Baltimore Orioles: Delmon Young Pulls His Old Tricks

Oct 3, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) scores against Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila (13) on a three RBI double by Baltimore Orioles pinch hitter Delmon Young (not pictured) during the eighth inning of game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles used another great eighth-inning outburst with four runs to erase a 6-3 deficit to the Detroit Tigers and pull out a 7-6 win in the second game of the ALDS. And it was Delmon Young who delivered the big hit with a pinch-hit, bases-loaded double to drive in three runs and give the Birds a victory.

As is a well-known statistic for Orioles fans, Delmon Young was 10-for-20 in pinch-hit situations over the regular season. And that is an amazing number.

But as the national media personnel are catching up to who are these Birds, the question was asked several times after the game as to what indicated that Young would be so effective in this situation.

Showalter answered, “I don’t know. We signed him as a professional hitter that handled himself well in every situation.”

Yesterday, Dan Duquette said that a reason for signing both Nelson Cruz and Delmon Young was their experience as postseason players. THAT has really, really worked out well!