This Sweet 16 matchup features the #10 Pittsburgh Pirates vs #7 Baltimore Orioles. The Pirates finished 88-73 second in the NL East and the Orioles finished 90-71 and 4th in the AL East.
The Pirates would send ace Bert Blyleven (14-10 3.03 Grade 14) to the mound opposite Jim Palmer (21-12 2.46 Grade 18).
Another great Game 1 pitching matchup. Orioles would get on the board first with a run in the 3rd. 2 out double by Larry Harlow scoring Mike Belanger. The Pirates would come right back in the 4th with a run of their own. Dave Parker with a triple and is brought home by Bill Robinson.
In the 6th the Orioles would take control. Doug DeCinces would line a 2 out, 2 run homer to center to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead. The Orioles would add 2 more as Eddie Murray and Lee May score runs. This would be more than enough for Palmer as he goes the distance in a masterpiece, allowing just the one run and one hit. Baltimore leads the series 1-0.
Final Score: Orioles 5, Pirates 1
WP: Jim Palmer (1-0)
LP: Bert Blyleven (0-1)
HR’s: Doug DeCinces (1)