April 26, 1984 - Buy a Vowel

Game #234 - New York Yankees, 1 @ Minnesota Twins, 4

I remember watching a Twins game on TV as a kid and the camera panned to the crowd during a Kent Hrbek at-bat.  A Twins fan held a sign that lovingly said, "Kent, buy a vowel!"

Lefties Ron Guidry and Frank Viola were trading goose eggs through the first three and a half innings.  Guidry even struck out four of the first five Twins he faced.  But in the bottom of the fourth Tim Teufel doubled home Kent Hrbek.  Minnesota maintained a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the eighth when Hrbek launched a major two-run homer against tough leftie reliever Dave Righetti.  Suddenly Minnesota, the worst team in the AL this season, has won two games against the Bronx Bombers.

Winning Pitcher - Frank Viola
Losing Pitcher - Ron Guidry
Save - Len Whitehouse
Player of the Game - Hrbek, 2-3, HR, 2RBI's, 2R's, on HBP
Hall of Famers in the Game - Dave Winfield, Kirby Puckett

April 26, 1984 - Yount Trips Angels

Game #233 - California Angels, 2 @ Milwaukee Brewers, 3

I don't look forward to games with the Brewers.  Their 1984 team was pretty weak.  Outside of Robin Yount and Rollie Fingers, there weren't a ton of standout seasons.  Every time I put their lineup down, I feel like I'm cobbling together has-beens and never-were's. 

All that being said, the Brew Crew gave an exciting game.  The game was scoreless until the top of the fourth.  Doug DeCinces led off with a solo homer, and a Reggie Jackson ground out eventually scored Daryl Sconiers. 

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth, when Milwaukee staged a magnificent two out rally.  Ted Simmons singled and the Dion James and Jim Sundberg were issued back to back walks.  With the bases loaded Angels' starter Ron Romanick faced Robin Yount.  Yount managed to rip the ball for a bases-clearing triple.  Tom Tellmann and Rollie Fingers preserved the win for Moose Haas, and Milwaukee got just their sixth win on the season.

Winning Pitcher - Moose Haas
Losing Pitcher - Ron Romanick
Save - Rollie Fingers
Player of the Game - Robin Yount, 1-3, 3B, 3RBI's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Robin Yount, Rollie Fingers

April 26, 1984 - Orioles Victorious

Game #232 - Baltimore Orioles, 6 @ Kansas City Royals, 4

Things didn't start well for Baltimore.  Orioles starter Scott McGregor got shelled for three runs in the first inning, including a big two-RBI double from Greg Pryor.  The O's tied things up in the third when Mike Young, the hottest hitter in the American League right now, jacked a three run homer.

The Orioles took the lead for good when Eddie Murray, my favorite player of all time, thumped a two RBI double that scored Todd Cruz and Gary Roenicke.  Murray had already recorded a single and triple, and finished a home run shy of the cycle (he was walked in his last at bat).  This game was also the last start of the year for Paul Splittorff.  He has some bullpen appearances to make before he will exit for the remainder of this Statis Pro season.

Winning Pitcher - Scott McGregor
Losing Pitcher - Paul Splittorff
Save - Sammy Stewart
Player of the Game - Murray, 3-3, 2B, 3B, BB, 2RBI's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray