#26. 2019 AL Champion Houston Astros v. #54 1969 AL Champion Baltimore Orioles
It's the team with a 16-2 tournament record, the Astros, against the team who swept their Elite 8 matchup, the Orioles. Winner heads to the World Series to face Gehrig/DiMaggio and the 1938 Yankees.
The 2019 Astros began in 2011 when 21 year old rookie Jose Altuve became the starting second baseman. Following the season, Jeff Luhnow was hired as GM and in 2014 George Springer, a 24 year old rookie, became the RF. Jake Marisnick is the 5th OF on that club and Brad Peacock, the 5th starter in 2019, joined the rotation. AJ Hinch was hired as manager in 2015 and the Astros made the postseason. Carlos Correa, a rookie 20 year old SS, joined the lineup that season and 30 year old RH reliever Will Harris became the bullpen ace. The Astros won the World Series in 2017; Yuli Gurriel was the first baseman; Alex Bregman (like Gurriel) reached the big club the year prior and became the starter at third this season. Josh Reddick became the RF, Justin Verlander was acquired late season for the pennant run and Chris Devenski became the set up man. Last year saw the acquisition of Gerrit Cole and the closer Hector Rondon. Joe Smith and Colin McHugh are pitching high leverage bullpen innings. This season - Robinson Chirinos was added to catch, Yordan Alvarez at DH. They won 107 games this year. Won the AL West by 10 games. Took out the Rays in 5 games in the ALDS (Cole winning games 2 and 5). The Astros then knocked out the Yankees in 6 games to win the pennant and go into the World Series dominant favorites. They had a 3-2 lead over the Nats with the last two games at home - Verlander lost game 6 (and game 2, both to Stephen Strasburg). Houston had a 2-0 lead headed to the 7th inning in game 7 -- but gave up 6 runs in the last 3 innings and lost. Then came the tournament - and the Astros won their first 13 games. They swept DiMaggio's '48 Yankees, swept Ted Williams and the '49 Red Sox, swept Maddux/Glavine/Smoltz and the '99 Braves, swept Mickey and Yogi and the '54 Yankees and then had to fight to beat the 2017 Dodgers, after taking game one, they dropped 2 and 3 -- but then won out; these Astros are 16-2 in the tournament as they reach the final four.
The 1969 Orioles started with Brooks Robinson; he came up at 18 years old in 1955 and in 1958 became the starting third baseman. A 19 year old Boog Powell first came up in '61 (starting LF, Dick Williams; starting RF Whitey Herzog) and the next season he's in the lineup in left. 20 year old Dave McNally is in the rotation in '63, 20 year old Paul Blair is up in '64 and becomes the CF the following season. 19 year old Jim Palmer gets called up that year - as does Mark Belanger and Davey Johnson, 21 and 22. Following the season Harry Dalton is named GM. The Orioles win the World Series in 1966; Johnson's the second baseman; Andy Etchebarren is catching and 25 year old Eddie Watt is on the pitching staff. Tom Phoebus and Jim Hardin are both in the 1967 rotation - so is Pete Richert, the best lefty reliever the club has this season. Both Marcelino Lopez and Dave Leonhard get some bullpen innings. Before the end of the '68 season Earl Weaver is named manager, Don Buford, Elrod Hendricks, Dave May, Merv Rettenmund are all contributing off the bench and Belanger is the shortstop. Add Mike Cuellar and Dick Hall to the staff this year and here we are. The '69 Orioles won 109 games, winning the AL by 19 games over the Tigers and then swept the Twins in the ALCS and went into the World Series as even more dominant favorites than the Astros half a century later. The Miracle Mets whipped them, 4 games to 1. Cuellar won game one - and then the O's dropped the next four. The Astros swept the '48 Yankees in round 1 -- the Orioles swept the '49 Yanks. McGraw's 1917 Giants fell 3 games to 1 in round 2, Ruth/Gehrig and the '28 Yankees got swept next and then the Orioles knocked off back to back Cubs squads, the 2016 Cubs 4 games to 2 and then the sweep over the 1909 Cubs.
Orioles 109-53 (Pythag 110-52) Mgr. Earl Weaver
1st in AL East
d. Twins 3-0 in ALCS
lost to Mets 4-1 in World Series
d. #75 1949 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Mike Cuellar/Jim Palmer)
d. #118 1917 Giants 3-1 (MVP-Davey Johnson/Mike Cuellar)
d. #43 1928 Yankees 3-0 (MVP Don Buford)
d. #6 2016 Cubs 4-2 (MVP-Boog Powell)
d. #14 1909 Cubs 4-0 (MVP-Mike Cuellar)
All-Stars: OF Paul Blair, 2B Davey Johnson, SP Dave McNally (4th AL Cy Young) 1B Boog Powell (2nd AL MVP) 3B Brooks Robinson, OF Frank Robinson (3rd AL MVP)
Cy Young: SP Mike Cuellar
Hall of Famers: Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver
109 wins, 19 games ahead of the Tigers in AL East. Same year – heavily favored Orioles lost to Mets, heavily favored Colts lost to Jets (and best NBA record – Bullets, lost in playoffs to Knicks), 1970 team also in field, this team had best winning % in Orioles history.
Orioles-Earl Weaver
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
DH May (25) (LF) 87
P Cuellar (32) 149 (LH) 5.2
Bench
C Etchebarren (26) 96 1.6
OF Rettenmund (26) 104
RF May (25) (LF) 87
SP2 Palmer (23) 152 3.9
SP3 McNally (26) 111 (LH) 3.1
SP4 Phoebus (27) 101
Astros 107-57 (Pythag 107-55) Mgr AJ Hinch (5th AL MoY)
1st in AL West
d. Rays 3-2 in ALDS
d. Yankees 4-2 in ALCS (MVP-Jose Altuve)
lost to Nationals 4-3 in World Series
d. #103 1948 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Michael Brantley)
d. #90 1949 Red Sox 3-0 (MVP-Yuli Gurriel)
d. #122 1999 Braves 3-0 (MVP- Carlos Correa/Josh Reddick)
d. #54 1954 Yankees 4-0 (MVP-Michael Brantley)
d. #98 2017 Dodgers 4-2 (MVP-Michael Brantley/Jose Altuve)
All-Stars: OF Michael Brantley, 3B Alex Bregman (2nd AL MVP) SP Gerrit Cole (2nd AL Cy Young) RP Ryan Pressly, OF George Springer, SP Justin Verlander (AL Cy Young)
Third straight 100 win season, best record in MLB. Everyone fired in offseason for sign stealing. First team ever to both lead in most pitching Ks and fewest hitting Ks.
Astros-AJ Hinch
RF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
DH Alvarez (22) (LH) 173 3.8
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
CF Marisnick (28) 80 1.4
SP Cole (28) 185 7.5
Bench
RF Reddick (32) (LH) 89 1.6
1B White (28) 72
3B Diaz (28) 114
2B Kemp (27) (LH) 88
SS Straw (24) 92
P Verlander (36) 179 7.6
SP3 Miley (32) (LH) 116 1.6
SP4 Greinke (35) 154
Lineups:
C-Push - Chirinos has the most WAR but the two Oriole catchers surpass that, so it's a push
1B-Powell over Gurriel
2B-Push
SS-Belanger over Correa (Belanger's glove over Correa's bat)
3B-Bregman over Brooks (Bregman has the highest WAR in the series)
LF-Buford over Brantley
CF-Blair over Marisnick/Reddick (Reddick plays RF, but this is the platoon)
RF-Push (Frank and Springer are deadlocked in WAR)
DH-Alvarez over May/Rettenmund (Orioles are up 4-2)
SP1-Cole over Cuellar
SP2- Verlander over Palmer
SP3-McNally over Miley
SP4-Greinke over Phoebus
Pen-Push
WAR: Astros 5 Orioles 5 -- Orioles have the bat advantage, Astros the arms advantage, at day's end its a push; Houston has the better seed and homefield, so they're the slight favorites. The other pennant was decided in 7 games and a couple extra innings beyond that - hopefully we get a series just as close here. Who will advance to meet the 1938 Yankees in the World Series to end this tournament?
GAME ONE
1st: The 1938 New York Yankees sit at home, which is where the World Series, the Finals of this 128 team Tournament, will begin. The Yankees will face one of the two teams on the field today. Gerrit Cole leads the 16-2 Astros. 28 year old RH. Cole was 2nd in the Cy this season; 10th in the MVP, made his 3rd All Star team. Cole led the AL in ERA and FIP, led MLB in Ks, ERA+, K/9. Cole's worn #45 his entire career. The greatest #45s ever? Bob Gibson and Pedro Martinez. He gives up back to back singles to Don Buford and Boog Powell; Buford going to third and scoring on a Frank Robinson sac fly. 1969 Orioles 1 2019 Astros 0
1st: Two men have won/shared 3 MVPs in the tournament; one is Mike Cuellar, 32 year old lefty. Won the Cy Young, 8th in the MVP. Easily his best ever Baltimore season - Cuellar is familiar with Houston, he was an Astro for four seasons, just before coming to Baltimore this year. Cuellar wears #35, as does Justin Verlander. Alex Bregman doubles with 1 out. Yordan Alvarez walks, but Cuellar keeps Houston off the scoreboard.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Don Buford walks with 1 away. 32 year old switch hitting left fielder. He's #9; Ted Williams is the greatest #9 of all time. That's all.
3rd: Robinson Chirinos doubles. 35 year old RH hitting catcher. He's #28 - Cesar Cedeno wore #28 for the Astros for a dozen years. Jake Marisnick follows with a double that ties the score and George Springer singles to put men on the corners, still nobody out. Alex Bregman grounds out and the go ahead run scores. Cuellar hits Alvarez. After the second out - Jose Altuve singles to score another; Yuli Gurriel singles to score another. Michael Brantley walks - Houston loads the bases and the Astros have batted around; Chririnos reaches on a run scoring error - the wheels have totally come off for Cuellar, a wild pitch scores a run -- a Jake Marisnick base hit, his second of the inning, scores two more. Cuellar's day - stunningly - is over. 25 year old lefty Marcelino Lopez enters. Springer singles, his second hit of the inning. Bregman singles to drive in one more run -- in the entire tournament, we've never seen an inning where more batters came to the plate - it happens in game one of this final four series and this Houston crowd is thunderous. Orioles 1 Astros 9
4th: A truly startling 3rd inning; the Astros battering Mike Cuellar. Cole has an easy one. 1-2-3
4th: Carlos Correa single. 24 year old RH hitting shortstop. He wears #1; like Ozzie Smith, Lou Whitaker, Pee Wee Reese. Gurriel singles again after the first out. That's it.
5th: Davey Johnson singles. 26 year old RH hitting second baseman. All Star, Gold Glove. he's #15, Dick Allen was #15, as was Red Ruffing - who will be pitching in Game One of the World Series. Mark Belanger singles. After a double play - Dave May - DH'ing today - doubles to score a run. Orioles 2 Astros 9
5th: Chrinos singles. 2 outs later Alex Bregman walks. 25 year old RH hitting third baseman. 2nd in the AL MVP, All Star. Led MLB in walks. Wears #2, like Derek Jeter, Charlie Gehringer and Red Rolfe - who had the game winning hit in the 11th inning to win the pennant for the '38 Yanks. Alvarez singles and Correa walks to score a run. Lopez's day is over, just a rough day for Baltimore -- Dave Leonhard is next, 28 year old RH. He ends it - Houston has 13 hits in the first 5 innings of the series. Orioles 2 Astros 10
6th: Boog Powell walks. 27 years old, lefty bat. First base. 2nd in the MVP. He's wearing #26 - Wade Boggs wore it for 11 Red Sox seasons. 2 outs later Ellie Hendricks singles and that's it.
6th: Chirinos singles with 2 outs - big game for the Astros backstop. That's it.
7th: 1-2-3
7th: George Springer walks. 29 year old RH hitting RF. All Star, 7th in the MVP. Wears number four, as, of course, does Lou Gehrig, who waits for the winners of this series. Alex Bregman walks. Yordan Alvarez then hits a 3 run rocket to center - Houston scores 13 in game one and the fans roar their approval. Pete Richert comes on. 29 year old lefty, wears #24, like Willie Mays and Rickey Henderson. Orioles 2 Astros 13
8th: 1-2-3, Cole has retired 7 straight, cruising to the easy win.
8th: 1-2-3
9th: Joe Smith is on to finish up. 35 year old RH, pitched just 25 innings this year in the final season of a 13 year career. Wears #38, like Curt Schilling. Gives up a 2 out hit to Davey Johnson and that's it.
9 runs in the 3rd inning was all she wrote for game one.
Orioles 2
Astros 13
WP: Cole
LP: Cuellar
Springer 3x
Bregman 4x/double
Alvarez 4x/HR, 3 game 1 RBI
Correa 2x
Altuve 1x
Gurriel 2x
Brantley 1x
Chirinos 3x/double
Marisnick 2x/double, 3 game 1 RBI
Buford 2x
Powell 2x
Hendricks 1x
Johnson 2x
Belanger 1x
May 1x/double
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
DH May (25) 87
SP2 Palmer (23) 152 3.9
CF Springer (29) 150 6.5
DH Alvarez (22) (LH) 173 3.8
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
RF Reddick (32) (LH) 89 1.6
P Verlander (36) 179 7.6
GAME TWO
1st: Easy game one for the Astros - Justin Verlander looking to keep that rolling. 36 year old RH, won the Cy Young, made the All Star team, led MLB in wins, WHIP, H/9, K/BB. Third time in his career Verlander led MLB in wins and third time in WHIP. 1-2-3
1st: Jim Palmer has to stop this Astros onslaught today. 23 year old RH, led the AL in winning %. Wears #22 as does Clayton Kershaw. 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Jose Altuve draws a one out walk. 29 year old RH hitting second baseman. Wears #27 like Juan Marichal and Vlad Guerrero. That's all.
3rd: 1-2-3, 9 up, 9 down.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: Don Buford walks, that's it.
4th: Carlos Correa doubles with 2 away and its the first hit of the game. That's all.
5th: Paul Blair singles, Baltimore's first hit. 25 year old RH hitting CF. All Star, Gold Glove, led the AL in sacrifices. Blair's wearing #6 - like Stan Musial and Al Kaline.
5th: Michael Brantley walks - like Cuellar, the only men to have won/shared 3 MVPs in the tournament. 32 year old lefty hitting LF. All Star. Wears #23 like Ryne Sandberg. That's it.
6th: Verlander and Palmer are locked in a good one here in game two, each has allowed just one hit. Brooks Robinson singles with 1 away - 32 year old RH hitting third baseman. All Star, Gold Glove, wears #5 like Albert Pujols, George Brett, Johnny Bench and the great Joe DiMaggio who waits for the winners of this one. It ends here.
6th: George Springer singles to left. Yordan Alvarez singles to left and this is the best chance either club has had to score today. Alex Bregman walks and here we go - bases loaded and nobody out. Palmer's jammed up here in the 6th. Correa flies to left center and it scores a run. But that's it -- Palmer gets the next two, a nice job working out of it by Palmer, giving up only one. Orioles 0 Astros 1
7th: 1-2-3 -- Verlander doesn't let the Orioles breathe.
7th: 1-2-3
8th: Blair singles. He's erased on a double play so the bases are cleared when Davey Johnson doubles -- but Verlander maintains the shutout.
8th: Springer walks. Will Houston add an insurance run? An out later Bregman singles. Runners on the corners. Does Weaver go to the pen? He doesn't - Correa grounds out but it scores the run. The brings on Pete Richert and he ends the inning. Orioles 0 Astros 2
9th: Verlander stays on - 3 outs away from taking game 2.
He strikes out Brooks Robinson.
Dave May grounds to first.
Buford grounds to short -- Correa onto first and that's the ballgame.
Each team gets just four hits - but Verlander throws the complete game shutout and this series is heading to Baltimore, Astros up 2-0.
Orioles 0
Astros 2
WP Verlander
LP Palmer
Springer 5x
Bregman 6x/double
Alvarez 5x/HR, 3 game 1 RBI
Correa 3x/double
Altuve 2x
Gurriel 2x
Brantley 2x
Chirinos 3x/double
Marisnick 2x/double, 3 game 1 RBI
Buford 3x
Powell 2x
Hendricks 1x
Johnson 3x/double
Belanger 1x
May 1x/double
Blair 2x
BRobinson 1x
RF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
CF Marisnick (28) 80 1.4
SP3 Miley (32) (LH) 116 1.6
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
C Etchebarren (26) 96 1.6
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
SP3 McNally (26) 111 (LH) 3.1
GAME THREE
1st: Houston takes the first two games of the series; pounding out a 9 run inning to take game one and a 4 hit shutout to take game two. Now the series shifts to Baltimore - can the Orioles get into this one? Dave McNally for the O's - 26 year old lefty, All Star. 4th in the Cy Young. Wears #19 like Tony Gwynn and Robin Yount. He gives up a one out walk to Alex Bregman and a two out single to Jose Altuve, but keeps Houston off the board.
1st: Wade Miley for Houston. 32 year old lefty. Miley and Frank Robinson are wearing #20 in this series. Boog Powell walks with 2 out. That's all.
2nd: Jake Marisnick is back in the lineup today and he draws a 2 out walk. That's it.
2nd: Andy Etchebarren is catching today for the O's and he walks with 2 out. 26 year old RH hitting catcher. Wore #8 his whole career. Yogi was #8. Bill Dickey was #8 and he's on the pennant winning 1938 squad, hit four homers in their win over the '98 Yanks. Gary Carter and Willie Stargell and Yaz and Cal Ripken. Number 8s. That's the end.
3rd: Alex Bregman singles with one out and Carlos Correa walks. Jose Altuve then smashes a double into the right field corner and everyone scores. Houston takes the lead again. After the second out Michael Brantley singles home the third run of the inning. Astros 3 Orioles 0
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Miley, these Orioles just haven't gotten going with the bats in this series and it is rapidly approaching too late.
5th: Altuve walks with 2 out and thats the end.
5th: Etchebarren walks with one out. Brooks Robinson walks with 2 out. But it ends here.
6th: Chirinos singles after an out. That's all.
6th: Wade Miley is the only break the Astros give you in their postseason rotation and he's allowed one hit today. Buford singles -- and then Frank Robinson - hitless so far in the series - just rocks a 2 run homer deep -- deep -- to right center that draws the Orioles within a run. Frank's 33, RH bat, playing RF, made his 9th All Star team this year, 3rd in the MVP. Led the league in being hit by pitches this year for the 7th time in his career. 2 outs later Davey Johnson singles and that's all. Astros 3 Orioles 2
7th: 1-2-3
7th: Houston goes to the pen, 34 year old RH Will Harris. He wears #36 like Jim Kaat, Gaylord Perry, Don Newcombe. 1-2-3 and now Houston's 6 outs from an almost certainly insurmountable lead in this series.
8th: Pete Richert for the Orioles, McNally's day is done. 1-2-3.
8th: Harris gets one -- and then Frank Robinson does it again, his second homer of the day - tying the game. Huge roar from this Memorial Stadium crowd, by himself Robinson keeps Baltimore's hopes alive. Astros 3 Orioles 3
9th: Richert stays on. Chirinos walks. 2 outs later Springer singles. Chirinos goes to third - the go ahead run standing at third base....and Richert escapes.
9th: 31 year old RH Hector Rondon for the Astros. He wears #30, like Tim Raines and Orlando Cepeda. Etchebarren doubles with one out. Winning run in scoring position with just one out. Can the Orioles get this one?
Belanger grounds to short.
Rondon strikes out Brooks Robinson and we head to the 10th.
10th: 38 year old RH Dick Hall is the next Baltimore pitcher. Wears #29 - like Rod Carew, Adrian Beltre, John Smoltz. He gives up a Correa base hit. And then sets down the next 3.
10th: 30 year old RH Ryan Pressly is next for Houston. He made his only All Star team this year. Wears #55, like Orel Hershiser. 1-2-3
11th: 28 year old RH Dave Leonhard now for Baltimore. He walks Chirinos and Marisnick back to back.
22 year old left handed bat Kyle Tucker comes off the bench and strikes out.
Leonhard hits Springer. Loaded. Only 1 out.
Alex Bregman triples! That clears the bases -- all 3 runners will score and that might be that. The Houston Astros take a 3 run lead in the 11th and are now 3 outs away from a commanding 3-0 lead in this series.
Marcelino Lopez enters, gets the second out and then Jose Altuve ends this game and probably ends this series with a 2 run homer - it's a full celebration in the Astros dugout - they are getting ready back in Houston for the World Series. Astros 8 Orioles 3
11th: Chris Devenski is on to finish. He gets 2 - gives up a Johnson base hit - then an Etchebarren base hit and it ends.
Frank Robinson's heroics aside - Baltimore just can't hang in there with the Astros - Bregman and Altuve with big 11th inning hits and now the Astros are a game from a sweep.
Astros 8
Orioles 3
WP Pressly
LP Leonhard
Springer 7x
Bregman 9x/double, triple 3 game 3 RBI
Alvarez 5x/HR, 3 game 1 RBI
Correa 5x/double
Altuve 6x/double HR, 4 game 3 RBI
Gurriel 2x
Brantley 3x
Chirinos 6x/double
Marisnick 4x/double, 3 game 1 RBI
Buford 4x
Powell 3x
Hendricks 1x
Johnson 5x/double
Belanger 1x
May 1x/double
Blair 2x
BRobinson 2x
FRobinson 2x/2HR, 3 game 3 RBI
Etchebarren 4x
CF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
RF Reddick (32) (LH) 89 1.6
SP4 Greinke (35) 154
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
SP4 Phoebus (27) 101
GAME FOUR
1st: The Astros are 19-2 in the tournament; a phenomenal run and they look like an unstoppable juggernaut. Trying to stop them is Tom Phoebus. 27, RH. 1-2-3
1st: 35 year old RH Zach Greinke looks to complete the sweep for the Astros, winning the pennant and sending them to the tournament finals, the World Series against the 1938 Yankees. He gets the first two - then walks Frank Robinson and gives up a 2 run shot to Paul Blair and its the Orioles who jump out in front. Journey of a thousand miles begins with a Paul Blair home run. Ellie Hendricks singles, that's it. Astros 0 Orioles 2
2nd: Jose Altuve singles, 4 game 3 RBI for Altuve -- Phoebus gets one and then Yuli Gurriel ties this game up with a 2 run homer to center. The Astros do not let up - they do not let up. Chirinos singles, that's all. Astros 2 Orioles 2
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Phoebus gets 2 -- and then Carlos Correa bombs a homer to left - and the Astros take the lead. Altuve singles, that's all. Astros 3 Orioles 2
3rd: After an out, Powell is aboard on an error, Frank Robinson singles and Blair walks to load the bases. Greinke walks Hendricks and its tied. After the second out -- Mark Belanger comes through with a base hit that scores two -- Baltimore has hit Greinke for 5 runs already today. Astros 3 Orioles 5
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Buford doubles with one out, that's it. After the second out Frank Robinson walks -- and here comes Blair again, a run scoring single. Astros 3 Orioles 6
5th: Greinke stays in to hit for himself and he singles. That's it.
5th: Brooks Robinson doubles with 2 out and then Phoebus matches Greinke with his own single. That's it.
6th: Correa singles. 2 outs later -- here comes Yuli Gurriel again - another 2 run homer! Gurriel has two two run shots today and the Astros pull within a run. Astros 5 Orioles 6
6th: Greinke is done, Will Harris takes over. Powell singles, that's it.
7th: Yordan Alvarez pinch singles with one out. That's all. The Orioles 6 outs away from their first win.
7th: Hector Rondon now pitching for Houston. 1-2-3
8th: Weaver goes to the pen - Pete Richert comes on -- and Carlos Correa mashes his first pitch over the left field wall to tie the score. Correa has 2 homers on the day and now it's 6-6. Gurriel has 2 homers of his own and two outs later he singles. That's all. Astros 6 Orioles 6
8th: 28 year old RH bat Curt Motton comes off the bench to hit for the pitcher; Rondon stays in the game for Houston - count runs 3 and 2 and then Motton hits a fly ball to left center that ---- just drops over the wall! Curt Motton had 6 homers this year - he comes off the bench for the Orioles and gives them the lead! An out later Powell walks - that brings on Ryan Pressly for the Astros, he ends it. Astros 6 Orioles 7
9th: Eddie Watt takes the ball for Baltimore. Can he get the last 3 outs and force game 5?
Reddick flies to right.
Kyle Tucker off the bench - flies to right.
Springer grounds to third -- Robinson nice scoop - throws onto first - ballgame.
The Astros blast a bunch of homers - but it's a pinch blast by Curt Motton in the 8th that extends the series one more day for the Orioles.
Astros 6
Orioles 7
WP Richert
LP Rondon
Sv Watt
Buford 5x/double
Powell 5x
Hendricks 3x
Johnson 5x/double
Belanger 2x
May 1x/double
Blair 5x/HR, 3 game 4 RBI
BRobinson 3x
FRobinson 5x/2HR, 3 game 3 RBI
Etchebarren 4x
Motton HR
Springer 7x
Bregman 9x/double, triple 3 game 3 RBI
Alvarez 6x/HR, 3 game 1 RBI
Correa 8x/double, 2 HR, 3 game 4 runs
Altuve 8x/double HR, 4 game 3 RBI
Gurriel 5x/2 HR, 4 game 4 RBI
Brantley 3x
Chirinos 7x/double
Marisnick 4x/double, 3 game 1 RBI
RF Springer (29) 150 6.5
3B Bregman (25) 162 9.2
SS Correa (24) 137 3.3
2B Altuve (29) 131 3.7
1B Gurriel (35) 126 3.8
LF Brantley (32) (LH) 126 3.9
C Chirinos (35) 105 2.8
CF Marisnick (28) 80 1.4
SP Cole (28) 185 7.5
LF Buford (32) 128 (SH) 4.5
1B Powell (27) 160 (LH) 6.2
RF Robinson (33) 165 6.5
CF Blair (25) 122 6.9
C Hendricks (28) (LH) 100 2.4
2B Johnson (26) 107 3.5
SS Belanger (25) 95 4.3
3B Robinson (32) 92 4.5
P Cuellar (32) 149 (LH) 5.2
GAME FIVE
1st: Co-MVP in the first round, second round, MVP in the Elite 8 - lefty Mike Cuellar looks to rebound from a disasterous game one outing today with the Orioles backs remaining against the wall. 1-2-3
1st: Gerrit Cole cruised to a game one win - he's 27 outs from winning the pennant. Don Buford walks. He's reached 6 times. That's it.
2nd: Yuli Gurriel had two two run homers in game 4 and reaches on a one out error. After the second out Robinson Chirinos singles -- but that's all.
2nd: Davey Johnson draws a one out walk. He's reached six times. That's it.
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: Buford walks with one out. After the second out Frank Robinson walks, Buford's at third - but that's it.
4th: 1-2-3, Cuellar sets down 7 straight.
4th: Ellie Hendricks reaches on an error and two outs later he's standing on second. Brooks Robinson doubles - it's Baltimore's first hit of the day and it brings Hendricks home for the first run of the game. Astros 0 Orioles 1
5th: Michael Brantley singles. Cuellar sets down the next 3.
5th: Cole gets two - and then Frank Robinson just roasts a ball over the wall in right center - huge, just a thunderous roar from this sold out crowd - this very well could be the final game in Baltimore in the tournament and their future Hall of Famer Robinson just hit his third homer of the series. Astros 0 Orioles 2
6th: 1-2-3
6th: 1-2-3
7th: Both clubs with just 2 hits today; Altuve walks. He's aboard 9 times on the series. That's all. Cuellar redeems himself for game one and is now 6 outs from sending this series back to Houston.
7th: Brooks Robinson singles. That's all.
8th: Jake Marisnick singles. Yordan Alvarez comes off the bench and doubles him home and now it's 2-1, tying run in scoring position for the Astros, nobody out. Springer singles - Alvarez stops at third - Orioles pen getting ready in a hurry. Bregman grounds out -- scoring the tying run. Pete Richert comes on - and ends the inning. But the Astros tie this one up, Astros 2 Orioles 2
8th: Will Harris now for Houston. Frank Robinson singles. Robinson trying to will one more run for the O's. That's all though and we do to the 9th.
9th: Richert stays on -- 1-2-3. Bottom of the 9th.
9th: Harris stays on -- and Davey Johnson triples! Davey Johnson leads off the 9th with a triple and the winning run is 90 feet from the plate!
Belanger pops up -- Altuve has it.
Brooks Robinson foul pop...Bregman by the dugout -- he's got it.
Curt Motton comes on to hit for Richert. In game 4, Motton pinch homered in the 8th for what turned out to be the winning run.
Here -- he grounds right to Altuve -- throw to first -- Harris gives up the leadoff triple but bears down and the Orioles don't capitalize on a helluva chance to get game 5.
10th: Dick Hall now for the Orioles. He gets one and then Marisnick singles. He gets the second, Marisnick's on second -- and George Springer singles -- that's going to score Marisnick and the Houston Astros have taken the lead. Alex Bregman walks -- and Carlos Correa singles - that's another run and the celebration is underway in the Astros dugout. Astros 4 Orioles 2
10th: 24 year old RH Roberto Osuna comes on for the first time in the series. 3 outs from the pennant.
Buford flies to center.
Powell walks.
And Frank Robinson -- grounds to second..flip to short for one...onto first...DOUBLE PLAY! FRANK ROBINSON GROUNDS INTO A DOUBLE PLAY AND THE ASTROS WIN THE PENNANT!
Massive celebration on the infield - the Houston Astros have knocked out the Orioles in 5 games and will now head to Yankee Stadium to take on the 1938 New York Yankees.
Astros 4
Orioles 2
WP Harris
LP Hall
Sv Osuna
Springer 9x
Bregman 10x/double, triple 3 game 3 RBI
Alvarez 7x/HR, 3 game 1 RBI
Correa 9x/double, 2 HR, 3 game 4 runs
Altuve 9x/double HR, 4 game 3 RBI
Gurriel 5x/2 HR, 4 game 4 RBI
There isn't a dramatic standout here for MVP - the single best effort was Verlanders in game 2 - Springer had the base hit that won this series, Bregman reached the most, Correa and Gurriel each had 2 home run games...it's going to be Carlos Correa.
