O's Sweep Halos As Phoebus Bests Ryan with No-hitter!

Game 1
Anaheim Stadium
McNally Vs Hartzell
Baltimore 3 Angels 2

Paul Hartzell comes on strong in the opener shutting out the Orioles hitters for 8 innings as the Angels built a 2-0 lead on an RBI single from Dave Chalk in the 3rd and a sac fly by Jerry Remy in the 7th.  Heading into the top of the ninth Dave LaRouche came on for the Angels for the save, instead Baltimore rallied to tie the game on RBI hits by Dave Johnson and Merv Rettenmund while Moe Drabowsky held the Angels scoreless in the 8th and 9th.  In the 10th LaRouche was touched for a solo Home Run by Baltimore backup catcher Elrod Hendricks to put Baltimore ahead for the first time all night, 3-2.  Baltimore closer Pete Richert comes in for a 1-2-3 10th to earn the save.

Game 2
Anaheim Stadium
Phoebus Vs Ryan
Baltimore 1 Angels 0

There is never a better chance to see a no-hitter than when the Angels Nolan Ryan is on the mound.  But on this day, despite and outstanding effort from Ryan, it would be Baltimore's number 4 starter Tom Phoebus who would toss the no-no. Ryan and Phoebus would combine for 15 strikeouts on the day (Ryan had 9, including 5 in the first two innings).  Ryan gave up only 6 hits and 1 run, but Phoebus would yield 2 walks and a HBP while facing only 28 Angel hitters on the day.  Brooks Robinson would break up this classic pitching duel with a lead off triple in the top of the 7th for Baltimore.  and Etchebarren would ground out to Ryan before one of the most unlikely Baltimore hitters, Mark Belanger would drive a Ryan 1-2 pitch to right centerfield for the sac fly that would be the difference in this one.    On the day, Phoebus did not allow a single Angel past first base as one of the walks and a runner who reached on an error were cut down trying to steal.  I would have to say this was the best overall pitched game by both starters I have ever seen in KOD and so the Angels tough luck start to the KOD season continued for another day.
Game13
Anaheim Stadium
Cuellar Vs Brett
Baltimore 10 Angels 4

The Angels broke out early in this one as Cuellar was touched for 3 runs in the bottom of the second on 3 singles, a walk and a balk.  In the early part of the game Ken Brett looked much like his teammates in the previous two games, darn near un-hittable giving up only a single hit through 3 innings.  In the 4th Merv Rettenmund drove in Dave Johnson and Brooks Robinson with a 3 run HR of his own.  As Cuellar settled down and held California scoreless, another three run shot, this time by Boog Powell in the 6th would put Baltimore up for good at 6-3 in the 6th. In the 7th rank Robinson joined in with another three run HR to put the O's up 10 before this one would end in a 10-4 Baltimore victory.  Somewhere Earl Weaver had a smile on his face watching the series of 3 run home runs.

This was a series that was, despite the last score, very, very tight.  Alot of timely good fortune for the O's resulted in us winning the first two. The rest of the league better be forewarned, the Angels will be back and looking to take their vengeance out on someone.....please make it the Yankees! :-)

Mark