Saturday, November 24, 2007

'69 O's sweep '81 LA to clinch AL top spot

The 81 Dodgers have had a rough stretch lately. A team poised to put it's mark on the NL looks more fatigued than one might expect. Facing the AL leading O's is not a fantastic thing when one is not playing in top form. This 4 game set saw the O's run away with 3 contests and hold tight to win the only close game in the set.

GAME 1: (Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD) - LA jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the third, but became a victim of the weather more so than a victim of the jaugernaut O's. The heavens opened up and doused Baltimore with close to 30 minutes of rain. After the delay Sutcliffe didn't have much left in his arm and was removed in favor of Dave Goltz who served up 5 runs. Baltimore won this one 6-1. Even though he gave up 1 (unearned) run, Baltimore starter Jim Palmer had a no-hitter going into the ninth, but ran out of gas and had to be lifted. In the post game interview Baltimore's manager downplayed the no hit opportunity and said no one even paid attention to it since it wasn't a shutout. Palmer (6-0, 1.39), wouldn't comment on it when interview. The young hard throwing righty who battled injuries all season knew it was the right move as the team's one goal is a World Championship.

GAME 2: Valenzuela fanned 10, but McNally was mystifying. Not a hard thrower, Dave McNally relies on changing speeds and keeping hitters off stride, which is exactly what he did for 8 2/3 innings before giving way to Ed Watt who notched his 9th save. This low scoring event featured plenty of pitching. Brooks Robinson, who always brings his leather, brought his lumber today as he knocked in 2 runs. The 2 run 6th inning was the big inning for the Orioles. Brooksie knocked in Frank Robby with a double and Mark Belanger singled home Brooksie.

GAME 3: (Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA) - The change in venue did not help the Dodgers as Baltimore scored early and often. Veteran Dodger hurler Jerry Reuss just didn't have it as he gave up all ten runs and was not afforded any relief help. Sometimes during a season a manager asks a pitcher to "take one for the team" Reuss took this one on the chin. Baltimore starter Tom Phoebus went the distance and only gave up 1 run. Boog Powell continued his hot hitting with 2 huge homers and 6 RBI's on the day. Powell's linescore read 3-5 as he increased his batting average to .331. Merv Rettenmund and Don Bufford also had 3 hits and catcher Andy Etchebarren had 4 as Baltimore knocked out 16 hits on the afternoon in this rout.

GAME 4: Both teams banged out 10 hits appiec vs each team's respective starters. The difference here was that Baltimore made their hits count for more. Entering the top of the 6th the Dodgers had a 3-2 lead, but the O's exploded for 3 runs + 2 more in the following inning. Boog Powell was again the catalyst as he led off the inning with a double. Subs Merv Rettenmund and Dave May both had key hits. Davey Johnson was the offensive star of the show going 4-5 with 3 RBI while increasing his average to .361.

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