Bob Gordon’s 1979 postseason: Game 1 ALCS

Bob Gordon continues his summary of his 1979 postseason replay  -Tom

Game 1 of the ALCS is in Minnesota.  Pre-season favorite California struggled to a fourth place finish – they lacked pitching past Frost and Ryan.  The Twins, meanwhile, found plenty of pitching.  Number 4 starter Paul Hartzell finished 22-8!  The dice loved this team….they finished second in the AL with a 296 team batting average.  The Orioles rode a fine starting staff headed by co-Cy Young winners Mike Flanagan (27-9) and Dennis Martinez (26-10) and timely hitting. Gary Roenicke and Ken Singleton both slugged 39 homers to pace the O’s.  Koosman (14-13, 4.06 ERA) draws Martinez for game 1.

Kiko Garcia reaches on a Wilfong error with one down in the first. Murray singles and the O’s have two on, two out and Lee May standing in.  Koosman draws on his playoff experience with the Mets and whiffs the Big Bopper to end the inning.  Top second, and Roenicke launches one over the wall in deep right for a 1-0 lead.  DeCinces walks, and Dauer singles and the O’s are in business again.  Koosman reaches back to retire the next three batters, striking out Garcia to end the second. 

That strike out got Koosman on a roll.  He struck out the side in the third and retired the side in order in the 4th – without a ball leaving the infield.  Twin batters were inspired – with one down in the fourth, Landreaux pulls one over the wall in right.  Landreaux hit 327 on the year with 14 HR and 119 RBIs, so they need him to get it going.  Adams (361, 18 HR, 117 RBI) follows with a double.  Martinez settles down and gets Powell (no, not Boog, Hosken) and Jackson (Ron, not Reggie) and we go to the 5th tied at one.

Martinez’ designated catcher Dave Skaggs, walks on five pitches.  Koosman then plunks Bumbry and the O’s have first and second, no out.  The runners take off and execute a successful double steal.  Earl Weaver is pulling out all the stops.  A surprised and rattled Koosman then balks, and the O’s have get a run without the benefit of a hit.  Koosman retires six straight after hitting Bumbry – and the Twins tie it up on Adams’ solo shot in the 6th.  Both pitchers retire the side in order in the 7th but the wheels come off for Koosman in the 8th. 

Ayala (batting for Garcia) bangs a pinch single to start it.  Belanger comes on to pinch run and play the field – his SS-10 rating moves the O’s to fielding one.  Singleton picks up his first hit of the series, a ringing double to the gap in right center.  Belanger scores easily giving the Orioles the lead.  Murray flies to Rivera to right and Lee May works a walk.  Roenicke grounds to Cubbage and both runners move up. Two in scoring position, but Koosman is one out from getting out of it.  DeCinces works a walk to load the bases for Dauer.  One pitch and Koosman is out of the inning. Unfortunately that next pitch sails over Wynegar’s outstretched glove and Singleton scores.  Dauer clears the bases with a double and ends Koosman’s day.  Pete Redfern gives up a single to Lowenstein batting for Skaggs. Powell’s throw to the plate nails Dauer, but it’s 6-2 Orioles. Martinez gives up a harmless two out single to Landreaux in the bottom of the eighth. He leaves after eight, 2ER, 7 hits, a walk and 4 K’s. 

The Twins face Tippy Martinez in the ninth, needing four to tie.  Tippy gets the left handed Powell, but Jackson doubles to right center and the Twins have hope. Jose Morales bats for Cubbage and drills an RBI single. Wynegar walks to load the bases and Weaver has seen enough.  He calls for Stoddard who led the Orioles in saves with 21. Tim gets Rivera to fly to Singleton and sneaks a fastball past Wilfong and game one is in the books. 

Thanks Bob!  Great writeup!