Orioles take 2 outta 3

O’s Take Two  from A’s

Game 1:  Oakland 4 Baltimore 3

Baltimore Starter:  McGregor

Minnesota Starter:  McCatty

Game MVP:  Phillips

Baltimore travels to the bay on the left coast for two.  In the opening game, Baltimore ace Scott McGregor gives up a one out solo jack to Tony Phillips to claim a 1-0 lead for Oakland in the bottom of the third.  Steve McCatty and McGregor go toe to toe, yielding nothing until the top of the sixth when Cal Ripken helps Baltimore break through with the three run shot to left center.  The game then returns back to a string of scoreless innings before Earl Weaver decides to turn the two run lead over to the Baltimore bullpen in the ninth.  Baltimore closer Don Aase immediately gives up three consecutive singles and a run before getting Alfredo Griffin to line to shortstop Ripken for the first out.  At this point, Tippy Martinez comes in to try and preserve the win.  He starts well by getting Rickey Henderson to ground out back to the mound for the second out.  Earl decides to walk Tony Phillips who already has a double and home run on the game to get to the slumping Jose Canseco (hitting under .200).  Jose comes through with a single through the left side driving in two runs and securing the win for Oakland.

Game 2:  Baltimore 5 Oakland 1 

Baltimore Starter:  Boddicker

Minnesota Starter:  Langford

Game MVP:  Boddicker

Another strong pitching matchup has the game scoreless until the top of the sixth.  Following two walks and a Cal Ripken RBI single, Eddie Murray deposits Langford’s offering in the right centerfield seats for a 3 run home run and a 4-0 Baltimore lead.  The scoring comes to a halt when Oakland breaks up the Boddicker shutout on a Mike Heath solo home run to right center.  This time the Baltimore pen comes through in the form of Scott Williamson who stops the Oakland threat after Boddicker yielded a pair of singles.   Williamson pitches a scoreless ninth to earn his first save and send the series to Baltimore.  

Game 3:  Baltimore 10 Oakland 3

Minnesota Starter::  Norris

Baltmore  Starter:  Palmer

Game MVP:  Lynn

 Back to the land of crab cakes and Natty Boh!  Veteran Jim Palmer was able to work his way out of trouble in the top of the second after yielding three single, but only one run.  Baltimore bats would dominate the rest of the way, answering with 2 in the bottom of the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd,  1 in the 4th, 4 in the 7th and another in the 8^th.  Baltimore’s attack produced 18 hitws on the day, with 13 coming against Norris in 6 1/3 innings of work.  Palmer gave up 6 hits in his 6 1/3 innings of work before Sammy Stewart pitched the final three innings, giving up two in the top of the ninth.  As Chuck Thompson would say, “Ain’t the beer  cold!” 

Overall a well played series on both sides.  Two very well pitched games in Oakland.