Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 5-6
Streak: L4
Record: 37-76
Rank: 7th
GB: 31
The last time Mike Morgan started a game against the Royals was on April 22nd and it didn't go well - he gave up singles to the first six batters before being lifted and all six runners scored as part of a nine run inning. It went better tonight but only slightly - he gave up singles to the first two batters (Kurt Stillwell and Kevin Seitzer) before striking out George Brett. But when Pat Tabler walked to load the bases, Orioles manager Frank Robinson decided to quit while he was ahead and lifted Morgan in favor of Jay Tibbs. It didn't do any good - Danny Tartabull hit Tibbs' first pitch over the left field wall for a grand slam. Tibbs got the next two batters to ground out but the Royals were up 4-0.
The Orioles got on the board in the fourth inning. With one out Cal Ripken doubled and then scored when Eddie Murray followed with a double. Larry Sheets followed with a single to move Murray to third and a Terry Kennedy double scored Murray and moved Sheets to third. Jim Dwyer was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Sheets scored on a sacrifice fly by Rene Gonzales before Bill Ripken grounded out to end the inning. The Orioles had cut the Royals' lead to 4-3.
The Birds tied the game in the eighth inning when with two outs Murray followed a Cal Ripken single with a triple. Murray was left stranded at third though and the Royals took the lead again in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Stillwell. But the Orioles took advantage of a couple of Royals errors in the ninth to tie it back up. With one out Ken Gerhart hit a ground ball that third baseman Seitzer couldn't handle. The ball went into left field and left fielder Bill Pecota (who had just come into the game as a pinch runner in the previous inning) also misplayed the ball which allowed Gerhart to get to second base. Both Seitzer and Pecota were charged with errors on the play. Pinch hitter Mickey Tettleton struck out for the second out of the inning and the Birds were down to their last out. But Jim Traber singled to score Gerhart with the tying run.
Both teams had opportunities to score over the next few innings. The Royals left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and left runners on first and third in the tenth. The Orioles had back-to-back singles from Tettleton and Rick Schu with two outs in the eleventh but failed to score. Finally in the twelfth inning with one out the Royals got a single from Pecota followed by a single Stillwell that moved Pecota to third. Seitzer then hit a walk off sacrifice fly to bring Pecota in with the game winning run.
This was the twelfth and final game the Orioles would play against the Royals in 1988. They lost all 12 games. They had lost their last game against the Royals in 1987 and their first two against them in 1989 so in all they lost 15 in a row to the Royals between July 26, 1987 and April 11, 1989.
This was Mike Morgan's final appearance in an Orioles uniform. I'm not quite sure how he spent the last month and a half of the 1988 season - if he went on the disabled list or if he was sent to the minors - but he never appeared in another game for Baltimore. He went 1-6 with a 5.43 ERA in 22 games in 1988, his only season with the Orioles. He had been acquired from the Mariners in December of 1987 in a deal for Ken Dixon and would be sent to the Dodgers in March of 1989 for outfielder Mike Devereaux who would be an important part of the Orioles magical 1989 season.
Showing posts with label Royals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royals. Show all posts
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Friday, August 10, 2018
Wednesday August 10 at the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L3
Record: 37-75
Rank: 7th
GB: 30.5
It was not as heartbreaking as the previous night's game but it was still a game that the Birds could have won. The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double by Jamie Quirk. The Birds tied it in the fifth on a run scoring single from Rene Gonzales. The two teams posted single runs in each of the next four half innings - the Royals scored in the bottom of the fifth on when Kurt Stillwell tripled and scored on Kevin Seitzer's ground out; the Birds retied it in the top of the sixth on Cal Ripken's twentieth home run of the season; the Royals scored again in the bottom of the inning on a Bo Jackson RBI single and the O's tied it up again in the top of the seventh on a run scoring Bill Ripken single.
Jose Bautista had started the game for Baltimore and was still pitching into the eighth inning. Pat Tabler drew a walk to start the frame. Danny Tartabull followed with a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken which could have potentially been a double play but Ripken made an error on the ball and both runners were safe. Brad Wellman came in to pinch run for Tabler. Frank White attempted to sacrifice the two runners up a base but Wellman was thrown out at third for the first out of the inning. Bo Jackson followed with a single that scored Tartabull from second with the go-ahead run. White was thrown out at third trying to advance on the single however so there was now two men out. The Birds went to their bullpen at this point and brought Mark Thurmond in to pitch to Quirk who singled to move Jackson to third. Doug Sisk then replaced Thurmond on the mound to pitch to Nick Capra. Quirk was thrown out attempting to steal second to end the inning. It could have been worse for the Orioles but the Royals ran into two outs on the base paths in the inning.
Be that as it may - it was bad enough. The O's got a one out double from Larry Sheets in the ninth but the tying run remained stranded at second for the remainder of the inning and the game.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L3
Record: 37-75
Rank: 7th
GB: 30.5
It was not as heartbreaking as the previous night's game but it was still a game that the Birds could have won. The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double by Jamie Quirk. The Birds tied it in the fifth on a run scoring single from Rene Gonzales. The two teams posted single runs in each of the next four half innings - the Royals scored in the bottom of the fifth on when Kurt Stillwell tripled and scored on Kevin Seitzer's ground out; the Birds retied it in the top of the sixth on Cal Ripken's twentieth home run of the season; the Royals scored again in the bottom of the inning on a Bo Jackson RBI single and the O's tied it up again in the top of the seventh on a run scoring Bill Ripken single.
Jose Bautista had started the game for Baltimore and was still pitching into the eighth inning. Pat Tabler drew a walk to start the frame. Danny Tartabull followed with a ground ball to second baseman Bill Ripken which could have potentially been a double play but Ripken made an error on the ball and both runners were safe. Brad Wellman came in to pinch run for Tabler. Frank White attempted to sacrifice the two runners up a base but Wellman was thrown out at third for the first out of the inning. Bo Jackson followed with a single that scored Tartabull from second with the go-ahead run. White was thrown out at third trying to advance on the single however so there was now two men out. The Birds went to their bullpen at this point and brought Mark Thurmond in to pitch to Quirk who singled to move Jackson to third. Doug Sisk then replaced Thurmond on the mound to pitch to Nick Capra. Quirk was thrown out attempting to steal second to end the inning. It could have been worse for the Orioles but the Royals ran into two outs on the base paths in the inning.
Be that as it may - it was bad enough. The O's got a one out double from Larry Sheets in the ninth but the tying run remained stranded at second for the remainder of the inning and the game.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Tuesday August 9 at the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 4-5
Streak: L2
Record: 37-74
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
Orioles closer Tom Neidenfuer had had a bad stretch back in May where he didn't pitch very well in a couple outings, especially the nightcap of the double header against the Angels on May 19th. But he'd settled down of late - he hadn't allowed a run in his last 10 outings (the last time he had was June 27th against the Blue Jays) and he'd only allowed one inherited runner to score during that time period.
You can probably guess why I'm bringing this up now but let's hold off on that for now. The Orioles built a 3-0 lead in this game by the fourth inning on an RBI single by Joe Orsulak in the first, a solo home run by Eddie Murray in the third and an RBI double by Orsulak in the fourth. The Royals got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Orioles third baseman Rick Schu threw a ground ball away with two runners on. A Frank White solo home run in the sixth brought the Royals to within one but a Jim Traber RBI single in the seventh gave the Birds a two run lead again.
That's how it stood going into the bottom of the ninth. Mark Thurmond (the third pitcher of the night for the O's following starter Dave Schmidt and reliever Doug Sisk) struck out Willie Wilson to start the inning but gave up first a bunt single to Kurt Stillwell and then a walk to George Brett to put the tying run on base. Orioles manager Frank Robinson then brought in Neidenfuer to close it out but it didn't happen. Neidenfuer first walked Danny Tartabull to load the bases (and put the winning run on base) and then gave up a bases clearing, game winning double to Pat Tabler. The Royals won 5-4.
Outcome: L
Score: 4-5
Streak: L2
Record: 37-74
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
Orioles closer Tom Neidenfuer had had a bad stretch back in May where he didn't pitch very well in a couple outings, especially the nightcap of the double header against the Angels on May 19th. But he'd settled down of late - he hadn't allowed a run in his last 10 outings (the last time he had was June 27th against the Blue Jays) and he'd only allowed one inherited runner to score during that time period.
You can probably guess why I'm bringing this up now but let's hold off on that for now. The Orioles built a 3-0 lead in this game by the fourth inning on an RBI single by Joe Orsulak in the first, a solo home run by Eddie Murray in the third and an RBI double by Orsulak in the fourth. The Royals got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Orioles third baseman Rick Schu threw a ground ball away with two runners on. A Frank White solo home run in the sixth brought the Royals to within one but a Jim Traber RBI single in the seventh gave the Birds a two run lead again.
That's how it stood going into the bottom of the ninth. Mark Thurmond (the third pitcher of the night for the O's following starter Dave Schmidt and reliever Doug Sisk) struck out Willie Wilson to start the inning but gave up first a bunt single to Kurt Stillwell and then a walk to George Brett to put the tying run on base. Orioles manager Frank Robinson then brought in Neidenfuer to close it out but it didn't happen. Neidenfuer first walked Danny Tartabull to load the bases (and put the winning run on base) and then gave up a bases clearing, game winning double to Pat Tabler. The Royals won 5-4.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Sunday July 31 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 1-4
Streak: L3
Record: 32-71
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
After a game when the Orioles kept getting men on base but could not bring them in, today the Orioles went back to not getting anyone on. Charlie Leibrandt threw a complete game for the Royals, giving up just four hits and two walks while striking out 11. He almost had a shutout but Cal Ripken had a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth (the fourth consecutive game that he had homered). Meanwhile the Royals scored three in the fourth on a three run home run from Bo Jackson and picked up another run in the seventh on a Kurt Stillwell RBI double.
The Orioles record for July ended up being 10-16 which was roughly what it was in May (10-17) and June (11-16). They were outscored by their opponents 127 to 94. Their record for the month doesn't indicate the kind of schizophrenic month they had though. Their record for the pre-All Star break portion of the month (July 1-10) was 6-4 while their post-break record (July 14-31) was 4-12.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-4
Streak: L3
Record: 32-71
Rank: 7th
GB: 29.5
After a game when the Orioles kept getting men on base but could not bring them in, today the Orioles went back to not getting anyone on. Charlie Leibrandt threw a complete game for the Royals, giving up just four hits and two walks while striking out 11. He almost had a shutout but Cal Ripken had a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth (the fourth consecutive game that he had homered). Meanwhile the Royals scored three in the fourth on a three run home run from Bo Jackson and picked up another run in the seventh on a Kurt Stillwell RBI double.
The Orioles record for July ended up being 10-16 which was roughly what it was in May (10-17) and June (11-16). They were outscored by their opponents 127 to 94. Their record for the month doesn't indicate the kind of schizophrenic month they had though. Their record for the pre-All Star break portion of the month (July 1-10) was 6-4 while their post-break record (July 14-31) was 4-12.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Saturday July 30 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 7-8
Streak: L2
Record: 32-70
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
This was a game of lost opportunities for the Orioles. They got 11 hits on the night and additionally got 11 walks but ended up leaving 15 men on base. They took an early lead in the first inning when with one out Brady Anderson (making his Oriole debut after being acquired from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade the day before) doubled. Cal Ripken singled to score him and moved to second on the throw home. Ripken then scored on a single by Eddie Murray. After Mickey Tettleton flew out for the second out singles from Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart loaded the bases. Rick Schu flew out though to end the inning.
George Brett led off the second with a solo home run to cut the Orioles lead in half. But in the bottom of the second the Orioles got another run when Royals starter Israel Sanchez pretty much lost the strike zone. He walked Bill Ripken and Pete Stanicek to start the inning. Anderson put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. Sanchez then intentionally walked Cal Ripken to load the bases and after Murray flew out for the second out he then walked Tettleton to force in a run. Jim Traber struck out though to end the inning and leave the bases loaded for the second straight inning.
The Royals tied the game up in the fourth when Frank White homered to lead off the inning and Willie Wilson had an RBI single later in the inning. The Orioles got two base runners in the bottom of the inning on a hit-by-pitch and an intentional walk but they weren't able to get a run out of it. The Royals took the lead in the fifth on a three run home run by Danny Tartabull. In the bottom of the inning the Orioles again got two runners on base with a walk and single with only one out but Bill Ripken grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Birds cut the lead to 6-5 on a two run home run by Murray in the sixth but the Royals put up another pair of runs in the seventh. With two outs White doubled and scored on a single by Tartabull (who advanced to second when the Orioles threw to the plate to try to catch White). Tartabull then scored on a single by Pat Tabler.
The Orioles again got the bases loaded without a hit in the seventh inning. Walks to Joe Orsulak, Schu and Stanicek loaded them up with only one out but Anderson struck out and Cal Ripken flew out to leave the bases loaded for a third time in the game. They got a couple guys on in the bottom o the eighth as well but could not score them. In fact the Orioles were only retired in order once during the game - in the bottom of the third.
The Orioles made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Larry Sheets led off with a double and two batters later Cal hit a two run home run to pull the Orioles within one run. But Eddie Murray grounded out to end the game.
Outcome: L
Score: 7-8
Streak: L2
Record: 32-70
Rank: 7th
GB: 28.5
This was a game of lost opportunities for the Orioles. They got 11 hits on the night and additionally got 11 walks but ended up leaving 15 men on base. They took an early lead in the first inning when with one out Brady Anderson (making his Oriole debut after being acquired from the Red Sox in the Mike Boddicker trade the day before) doubled. Cal Ripken singled to score him and moved to second on the throw home. Ripken then scored on a single by Eddie Murray. After Mickey Tettleton flew out for the second out singles from Jim Traber and Ken Gerhart loaded the bases. Rick Schu flew out though to end the inning.
George Brett led off the second with a solo home run to cut the Orioles lead in half. But in the bottom of the second the Orioles got another run when Royals starter Israel Sanchez pretty much lost the strike zone. He walked Bill Ripken and Pete Stanicek to start the inning. Anderson put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. Sanchez then intentionally walked Cal Ripken to load the bases and after Murray flew out for the second out he then walked Tettleton to force in a run. Jim Traber struck out though to end the inning and leave the bases loaded for the second straight inning.
The Royals tied the game up in the fourth when Frank White homered to lead off the inning and Willie Wilson had an RBI single later in the inning. The Orioles got two base runners in the bottom of the inning on a hit-by-pitch and an intentional walk but they weren't able to get a run out of it. The Royals took the lead in the fifth on a three run home run by Danny Tartabull. In the bottom of the inning the Orioles again got two runners on base with a walk and single with only one out but Bill Ripken grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Birds cut the lead to 6-5 on a two run home run by Murray in the sixth but the Royals put up another pair of runs in the seventh. With two outs White doubled and scored on a single by Tartabull (who advanced to second when the Orioles threw to the plate to try to catch White). Tartabull then scored on a single by Pat Tabler.
The Orioles again got the bases loaded without a hit in the seventh inning. Walks to Joe Orsulak, Schu and Stanicek loaded them up with only one out but Anderson struck out and Cal Ripken flew out to leave the bases loaded for a third time in the game. They got a couple guys on in the bottom o the eighth as well but could not score them. In fact the Orioles were only retired in order once during the game - in the bottom of the third.
The Orioles made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Larry Sheets led off with a double and two batters later Cal hit a two run home run to pull the Orioles within one run. But Eddie Murray grounded out to end the game.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Friday July 29 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 2-6
Streak: L1
Record: 32-69
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
After a week on the road the Birds returned home to open a ten game home stand with a three game series against the Royals. But the big news of the day was off the field - the Orioles sent Mike Boddicker, the final starting pitcher remaining from the 1983 World Champions, to the Red Sox for outfielder Brady Anderson and pitcher Curt Schilling.
The trade may have taken some of the wind out of the O's as they only managed four hits this evening against Bret Saberhagen and Jeff Montgomery. Meanwhile the Royals were teeing off on Jeff Ballard. George Brett had a two run home run in the first inning and Bo Jackson had a three run shot in the fourth. The Royals also picked up another run in the first when Frank White doubled and Danny Tartabull hit a ground ball to Rick Schu at third that Schu threw away.
The Orioles got one run in the first inning on Cal Ripken's second home run in as many days and got their other run in the fourth inning when Jim Traber had an RBI single that scored Bill Ripken.
Outcome: L
Score: 2-6
Streak: L1
Record: 32-69
Rank: 7th
GB: 27.5
After a week on the road the Birds returned home to open a ten game home stand with a three game series against the Royals. But the big news of the day was off the field - the Orioles sent Mike Boddicker, the final starting pitcher remaining from the 1983 World Champions, to the Red Sox for outfielder Brady Anderson and pitcher Curt Schilling.
The trade may have taken some of the wind out of the O's as they only managed four hits this evening against Bret Saberhagen and Jeff Montgomery. Meanwhile the Royals were teeing off on Jeff Ballard. George Brett had a two run home run in the first inning and Bo Jackson had a three run shot in the fourth. The Royals also picked up another run in the first when Frank White doubled and Danny Tartabull hit a ground ball to Rick Schu at third that Schu threw away.
The Orioles got one run in the first inning on Cal Ripken's second home run in as many days and got their other run in the fourth inning when Jim Traber had an RBI single that scored Bill Ripken.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
April 24 at the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 1-3
Streak: L18
Record: 0-18
Rank: 7th
GB: 14.0
Outcome: L
Score: 1-3
Streak: L18
Record: 0-18
Rank: 7th
GB: 14.0
Not much to say about this game other than it had the unusual distinction of all the runs scoring on home runs. Mark Thurmond started for the O's against Bret Saberhagen and the game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when Kurt Stillwell hit a solo home run. The Royals extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth when Danny Tartabull hit a two run home run. The Royals threatened to score more in that inning - Frank White hit a double following Tartabull's home run and after Steve Balboni flew out for the second out, manager Frank Robinson brought Oswaldo Peraza in to relieve Thurmond. Peraza walked Bo Jackson and then balked while pitching to Mark Macfarlane to move White and Jackson up a base. He then walked Macfarlane to load the bases. The Orioles went to the bullpen again and brought in Jose Bautista who got Stillwell to pop up to end the inning. The Orioles sole run came on a home run by Cal Ripken in the top of the ninth, his second on the season.
Monday, April 23, 2018
April 23 at the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L17
Record: 0-17
Rank: 7th
GB: 14.0
Another frustrating loss in a game that the Orioles never trailed in until the last play. The Orioles took the lead in the top of the first when Eddie Murray doubled in Cal Ripken. The Royals tied it in the bottom of the third when Kurt Stillwell scored on Kevin Seitzer's double but the Orioles would go back ahead in the top of the fourth on a Ken Gerhart home run. The Royals tied it back up in the bottom of the fourth on a Bo Jackson sacrifice fly. The Orioles again took the lead in the top of the fifth when Bill Ripken doubled and Rene Gonzalez knocked him in with a single. The Royals got a rally going in the bottom of the sixth after George Brett and Danny Tartabull hit singles to start the inning but after Mark Macfarlane hit a one-out single to tie the game up, Jackson hit into a double play that kept the score at 3-3. That's how it remained until the bottom of the ninth. Doug Sisk had come in to relieve starter Mark Williamson in the eighth and he got Macfarlane to ground out to open the inning. But Jackson then hit a triple and after an intentional walk to pinch hitter Thad Bosley, Stillwell singled to bring him in with the winning run.
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L17
Record: 0-17
Rank: 7th
GB: 14.0
Another frustrating loss in a game that the Orioles never trailed in until the last play. The Orioles took the lead in the top of the first when Eddie Murray doubled in Cal Ripken. The Royals tied it in the bottom of the third when Kurt Stillwell scored on Kevin Seitzer's double but the Orioles would go back ahead in the top of the fourth on a Ken Gerhart home run. The Royals tied it back up in the bottom of the fourth on a Bo Jackson sacrifice fly. The Orioles again took the lead in the top of the fifth when Bill Ripken doubled and Rene Gonzalez knocked him in with a single. The Royals got a rally going in the bottom of the sixth after George Brett and Danny Tartabull hit singles to start the inning but after Mark Macfarlane hit a one-out single to tie the game up, Jackson hit into a double play that kept the score at 3-3. That's how it remained until the bottom of the ninth. Doug Sisk had come in to relieve starter Mark Williamson in the eighth and he got Macfarlane to ground out to open the inning. But Jackson then hit a triple and after an intentional walk to pinch hitter Thad Bosley, Stillwell singled to bring him in with the winning run.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
April 22 at the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 1-13
Streak: L16
Record: 0-16
Rank: 7th
GB: 13.0
This one was over quickly. Mike Morgan started for the Orioles and he gave up singles to the first six Royal batters. Dave Schmidt relieved him and promptly gave up yet another single. After finally getting an out (Mike Macfarlane grounded out) Schmidt then gave up back to back triples to Kurt Stillwell and Willie Wilson - a throwing error by Cal Ripken allowed Wilson to score as well. The Royals sent 12 men to the plate in the bottom of the first and scored nine runs on nine hits with two Orioles throwing errors. The Orioles offense was anemic that night as well - they only got three hits and one run against Royals starter Mark Gubicza who pitched a complete game.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-13
Streak: L16
Record: 0-16
Rank: 7th
GB: 13.0
This one was over quickly. Mike Morgan started for the Orioles and he gave up singles to the first six Royal batters. Dave Schmidt relieved him and promptly gave up yet another single. After finally getting an out (Mike Macfarlane grounded out) Schmidt then gave up back to back triples to Kurt Stillwell and Willie Wilson - a throwing error by Cal Ripken allowed Wilson to score as well. The Royals sent 12 men to the plate in the bottom of the first and scored nine runs on nine hits with two Orioles throwing errors. The Orioles offense was anemic that night as well - they only got three hits and one run against Royals starter Mark Gubicza who pitched a complete game.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
April 14 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L9
Record: 0-9
Rank: 7th
Outcome: L
Score: 3-4
Streak: L9
Record: 0-9
Rank: 7th
GB: 8.0
Ugh, this one was painful. It was "Three Buck Night" and I was out at the game by myself. It was a dazzling pitching matchup - Mike Boddicker against Bret Saberhagen - and both pitchers actually pitched well. Boddicker actually outpitched Saberhagen - he went all nine with 10 strikeouts and gave up five hits and only one earned run. Unfortunately it was the unearned runs that would do him and the Orioles in.
The Royals went ahead 1-0 in the second inning on a balk by Boddicker that scored Jim Eisenreich from third. They scored two more in the third on a somewhat bizarre combination of two hits, two Oriole errors and another Boddicker balk.
The Orioles battled back for the first time all season though. Saberhagen had been perfect into the fifth inning before Fred Lynn hit his first home run of the season. Then in the sixth the Orioles had an attempt at small ball fail. After Rick Schu singled to start the inning, Jeff Stone attempted to sacrifice him to second but apparently bunted the ball right back to Saberhagen who threw to second to force Schu. With Joe Orsulak at the plate Saberhagen then picked Stone off of first for the second out in the inning. Orsulak then singled, stole second and then scored on Bill Ripken's double. Cal Ripken then hit a ball through Kevin Seitzer's legs at third for a run scoring error. The game was now tied at three all.
Meanwhile Boddicker was dealing. After giving up the third run in the third he retired the next 18 batters in order until Eisenreich singled with two outs in the top of the ninth. The next batter Frank White lifted a fly ball to left field which Stone lost in the lights. The ball got by him and Eisenreich scored all the way from first with the winning run. The O's made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth - Eddie Murray lead off the inning with a single. After Fred Lynn and Tito Landrum stuck out, Carl Nichols walked to move the tying run to second. But pinch hitter Jim Dwyer grounded out to end the threat and the game.
Once again I've saved my clippings from the Washington Post for this game:
Ugh, this one was painful. It was "Three Buck Night" and I was out at the game by myself. It was a dazzling pitching matchup - Mike Boddicker against Bret Saberhagen - and both pitchers actually pitched well. Boddicker actually outpitched Saberhagen - he went all nine with 10 strikeouts and gave up five hits and only one earned run. Unfortunately it was the unearned runs that would do him and the Orioles in.
The Royals went ahead 1-0 in the second inning on a balk by Boddicker that scored Jim Eisenreich from third. They scored two more in the third on a somewhat bizarre combination of two hits, two Oriole errors and another Boddicker balk.
The Orioles battled back for the first time all season though. Saberhagen had been perfect into the fifth inning before Fred Lynn hit his first home run of the season. Then in the sixth the Orioles had an attempt at small ball fail. After Rick Schu singled to start the inning, Jeff Stone attempted to sacrifice him to second but apparently bunted the ball right back to Saberhagen who threw to second to force Schu. With Joe Orsulak at the plate Saberhagen then picked Stone off of first for the second out in the inning. Orsulak then singled, stole second and then scored on Bill Ripken's double. Cal Ripken then hit a ball through Kevin Seitzer's legs at third for a run scoring error. The game was now tied at three all.
Meanwhile Boddicker was dealing. After giving up the third run in the third he retired the next 18 batters in order until Eisenreich singled with two outs in the top of the ninth. The next batter Frank White lifted a fly ball to left field which Stone lost in the lights. The ball got by him and Eisenreich scored all the way from first with the winning run. The O's made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth - Eddie Murray lead off the inning with a single. After Fred Lynn and Tito Landrum stuck out, Carl Nichols walked to move the tying run to second. But pinch hitter Jim Dwyer grounded out to end the threat and the game.
Once again I've saved my clippings from the Washington Post for this game:
Friday, April 13, 2018
April 13 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 3-9
Streak: L8
Record: 0-8
Rank: 7th
Outcome: L
Score: 3-9
Streak: L8
Record: 0-8
Rank: 7th
GB: 7.0
This was a game in which the Orioles got behind early and never had much of a chance of a comeback. The Royals scored a run in the first by getting three straight singles although Frank White hit into a double play to stop any further damage. They scored two more in the third and three more in the fourth, knocking starter Mark Thurmond out. Then they got two more in the sixth and one more in the seventh. The Orioles highlight was Eddie Murray's first home run of the season, a solo shot in the eighth to end the scoring.
This was a game in which the Orioles got behind early and never had much of a chance of a comeback. The Royals scored a run in the first by getting three straight singles although Frank White hit into a double play to stop any further damage. They scored two more in the third and three more in the fourth, knocking starter Mark Thurmond out. Then they got two more in the sixth and one more in the seventh. The Orioles highlight was Eddie Murray's first home run of the season, a solo shot in the eighth to end the scoring.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
April 12 vs the Royals
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L7
Record: 0-7
Rank: 7th
The Royals scored another three in the fifth off Mark Williamson.
Attendance that night at Memorial Stadium was 11,160. I'm pretty sure this was the smallest home crowd the Orioles had that season. Considering how bad the team was, that's actually pretty impressive.
Outcome: L
Score: 1-6
Streak: L7
Record: 0-7
Rank: 7th
GB: 6.0
The big news on this day was off the field - in the afternoon the Orioles decided to fire manager Cal Ripken Sr. and replace him with Frank Robinson. I always felt that Cal Sr. had been treated pretty shabby by the team he had worked for since 1957. He had been passed over for manager after Earl Weaver retired after 1982 when the team hired Joe Altobelli instead and passed over again when the team fired Altobelli (who deserved better also) in 1985 to bring Weaver back. Once he finally got the job going into 1987 he was faced with an impossible situation. He deserved better than to be dismissed six games into the season and given how the rest of the year went it's pretty clear he wasn't the problem.
The change in leadership didn't make any difference. The Orioles actually took the lead in the game in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by Cal Jr that scored Joe Orsulak. The Royals came back and took the lead in the fourth on back-to-back home runs by Frank White and Bo Jackson of losing pitcher Oswaldo Peraza.
The change in leadership didn't make any difference. The Orioles actually took the lead in the game in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by Cal Jr that scored Joe Orsulak. The Royals came back and took the lead in the fourth on back-to-back home runs by Frank White and Bo Jackson of losing pitcher Oswaldo Peraza.
The Royals scored another three in the fifth off Mark Williamson.
Attendance that night at Memorial Stadium was 11,160. I'm pretty sure this was the smallest home crowd the Orioles had that season. Considering how bad the team was, that's actually pretty impressive.
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