Baltimore entered the game without a win in their road trip to Detroit and were desperate to get a "W". What happened next was pure insanity.
The O's took the lead in the top of the third when Mike Young doubled home John Shelby. But in the bottom of the third Tom Brookens went yard, continuing his hot hitting since coming off the DL. Then in the top of the fifth Baltimore tagged Jack Morris for another three runs, including another RBI from Young.
It would stay 4-2 in favor of the Orioles until the bottom of the sixth. Scott McGregor, who was pitching without his best stuff, gave up a solo homer to Chet Lemon. But he lasted through seven and handed the ball over to Sammy Stewart, who has not been good this season despite supposed to being their closer. Sure enough, in the bottom of the ninth with a one run lead, he gave up a sacrifice fly RBI to Darrell Evans that scored pinch-hitter Dave Bergman. Extra innings! And by extra, I mean EXTRA...
Tippy Martinez took the mound for the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth inning and was in total control, striking out seven Tigers. In the top of the 13th the Orioles rewarded his grit by plastering Sid Monge for FOUR runs, including an Earl Weaver-approved three run dong from, you guessed it, Mike Young. Tippy went back out to the mound in the bottom of the inning to nail down the win. Until he didn't. He walked Kirk Gibson, struck out Bergman, but then gave up a two-run homer to Rupert Jones! That got Martinez removed for Tom Underwood...who gave up a 2-out, 2-run homer to Alan Trammell! Tie game again!!!
Carl Willis was now on the mound for Detroit because he was the last arm left. His real life 1984 season was awful and so was his appearance in this game. He loaded the bases with no outs and then gave up a 2-RBI double to Al Bumbry. He managed to strand three runners after that but now Detroit had a two run deficit to overcome. And they almost did! A Rupert Jones ground out plated Gibson but Howard Johnson lined out to Underwood to end this completely ridiculous game.
Winning Pitcher - Tom Underwood
Losing Pitcher - Carl Willis
Player of the Game - Mike Young, 5-8, 2B, HR, 5RBI, 2R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray
Phil Garner, who normally has a decent glove, was a total calamity in this game. He registered THREE ERRORS in the first four innings of the game. I actually yanked him on principle and trotted Denny Walling out there.
It ultimately didn't matter, because the Astros wasted a decent start by Vern Ruhle. The reason? Alejandro Pena. He clocked his third shutout of the season, only giving up seven hits while striking out six. Mike Scioscia had a solo homer while also throwing out Jerry Mumphrey on a failed hit and run in the top of the ninth. Enos Cabell also got injured for 14 games chasing a foul ball into the stands.
Winning Pitcher - Alejandro Pena
Losing Pitcher - Vern Ruhle
Player of the Game - Pena, CG SHO
No comments:
Post a Comment