Series 5: Orioles take two of three from Orators

Orioles 6-10, Orators 6-10

Game One: Orators 8, Orioles 0
WP: Jenkins (2-2)
LP: Palmer (1-2)

Game Two: Orioles 6, Orators 4
WP: Cuellar (1-2)
LP: Wingard (0-2)
Save: Richert (1)
HR: F Robinson (7), O'Rourke (2)

Game Three: Orioles 3, Orators 2
WP: McNally (1-2)
LP: Shocker (2-1)
Save: D Hall (2)
HR: Powell (4), Salmon (2)

Ortonville outscored the visiting Orioles in the series, but Baltimore won the two close games.

Fergie Jenkins was too much for the Birds in the opener. He allowed just six hits and, after pitching out of a bases-loaded, one out jam in the first was never really threatened. He struck out eight. Meanwhile, Jim Palmer gave up three runs in the first inning and another three in the sixth. Heine Manush and Jim O'Rourke each had three RBIs for Ortonville, and Dan Brouthers scored three runs.

Frank Robinson's three-run homer gave the Orioles a 3-0 lead in the second game before the first out was recorded. Ernie Wingard allowed another run in the second, then tossed four scoreless frames, but his teammates couldn't break through off Mike Cuellar until the sixth. Robinson had four RBIs to power the Baltimore attack.

Dave McNally and Urban Shocker dueled in Game Three. Boog Powell's fourth-inning homer gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead, but the Orators pieced together a pair of runs in the sixth, highlighted by a hit-and-run double by Billy Herman that scored Richie Ashburn from first base. Mark Belanger doubled to lead off the top of the eighth, and pinch-hitter Chico Salmon homered to give Baltimore a 3-2 lead, and Dick Hall faced the minimum over the final two innings to nail down the win.

Pitcher availability: If Hall pitches in the Orioles' next game, he should sit a game for each inning he works. Hub Pruett pitched one inning for the Orators. All other relievers are fully rested. The Orators have demoted George Lyons and recalled Elam Vangilder, who was removed from the roster after series three for overwork.

Projected rotations: The Orioles will use Cuellar and McNally on a four-game rotation henceforth. They will go Phoebus-Hardin-Cuellar-McNally-Palmer in their next five games. The Orators will go Sutton-Jenkins-Davis -Wingard-Sutton in their next five.