Nate The Great

Game 4 of the ALDS between the Yankees and the Oriole's was as exciting as advertised.

The pitching matchup is not as intriguing as a typical post season matchup, Phil Hughes of the Yankees was taking on Joe Saunders for the Orioles.

Phil Hughes is a typical number 4 for any organization, but Joe Saunders would fit into most teams minor league systems. Saunders does not have a particularly quick fastball, he does not have any spectacular "strike-out" pitch, he is by many standards, average. But how he uses his pitches, his command, and his experience were all the O's needed. Saunders pitched the Orioles to victory in the Wild Card game, and facing elimination, all they needed was a repeat performance, shouldn't be too hard right? Well maybe not, but with the Yankees, nothing is easy, especially not in the post season.

At the start, everything seemed to be going the Orioles way, McLouth led off with a walk, and Hardy attempted a sac-bunt to move him over. But Hardy's bunt rode the foul line all the way to the bag, staying just far, allowing Hardy to reach safely, and Hardy to advance. But Hughes was able to rally for three straight fly-outs to end the O's early chance.

Saunders settled into the game nicely, not allowing a hit until the 3rd. In the 3rd, Hughes walked the lead off man for the second time, Machado was able to draw the walk, and McLouth quickly doubled to right to advance Machado all the way to third. But then Hardy grounded to short, and Machado was thrown out at home. So just like the first inning, the O's went quietly after a quick start.

Nate McLouth homers to
take the lead in the 5th 

Now fast forward to the top of the 5th, and McLouth is lead off man again. McLouth had walked and doubled in his two at bats so far, and he wasted no time adding to an impressive game. McLouth his a solo HR to break the ice and give Baltimore a 1-0 advantage in the 5th.

McLouth saving a run with
 his spectacular catch and
double play in the 5th

After an impressive HR, Saunders walked the Yankees lead off man, and quickly struck out a struggling Granderson. Jason Nix stepped up with one out and a man on first, and he hit the ball hard to deep left field. McLouth, who had just hit his home run, made a leaping catch up against the wall, and had the presence of mind to get the double play at 1st, ending the Yankee's chances in the 5th. However the Yankee's were eventually able to score on an RBI single from Jeter in the 6th.

With the game tied at 1-1, and the endless parade of match-up relief pitchers, the game was now in the 13th inning, the second straight extra inning game, and the first time in league history the same post-season series has gone more than 12 innings in back to back meetings. With most of their match-up pitchers already used, both managers had to turn to their long relievers. The Orioles went with red hot O'Day and then followed with a well rested Pedro Strop. The Yankees went with Joba Chamberlain, but then quickly had to bring in Phelps, (due to an elbow injury to Chamberlain) and eventually Clay Rapada.

Hardy with a stand up double
to score Machado in the 13th

In the top of the 13th, Clay Rapada gave up a lead off double to Many Machado, McLouth grounded out to second advancing Machado to 3rd. Hardy came up with one out and a runner on 3rd. All night the O's went hitless with runners in scoring position, but a quick look to the jovial O's dugout gave you the sense that this would result in a different story. Hardy hit the ball hard to deep left, where it dropped in just in front of the fence, giving the O's a 2-1 lead with Hardy on 2nd.

O's celebrate an extra inning
 victory to force a game 5. 

Jim Johnson came on in the bottom of the 13th, and did what he does best, retire the side.

The O's were able to pull out the victory in Game 4, just past midnight eastern time. This forces a Game 5 to be played this evening, with a first pitch scheduled for just past 5. This gives coaches and players just about 17 hours to recoup from last night and get ready to play again. Both teams will pitch the same pitchers from Game 1, meaning Hammel for the O's and CC Sabathia for the Yankees. This marks the first time since the beginning of the divisional series that all 4 series will have a game 5. Both the Orioles and Yankees will be looking for the opportunity to take on Detroit in the ALCS with a win tonight.


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