The longballs were flying out of Memorial Stadium, as the two teams
combined for nine home runs in the first two games. It was a battle
between the Oriole's great 1970s pitching versus the big bangers in
Cleveland's 1990s lineup.
In this series, except for game three, the bats prevailed over the arms.
Game One: Dave McNally and Charlie Nagy squared off in the opening, and it was immediately apparent that McNally's penchant for giving up gopher balls would not fare him well against Cleveland's attack. Manny Ramirez launched solo shots in the first and third innings while Albert Belle and Enrique Wilson pitched in later with home runs to break open a tight game. Cleveland's five run sixth inning, with the game tied at two, broke Baltimore's back, while the Injuns added insult to injury with three more in the eighth off Baltimore's relief corps. Cleveland 10, Baltimore 3.
Game Two: What looked to be a good pitching matchup between Jim Palmer and Bartolo Colon descended into offense wildness. Behind 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Davey Johnson smashed a grand slam to give the O's a shortlived lead. After tying the game, Cleveland struck back with three in the seventh off "manager" Jim Thome's shot. But Baltimore's Boog Powell tied it up in the eighth with his first homer. Tied at 8 apiece, the game moved to the 11th before Cleveland won it on Belle's screechng double down the leftfield line that plated two. Cleveland 11, Baltimore 8 (11 innings)
Game Three: Baltimore finally got that all-star caliber pitching it expected in the first two games, as screwball artist Mike Cuellar was magnificent in shutting down Cleveland's offense. Cuellar only gave up one run in eight innings and rarely broke a sweat. Cleveland's Dennis Martinez struggled, giving up four runs and nine hits in 5.2 innings and allowing key doubles to John Orsina, Johnson and Mark Belanger. Baltimore 5, Cleveland 1.
In this series, except for game three, the bats prevailed over the arms.
Game One: Dave McNally and Charlie Nagy squared off in the opening, and it was immediately apparent that McNally's penchant for giving up gopher balls would not fare him well against Cleveland's attack. Manny Ramirez launched solo shots in the first and third innings while Albert Belle and Enrique Wilson pitched in later with home runs to break open a tight game. Cleveland's five run sixth inning, with the game tied at two, broke Baltimore's back, while the Injuns added insult to injury with three more in the eighth off Baltimore's relief corps. Cleveland 10, Baltimore 3.
Game Two: What looked to be a good pitching matchup between Jim Palmer and Bartolo Colon descended into offense wildness. Behind 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Davey Johnson smashed a grand slam to give the O's a shortlived lead. After tying the game, Cleveland struck back with three in the seventh off "manager" Jim Thome's shot. But Baltimore's Boog Powell tied it up in the eighth with his first homer. Tied at 8 apiece, the game moved to the 11th before Cleveland won it on Belle's screechng double down the leftfield line that plated two. Cleveland 11, Baltimore 8 (11 innings)
Game Three: Baltimore finally got that all-star caliber pitching it expected in the first two games, as screwball artist Mike Cuellar was magnificent in shutting down Cleveland's offense. Cuellar only gave up one run in eight innings and rarely broke a sweat. Cleveland's Dennis Martinez struggled, giving up four runs and nine hits in 5.2 innings and allowing key doubles to John Orsina, Johnson and Mark Belanger. Baltimore 5, Cleveland 1.
--submitted by Joe Pryweller--
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