Baltimore Orioles: 5 of the most exciting games of 2016
By Nate Wardle
The Baltimore Orioles provided fans with a collection of memorable games in 2016. Here are our top five most compelling games of the 2016 season.
The Baltimore Orioles played a number of memorable games in 2016 on their way to the playoffs, but some of the most exciting did not occur at the end of the season.
I’ll admit, this may not be the most accurate list. I looked back at the overall schedule, and games that either was significant victories or involved wins by late inning pitchers. Because in many cases, these games are the ones that are most exciting. However, I may be missing a few, so hopefully you will provide your favorite game in the comment section.
Let’s get started with the only walk-off game on this list.
5. July 24: Cleveland Indians 3, Baltimore Orioles 5
This was one of those back-and-forth games by two of the best teams in the American League. Corey Kluber started, and was good for the Indians, turning in a quality start and striking out eight.
The Orioles had Julio Borbon starting in left field in this game, Caleb Joseph at catcher and Ryan Flaherty at shortstop. And, Vance Worley was the starting pitcher in this game.
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Worley went seven innings and outpitched Kluber, leaving with a 3-2 lead after a Jonathan Schoop home run in the fifth, and All-Star Brad Brach coming in to pitch the eighth.
However, as part of Brach’s post-All-Star break struggles, he left up a run and the game was tied.
The game went to the ninth, and Darren O’Day, who had just come back to the Orioles, struck out the side, electrifying the Sunday crowd.
Indians’ closer Cody Allen came in and struck out Pedro Alvarez, but he reached on a passed ball and throwing error. Flaherty bunted Alvarez to second, but Joseph struck out.
Buck Showalter turned to Reimold off the bench, and he took a two ball, zero strike pitch and drove it to left center for a two-run, walk-off home run to give the Orioles a thrilling win.