On this day 55 years ago (Sunday, May 6, 1956), Gus Triandos hit a three-run home run to power the Orioles to a 6-2 win over the Tigers in
the first game of a doubleheader at Memorial Stadium. His blast came with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, breaking a 2-2 tie and sending Detroit starter Steve Gromek to a loss. Of course, Gromek had himself to blame, having walked Oriole starting pitcher Ray Moore to lead off the inning and issuing a second free pass to Bob Hale later in the frame. The O's took an early 2-0 lead with a first-inning RBI triple by Dave Philley and a fourth inning double play from Chuck Diering that scored Tito Francona. The Tigers finally got to Moore in the top of the fifth, as the first four runners reached. Fred Hatfield singled to plate one run, and Charlie Maxwell tied the game by tagging up on a Harvey Kuenn fly ball. However, left fielder Philley gunned the ball to third base to cut down Hatfield trying to advance. The Birds got the lead back right away in the bottom of the inning with Triandos' big fly. They capped the scoring in the sixth by pulling off a double steal with Fred Marsh on first and Billy Gardner on third. Catcher Frank House tried to throw out Marsh at second, but fired wildly and Marsh took third while Gardner stole home.
Detroit threatened in the eighth, chasing Moore by putting the first two runners on base. But George Zuverink put out the fire, coming out of the Oriole bullpen and retiring five of the six hitters he faced to earn a save, his fifth of the year. Moore got the win to even his record at 2-2, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 4 batters in 7.1 innings. The game lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes, leaving the O's with enough energy to complete the sweep with a 4-3 win
in the nightcap. Erv Palica held the Motowners to two runs in seven innings, and Zuverink notched his second save of the day with a perfect ninth. Francona was responsible for all four Baltimore runs, with a two-RBI single and an RBI groundout that plated a second run thanks to a Harvey Kuenn error. With the pair of victories, the Orioles improved to 8-11 on the year. They would finish the season 69-85, a 12-game improvement from the previous year.
2 comments:
Seeing these Post cereal cards really takes me back. I remember asking my mother to buy boxes with them on the back. And the Jello box cards as well. Appropriate this one would show up this weekend. Thanks, Kevin
Bob - You're welcome! It's always nice to feature a vintage oddball for some variety.
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