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| Saunders being congratulated for his performance Friday night. |
Texas has played in the last two World Series.
Joe Saunders went 9-13 this season.
Yu Darvish went 16-9 in his rookie season.
Joe Saunders was 0-6 lifetime when playing at Texas.
Yu Darvish was 10-0 when facing a team for the first time.
All stats logically lead to a Rangers victory, but as Chris Berman always reminds us, "thats why we play that game."
The Orioles did not waste time, getting lead of hitter Nate McLouth on with an error. After stealing 2nd, Hardy brought home McLouth on a single to center field. The Orioles had a 1-0 lead early.
Sauders struggled at the start, walking Ian Kinsler, and then giving up a single to Elvis Andrus. Hamilton then grounded into a double play, but not before the Rangers scored Kinsler making it a 1-1 ball game.
The game was a pitchers duel from here on out. Saunders matched Darvish out for out into the 6th inning. He did what many people were considering the impossible, he gave the O's a chance to win. In the 6th, Adam Jones hit a sacrifice fly to deep right, scoring JJ Hardy, giving the Orioles a 2-1 lead. O'Day came on with two outs in the 6th and pitched great. O'Day pitched 2 full innings, giving up just one hit and no runs. With Hamilton coming up to bat, the O's brought in lefty specialist Matusz, who struck out Hamilton on three straight pitches.
Through the innings, the O's were able to add some insurance runs to make the game 5-1 in the bottom of the 9th. Closer Jim Johnson came on, fresh off his 51 save season, trying to close out his first post-season save. Of course this could not be done simply, thats not the Orioles way. Johnson loaded the bases off a single, walk, single. With two outs and the bases loaded, David Murphy came up to pinch-hit. Murphy was one of two players to hit a home run off of Johnson this year. Fortunately for the O's, Johnson got him to fly out to left field, securing a victory for the O's.
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| Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton console each other after a heart break 5-1 lose. |
Texas will be left with many questions tonight and in the coming days. Center Fielder, and power hitting Josh Hamilton is now a free agent. A team that was coming off of two straight World Series appearances, and was 5 games up in the division with 6 games left, will now be watching the rest of the playoffs from their couches.
The Orioles will now come home for the American League Division Series against the Yankees. This will be a best of 5 series, playing the first 2 in Baltimore before heading up to New York for the remaining 3 possible games. The Orioles and Yankees split the season series at 9 a piece, setting up a great story line for a rival match-up.
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| The Orioles celebrate their 5-1 victory in Texas. |
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