Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L3
Record: 51-93
Rank: 7th
GB: 30.5
Tonight was the Mike Greenwell show. The Red Sox left fielder went 4 for 4, hitting for the cycle and scoring three runs.
The Red Sox starting pitcher this evening former Oriole Mike Boddicker who had been traded to Boston back at the end of July. This was Boddicker's first start ever against his former team. He had a bit of a rough going early on. With one out in the second inning he loaded the bases by walking Larry Sheets and Mickey Tettleton and giving up a single to Jim Traber. Rick Schu then came through with a single that brought in Sheets and Tettleton to put the O's up 2-0. Boddicker struck out Bill Ripken and got Joe Orsulak to ground out to get out of the inning without giving up any more runs.
Greenwell led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run to cut the Birds' lead in half. Boston pulled ahead a couple innings later. After Dwight Evans struck out to open the fourth, Greenwell hit a shot into the right field corner that bounced into the stands for a ground rule double. Ellis Burks followed with a single that moved Greenwell to third. Burks then stole second with Jim Rice at the plate. Rice hit a sacrifice fly that scored Greenwell with the tying run and then Larry Parrish put the Red Sox up by a run when Burks scored on his single. But the Orioles came back in the top of the fifth, tying the game at 3-3 on a sacrifice fly by Eddie Murray that scored Brady Anderson (who had been acquired from Boston in the Boddicker trade).
Boston went up for good in the sixth inning. Greenwell led off the inning with a ball that was misplayed in deep left-center field by Sheets. Greenwell ended up on a third and was given credit for a triple. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Burks to put the Red Sox up 4-3.
Greenwell led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to complete his cycle but for the first time in the game he failed to score.
Boddicker ended up going seven innings against his former team tonight, giving up three runs (only two of which were earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out five. He got his 12th win of the season - it was his sixth win since joining the Red Sox.
Here's a YouTube clip showing Greenwell's four hits from that night:
My friend Steve had moved up to Boston at the beginning of the month and was at this game.
Showing posts with label Red Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Sox. Show all posts
Friday, September 14, 2018
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Tuesday September 13 at the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 4-6
Streak: L2
Record: 51-92
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
Tonight's starting pitcher for the Orioles was another player making his major league debut. Pete Harnisch had been a first round pick for Baltimore in the 1987 draft out of Fordham University and had rapidly moved through the minors. He started the 1988 season in Double A with Charlotte and after 20 started moved up to Triple A Rochester. He would end up packaged with his fellow 1988 MLB debuter Curt Schilling and Steve Finley in the infamous trade with the Astros in the 1990-91 offseason for Glenn Davis . Harnisch would eventually spend 14 seasons in the majors with the Orioles, Astros, Mets and Reds.
His debut didn't go particularly well. He walked Wade Boggs to start the game but got out of the first without giving up any runs. He gave up two singles in the second but again didn't give up a run. His luck ran out in the third. Boggs lead off the inning with a double and was sacrificed to third on a bunt by Marty Barrett. Dwight Evans flew out for the second out but Harnisch then walked Mike Greenwell and Ellis Burks to load the bases. Jim Rice then unloaded them by crushing a grand slam to deep left-center field. Surprisingly Orioles manager Frank Robinson left Harnisch in the game and he struck out Larry Parrish to end the inning.
Mickey Tettleton got the Birds on the board in the fourth inning with a two RBI double that cut the Red Sox lead in half. Harnisch rewarded his manager for his patience by settling down and retiring the Red Sox in order over the next three innings. But in the seventh inning he gave up another run on a pair of doubles by Jody Reed and Boggs to put the Sox up 5-2. This would prove costly as the Orioles cashed in on doubles by Joe Orsulak, Eddie Murray and Larry Sheets to score two runs in the top of eight, cutting the Red Sox lead to 5-4.
The Orioles now finally went to the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth, bringing in Mark Williamson to replace Harnish. Williamson ended up giving up a final run to Boston on an RBI single by Reed. Lee Smith closed out the game for his 25th save on the season. Harnisch ended up going 7 innings in his debut, giving up five runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts and took the loss.
Outcome: L
Score: 4-6
Streak: L2
Record: 51-92
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
Tonight's starting pitcher for the Orioles was another player making his major league debut. Pete Harnisch had been a first round pick for Baltimore in the 1987 draft out of Fordham University and had rapidly moved through the minors. He started the 1988 season in Double A with Charlotte and after 20 started moved up to Triple A Rochester. He would end up packaged with his fellow 1988 MLB debuter Curt Schilling and Steve Finley in the infamous trade with the Astros in the 1990-91 offseason for Glenn Davis . Harnisch would eventually spend 14 seasons in the majors with the Orioles, Astros, Mets and Reds.
His debut didn't go particularly well. He walked Wade Boggs to start the game but got out of the first without giving up any runs. He gave up two singles in the second but again didn't give up a run. His luck ran out in the third. Boggs lead off the inning with a double and was sacrificed to third on a bunt by Marty Barrett. Dwight Evans flew out for the second out but Harnisch then walked Mike Greenwell and Ellis Burks to load the bases. Jim Rice then unloaded them by crushing a grand slam to deep left-center field. Surprisingly Orioles manager Frank Robinson left Harnisch in the game and he struck out Larry Parrish to end the inning.
Mickey Tettleton got the Birds on the board in the fourth inning with a two RBI double that cut the Red Sox lead in half. Harnisch rewarded his manager for his patience by settling down and retiring the Red Sox in order over the next three innings. But in the seventh inning he gave up another run on a pair of doubles by Jody Reed and Boggs to put the Sox up 5-2. This would prove costly as the Orioles cashed in on doubles by Joe Orsulak, Eddie Murray and Larry Sheets to score two runs in the top of eight, cutting the Red Sox lead to 5-4.
The Orioles now finally went to the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth, bringing in Mark Williamson to replace Harnish. Williamson ended up giving up a final run to Boston on an RBI single by Reed. Lee Smith closed out the game for his 25th save on the season. Harnisch ended up going 7 innings in his debut, giving up five runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts and took the loss.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Monday September 12 at the Red Soc
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L1
Record: 51-91
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Curt Schilling made his second career start this evening - it didn't go as well tonight as his first start against the Red Sox went last week. He walked Wade Boggs on four pitches to start the game and gave up a single to the second hitter Marty Barrett. His third pitch to Dwight Evans got by catcher Mickey Tettleton and both runners moved up but ultimately it didn't matter because Evans drew a walk on four pitches as well to load the bases. Schilling got a break when Mike Greenwell hit a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken who was able to convert it into a double play although Boggs scored on the play. Ellis Burks followed with a single that brought Barrett in for the second run of the inning. With Todd Benzinger at the plate Schilling attempted to pick off Burks at first but he threw the ball away - Burks made it all the way to third on the throwing error. Two pitches later Burks came in to score when Schilling threw a wild pitch. Benzinger then mercifully struck out to end the inning. Boston scored three runs on two hits, two walks, an error, a passed ball and a wild pitch.
The second inning went only a little better for Schilling. After Larry Parrish flied out to start the inning Jody Reed hit a double. Rich Gedman flew out for the second out but Boggs hit an RBI single to score Reed. When Barrett followed with another single, Orioles manager Frank Robinson had seen enough. Doug Sisk came in to relieve Schilling and got Evans to fly out to end the inning. In the next inning Sisk gave up another run on an RBI double by Benzinger. The Red Sox led 5-0 after three innings.
Meanwhile Bruce Hurst was pitching pretty well for the Red Sox this evening. He scattered eight hits over the first six innings and struck out seven. But he ran into some trouble in the seventh inning. Tettleton started the inning with a single and after Ken Gerhart and Rick Schu flew out Pete Stanicek drew a walk. The Red Sox went to their bullpen and brought in Dennis Lamp. Lamp gave up a single to pinch hitter Larry Sheets to load the bases, then uncorked a wild pitch to bring Tettleton in with the Birds' first (and ultimately only) run of the game. Lamp got Cal Ripken to fly out to end the threat. Boston would get the run back in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Reed to make the final score 6-1. Hurst earned his 17th win of the season.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L1
Record: 51-91
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Curt Schilling made his second career start this evening - it didn't go as well tonight as his first start against the Red Sox went last week. He walked Wade Boggs on four pitches to start the game and gave up a single to the second hitter Marty Barrett. His third pitch to Dwight Evans got by catcher Mickey Tettleton and both runners moved up but ultimately it didn't matter because Evans drew a walk on four pitches as well to load the bases. Schilling got a break when Mike Greenwell hit a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken who was able to convert it into a double play although Boggs scored on the play. Ellis Burks followed with a single that brought Barrett in for the second run of the inning. With Todd Benzinger at the plate Schilling attempted to pick off Burks at first but he threw the ball away - Burks made it all the way to third on the throwing error. Two pitches later Burks came in to score when Schilling threw a wild pitch. Benzinger then mercifully struck out to end the inning. Boston scored three runs on two hits, two walks, an error, a passed ball and a wild pitch.
The second inning went only a little better for Schilling. After Larry Parrish flied out to start the inning Jody Reed hit a double. Rich Gedman flew out for the second out but Boggs hit an RBI single to score Reed. When Barrett followed with another single, Orioles manager Frank Robinson had seen enough. Doug Sisk came in to relieve Schilling and got Evans to fly out to end the inning. In the next inning Sisk gave up another run on an RBI double by Benzinger. The Red Sox led 5-0 after three innings.
Meanwhile Bruce Hurst was pitching pretty well for the Red Sox this evening. He scattered eight hits over the first six innings and struck out seven. But he ran into some trouble in the seventh inning. Tettleton started the inning with a single and after Ken Gerhart and Rick Schu flew out Pete Stanicek drew a walk. The Red Sox went to their bullpen and brought in Dennis Lamp. Lamp gave up a single to pinch hitter Larry Sheets to load the bases, then uncorked a wild pitch to bring Tettleton in with the Birds' first (and ultimately only) run of the game. Lamp got Cal Ripken to fly out to end the threat. Boston would get the run back in the eighth inning on an RBI single from Reed to make the final score 6-1. Hurst earned his 17th win of the season.
Friday, September 7, 2018
Wednesday September 7 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 49-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The starting pitcher for the Orioles tonight was one of the players they had gotten from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade a little over a month earlier who was making his major league debut. Curt Schilling would go on to have a 20 year major league career, winning 216 games and three World Series championships. I'm going to avoid talking about his politics because for the purposes of this blog I want to concentrate on what he did on the field. He ended his career with 3116 strikeouts - here's the first one, against Todd Benzinger in the second inning:
The Orioles got Schilling an early run on a sacrifice fly from Ken Gerhart in the bottom of the second but Boston tied it up on a solo home run from Ellis Burks in the fourth. The Red Sox took the lead in the fifth on a bases loaded double from Dwight Evans that brought in two runs. The Orioles cut the lead to 3-2 on an RBI single by Jim Traber in the bottom of the seventh.
And that's how it stood going into the bottom of the ninth with Lee Smith, the Red Sox ace closer on the mound. But the Orioles had one of their few 1988 miracles happen this night. Smith struck out Brady Anderson to open the inning but then gave up a single to Traber. Smith then complained of a crick in his neck and had to be replaced on the mound by Bob Stanley. Rick Schu came in to run for Traber. Maybe because he had to rush to get ready to pitch (or maybe just because he was Bob F*cking Stanley - sorry, just letting my inner 1980's Red Sox fan vent) Stanley couldn't throw a strike. He walked Larry Sheets on five pitches and Pete Stanicek on four pitches to load the bases. Bill Ripken then blooped a single down the right field line that scored Schu with the tying run. Red Sox manager Joe Morgan put his team into an unorthodox fielding alignment - he made left fielder Mike Greenwell into a fifth infielder, positioning him between shortstop Jody Reed and second base. Cal Ripken then hit what looked like a tailor-made double play ball right at Reed who throw to Marty Barrett at second to force Bill Ripken but Barrett's throw to first deflected off of first baseman Benzinger's glove while Sheets came across the plate with the winning run. It was their eighth walk off win of the season.
I was at the game that night of course. Here are the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Outcome: W
Score: 4-3
Streak: W1
Record: 49-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The starting pitcher for the Orioles tonight was one of the players they had gotten from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade a little over a month earlier who was making his major league debut. Curt Schilling would go on to have a 20 year major league career, winning 216 games and three World Series championships. I'm going to avoid talking about his politics because for the purposes of this blog I want to concentrate on what he did on the field. He ended his career with 3116 strikeouts - here's the first one, against Todd Benzinger in the second inning:
The Orioles got Schilling an early run on a sacrifice fly from Ken Gerhart in the bottom of the second but Boston tied it up on a solo home run from Ellis Burks in the fourth. The Red Sox took the lead in the fifth on a bases loaded double from Dwight Evans that brought in two runs. The Orioles cut the lead to 3-2 on an RBI single by Jim Traber in the bottom of the seventh.
And that's how it stood going into the bottom of the ninth with Lee Smith, the Red Sox ace closer on the mound. But the Orioles had one of their few 1988 miracles happen this night. Smith struck out Brady Anderson to open the inning but then gave up a single to Traber. Smith then complained of a crick in his neck and had to be replaced on the mound by Bob Stanley. Rick Schu came in to run for Traber. Maybe because he had to rush to get ready to pitch (or maybe just because he was Bob F*cking Stanley - sorry, just letting my inner 1980's Red Sox fan vent) Stanley couldn't throw a strike. He walked Larry Sheets on five pitches and Pete Stanicek on four pitches to load the bases. Bill Ripken then blooped a single down the right field line that scored Schu with the tying run. Red Sox manager Joe Morgan put his team into an unorthodox fielding alignment - he made left fielder Mike Greenwell into a fifth infielder, positioning him between shortstop Jody Reed and second base. Cal Ripken then hit what looked like a tailor-made double play ball right at Reed who throw to Marty Barrett at second to force Bill Ripken but Barrett's throw to first deflected off of first baseman Benzinger's glove while Sheets came across the plate with the winning run. It was their eighth walk off win of the season.
I was at the game that night of course. Here are the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Tuesday September 6 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 6-1
Streak: L2
Record: 48-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett had been a bit a thorn in the side of the Orioles this season. It wasn't that he hit a bunch of home runs against them or anything - it was just that he seemed to outsmart them all season with odd little plays. The big ones were the straight steal of home off Jeff Ballard back on June 16th and pulling the hidden ball trick on Jim Traber in yesterday's game. And then there was tonight. With one out in the first inning Barrett hit a single off of Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. With a 3-2 count on Dwight Evans at the plate, Barrett broke for second. Evans swung at the pitch, striking out and O's catcher Terry Kennedy threw to Bill Ripken covering at second to try to catch Barrett. The throw beat Barrett to the bag but Barrett stopped his slide just short of the bag so Ripken's tag missed him. Barrett then popped up and stuck out his foot out onto the base. Safe!
I'm not sure I'm doing this slide justice so here's the video:
Barrett being on second put him in position to score when Mike Greenwell followed with a single. Ellis Burks hit another single to move Greenwell to third where he scored when Todd Benzinger hit Boston's fourth single of the inning. The Sox were up 2-0 after one.
Barrett factored in Boston's scoring in the second inning as well albeit in a more conventional way. The Red Sox loaded the bases with nobody out on a pair of singles by Jody Reed and Rich Gedman and a ground ball from Wade Boggs that Cal Ripken misplayed at shortstop for an error. Barrett lofted a sacrifice fly to left that brought Reed in with Boston's third run of the evening.
The Orioles got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly of their own off the bat of Cal Ripken. But a two run home run from Greenwell in the top of the fifth made if 5-1 Red Sox and they got their sixth run in the sixth on an RBI single from Evans. Meanwhile Wes Gardner was holding the Orioles to just the one run on five hits and two walks over nine innings, throwing a complete game en route to the victory.
Once again I was at the game. Here's the clippings from Wednesday's Evening Sun:
Outcome: L
Score: 6-1
Streak: L2
Record: 48-89
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett had been a bit a thorn in the side of the Orioles this season. It wasn't that he hit a bunch of home runs against them or anything - it was just that he seemed to outsmart them all season with odd little plays. The big ones were the straight steal of home off Jeff Ballard back on June 16th and pulling the hidden ball trick on Jim Traber in yesterday's game. And then there was tonight. With one out in the first inning Barrett hit a single off of Orioles starter Jay Tibbs. With a 3-2 count on Dwight Evans at the plate, Barrett broke for second. Evans swung at the pitch, striking out and O's catcher Terry Kennedy threw to Bill Ripken covering at second to try to catch Barrett. The throw beat Barrett to the bag but Barrett stopped his slide just short of the bag so Ripken's tag missed him. Barrett then popped up and stuck out his foot out onto the base. Safe!
I'm not sure I'm doing this slide justice so here's the video:
Barrett being on second put him in position to score when Mike Greenwell followed with a single. Ellis Burks hit another single to move Greenwell to third where he scored when Todd Benzinger hit Boston's fourth single of the inning. The Sox were up 2-0 after one.
Barrett factored in Boston's scoring in the second inning as well albeit in a more conventional way. The Red Sox loaded the bases with nobody out on a pair of singles by Jody Reed and Rich Gedman and a ground ball from Wade Boggs that Cal Ripken misplayed at shortstop for an error. Barrett lofted a sacrifice fly to left that brought Reed in with Boston's third run of the evening.
The Orioles got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly of their own off the bat of Cal Ripken. But a two run home run from Greenwell in the top of the fifth made if 5-1 Red Sox and they got their sixth run in the sixth on an RBI single from Evans. Meanwhile Wes Gardner was holding the Orioles to just the one run on five hits and two walks over nine innings, throwing a complete game en route to the victory.
Once again I was at the game. Here's the clippings from Wednesday's Evening Sun:
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Monday September 5 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 4-1
Streak: L1
Record: 48-88
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The Orioles returned home after 10 days on the road to face the Red Sox on Labor Day. A lot had changed for Boston since the Birds last faced them in June. I had previously mentioned that the Red Sox had fired manager John McNamara on July 14th just after the All Star break and replaced him with third base coach Joe Morgan (who was not the Joe Morgan of the 1970's Reds). The Red Sox promptly won 19 of their next 20 games (including their first 12 in a row under the new manager) and catapulted themselves from a fourth place tie with the Brewers to a first place tie with the Tigers on August 2. The Sox spent most of the month of August in second place but their victory over the Angels on September 4th combined with the Tigers loss to the Brewers put them back into a first place tie coming into tonight's game.
The Red Sox put a couple on the board early. Dwight Evans had an RBI single in the first and Larry Parrish (who the Red Sox had signed in mid-July after he'd been released by the Rangers) had a solo home run in the second to put the Sox up 2-0.
The key play of the night happened in the bottom of the second. Larry Sheets and Jim Traber started off the inning with back-to-back singles. Rene Gonzales attempted to move the two runners up with a sacrifice bunt but Sheets was thrown out at third. Wade Boggs throw to first where Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett was covering was too late to double up Gonzales. Bill Ripken stepped into the batters box and Red Sox pitcher Mike Smithson stood behind the mound acting like he was getting ready to pitch. No one on the Orioles realized that Smithson didn't have the ball - Barrett still had it. He waited until Traber took a lead off of second then threw the ball to shortstop Jody Reed who tagged Traber out with a successful execution of the hidden ball trick. Ripken flew out to left to end the inning.
The Orioles had many opportunities to score in this game - they got 10 hits and three walks but left nine men on base and went 1-9 with runners in scoring position. They pushed across their lone run in the fifth. Gonzales and Bill Ripken hit back-to-back singles. After Joe Orsulak flew out Brady Anderson doubled, scoring Gonzales. Ripken stopped at third however and I think Anderson ended up overrunning second as the throw from Evans in right field was cut off by Smithson who threw to Reed to catch Anderson trying to get back to second. Cal Ripken then flew out to end the inning.
The Red Sox got a two run home run from Evans in the top of the ninth to make the score 4-1. Combined with Detroit's loss to Toronto the victory put the Red Sox into first place by themselves for the first time all season. They would not fall out of first the rest of the season although I don't think they actually clinched the division title until October 2nd, the last day of season. The loss by the Orioles mathematically eliminated them from the division race.
I was at this game - as I did in June I decided to go to all of the games the Red Sox were playing in Baltimore this week. Here's the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Outcome: L
Score: 4-1
Streak: L1
Record: 48-88
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
The Orioles returned home after 10 days on the road to face the Red Sox on Labor Day. A lot had changed for Boston since the Birds last faced them in June. I had previously mentioned that the Red Sox had fired manager John McNamara on July 14th just after the All Star break and replaced him with third base coach Joe Morgan (who was not the Joe Morgan of the 1970's Reds). The Red Sox promptly won 19 of their next 20 games (including their first 12 in a row under the new manager) and catapulted themselves from a fourth place tie with the Brewers to a first place tie with the Tigers on August 2. The Sox spent most of the month of August in second place but their victory over the Angels on September 4th combined with the Tigers loss to the Brewers put them back into a first place tie coming into tonight's game.
The Red Sox put a couple on the board early. Dwight Evans had an RBI single in the first and Larry Parrish (who the Red Sox had signed in mid-July after he'd been released by the Rangers) had a solo home run in the second to put the Sox up 2-0.
The key play of the night happened in the bottom of the second. Larry Sheets and Jim Traber started off the inning with back-to-back singles. Rene Gonzales attempted to move the two runners up with a sacrifice bunt but Sheets was thrown out at third. Wade Boggs throw to first where Red Sox second baseman Marty Barrett was covering was too late to double up Gonzales. Bill Ripken stepped into the batters box and Red Sox pitcher Mike Smithson stood behind the mound acting like he was getting ready to pitch. No one on the Orioles realized that Smithson didn't have the ball - Barrett still had it. He waited until Traber took a lead off of second then threw the ball to shortstop Jody Reed who tagged Traber out with a successful execution of the hidden ball trick. Ripken flew out to left to end the inning.
The Orioles had many opportunities to score in this game - they got 10 hits and three walks but left nine men on base and went 1-9 with runners in scoring position. They pushed across their lone run in the fifth. Gonzales and Bill Ripken hit back-to-back singles. After Joe Orsulak flew out Brady Anderson doubled, scoring Gonzales. Ripken stopped at third however and I think Anderson ended up overrunning second as the throw from Evans in right field was cut off by Smithson who threw to Reed to catch Anderson trying to get back to second. Cal Ripken then flew out to end the inning.
The Red Sox got a two run home run from Evans in the top of the ninth to make the score 4-1. Combined with Detroit's loss to Toronto the victory put the Red Sox into first place by themselves for the first time all season. They would not fall out of first the rest of the season although I don't think they actually clinched the division title until October 2nd, the last day of season. The loss by the Orioles mathematically eliminated them from the division race.
I was at this game - as I did in June I decided to go to all of the games the Red Sox were playing in Baltimore this week. Here's the clippings from the next day's Evening Sun:
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Sunday June 26 at the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 1-10
Streak: L2
Record: 20-54
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
On the plus side today the Orioles scored first for the fifth consecutive game. On the minus side was the whole rest of the game.
We'll get the good stuff out of the way quickly. Fred Lynn hit a one out solo home run in the top of the first to put the Orioles up 1-0 but the Red Sox got a pair of two run home runs by Mike Greenwell and Jim Rice in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-1 Red Sox.
Leading off the bottom of the second Red Sox catcher Rick Cerone reached base on an error by Orioles short stop Cal Ripken. Cerone moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Spike Owen and to third on a ground out by Wade Boggs. After Marty Barrett walked Dwight Evans doubled to knock in both Cerone and Barrett. After Greenwell walked Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced started Oswaldo Peraza with Mark Williamson. A passed ball moved the runners up a base and then Ellis Burks hit a single to bring in Evans. 7-1 Red Sox.
The Sox scored three more in the bottom of the fifth on a pair of RBI doubles by Cerone and Owen and an RBI ground out by Barrett. Meanwhile Mike Smithson was holding the Orioles to only four hits (along with five walks) as he pitched a complete game for the victory.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-10
Streak: L2
Record: 20-54
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
On the plus side today the Orioles scored first for the fifth consecutive game. On the minus side was the whole rest of the game.
We'll get the good stuff out of the way quickly. Fred Lynn hit a one out solo home run in the top of the first to put the Orioles up 1-0 but the Red Sox got a pair of two run home runs by Mike Greenwell and Jim Rice in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-1 Red Sox.
Leading off the bottom of the second Red Sox catcher Rick Cerone reached base on an error by Orioles short stop Cal Ripken. Cerone moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Spike Owen and to third on a ground out by Wade Boggs. After Marty Barrett walked Dwight Evans doubled to knock in both Cerone and Barrett. After Greenwell walked Orioles manager Frank Robinson went to the bullpen and replaced started Oswaldo Peraza with Mark Williamson. A passed ball moved the runners up a base and then Ellis Burks hit a single to bring in Evans. 7-1 Red Sox.
The Sox scored three more in the bottom of the fifth on a pair of RBI doubles by Cerone and Owen and an RBI ground out by Barrett. Meanwhile Mike Smithson was holding the Orioles to only four hits (along with five walks) as he pitched a complete game for the victory.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Saturday June 25 at the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 3-10
Streak: L1
Record: 20-53
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
You wouldn't know it from the final score but this game was actually close until the bottom of the eighth. For the fourth game in row the Orioles got on the board in the top of the first. Pete Stanicek led off the game with a single and two batters later Cal Ripken hit a home run (his twelfth of the season) to put the Birds up 2-0.
The Red Sox came back in the bottom of the third. With one out Wade Boggs and Marty Barrett hit back to back singles and Dwight Evans followed with a ground rule double that scored Boggs. A Mike Greenwell sacrifice fly brought Barrett in to tie the game up and an Ellis Burks single brought Evans in with the go-ahead run.
But the lead was short lived as Eddie Murray led off the fourth inning with a solo home run, his tenth of the year. The score remained tied 3-3 through the next four innings.
It all fell apart for the Orioles in the bottom of the eighth. Mark Williamson came on in relief of Orioles starter Mike Boddicker and promptly loaded the bases by giving up back-to-back singles to Evans and Greenwell and a walk to Burks. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went back to the bullpen and brought Doug Sisk in to relieve Williamson. Jim Rice greeted Sisk with a single that scored Evans and Greenwell. After Todd Benzinger popped out for the first out of the inning, Rich Gedman singled to score Burks and move Kevin Romine (who had pinch run for Rice) to third. Spike Owen then walked to load the bases again. Boggs then singled to score Romine and Gedman but the Orioles got a break when Ken Gerhart threw out Owen trying to advance to third. Marty Barrett, the ninth man to bat in the inning, then hit a single. It looked like the Orioles were going to get out of the inning when Evans hit a grounder to Cal Ripken at short stop but Ripken booted the ball, allowing Evans to reach and reloading the bases for the third time in the inning. Greenwell hit his second single of the inning that knocked in Boggs and Barrett with two unearned runs. Finally Sisk got Burks to hit a ground ball to short stop that Cal fielded and threw to first in time to get the third out. But the Sox sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on seven hits, two walks and an error. The score was now 10-3 in favor of the Red Sox and after the Orioles went quietly in the ninth that became the final score.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-10
Streak: L1
Record: 20-53
Rank: 7th
GB: 25
You wouldn't know it from the final score but this game was actually close until the bottom of the eighth. For the fourth game in row the Orioles got on the board in the top of the first. Pete Stanicek led off the game with a single and two batters later Cal Ripken hit a home run (his twelfth of the season) to put the Birds up 2-0.
The Red Sox came back in the bottom of the third. With one out Wade Boggs and Marty Barrett hit back to back singles and Dwight Evans followed with a ground rule double that scored Boggs. A Mike Greenwell sacrifice fly brought Barrett in to tie the game up and an Ellis Burks single brought Evans in with the go-ahead run.
But the lead was short lived as Eddie Murray led off the fourth inning with a solo home run, his tenth of the year. The score remained tied 3-3 through the next four innings.
It all fell apart for the Orioles in the bottom of the eighth. Mark Williamson came on in relief of Orioles starter Mike Boddicker and promptly loaded the bases by giving up back-to-back singles to Evans and Greenwell and a walk to Burks. Orioles manager Frank Robinson went back to the bullpen and brought Doug Sisk in to relieve Williamson. Jim Rice greeted Sisk with a single that scored Evans and Greenwell. After Todd Benzinger popped out for the first out of the inning, Rich Gedman singled to score Burks and move Kevin Romine (who had pinch run for Rice) to third. Spike Owen then walked to load the bases again. Boggs then singled to score Romine and Gedman but the Orioles got a break when Ken Gerhart threw out Owen trying to advance to third. Marty Barrett, the ninth man to bat in the inning, then hit a single. It looked like the Orioles were going to get out of the inning when Evans hit a grounder to Cal Ripken at short stop but Ripken booted the ball, allowing Evans to reach and reloading the bases for the third time in the inning. Greenwell hit his second single of the inning that knocked in Boggs and Barrett with two unearned runs. Finally Sisk got Burks to hit a ground ball to short stop that Cal fielded and threw to first in time to get the third out. But the Sox sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on seven hits, two walks and an error. The score was now 10-3 in favor of the Red Sox and after the Orioles went quietly in the ninth that became the final score.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Friday June 24 at the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: W
Score: 6-2
Streak: W1
Record: 20-52
Rank: 7th
GB: 24
Five days after getting shutout by Roger Clemens and the Red Sox in Baltimore, the Orioles faced him again in the first game of a three game series at Fenway Park in Boston. This time however he wasn't effective at all.
He started out strong by striking out the first two Orioles he faced - Ken Gerhart and Fred Lynn. But then he walked Cal Ripken and gave up an RBI double to Eddie Murray. Jim Traber followed with single but Mike Greenwell threw out Murray at the plate from left field to get the Red Sox out of the inning.
Two innings later though the Orioles got to Clemens. He struck out Gerhart to start the inning but a double by Lynn, a walk to Cal Ripken and a single by Murray loaded up the bases. Traber and Larry Sheets then hit back-to-back two RBI doubles to knock Clemens out of the game, his earliest exit of the season. Relief pitcher Wes Gardner's first pitch to Terry Kennedy got by catcher Rich Gedman and Sheets moved to third on the passed ball. He (Sheets) then scored on a sacrifice fly by Kennedy to make the score 6-0.
Meanwhile the Red Sox weren't able to get much going against Orioles starter Jose Bautista. A two run home run by Mike Greenwell in the bottom of the fourth got the Red Sox on the board but that was all the runs they got. Bautista combined with Dave Schmidt and Tom Neidenfuer to hold Boston to only seven hits and two walks.
Outcome: W
Score: 6-2
Streak: W1
Record: 20-52
Rank: 7th
GB: 24
Five days after getting shutout by Roger Clemens and the Red Sox in Baltimore, the Orioles faced him again in the first game of a three game series at Fenway Park in Boston. This time however he wasn't effective at all.
He started out strong by striking out the first two Orioles he faced - Ken Gerhart and Fred Lynn. But then he walked Cal Ripken and gave up an RBI double to Eddie Murray. Jim Traber followed with single but Mike Greenwell threw out Murray at the plate from left field to get the Red Sox out of the inning.
Two innings later though the Orioles got to Clemens. He struck out Gerhart to start the inning but a double by Lynn, a walk to Cal Ripken and a single by Murray loaded up the bases. Traber and Larry Sheets then hit back-to-back two RBI doubles to knock Clemens out of the game, his earliest exit of the season. Relief pitcher Wes Gardner's first pitch to Terry Kennedy got by catcher Rich Gedman and Sheets moved to third on the passed ball. He (Sheets) then scored on a sacrifice fly by Kennedy to make the score 6-0.
Meanwhile the Red Sox weren't able to get much going against Orioles starter Jose Bautista. A two run home run by Mike Greenwell in the bottom of the fourth got the Red Sox on the board but that was all the runs they got. Bautista combined with Dave Schmidt and Tom Neidenfuer to hold Boston to only seven hits and two walks.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Sunday June 19 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 7-15
Streak: L1
Record: 18-49
Rank: 7th
Outcome: L
Score: 7-15
Streak: L1
Record: 18-49
Rank: 7th
GB: 23
If you were looking for good news about this game for the Orioles you'd probably start with the fact that they scored 7 runs, the most they'd scored in a game in two weeks. And you'd probably end there too. It was not a good afternoon for the home team.
The Birds actually got on the board first with a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the first by Fred Lynn and Eddie Murray. But the Red Sox came roaring back in the top of the second. Ellis Burks decided that he like the solo home runs the Orioles hit so much that he added one of his own to start the inning. Jim Rice and Rich Gedman followed with singles. After a line out by Pat Dodson, Spike Owen doubled scoring Rice. Dickie Noles was making his second (and as it turned out final) start for the O's that day and manager Frank Robinson had already seen enough. He went to the bullpen and brought in Mark Williamson who promptly gave up an RBI double to Wade Boggs and a two RBI single to Marty Barrett to make the score 5-2. Barrett scored on a single by Mike Greenwell two batters later to make it 6-2.
Boggs and Barrett had back-to-back RBI hits again (both singles) in the top of the third to increase the Red Sox lead but the Orioles staged a bit of a comeback in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and Murray and second Larry Sheets hit a two run home run. Terry Kennedy followed with a single to right and then went to second when Dwight Evans made an error on the ball. Red Sox starter Mike Smithson next hit Rene Gonzales with a pitch. Bill Ripken then hit an RBI single bringing in Kennedy and knocking Smithson out of the game. Red Sox manager John McNamara brought in Wes Gardner to pitch. His first pitch to Ken Gerhart went to the backstop allowing Gonzales to move to third but he eventually got Gerhart to line out to end the inning. The Orioles had narrowed their deficit to three runs.
They wouldn't stay that close for long. The Red Sox got two runs in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Greenwell and an RBI single by Burks to make it 10-5. They then piled on in the top of the seventh when Dodson greeted new Orioles pitcher Doug Sisk by homering on his first pitch. Later in the inning an Evans RBI double followed by a run scoring ground out by Greenwell made the score 13-5.
Cal Ripken had an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh but a two run home run by Greenwell in the top of the ninth just kept pushing the Sox lead higher. Jim Traber had an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to make the final score 15-7.
I was at the game again, rooting for the Red Sox. Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun:
If you were looking for good news about this game for the Orioles you'd probably start with the fact that they scored 7 runs, the most they'd scored in a game in two weeks. And you'd probably end there too. It was not a good afternoon for the home team.
The Birds actually got on the board first with a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the first by Fred Lynn and Eddie Murray. But the Red Sox came roaring back in the top of the second. Ellis Burks decided that he like the solo home runs the Orioles hit so much that he added one of his own to start the inning. Jim Rice and Rich Gedman followed with singles. After a line out by Pat Dodson, Spike Owen doubled scoring Rice. Dickie Noles was making his second (and as it turned out final) start for the O's that day and manager Frank Robinson had already seen enough. He went to the bullpen and brought in Mark Williamson who promptly gave up an RBI double to Wade Boggs and a two RBI single to Marty Barrett to make the score 5-2. Barrett scored on a single by Mike Greenwell two batters later to make it 6-2.
Boggs and Barrett had back-to-back RBI hits again (both singles) in the top of the third to increase the Red Sox lead but the Orioles staged a bit of a comeback in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs and Murray and second Larry Sheets hit a two run home run. Terry Kennedy followed with a single to right and then went to second when Dwight Evans made an error on the ball. Red Sox starter Mike Smithson next hit Rene Gonzales with a pitch. Bill Ripken then hit an RBI single bringing in Kennedy and knocking Smithson out of the game. Red Sox manager John McNamara brought in Wes Gardner to pitch. His first pitch to Ken Gerhart went to the backstop allowing Gonzales to move to third but he eventually got Gerhart to line out to end the inning. The Orioles had narrowed their deficit to three runs.
They wouldn't stay that close for long. The Red Sox got two runs in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Greenwell and an RBI single by Burks to make it 10-5. They then piled on in the top of the seventh when Dodson greeted new Orioles pitcher Doug Sisk by homering on his first pitch. Later in the inning an Evans RBI double followed by a run scoring ground out by Greenwell made the score 13-5.
Cal Ripken had an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh but a two run home run by Greenwell in the top of the ninth just kept pushing the Sox lead higher. Jim Traber had an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to make the final score 15-7.
I was at the game again, rooting for the Red Sox. Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun:
Monday, June 18, 2018
Saturday June 18 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: L
Score: 0-5
Streak: L1
Record: 18-48
Rank: 7th
GB: 23
Outcome: L
Score: 0-5
Streak: L1
Record: 18-48
Rank: 7th
GB: 23
As a Red Sox fan in the second half of the 1980's there was nothing more exciting then a game in which Roger Clemens was pitching. So I was very excited to be at the ballpark today because Clemens was starting. And even better - I had front row seats for the game. I was sitting on the third base side just up from the Orioles dugout.
Clemens was on today and the Orioles really had no shot. He pitched a complete game shut out (his sixth of the season so far) for his tenth win and struck out nine. He did give up nine hits and walked one but no base runner reached third until there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
Meanwhile the Sox offense was taking care of business. They scored two runs in the top of the first (a Dwight Evans double scored Wade Boggs and a Mike Greenwell single scored Evans) and added another in the top of the second (a Boggs single scored Pat Dodson). An RBI single by Evans in the top of the fourth scored Spike Owen with the fourth run and effectively ended the day for the Orioles starting pitcher Jose Bautista (although manager Frank Robinson left him in to intentionally walk Greenwell before lifting him for Doug Sisk). Boston got their fifth and final run of the game in the eighth when a single by Marty Barrett scored Rich Gedman.
I lingered after the game for a bit, just enjoying being at the ballpark on a nice afternoon after watching my favorite team win. Orioles bullpen coach Elrod Hendricks was walking by on his way to the dugout and I called out to him "Hey Elrod, when are they going to let you manage again?" He stopped and looked at me, then just shook his head and chuckled as he walked away.
Here's the game articles from the next day's Sun paper:
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Friday June 17 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: W
Score: 3-2
Streak: W2
Record: 18-46
Rank: 7th
GB: 22
For the second straight night I had good seats to see the Red Sox and for the second straight night I went home disappointed.
Early on it looked good for the Red Sox. In the top of the Sox got a couple runners on when Pat Dodson walked and Ellis Burks singled. Marty Barrett attempted to sacrifice the two runners over but Orioles catcher Mickey Tettleton fielded his bunt and threw the ball away. Dodson score and Burks and Barrett ended up on third and second respectively. Wade Boggs hit a sacrifice fly to score Burks and the Sox were up 2-0.
It remained 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth. Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd was on the mound for Boston and he had held the Birds to four hits over the first five innings. But with one out in the sixth Jim Traber singled and Fred Lynn followed with a two run home run, his ninth of the season. The game was now tied 2-2.
It would remain tied into extra innings. With one out in the bottom of the eleventh, Eddie Murray walked. With Traber at bat, Murray attempted to steal second. The throw from Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman went into center field and Murray advanced to third. Traber then singled to bring Murray in with the winning run.
There are two things I remember about this evening. One is that I attempted to get an autograph before the game. I'm not sure I had ever attempted to get a player's autograph before a game before and I was probably pretty rude about it. I basically stuck my scorecard out to a Red Sox player who was in the middle of a conversation with someone in the stands - he kind of game me a look and randomly signed my scorecard in the middle of the grid. So when I kept score that night I had to work around the signature. What made it worse on my part is that I actually had no idea who I was getting to sign - it turned out it was pitcher Tom Bolton. I've tried to be much more polite since then on the rare occasions when I try to get autographs. Here's my scorecard showing Bolton's autograph:
The other thing I remember about this night is seeing lightning in the distance north of the ballpark while Boyd was pitching.
Here's the game story from the next day's Sun paper:
The back of one of these clippings has "Orioles notes" and mentions that the Birds had signed their second round pick from the draft - Arthur Rhodes.
Outcome: W
Score: 3-2
Streak: W2
Record: 18-46
Rank: 7th
GB: 22
For the second straight night I had good seats to see the Red Sox and for the second straight night I went home disappointed.
Early on it looked good for the Red Sox. In the top of the Sox got a couple runners on when Pat Dodson walked and Ellis Burks singled. Marty Barrett attempted to sacrifice the two runners over but Orioles catcher Mickey Tettleton fielded his bunt and threw the ball away. Dodson score and Burks and Barrett ended up on third and second respectively. Wade Boggs hit a sacrifice fly to score Burks and the Sox were up 2-0.
It remained 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth. Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd was on the mound for Boston and he had held the Birds to four hits over the first five innings. But with one out in the sixth Jim Traber singled and Fred Lynn followed with a two run home run, his ninth of the season. The game was now tied 2-2.
It would remain tied into extra innings. With one out in the bottom of the eleventh, Eddie Murray walked. With Traber at bat, Murray attempted to steal second. The throw from Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman went into center field and Murray advanced to third. Traber then singled to bring Murray in with the winning run.
There are two things I remember about this evening. One is that I attempted to get an autograph before the game. I'm not sure I had ever attempted to get a player's autograph before a game before and I was probably pretty rude about it. I basically stuck my scorecard out to a Red Sox player who was in the middle of a conversation with someone in the stands - he kind of game me a look and randomly signed my scorecard in the middle of the grid. So when I kept score that night I had to work around the signature. What made it worse on my part is that I actually had no idea who I was getting to sign - it turned out it was pitcher Tom Bolton. I've tried to be much more polite since then on the rare occasions when I try to get autographs. Here's my scorecard showing Bolton's autograph:
The other thing I remember about this night is seeing lightning in the distance north of the ballpark while Boyd was pitching.
Here's the game story from the next day's Sun paper:
The back of one of these clippings has "Orioles notes" and mentions that the Birds had signed their second round pick from the draft - Arthur Rhodes.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Thursday June 16 vs the Red Sox
Opponent: Boston Red Sox
Outcome: W
Score: 8-4
Streak: W1
Record: 17-47
Rank: 7th
GB: 23
The Orioles came home to take on the Red Sox for the first time this season. The Sox were preseason favorites to win the AL East but were not living up to expectations so far. The team came into Baltimore in fifth place with a 30-30 record, eight games behind the first place Yankees.
I've mentioned before that my favorite team is actually the Red Sox so I had decided to celebrate my new job with getting tickets for all four games of the series between the Red Sox and Orioles this weekend. Despite this being Thursday it was NOT "Three Buck Night" - the Orioles had decided the Red Sox were enough of a draw that they didn't need cheap tickets. I splurged on the most expensive seats at the ballpark - $9.50 a piece for seats in the lower deck.
I had an up close view this night of something I wasn't too happy about but it started out with something I had never seen before. The game was scoreless through three innings. In the top of the fourth the Red Sox got back to back singles from Marty Barrett and Wade Boggs to lead off the inning. But Dwight Evans grounded into a double play, forcing Boggs at second but moving Barrett to third. What happened next was pretty wild. Jeff Ballard was pitching for the Birds this night and he's left handed so his back was to Barrett as he pitched to Mike Greenwell. Barrett took a huge lead on the second pitch of the at bat, basically going what seemed to me about half way down the line as Ballard delivered the pitch. He retreated to the base and waited. Ballard basically was ignoring him. Now keep in mind the the Orioles dugout in Memorial Stadium was on the third base side so this has happened in front of their dugout. If anyone yelled to Ballard from the bench he didn't pay any attention because two pitches later Barrett stole home, reaching home almost before Ballard threw the pitch. 1-0 Red Sox. Greenwell then doubled and was knocked in on a single by Jim Rice, putting the Sox up 2-0.
The lead was short-lived. Eddie Murray and Jim Traber led off with back to back singles. Fred Lynn followed with another single but Murray was thrown out attempting to score. Red Sox starter Jeff Sellers then walked Larry Sheets to load the bases. Mickey Tettleton then doubled, scoring Traber and Lynn to tie the game up and moving Sheets to third. With Rene Gonzales at the plate, Red Sox manager John McNamara replaced Sellers with John Trautwein. Gonzales attempted a suicide squeeze bunt but missed the pitch. Red Sox catcher Rick Cerone tagged Sheets out in what got ruled an attempted steal of home. Gonzales then grounded out to end the inning. Due to bad base running, the Birds got only two runs out of four hits and a walk.
The Orioles went ahead for good in the bottom of the fifth. The first two batters reached on a single by Joe Orsulak and a hit-by-pitch to Bill Ripken. Cal Ripken doubled to score both of them and then scored himself on a single by Traber two batters later.
The Red Sox cut the Orioles lead to one run with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings but the Birds had yet another one of those weird innings in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach. Bob Stanley had come into pitch for the Sox and he struck out Gonzales to start the inning. Orsulak singled but Stanley struck out Bill Ripken for the second out. Stanley then walked Cal Ripken and Murray to load the bases. Orsulak and Cal came into score when Traber singled. Lynn was intentionally walked to reload the bases and then Stanley hit Ken Gerhart with a pitch to bring in yet another run. Stanley finally got Tettleton to strikeout to end the inning. The Orioles scored three runs on two hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch to bring the final score to 8-4.
Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun along with a feature on Barrett's steal of home:
Outcome: W
Score: 8-4
Streak: W1
Record: 17-47
Rank: 7th
GB: 23
The Orioles came home to take on the Red Sox for the first time this season. The Sox were preseason favorites to win the AL East but were not living up to expectations so far. The team came into Baltimore in fifth place with a 30-30 record, eight games behind the first place Yankees.
I've mentioned before that my favorite team is actually the Red Sox so I had decided to celebrate my new job with getting tickets for all four games of the series between the Red Sox and Orioles this weekend. Despite this being Thursday it was NOT "Three Buck Night" - the Orioles had decided the Red Sox were enough of a draw that they didn't need cheap tickets. I splurged on the most expensive seats at the ballpark - $9.50 a piece for seats in the lower deck.
I had an up close view this night of something I wasn't too happy about but it started out with something I had never seen before. The game was scoreless through three innings. In the top of the fourth the Red Sox got back to back singles from Marty Barrett and Wade Boggs to lead off the inning. But Dwight Evans grounded into a double play, forcing Boggs at second but moving Barrett to third. What happened next was pretty wild. Jeff Ballard was pitching for the Birds this night and he's left handed so his back was to Barrett as he pitched to Mike Greenwell. Barrett took a huge lead on the second pitch of the at bat, basically going what seemed to me about half way down the line as Ballard delivered the pitch. He retreated to the base and waited. Ballard basically was ignoring him. Now keep in mind the the Orioles dugout in Memorial Stadium was on the third base side so this has happened in front of their dugout. If anyone yelled to Ballard from the bench he didn't pay any attention because two pitches later Barrett stole home, reaching home almost before Ballard threw the pitch. 1-0 Red Sox. Greenwell then doubled and was knocked in on a single by Jim Rice, putting the Sox up 2-0.
The lead was short-lived. Eddie Murray and Jim Traber led off with back to back singles. Fred Lynn followed with another single but Murray was thrown out attempting to score. Red Sox starter Jeff Sellers then walked Larry Sheets to load the bases. Mickey Tettleton then doubled, scoring Traber and Lynn to tie the game up and moving Sheets to third. With Rene Gonzales at the plate, Red Sox manager John McNamara replaced Sellers with John Trautwein. Gonzales attempted a suicide squeeze bunt but missed the pitch. Red Sox catcher Rick Cerone tagged Sheets out in what got ruled an attempted steal of home. Gonzales then grounded out to end the inning. Due to bad base running, the Birds got only two runs out of four hits and a walk.
The Orioles went ahead for good in the bottom of the fifth. The first two batters reached on a single by Joe Orsulak and a hit-by-pitch to Bill Ripken. Cal Ripken doubled to score both of them and then scored himself on a single by Traber two batters later.
The Red Sox cut the Orioles lead to one run with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings but the Birds had yet another one of those weird innings in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach. Bob Stanley had come into pitch for the Sox and he struck out Gonzales to start the inning. Orsulak singled but Stanley struck out Bill Ripken for the second out. Stanley then walked Cal Ripken and Murray to load the bases. Orsulak and Cal came into score when Traber singled. Lynn was intentionally walked to reload the bases and then Stanley hit Ken Gerhart with a pitch to bring in yet another run. Stanley finally got Tettleton to strikeout to end the inning. The Orioles scored three runs on two hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch to bring the final score to 8-4.
Here's the game story from the next day's Evening Sun along with a feature on Barrett's steal of home:
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