles relievers (Dave Schmidt Mark Thurmond and Ton Niedenfuer) limited the Rangers to just three hits and two walks the remainder of the game. Meanwhile the O's scored a final run in the top of the ninth on a Gerhart RBI single.
A bit of foreshadowing - after leaving 10 men on base and going 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position in the previous game, the Rangers only left four on base tonight and went 3 for 6 with RISP. This trend would continue with disastrous results in the next game.
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Friday July 1 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W1
Record: 23-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles offense seemed to have gotten rolling of late as they scored seven runs for the second time in three games. Fred Lynn kicked things off by hitting a solo home run in the first. The Rangers tied it up in the bottom of the inning on a Pete O'Brien RBI single but a Rick Schu RBI ground out in the top of the second put the Orioles back up. They put up another five unanswered runs with two in the third on back to back RBI singles by Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray, one in the sixth on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly and finally two in the ninth on an RBI double by Murray and an RBI single by Jim Traber. Meanwhile Mike Boddicker pitched a complete game for the victory despite giving up 10 hits and walking one. The Rangers left 10 men on base and went one for six with runners in scoring position.
Outcome: W
Score: 7-1
Streak: W1
Record: 23-55
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
The Orioles offense seemed to have gotten rolling of late as they scored seven runs for the second time in three games. Fred Lynn kicked things off by hitting a solo home run in the first. The Rangers tied it up in the bottom of the inning on a Pete O'Brien RBI single but a Rick Schu RBI ground out in the top of the second put the Orioles back up. They put up another five unanswered runs with two in the third on back to back RBI singles by Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray, one in the sixth on a Joe Orsulak sacrifice fly and finally two in the ninth on an RBI double by Murray and an RBI single by Jim Traber. Meanwhile Mike Boddicker pitched a complete game for the victory despite giving up 10 hits and walking one. The Rangers left 10 men on base and went one for six with runners in scoring position.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Thursday May 12 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 1-2
Streak: L4
Record: 4-29
Rank: 7th
GB: 18.0
After being blown out in their first two games against the Rangers, the Orioles pitching held Texas to just two runs this evening. Unfortunately their offense couldn't get it done even though they had plenty of opportunities. The Birds outhit the Rangers 8 to 7 this evening and the Rangers also committed two errors. The O's had at least one baserunner every inning after the first but left 14 guys on base. They went 0-12 with runners in scoring position. Their sole run was scored on a home run by Keith Hughes in the top of the seventh.
Meanwhile the Rangers picked up a run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single from Curtis Wilkerson and scored another in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single from Ruben Sierra. That was all they needed to win 2-1 and sweep the Orioles in the three game series.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-2
Streak: L4
Record: 4-29
Rank: 7th
GB: 18.0
After being blown out in their first two games against the Rangers, the Orioles pitching held Texas to just two runs this evening. Unfortunately their offense couldn't get it done even though they had plenty of opportunities. The Birds outhit the Rangers 8 to 7 this evening and the Rangers also committed two errors. The O's had at least one baserunner every inning after the first but left 14 guys on base. They went 0-12 with runners in scoring position. Their sole run was scored on a home run by Keith Hughes in the top of the seventh.
Meanwhile the Rangers picked up a run in the bottom of the second on an RBI single from Curtis Wilkerson and scored another in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single from Ruben Sierra. That was all they needed to win 2-1 and sweep the Orioles in the three game series.
Friday, May 11, 2018
Wednesday May 11 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 0-8
Streak: L3
Record: 4-28
Rank: 7th
GB: 17.5
Outcome: L
Score: 0-8
Streak: L3
Record: 4-28
Rank: 7th
GB: 17.5
The Rangers ended any suspense in this one quickly. The Rangers scored four in the bottom of the first off of O's starter Mark Williamson on an RBI double by Ruben Sierra, a two run home run by Pete Incaviglia and a solo shot from Larry Parrish. It was the second day in a row that Sierra had doubled and Invaviglia had homered in the bottom of the first. Parrish had also homered the day before. They extended their lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Jerry Browne scored on a Williamson wild pitch and 8-0 in the bottom of the sixth when the Rangers converted four singles and a double into three runs.
Meanwhile Rangers starter Paul Kilgus took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Birds before Pete Stanicek hit a two out single. Kilgus threw a complete game and gave up only four hits while also walking four. The closest the Orioles got to scoring was in the top of the seventh when they loaded the bases with only one out. But Mickey Tettleton flew out to center and Rene Gonzalez grounded out to third to end the threat.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Tuesday, May 10 at the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 5-13
Streak: L2
Record: 4-27
Rank: 7th
GB: 16.5
Outcome: L
Score: 5-13
Streak: L2
Record: 4-27
Rank: 7th
GB: 16.5
On this night the Orioles got behind early and despite some early run scoring just couldn't keep their heads above water. The Rangers jumped ahead in the bottom of the first on a two run home run by Pete Incaviglia. It could have been worse but Scott Fletcher had gotten thrown out trying to score on Ruben Sierra's double one at bat before Incaviglia homered. Eddie Murray led off the second with a home run to cut the Rangers lead in half but Texas scored three in the bottom of the second to increase their lead to four.
In the top of the third some sloppy play by the Rangers let the O's get close again. Pete Stancek hit a single with one out and then stole second. Bill Ripken then reached on an error by Fletcher at shortstop. With Cal Ripken at the plate the Rangers' pitcher - 40 year old knuckle-baller Charlie Hough - uncorked a wild pitch moving the runners to second and third. Hough then walked Cal - the game description doesn't indicate it was intentional but Hough didn't throw a strike to Cal. Murray then stepped in with the bases loaded and Hough threw his second wild pitch of the inning, bringing Stanicek home and moving the Ripkens to second and third. Murray then lined a single to left that knocked in two runs, bring the O's back to only a one run deficit. But Hough got the next two batters out and the Birds wouldn't get the score that close again in the game.
A Larry Parrish two run home run in the bottom of the third extended the Rangers lead to 7-4 and they added single runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth. The Orioles got a fifth and final run in the top of the seventh when Stanicek tripled and scored on a groundout by Bill Ripken. The Rangers blew the game open in the bottom of the seventh when they scored four more runs including two on a bases loaded double by Steve Beuchele and one on a wild pitch from Mike Morgan - it was Morgan's first pitch of the game after relieving Don Aase.
Tank McNamara featured the Orioles again today:
Tank McNamara featured the Orioles again today:
Thursday, May 3, 2018
May 3 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L1
Record: 2-24
Rank: 7th
GB: 16
This was a bit of a let down after "Fantastic Fans Night". Only 11,507 fans showed up this evening to see the Orioles lose to the Rangers. The Rangers got on the board first with two in the top of the second when Larry Parrish knocked in Pete Incaviglia with a single and Pete O'Brien scored on a wild pitch from Mike Boddicker. A two run home run from Cal Ripken in the bottom of the fourth (his fifth of the year) tied the score but the Rangers would plate two more runs in the sixth on a RBI double by Incaviglia and a sacrifice fly from Parrish. Boddicker suffered his sixth loss in as many starts on the season.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-4
Streak: L1
Record: 2-24
Rank: 7th
GB: 16
This was a bit of a let down after "Fantastic Fans Night". Only 11,507 fans showed up this evening to see the Orioles lose to the Rangers. The Rangers got on the board first with two in the top of the second when Larry Parrish knocked in Pete Incaviglia with a single and Pete O'Brien scored on a wild pitch from Mike Boddicker. A two run home run from Cal Ripken in the bottom of the fourth (his fifth of the year) tied the score but the Rangers would plate two more runs in the sixth on a RBI double by Incaviglia and a sacrifice fly from Parrish. Boddicker suffered his sixth loss in as many starts on the season.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
May 2 vs the Rangers
Opponent: Texas Rangers
Outcome: W
Score: 9-4
Streak: W1
Record: 2-23
Rank: 7th
If you don't know who she is, I'm not sure I can really explain her. Give her Wikipedia page a read.
On to the game itself. Perhaps the best part of the night is that the Orioles were able to rise to the occasion that night and reward the 50,000 fans with not just a victory but another laugher. Appropriately Cal Ripken got the scoring started with a solo home run in the bottom of the third (he struck out in the first, apparently dazed by Morganna's kiss). They exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Keith Hughes and Terry Kennedy led off the inning with a single and a double respectively. After Craig Worthington popped out, Pete Stanicek and Bill Ripken had back-to-back RBI singles. A wild pitch brought Stanicek in and then Cal Ripken reached on an error by third baseman Steve Beuchele. Eddie Murray followed up with an RBI single and then with Larry Sheets at bat Rangers pitcher Jose Guzman balked for the second time in the game (I'm pretty sure the first time was when Morganna ran onto the field) and scored Cal Ripken from third for the fifth run in the evening. The Rangers got one back in the top of the third when Curtis Wilkerson tripled and scored on a wild pitch but the Orioles put up another three runs in the bottom of the sixth on five walks, an error and one hit. It was 9-1 going into the top of the ninth when Ruben Sierra hit a three run home run to make it a little closer but really all it did was prevent the Orioles starting pitcher Jay Tibbs from pitching a complete game. He was replaced on the mount by Doug Sisk who got the final out.
This game was probably the highlight of the 1988 season for the Orioles but this day had some sadness as well - the Orioles released Scott McGregor. McGregor had had some great seasons for the O's in the early 80's - he went 20-8 in 1980 for a team that won 100 games but finished second and went 18-7 for the World Series winning team in 1983. But he was 0-3 with an 8.83 this season and at age 34 was no longer viewed as part of the future for the team. Mike Boddicker was now the last starter from the 1983 team still with the team - Jim Palmer had retired and Storm Davis, Mike Flanagan and Dennis Martinez were in Oakland, Toronto and Montreal respectively.
The turnout by the fans this night made the national news:
Despite being at the game, I didn't keep score and so I didn't save the game story from the Washington Post. Therefore I can't share the clipping here.
The O's made the cover of Sports Illustrated. I'm not sure when the issue actually came out but the cover date was this day:
The accompanying article can be see here at the Sports Illustrated Vault.
Outcome: W
Score: 9-4
Streak: W1
Record: 2-23
Rank: 7th
GB: 15.5
This was special. The Orioles and 98 Rock had marketed this night's game as "Fantastic Fans Night" and the fans responded in droves. It helped that it was "Three Buck Night" but 50,402 fans packed into Memorial Stadium, even into the seats that weren't three bucks. My friends Steve and Rick and I were three of those fans although we got delayed by the traffic getting to the ballpark so we didn't settle into our seats in the right field bleachers until the bottom of the first. We missed Bob Rivers, who had finally gotten some rest after his 258 hour marathon, throwing out the first pitch and the pregame announcement that the Orioles and the State of Maryland had come to an agreement on a 15 year lease on a new stadium for the Birds "a few blocks west of the Inner Harbor in the Camden Railroad Yards". There had been unease in Baltimore about the Orioles' future for a few years given that owner Edward Bennett Williams was based out of Washington DC (and had previously owned the Redskins) and Washington DC had been without a baseball team since 1972. The abrupt departure of the Colts for Indiana in March of 1984 didn't help.
We did arrive in time to see this in the bottom of the first however:
We did arrive in time to see this in the bottom of the first however:
If you don't know who she is, I'm not sure I can really explain her. Give her Wikipedia page a read.
On to the game itself. Perhaps the best part of the night is that the Orioles were able to rise to the occasion that night and reward the 50,000 fans with not just a victory but another laugher. Appropriately Cal Ripken got the scoring started with a solo home run in the bottom of the third (he struck out in the first, apparently dazed by Morganna's kiss). They exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Keith Hughes and Terry Kennedy led off the inning with a single and a double respectively. After Craig Worthington popped out, Pete Stanicek and Bill Ripken had back-to-back RBI singles. A wild pitch brought Stanicek in and then Cal Ripken reached on an error by third baseman Steve Beuchele. Eddie Murray followed up with an RBI single and then with Larry Sheets at bat Rangers pitcher Jose Guzman balked for the second time in the game (I'm pretty sure the first time was when Morganna ran onto the field) and scored Cal Ripken from third for the fifth run in the evening. The Rangers got one back in the top of the third when Curtis Wilkerson tripled and scored on a wild pitch but the Orioles put up another three runs in the bottom of the sixth on five walks, an error and one hit. It was 9-1 going into the top of the ninth when Ruben Sierra hit a three run home run to make it a little closer but really all it did was prevent the Orioles starting pitcher Jay Tibbs from pitching a complete game. He was replaced on the mount by Doug Sisk who got the final out.
This game was probably the highlight of the 1988 season for the Orioles but this day had some sadness as well - the Orioles released Scott McGregor. McGregor had had some great seasons for the O's in the early 80's - he went 20-8 in 1980 for a team that won 100 games but finished second and went 18-7 for the World Series winning team in 1983. But he was 0-3 with an 8.83 this season and at age 34 was no longer viewed as part of the future for the team. Mike Boddicker was now the last starter from the 1983 team still with the team - Jim Palmer had retired and Storm Davis, Mike Flanagan and Dennis Martinez were in Oakland, Toronto and Montreal respectively.
The turnout by the fans this night made the national news:
Despite being at the game, I didn't keep score and so I didn't save the game story from the Washington Post. Therefore I can't share the clipping here.
The O's made the cover of Sports Illustrated. I'm not sure when the issue actually came out but the cover date was this day:
The accompanying article can be see here at the Sports Illustrated Vault.
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