Editor’s note: The 1980 Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will be used for any games involving American League teams. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur. For this tournament, the rules include a three-man pitching rotation using the best lineups available.
Baltimore’s Tippy Martinez was called from the bullpen by manager Earl Weaver to save the day for the hometown crowd in Memorial Stadium.
Martinez got the job done as the Orioles hung on to defeat the Cleveland Indians 4-3 in the second round of the 1980 American League Tournament.
The Orioles advance to the semifinals to face the winner of the Seattle Mariners at Chicago White Sox.
Leading by a run in the top of the ninth, Baltimore reliever Tim Stoddard (1-0) gave up a single to Toby Harrah and then a double to Joe Charboneau.
Weaver bounced out of the Baltimore dugout and looked to Martinez to stop the rally.
With the infield playing in, Cleveland’s Mike Hargrove lined out to second baseman Rich Dauer. Jorge Orta coaxed a walk to load the bases.
To the delight of the Orioles fans, Rick Manning struck out and then Bo Diaz popped out to shortstop Mark Belanger to end the game.
Baltimore grabbed an early lead on a two-run double in the second off Cleveland starter Rick Waits (0-1), who would eventually leave the game in the seventh.
Harrah’s run-scoring single in the fifth cut Cleveland’s deficit in half at 2-1.
The Indians took the lead in the top of the seventh. Tom Veryzer began the rally with a rare homer off Baltimore starter Steve Stone that tied the affair.
Orta’s RBI single ended Stone’s day as the Indians led 3-2. Stoddard got Manning to ground out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Ken Singleton‘s two-run single put the Orioles back on top by a run and sent Waits to the showers.
Victor Cruz got the final out of the frame and then worked perfect eighth to set up the Indians to have an opportunity in the ninth.
1980 AL Tournament
Second Round Pairings and Results
(1) New York Yankees 6, (8) Oakland Athletics 5
(13) California Angels 8, (5) Boston Red Sox 4
(2) Baltimore Orioles 4, (7) Cleveland Indians 3
(14) Seattle Mariners at (11) Chicago White Sox
First Round Results
(1) New York Yankees (103-59), bye
(8) Oakland Athletics 8, (9) Minnesota Twins 2
(13) California Angels 11, (4) Milwaukee Brewers 4
(5) Boston Red Sox 9, (12) Toronto Blue Jays 3
(2) Baltimore Orioles (100-62), bye
(7) Cleveland Indians 10, (10) Texas Rangers 8
(14) Seattle Mariners 6, (3) Kansas City Royals 1
(11) Chicago White Sox 5, (6) Detroit Tigers 1
1980 NL Tournament
Second Round Pairings
(9) St. Louis Cardinals at (1) Houston Astros
(5) Cincinnati Reds at (4) Montreal Expos
(7) Atlanta Braves at (2) Los Angeles Dodgers
(6) Pittsburgh Pirates at (3) Philadelphia Phillies
First Round Results
(1) Houston Astros (93-70), bye
(9) St. Louis Cardinals 9, (8) San Francisco Giants 1
(4) Montreal Expos (90-72), bye
(5) Cincinnati Reds 3, (12) Chicago Cubs 1
(2) Los Angeles Dodgers (92-71), bye
(7) Atlanta Braves 5, (10) San Diego Padres 4
(3) Philadelphia Phillies (91-71), bye
(6) Pittsburgh Pirates 3, (11) New York Mets 1