Ron Hansen, 1991 Crown/Coca-Cola All Time Orioles #177

This Day in Orioles History: August 12, 1960

Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 at Memorial Stadium

The young Orioles won a thriller at home, rebounding from a 3-0 seventh-inning deficit to stun the Red Sox. It was the seventh straight win for the Birds, who moved into a tie for first place in the American League with the vaunted Yankees. Baltimore was on the ropes early, as starting pitcher Steve Barber faced just six batters before leaving the game, possibly with an injury. Wes Stock turned in a decent emergency relief performance, but the O's bats were silent against Boston starter Billy Muffett until Ron Hansen sparked a rally with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Hansen doubled and scored on a Marv Breeding single. Catcher Clint Courtney followed up with a pinch double, but Jackie Brandt left the tying runs in scoring position, flying out to right field. The Orioles were running out of at-bats.

In the eighth, Gene Stephens walked and chased Muffett. Tom Borland got Gene Woodling on a shallow fly to second base before first baseman Jim Gentile greeted Borland properly with a game-tying two-run homer. Thanks to four innings of scoreless relief from Jerry Walker and Chuck Estrada, the Birds were primed for a walkoff win in the bottom of the ninth. Ted Williams, in his final season, had pinch-hit for Borland in the top of the ninth and was retired on a fly ball to center field. The new Boston pitcher was former Oriole Mike Fornieles, and he would face the ignitor Ron Hansen. The O's shortstop brought a quick end to the drama, belting the game-winning home run and sending 20,691 strong home from 33rd Street happy.