Bob Gordon’s 1979 postseason: Orioles win ALCS series!

Bob Gordon’s postseason has now reached a new level.  The playoffs are finished.  Here’s his recap of Game 5 of the ALCS.  -Tom

This game feature a rematch of Game 1’s pitchers. Denny Martinez (left) pitched well and won, Jerry Koosman pitched 7 fine innings, but a 4 run 8th was his undoing. And let’s see if Roenicke can homer in his fourth consecutive game.

Powell gets the Twins off on the right foot. He takes Martinez’ pitch into left field for a leadoff single. And he takes off on the first pitch. Dave Skaggs – Martinez’ designated catcher – is late with the throw down to second and Powell has the first swipe of the series for the Twins. Wilfong lofts one to Bumbry in center for the first out. Smalley comes to the plate. He had a big day yesterday for Uncle Gene – 3-4, a run, 2 RBIs , 2 doubles and a base on balls. Martinez is a little too careful with him and Roy walks on 6 pitches. Ken Landreaux goes the other way with a Martinez pitch and Roenicke can’t get to it in left. Landreaux has a one out RBI single and the Twins grab an early lead. Glenn Adams moves the runners up with his one hopper to Martinez and Rivera grounds to Dauer to end the inning.

Bumbry starts the O’s first with a grounder to Jackson at first – one down. Billy Smith is in at short today – Garcia has gone oh for series (11 AB). Earl looking for more offense. And Smith singles through the box and in to center field. Singleton up – he’s got 3 dingers and 7 RBIs through the first 3 games. He drills one to right and Smith goes first to third – the O’s are in business. Up steps Murray (you guys know what to do…). He also has 3 bombs in the series. The PRN is 41 – Smith swipes home and Singleton is in safely at second. Very un-Weaver like call there. Koosman walks Murray to bring up Roenicke. Roenicke takes yet another one in the ribs and the O’s have loaded the bases. Benny Ayala steps in, finds a pitch he can handle and singles in to right. Singleton scores, but Murray is held at third. 2-1 Orioles. DeCinces hits a grounder to Smalley. Roy goes to Wifong for one, but DeCinces beats the throw to Jackson at first for a 3-1 lead. Koosman struggling through the first. He walks the 3* hitter, Dauer to reload the bases. Skaggs rolls one to Smalley at short and the Twins are out of the inning.

To say Koosman settled down after that would be an understatement. Over the next 7 innings, he gave up 2 hits and 2 walks, none in the same inning. No Oriole got to second base. Could Martinez match him? He starts the second by walking Jackson (insert Reggie joke here). One out later, Jackson is forced at second by Wynegar, bringing up Powell who singled and scored in the first. Powell grounds to Smith at short to end the Twin second.

Smalley comes to the plate with one down in the third. He walks for the second straight time and the Twins have the tie run on again. Landreaux bounces into a 4-6 fielders choice and so does Adams. Martinez is pitching tough. Rivera starts the Twins 4th with a single over Billy Smith’s head. Tie run to the plate again in the person of Ron Jackson. Jackson hits a grounder to Smith and it’s a 6-4-3 double play. (Ron looking more like Sonny than Reggie at the plate). Cubbage lines to Bumbry in center (a stolen 8) and Martinez is looking good. Wynegar starts the 5th with a base on balls. Powell hits a comebacker and moves the runner up, one out. Wilfong flies to center for the second out. Up comes Smalley – he’s walked twice. No way is Martinez going to walk him a third time. Roy drills the pitch between Roenicke and Bumbry and it goes to the wall in left center. Wynegar scores and the tie run is in scoring position for the Twins cleanup hitter. Landreaux skies to deep right – Singleton at the track and makes the catch. Twins down by just a run now.

We go to the Twins 6th. Since falling behind 3-1 after the 1st, they’ve put a runner on in each inning. The 6th is no different. This time Adams draws the lead off pass. That’s five walks on the day for those of you scoring at home. Rivera comes to the plate and drills a hoover to Dauer at second, to Smith back to Murray and Dennis has two outs in the 6th. Earl can be seen grounding his out in the dugout as well. Up steps Jackson and he drives one to deep left center. It’s off the wall and Jackson is the tie run at second. (Earl now looking for that unfinished cigarette….). Martinez gathers himself and fans the left hand hitting Cubbage.

Martinez really settled down – he struck out Cubbage (who hit .325 for the year) and retired the Twins in order in the 7th, 8th and 9th. The Orioles win 3-2 and take the series three games to one. Denny Martinez is the ALCS MVP. Two wins, 17 innings pitched, a CG and a 2.12 ERA. The O’s will face Pittsburgh at home for Game 1. Blyleven and Flanagan the scheduled starters.

Looking forward to the World Series, Bob! 

[photo credit]