Game 66 Recap-
The Baltimore Orioles rallied from a 5 run deficit, scoring 7 runs over the last 4 innings, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-9 Friday Night at Camden Yards in a 3 game series opener. The home team was honoring the 1979 World Series runner ups(the teams played in the 79 series, Pirates winning in 7 at old Memorial Stadium in Baltimore) and had several key members of that club present including SP Scott McGregor, 3b Doug DeCinces & legendary manager Earl Weaver.
The Orioles scored a run on ground out by DH Aubrey Huff in the 1st off of Pirates SP, LH Phil( Dumatrait(Season-3-3,3.84-Game-5 IP, 5 hits,5 runs, 5 walks and 3 Ks). The Pirates responded with runs in 3 consecutive innings vs Os LH Brian Burres(5-5,5.28) starting with SS Jack Wilson’s rbi single in the 2nd. 1b Doug Mientkiewicz added an rbi single of his own in the 3rd for a 2-1 lead. After RF Jason Michaels hit a 3 run homer in the 4th, the spread was 6-1 and looking good for the boys from Pittsburgh.
The pesky Baltimore bats came to life gradually vs Dumatrait, scoring a single run in the 4th following a double by C Ramon Hernandez. The Os got 3 more in the 5th to close out the young lefty’s night on another rbi ground out by Huff and a HUGE 2 out single by hobbled 1b Kevin Millar to make it 6-5.
RH Franquelis Osoria took over and gave up the lead for good in the 6th vs the relentless Baltimore bats. 2b Brian Roberts and 3b Melvin Mora posted rbi singles for the 7-6 score. Burres was huge key here, after his early struggles, he battled and kept the team from blowing out the bullpen, lasting 6 innings, he allowed 8 hits, 6 runs with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Pittsburgh LH Sean Burnett(7.53) allowed 2 tack on runs in the 7th(LF Luke Scott 11th homer) & 8th(Mora rbi single) to push the score to 9-6. Orioles rookie stud reliever rh Jim Johnson(10 holds, 1.24) 1-2-3 7th and 8th innings using only 21 pitches. LH closer George Sherrill got 3 outs for his 22nd save in the 9th.
Star of the Game-
Millar- 3 walks, hit & 2 rbi on a bad wheel
Pirates Notes-
Club would have been .500 with a win in this game, the furthest the Pirates have been at that point in season since September 1,1999… C Ryan Doumit did not homer after he did in 4 consecutive games…LF Jason Bay, Michaels and Wilson all had 2 hits to lead the team… RHP Brian Bullington(0-3,5.29) was optioned to Triple A & the team recalled RH RP Marino Salas(1-0,7.00 era)
Next Game-
Saturday Night-7:05 Camden Yards
Pirates LH Zach Duke(4-4,4.10) vs Orioles RH Radhames Liz(1-0,3.48)
