Bob Gordon’s 1979 postseason: Bly goes all 9 in win over Os in Game 4

Bob Gordon’s 1979 World Series replay goes into Game Four –TN

Flanagan (Grade BYZ) and Blyleven (Grade BY) go at each other again today in Pittsburgh.  They both gave up 3 runs in Game 1, but were gone by the time in the O’s won in the 10th– their only win so far in the series.  The Bucs have a 2-1 advantage in games and two more at home.  (assuming I don’t screw that up again…)

Blyleven retires the side in the first, starting the game by striking out Bumbry.  The Pirates center fielder leads off, and unlike Bumbry bangs a single to left.  He is off for second on the first pitch to Foli and has his second steal of the series.  Foli hits the 0-1 to Smith as short, and Moreno takes third, one down.  Parker goes the other way with a Flanagan fastball and hits it down the left field line.  Roenicke over for it, Moreno speeding home…Parker takes the turn and heads for second.  Gary’s throw is to second – the tag by Smith and Parker is out!  Stargell the batter with 2 out, bases clear and a 1-0 Buc lead.  Willie homered and struck out twice off Flanagan in the first game.  Ground ball to Dauer and he boots it, E4.  Robinson grounds in to a 4-6 fielder’s choice and the first inning is in the books.

Blyleven pitches a fast second inning.  Murray lines to Moreno (a stolen 8) and DeCinces singles over short with two out, but is stranded.  The Pirates make more noise in the bottom of the 2nd. Madlock walks and takes second on a Flanagan curve that bounced 5 feet in front of the plate.  After Nicosia flew out, Garner reached on an error on Smith, Madlock holding second.  Two one, one out and Blyleven up there to move the runners over.  He bunts it right back to Flanagan who spins, fires to Smith for one, on to Murray, two.  On to the third. 

Bumbry hit a two out single, but Smith grounded to Foli and the O’s fail to score.  Moreno leads off the Pirate 3rd and singles to left once again.  Like the first inning, he is off with the first pitch and has his second steal of the game.  Impressive against a left handed pitcher.  Foli does his job, he moves Moreno to third by grounding to Murray – Flanagan covering first.  Parker singled and knocked in a run in his first at bat.  He serves a 1-2 pitch into left for his second hit and second RBI of the day.  Stargell grounds in to a 4-6-3 double play and the Pirate lead is 2.

The O’s go down in order in the 4th.  In the home half, Madlock singles with one out.  He goes to second on Nicosia’s grounder back to the box.  With two out, Garner up and Blyleven’s spot up next, Weaver calls for the intentional pass.  Buc faithful don’t like it, but Earl is unmoved.  Blyleven grounds to DeCinces for the last out.

Doug leads off the O’s 5th with a single over Foli and in to left field. Third hit for the Birds. Dauer walks and the O’s advance their first runner in to scoring position.  Dempsey hits a fly to Robinson in left and its Flanagan’s turn to help himself with a good bunt.  He bunts it in the air to Blyleven – who catches it and firs to first in time to double up Dauer.  Moreno leads off the Pirate 5th with his third lead off single of the day.  Foli has advanced him with ground outs twice, but this time hits one past Murray and in to the right field corner. Singleton is up with it but has no chance to keep Moreno from scoring – Foli cruises in to second with a double and Pittsburgh leads 3-0.  Parker, 2-2, 2 RBI.  Ground ball to short, Smith to Murray for the out, Foli to third.  Earl brings the infield in.  Stargell serves one down the left field line – and it is a fair ball.  Foli scores and Stargell is trying for two.  Roenicke’s throw – out!  Two assists for the Baltimore left fielder today.  Gary known more for his bat, but he is keeping this one from getting away from the Birds.  Robinson singles to left with two down, but is stranded there when Madlock flies to Roenicke.  Both sides go in order in the 6th.

Murray reaches on a Madlock error to start the 7th.  He is quickly erased when Roenicke grounds in to a 5-4-3 double play.  DeCinces, who has 2 of the 3 Bird hits today, walks.  Lowenstein comes on to hit for Dauer.  The lefty hits a towering drive to right.  Parker has room and the O’s are gone in the 7th (and Blyleven advances to Grade AY).  Here’s Omar again, 3-3, 3 runs, 2 steals.  Make it 4-4, he singles to left.  Miller out to talk with Flanagan, Mike is due up second in the bottom half.  Ray mentions that Stone bought him dinner the other night and heads back to the dugout.  Foli lines to Bumbry for one out and Parker grounds back to Flanagan for the second out – Moreno to second.  Stargell is 1-3 with a RBI today. And he hits. 2-0 fastball to deep center, Bumbry looks and says goodbye. Stargell’s third homer of the series and Pittsburgh is cruising, 6-0.  Weaver comes to Theron step, but leaves Flanagan in.  Mike retires Robinson.

Blyleven gets Dempsey on a short fly to left.  Lee May bats for the pitcher – Blyleven sends him back to the dugout with a nasty curve.  With two gone, but Bumbry bangs a double in the gap between Moreno and Robinson.  Kelly to bat for Garcia; Pat is 2-6 this series with a pinch homer.  He doubles to left center and the Orioles are on the board.  Singleton grounds to second and the rally is over.  Stanhouse comes in to pitch the 8th and yields a 2 out triple to Garner.  Blyleven comes to the plate to a huge ovation. In some fantasy world,he would respond by getting a hit.  Here though, he’s strikes out.

Bert takes the mound to another ovation in the ninth.  Mows down Murray, Roenicke and DeCinces for a complete game.  Just 5 hits for Baltimore and the Bucs have them on the ropes.  (Ok, you’re right.  The plank joke could go there just as easily.)   It’s Steve Stone’s (Grade C) turn if Earl sticks with his rotation.  Candelaria (Grade BZ) takes the mound for Pittsburgh  John was 2-0 in the LCS and the MVP.  He won game 2 against Stone giving up 1 earned run on 4 hits in 7 innings of work.