Phil "Mash" Gadomski showed again why he is one of the league's premiere big bame pitchers. The Orioles held a one game lead and a lot of momentum coming into game two. John Reel had a tough decision as to whom to start in game two. He had Jim Ansel, by far the league's most outstanding pitcher during the regular season. He had Darrell Duncan, who had completely shut down the Orioles in last year's final game. He had Randy Craft, who just simply pitched the league's most important game in the championship at the Fall Classic in Florida last November. Yet, John gave the ball to Mash, who had pitched well for the Marlins all year and always comes up with a big performance when it is most needed. Well, John I would like to borrow your crystal ball for just one afternoon at Saratoga. Mash yielded three runs, two of which were the result of a misplayed fly ball, and the third was the result of a two-out dying quail bloop to right field by Brian Musella. For the rest of the time Mash had the Oriole hitters completely off balance. I can only recall three hard hit balls all night. That was a spectacular job with the line-up of hitters that the Orioles have.
The games between these two teams always seem to turn on one or two plays. Last night each team had a miscue in the outfield (mostly because of the lights) that led to the other team scoring some runs, but I think two defensive plays that were made were the keys to the Silver Marlins victory. The first was a long fly ball to right by Joe Careccia. Paul Miles looked up and saw nothing, but heard his teammates yelling "back!" Paul turned and ran back, still not knowing where to look for the ball. He spotted the ball heading his way just in time and made a nice over-the-shoulder catch. The second play, and probably the most important play, was in the sixth inning and the Marlins clinging to a 5-3 lead. Bob Bolt led off with a single and the next batter lined a hard grounder that eluded the Marlin shortstop and gave the O's men on first and second and nobody out. The O's seemed to be staging a big comeback that could have netted them a championship, when the next batter lined a shot up the middle. Darrell Duncan was playing second and was shading the right-handed hitter up the middle. The hop was a tough one, but Darrell smothered it and flipped it to Randy Craft, who relayed to first for a rally-killing double play. If Darrell doesn't make that play it is bases loaded and nobody out.
I must also make mention of our two inspirational leaders. Tom Maney was at the game
in a sling, providing words of encoragement all night. I know it was killing him, not being able to be on the field, but his presence provided a big lift for the guys! Then there is Randy Craft. Returning to play on a very sore ankle and foot. The injury slowed Randy at the plate, but having him at short is what we all needed to give us the feeling that everything was going to be ok. He wrapped up the ankle (worst tape job I have ever seen) and took a few grounders and deemed himself ready to go. That was a big boost to a team facing elimination, and throwing a ground ball pitcher!
If you are able, you should make it out to Rotterdam tonight for the final. It promises to be an emotional, hard fought contest. If I wasn't in the middle of it, there would be nowhere else I would be! It will be entertaining to say the least!