The O's advance to the Final 2 after a hard fought 6 game series
with the Giants of San Fran. Another fun, well played series by both
teams. Thanks to Joe for being gracious enough to accomodate my tough
schedule this week as the series was played out over three days as some
technical issues (helped to build the tension :-)).
Game 1
Baltimore 10 San Francisco 6
Candlestick Park
Gonzalez vs Burkett
Game MVP: Chris Davis
On
a mild evening (74 deg), with a slight breeze (5mph out to center) the
O's got off to a slugging start to the series. After the first two
Baltimore hitters were retired to start the game, Adam Jones turned on a
1-0 pitch from Burkett to hit a solo homerun to left-center and put the
O's up 1-0. Chris Davis then deposited a Burkett 1-2 pitch down the
right field line to stake Baltimore to a 2-0 lead after the first 1/2
inning. Despite Baltimore's quick start, the Giants came roaring back
in the bottom of the first against Gonzalez. After a Darren Lewis bunt
single to start the game, Robby Thompson blasted Gonzalez' 1-2 pitch 397
feet to left-center to tie the game. Will Clark, Willie McGee and
Royce Clayton singles added another run before the O's could escape, now
trailing 3-2. In the bottom of the second Robby Thompson added an RBI
single to extend the Giant lead to 4-2. The two starters finally
settled down and the bleeding stopped until the top of the 6th. In the
6th the O's J J Hardy was hit by Burkett and Adam Jones singled in
front of a Chris Davis double that scored both runners and tied the game
at 4. three batters later Baltimore firstbaseman Mark Reynolds
deposited the ball down the left field line and over the fence for two
more Baltimore runs. At the end of six the score was Baltimore 6 San
Francisco 4. Both bullpens entered the game in the 7th and the Jints
quickly reacquired the lead on a Robby Thompson single, a walk to Barry
Bonds and an error that allowed Matt Williams to load the bases with
none out. In the first of many timely double plays for Baltimore, Troy
Patton enticed a dp ground ball from Will Clark before getting out of
the inning. After 7 it was Baltimore 6 San Francisco 5. Baltimore
got the run back the next inning on a Mark Reynolds double that scored
Chris Davis. In the 8th Tony Phillips countered with a solo home run to
right off Darren O'day. After 8 the score was Baltimore 7 San
Francisco 6. In the ninth J J Hardy hit a two run shot and Chris Davis
connected on his second home run on the day to extend Baltimore's lead
to 10-6 before Jim Johnson came on to close out game 1 with a victory
for the visiting team.
Game 2
Candlestick Park
San Francisco 2 Baltimore 1
Hammel vs Black
Game MVP: Bud Black
After the previous nights offensive display, a low scoring game was on tap for game two, although it did not appear that way at the outset as San Francisco jumped off to an early 1-0 lead after one courtesy of a Will Clark RBI double. From here the starting pitchers controlled the game until the bottom of the 7th when San Francisco added another run to their lead after a walk to Darren Lewis follwed by a Gonzalez wild pitch that moved him to second base. Lewis moved to third on a fielders choice and scored on a Barry Bonds RBI single. In the top of the 8th Baltimore finally got on the board with an Adam Jones solo shot to left field off of Bud Black....this would be Blacks only blemish on an otherwise great 8 2/3 inning performance. In the ninth Baltimore threatened, but with two out and a runner on second San Francisco's great closer Rod Beck came on to strike out Baltimore pinch-hitter Nick Johnson and the series headed east tied up at one game apiece.
Game 3
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Baltimore 4 San Francisco 3
Swift vs Tillman
Game MVP: Matt Wieters
Another
Baltimore starter gets roughed up early in this one as San Francisco
puts up 3 against Tillman in the bottom of the 2nd. With Tillman
appearing a little rattled SF scored on a Will Clark solo home run to
left field, followed by a single by Willie McGee who moved to third on a
passed ball and wild pitch on consecutive pitches and later scored on a
sac fly. Royce Clayton was then hit by a pitch (remember this for game
6), moved to second on a Manwaring single and scored on another wild
pitch. Somehow Tillman survived the inning. In the bottom of the 3rd
Baltimore answered back on a Wilson Betemit (Why do the Orioles dogs
taste so good? Because they have betta meat! :-)) single and a Matt
Wieters home run to pull within 1. This is where the game would
remain until the8 th inning when Nate McClouth would double off Giant
reliever Mike Jackson and score on a Nick Markakis RBI single off of
Gino Minutelli to tie teh game after 8 innings. San Fran threatened in
the ninth with a Will Clark single, but Pedro Strop enticed Willie McGee
to pop out and Mark Carreon grounded into a double play. In the bottom
of the ninth Chirs Davis led off with a fly out to rightfield and SF
closer Rod Beck came in to face Manny Machado. Beck quickly got ahead
on an 0-2 count.........before Machado turned his next pitch into a game
winning home run down the left field line to give Baltimore the 4-3
comeback win and send the Bird fans home happy with a 2 games to 1 lead
in the series.
Game 4
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
San Francisco 11 Baltimore 2
Black vs Chen
Game MVP: Matt Williams
The middle game of the three game set in Baltimore was all Giants, all the way. Bud Black returned to the mound for San Fran after a stellar game 1 performance. Baltimore went with solid lefty Chen. The Giants opened the scoring against Chen in the top of the second inning on a Will Clark RBI single and a Jody Reed Sac Fly. They followed it up with two more the next inning on a Robby Thompson 2 RBI single. With a 4-0 lead Bud Black was cruising against the Orioles. In the bottom of the 5th inning teh O's got two back which would be the sum total of the scoring for Baltimore on this day. Meanwhile, the Giants added 7 more runs over the last three innings to close out an 11-2 spanking of the Birds of Baltimore. Of note was a three run shot by Matt Williams in the 7th. But the story of this day was that Bud Black shutdown the Birds bats to tie teh series at two games apiece.
Game 5
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Baltimore 4 San Francisco 3
Burkett vs Gonzalez
Game MVP: Manny Machado
With
the series tied at 2 game apiece, the game 1 starters staged an encore
in Baltimore. Just as in game 1 the Giants would leave the first inning
leading the Orioles by 1...this time it was a Darren Lewis home run to
start the game. In the bottom of the third Baltimore tied the game up on
a Nick Markakis RBI double which scored Ryan Flaherty who had opened
the inning with a walk. In the fifth, RBI singles by Robby Thompson and
Barry Bonds gave teh Giants the 3-1 lead with Burkett and Gonalez
locked into a tight contest. In the bottom of the inning three
consecutive singles by Markakis, Jones and Davis set the table for game
MVP Manny Machado. On a 2-1 pitch from Burkett Machado lined a double
down the left field line clearing the bases and giving Baltimore it's
first lead. The lead would hold up for the rest of the game as neither
bullpen yielded so much as a walk or hit the rest of the way.
Game 6
Candlestick Park
San Francisco 2 Baltimore 1
Hammel vs Sanderson
Game MVP: Manny Machado
Baltmore opens the scoring in this one in the bottom of the 2nd when Matt Wieters takes Sanderson deep down the right field line for a two run homer. Wieters blast was followed by a Ryan Flaherty solo home run to give Baltimore teh early 3-0 leaid. With two on the next inning, the previous games hero, Manny Machado, again took Sanderson deep to left field to up Baltimore's lea to 6-0. Through 5 the Baltimore's Hammel wasa ble to hold down the Giants bats getting timely double plays and great fielding efforts to cut off potential Giant rallies. In the 6th the Giants finally broke through with a Matt Williams solo shot off of Hammel. As Hammel began to tire, Pedro Strop entered the game for Baltimore and it wasn't long before tempers began to flare. Royce Clayton got thumped by Strop's second pitch and decided to detour to first base via the pitchers mound. Once teh umpires restored order, Mr. Clayton and Mr. Manwaring of the Giants along with Mr. Strop of the O's were asked to take an early shower. Darren O'Day entered the game for Baltimore not fully warmed up (I believe we have a possible game bug here) and retired the next three Giant hitters to kill another San Francisco rally. In the 8th inning, noted Giant slayer Manny Machado took Giant relief pitcher Gine Minutelli deep for his second home run of the game pushing Baltimore's lead to 8-1 after 8. In the top of the ninth the Giants did not go quietly loading the bases before Batlimore closer Jim Johnson, with two out, enticed Barry Bonds to hit a ground ball to Manny Machado who threw to first to end the series.
Over the last two games Manny Machado led the Baltimore attack with 8 RBIs to send Baltimore into next week's final two series.
Game 1
Baltimore 10 San Francisco 6
Candlestick Park
Gonzalez vs Burkett
Game MVP: Chris Davis
On
a mild evening (74 deg), with a slight breeze (5mph out to center) the
O's got off to a slugging start to the series. After the first two
Baltimore hitters were retired to start the game, Adam Jones turned on a
1-0 pitch from Burkett to hit a solo homerun to left-center and put the
O's up 1-0. Chris Davis then deposited a Burkett 1-2 pitch down the
right field line to stake Baltimore to a 2-0 lead after the first 1/2
inning. Despite Baltimore's quick start, the Giants came roaring back
in the bottom of the first against Gonzalez. After a Darren Lewis bunt
single to start the game, Robby Thompson blasted Gonzalez' 1-2 pitch 397
feet to left-center to tie the game. Will Clark, Willie McGee and
Royce Clayton singles added another run before the O's could escape, now
trailing 3-2. In the bottom of the second Robby Thompson added an RBI
single to extend the Giant lead to 4-2. The two starters finally
settled down and the bleeding stopped until the top of the 6th. In the
6th the O's J J Hardy was hit by Burkett and Adam Jones singled in
front of a Chris Davis double that scored both runners and tied the game
at 4. three batters later Baltimore firstbaseman Mark Reynolds
deposited the ball down the left field line and over the fence for two
more Baltimore runs. At the end of six the score was Baltimore 6 San
Francisco 4. Both bullpens entered the game in the 7th and the Jints
quickly reacquired the lead on a Robby Thompson single, a walk to Barry
Bonds and an error that allowed Matt Williams to load the bases with
none out. In the first of many timely double plays for Baltimore, Troy
Patton enticed a dp ground ball from Will Clark before getting out of
the inning. After 7 it was Baltimore 6 San Francisco 5. Baltimore
got the run back the next inning on a Mark Reynolds double that scored
Chris Davis. In the 8th Tony Phillips countered with a solo home run to
right off Darren O'day. After 8 the score was Baltimore 7 San
Francisco 6. In the ninth J J Hardy hit a two run shot and Chris Davis
connected on his second home run on the day to extend Baltimore's lead
to 10-6 before Jim Johnson came on to close out game 1 with a victory
for the visiting team.Game 2
Candlestick Park
San Francisco 2 Baltimore 1
Hammel vs Black
Game MVP: Bud Black
After the previous nights offensive display, a low scoring game was on tap for game two, although it did not appear that way at the outset as San Francisco jumped off to an early 1-0 lead after one courtesy of a Will Clark RBI double. From here the starting pitchers controlled the game until the bottom of the 7th when San Francisco added another run to their lead after a walk to Darren Lewis follwed by a Gonzalez wild pitch that moved him to second base. Lewis moved to third on a fielders choice and scored on a Barry Bonds RBI single. In the top of the 8th Baltimore finally got on the board with an Adam Jones solo shot to left field off of Bud Black....this would be Blacks only blemish on an otherwise great 8 2/3 inning performance. In the ninth Baltimore threatened, but with two out and a runner on second San Francisco's great closer Rod Beck came on to strike out Baltimore pinch-hitter Nick Johnson and the series headed east tied up at one game apiece.
Game 3
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Baltimore 4 San Francisco 3
Swift vs Tillman
Game MVP: Matt Wieters
Another
Baltimore starter gets roughed up early in this one as San Francisco
puts up 3 against Tillman in the bottom of the 2nd. With Tillman
appearing a little rattled SF scored on a Will Clark solo home run to
left field, followed by a single by Willie McGee who moved to third on a
passed ball and wild pitch on consecutive pitches and later scored on a
sac fly. Royce Clayton was then hit by a pitch (remember this for game
6), moved to second on a Manwaring single and scored on another wild
pitch. Somehow Tillman survived the inning. In the bottom of the 3rd
Baltimore answered back on a Wilson Betemit (Why do the Orioles dogs
taste so good? Because they have betta meat! :-)) single and a Matt
Wieters home run to pull within 1. This is where the game would
remain until the8 th inning when Nate McClouth would double off Giant
reliever Mike Jackson and score on a Nick Markakis RBI single off of
Gino Minutelli to tie teh game after 8 innings. San Fran threatened in
the ninth with a Will Clark single, but Pedro Strop enticed Willie McGee
to pop out and Mark Carreon grounded into a double play. In the bottom
of the ninth Chirs Davis led off with a fly out to rightfield and SF
closer Rod Beck came in to face Manny Machado. Beck quickly got ahead
on an 0-2 count.........before Machado turned his next pitch into a game
winning home run down the left field line to give Baltimore the 4-3
comeback win and send the Bird fans home happy with a 2 games to 1 lead
in the series.Game 4
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
San Francisco 11 Baltimore 2
Black vs Chen
Game MVP: Matt Williams
The middle game of the three game set in Baltimore was all Giants, all the way. Bud Black returned to the mound for San Fran after a stellar game 1 performance. Baltimore went with solid lefty Chen. The Giants opened the scoring against Chen in the top of the second inning on a Will Clark RBI single and a Jody Reed Sac Fly. They followed it up with two more the next inning on a Robby Thompson 2 RBI single. With a 4-0 lead Bud Black was cruising against the Orioles. In the bottom of the 5th inning teh O's got two back which would be the sum total of the scoring for Baltimore on this day. Meanwhile, the Giants added 7 more runs over the last three innings to close out an 11-2 spanking of the Birds of Baltimore. Of note was a three run shot by Matt Williams in the 7th. But the story of this day was that Bud Black shutdown the Birds bats to tie teh series at two games apiece.
Game 5
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Baltimore 4 San Francisco 3
Burkett vs Gonzalez
Game MVP: Manny Machado
With
the series tied at 2 game apiece, the game 1 starters staged an encore
in Baltimore. Just as in game 1 the Giants would leave the first inning
leading the Orioles by 1...this time it was a Darren Lewis home run to
start the game. In the bottom of the third Baltimore tied the game up on
a Nick Markakis RBI double which scored Ryan Flaherty who had opened
the inning with a walk. In the fifth, RBI singles by Robby Thompson and
Barry Bonds gave teh Giants the 3-1 lead with Burkett and Gonalez
locked into a tight contest. In the bottom of the inning three
consecutive singles by Markakis, Jones and Davis set the table for game
MVP Manny Machado. On a 2-1 pitch from Burkett Machado lined a double
down the left field line clearing the bases and giving Baltimore it's
first lead. The lead would hold up for the rest of the game as neither
bullpen yielded so much as a walk or hit the rest of the way. Game 6
Candlestick Park
San Francisco 2 Baltimore 1
Hammel vs Sanderson
Game MVP: Manny Machado
Baltmore opens the scoring in this one in the bottom of the 2nd when Matt Wieters takes Sanderson deep down the right field line for a two run homer. Wieters blast was followed by a Ryan Flaherty solo home run to give Baltimore teh early 3-0 leaid. With two on the next inning, the previous games hero, Manny Machado, again took Sanderson deep to left field to up Baltimore's lea to 6-0. Through 5 the Baltimore's Hammel wasa ble to hold down the Giants bats getting timely double plays and great fielding efforts to cut off potential Giant rallies. In the 6th the Giants finally broke through with a Matt Williams solo shot off of Hammel. As Hammel began to tire, Pedro Strop entered the game for Baltimore and it wasn't long before tempers began to flare. Royce Clayton got thumped by Strop's second pitch and decided to detour to first base via the pitchers mound. Once teh umpires restored order, Mr. Clayton and Mr. Manwaring of the Giants along with Mr. Strop of the O's were asked to take an early shower. Darren O'Day entered the game for Baltimore not fully warmed up (I believe we have a possible game bug here) and retired the next three Giant hitters to kill another San Francisco rally. In the 8th inning, noted Giant slayer Manny Machado took Giant relief pitcher Gine Minutelli deep for his second home run of the game pushing Baltimore's lead to 8-1 after 8. In the top of the ninth the Giants did not go quietly loading the bases before Batlimore closer Jim Johnson, with two out, enticed Barry Bonds to hit a ground ball to Manny Machado who threw to first to end the series.
Over the last two games Manny Machado led the Baltimore attack with 8 RBIs to send Baltimore into next week's final two series.
--submitted by Mark Nixon--
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