Series even at 1 as we head to Three Rivers Stadium. Pitching matchup is Scott McGregor (13-6 3.35 Grade 10Z) for the Orioles and John Candelaria (14-9 3.22 Grade 12Z).
The Orioles waste no time against Candelaria as they get 2 quick runs off the left hander. A walk to Kiko Garcia and a 2 out, 2 run homer by Eddie Murray accounting for the runs. The Pirates would get 2 of their own in the bottom of the 2nd as Bill Madlock and Phil Garner would provide run scoring singles. In the 4th the Orioles would take back the lead as Rick Dempsey would double off the wall in left scoring Doug DeCinces. In the top of the 6th the Orioles would add to the lead as Gary Roenicke would hit a long homer to center off Candelaria to give the Orioles a lead of 4-2.
With a 2 run deficit staring at them in the bottom of the 6th the Pirates would get to work. A walk to Dave Parker, 2 out single by Madlock, and Steve Nicoscia getting on base by hit batsman would fill the bases for Garner. Scrap Iron would take the McGregor pitch out to left for a Grand Slam and a 6-4 Pirate lead. The Pirates would once again turn to Tekulve for the last 6 outs. This time the Orioles would do some damage as they would get back to back doubles by DeCinces and Roenicke to score a run. Tekulve would work out of further trouble to keep the game at 6-5 Pirates. In the bottom of the 8th the Pirates would get a huge insurance run as Willie Stargell would drive a Tippy Martinez out to right. Tekulve would get DeCinces to bounce into the 6-4-3 double play to end the game and give the Pirates a 2-1 series advantage.
Final Score: Pirates 7, Orioles 5
WP: John Candelaria (1-0)
LP: Scott McGregor (0-1)
Save: Kent Tekulve (2)
HR’s: Orioles – Eddie Murray (1), Gary Roenicke (1), Pirates – Willie Stargell (2), Phil Garner (2)