We’re back for the third of three between Real Baltiwashingsota and the Dodgers, Detroit and Southern California. Randy Johnson takes the ball for Real Balt while Don Drysdale answers the call for the Dodgers.
Real Balt haven’t exactly been model guests, scoring 28 runs in 18 innings so far this series. The Dodgers, looking for something new have brought out a new lineup for today’s game. Gwynn moves up to these off spot. Jackie Robinson moves from second to first.
Mule Suttles heads from first to left field and Mike Piazza replaces Roy Campanella begins the plate and bats clean up. The struggling Ty Cobb stays in centre but drops to fifth in the lineup. Al Kaline replaces Duke Snider in right.
Real Balt hasn’t tired at all despite the hit parade of the last two days. A lead off double and walk come around to score in the first. The Dodgers trail 2-0 as they get set for their first look at Randy Johnson and hope their new lineup has more life than the old one.
Well well well. Change appears to be good for the Dodgers. Despite two quick outs to start the inning, an single by Mike Suttles followed by a home run Mike Piazza means this game is tied at 2 as we head to the second.
The Dodgers get back 2 on two doubles and two singles in the bottom of the second. 5-4.
Drysdale breathes a huge sigh of relief as he sets down the visitors in order in the top of the third.
Real Balt strands a Rod Carew single in the top of the fourth.
Real Balt strands a two out single for the second inning in a row. Still 5-4 going to the bottom of the fifth.
Couple of walks and nothing more for for DDSC in their half of the fifth. Bottom of the order coming up for Real Baltiwashingsota.
Three up, three down for Real Balt in the sixth and Drysdale has now held the visitors scoreless for four consecutive innings - something that has not happened in this series.
You knew they weren’t going to stay quiet for long. A two-out bases-loaded double by Cal Ripken makes it 7-4 for the visitors. It’s time for the seventh inning stretch here at Ebbets Field.
A lead off walk by Pee Wee Reese gets to third on a ground out by Tony Gwynn and a single by Jackie Robinson. Jackie then steals second and Randy Johnson elects to walk Mule Suttles and face Mike Piazza with the bases loaded.
Piazza is 1-3 with a homer, a groundout on a nubber in front of the plate and a strikeout. He represents the go ahead run. Is Johnson a genius or hubrist? We’re about to find out. He goes into the windup…
GRAND SLAM HOME RUN FOR MIKE PIAZZA! The Dodgers take the lead 8-7!
Johnson is yelling at Piazza as he rounds the bases but it’s for nothing. The bullpen door is opening and that’s all for the Big Unit. Leon Day is coming in to try and keep the Dodger lead to one.
Cobb walked but Kaline grounder into a 6-4-3 double play. Andy Cooper is coming in to pitch for the Dodgers as they lead for the first time this series 8-7.
A single and a walk are left aboard by Real Balt in the top of the 8th.
You could hear the gasp in Ebbets Field as Brooks Robinson as the tying run put a charge in the ball to deep right but it was a long, loud out to end the game and secure the Dodgers first victory of the season.
Real Baltiwashingsota out hit the Dodgers, Detroit and Southern California 11-10 but it was a colossal error by Randy Johnson in the 7th that was the difference in the game. Mike Piazza went 2 for 4 with two home runs and six RBIs.