'76 Swingin' A's rely on the Fingers to win game 5 by 1 over the '80 A's

GAME 1: 76 Oakland 3-0
WP: Vida Blue (1-0)
LP: Scott McGregor (0-1)

Vida Blue decided to throw his hat in the ring for early MVP candidate with a complete game shut out in game 1. He gave up just 2 hits while striking out 6 and walking just 1. Scott McGregor pitched well in defeat giving up 3 in the first but shutting down the A's over the next 6 innings. Gene Tenace delivered the key hit in the first with a 2 out single.

GAME 2: 80 Baltimore 5-1
WP: Steve Stone (1-0)
LP: Mike Torrez (0-1)
HR: Doug DeCinces (1), Eddie Murray (1), Ron Fairly (1)

The O's bounced back in game 2 behind a strong outing by Steve Stone. The offense behind Stone (7 IP, 4 H, 9 K, 1 R) was paced by Doug DeCines (3-5 1 HR, 3 RI) and Eddie Murray (HR). The final 2 innings were pitched by Dave Ford who kept the A's from mounting any sort of comeback.

GAME 3: 80 Baltimore 4-3
WP: Jim Palmer (1-0)
LP: Stan Bahnsen (0-1)
SV Tim Stoddard (1)
HR: Ken Singleton (1), Gary Roenicke (1)

Baltimore eeked out a 2nd series win with a tight victory in Game 3. Jim Palmer continued the strong Oriole pitching performances with 8 K over 7 2/3 IP while giving up just 2 ER. Ken Singleton and Gary Roenicke each had a homer and 3 RBI's to lead the Orioles past Stan Bahnsen.

GAME 4: 76 Oakland 6-3
WP: Vida Blue (2-0)
LP: Mike Flanagan (0-1)
HR: Don Baylor 2(2)

Vida Blue came back on short rest with his team facing elimination to throw another gem. Blue had a no hitter until 2 outs in the 6th inning. The 3 days rest caught up to him in the 8th but Blue delivered 7 2/3 innings allowing just 3 runs on 5 hits. Don Baylor was the offensive star for Oakland with 2 bombs, a single, 3 runs and 3 runs batted in. Joe Rudi chipped in with 3 hits and 2 RBI's as well as Oakland lived to fight another day.

GAME 5: 76 Oakland 5-4
WP: Rollie Fingers (1-0)
LP: Dennis Martinez (0-1)
HR: Doug DeCinces (2), Gary Roenicke (2)

Oakland started strong with 4 in the 1st but needed a sacrifice fly by Gene Tenace in the bottom of the 8th in order to finally put away the O's. After the Orioles had clawed back to a 4-4 tie, Don Baylor led off the 8th with a walk, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on a Joe Rudi sac fly and then scored on Tenace's fly ball to right field. Rollie Fingers made that lead stand with 1 2/3 scoreless innings to preserve the win and help Oakland advance.

 

OAKLAND SERIES STARS:
Vida Blue - 2-0 16.2 IP, 12 K, 7 H, 1.62 ERA
Don Baylor .316, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB
Joe Rudi .368, 5 RBI
Gene Tenace .313, 5 RBI

 

--submitted by Peter Daly--