Baltimore closes out the KOD20 season losing 8 straight division
games to fall from a tie for first to a likely tie for last in the AL
East. Pitching and not being able to drive runners in consistently
killed theh O's all season long. Kudos to DKS, way too much like the
real thing!
Has Col. Kurtz (Apocalypse Now fame) once said, "The
horror, the horror....." Anyway, congrats to the Yankees on their
division crown.
Game 1
Camden Yard
Arroyo vs Gonzalez
Boston 9 Baltimore 4
Miguel
Gonzalez had been solid all season for Baltimore, but with the pennant
already clinched in New York his concentration waned as he gave up 5
runs in 1 and 1/3 ininngs. In the top of the first Many Ramirez drove
Johny Damon in from third to stake Boston to a 1-0 lead. Boston added 4
more in the top of the second on three singles a double and a walk,
before TJ McFarland came in to stem the scoring by getting the last two
outs of the inning. In the meantime Branson Arroyo was cruising against
the Orioles hitters until he gave up a two run home run to Chris Davis
in the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the sixthh Baltimore
struck again on a Steve Pearce RBI single. this was a close as
Baltimore would get as the Baltimore bullpen gave up 4 more runs to
allow Boston to cruise to an easy win.
Game 2
Camden Yard
Martinez vs Chen
Boston 6 Baltimore 4
In
what would be the closest game of the series Baltimore struck first in
the botom of the third on an Adam Jones RBI double. Boston answered
back against Chen in the top of the 4th on a David Bellhorn RBI single.
Boston claimed the lead the net inning on a leadoff home run by David
Ortiz. Baltimore answered back with a two run home run by J J Hardy to
reclaim the lead 3-2. With Chen tiring in the seventh, the Baltimore
Pyrotechnic Bullpen entered the game and Boston quickly lit up the
Baltimore sky. In the eigth Darren O'day gave up a two run shot to Bill
Mueller and in the ninth Fransisco Rodriquez gave up three singles,
including a two RBI single to Bellhorn. the best Baltimore could do was
load the bases in the bottom of the 8th on two singles and an error
before Matt Weiters hit into a 3-6-3 double play that scored J J Hardy
from third. Once again the Baltimore pen was unable to keep up with the
opponents pen.
Game 3
Camden Yard
Schilling vs Britton
Boston 14 Baltimore 6
In
a game the summed up the Baltimore season in a nutshell, the pitching
imploded, only this time early. The only good thing to come from this
game was that the few fans who stayed past the 4th inning had a great
chance to try out new seat locations for KOD Holiday edition. After 4
innings Boston led in this one 10-1. Britton was charged with 9 runs
over three innings and gave up 5 walks. when Kevin Gausman relieved
Britton he then gave up 5 more over 3 1/3 ininngs (this was the
highlight for Baltimore). In the meantime Schilling cruised, holding
Baltimore to 4 runs over 7 ininngs before he tired and the Boston pen
took over. This one was just ugly all the way around for Baltimore and
dropped the O's into a possible last place tie with Boston in the AL
East......My, how the mighty fell the last three weeks!
Anyway, as always, it was fun (sort of) and Erik was great to work with on finding a time to play during this busy time of year.
Merry Christmas to you all, and see you during the Holiday Tournament!
--submitted by Mark Nixon--
Baltimore
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