[Nick Soulis]

Series #180



1962 Baltimore Orioles
Record: 77-85
Finish: 7th in AL
Manager: Billy Hitchcock
Ball Park: Memorial Stadium
WAR Leader: Brooks Robinson (6.1)
Franchise Record: 5-3
1962 Season Record: 2-0
Hall of Famers: (5)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/1962.shtml

1946 Cincinnati Reds
Record: 67-87
Finish: 6th in NL
Manager: Bill Mckechinie
Ball Park: Crosley Field
WAR Leader: Grady Hatton (3.5)
Franchise Record: 12-8
1946 Season Record: 1-1
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1946.shtml
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To The Bitter End Reds Survive In Seven
16 Inning Classic Decides Memorable Series



Game 1
At Memorial Stadium
1946 Cincinnati Reds 5
1962 Baltimore Orioles 1
WP: E. Blackwell (1-0) LP: D. Hall (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Ewell Blackwell (8 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 103 p)
1946 Reds Lead Series 1-0

The 1946 Cincinnati Reds took control of Game 1 in their best-of-seven series against the 1962 Baltimore Orioles with a well-rounded 5-1 victory at Memorial Stadium. Ewell Blackwell was stellar on the mound, tossing eight innings of one-run ball while striking out six to earn Player of the Game honors. The Reds struck early with a first-inning run but truly broke the game open in the seventh when Eddie Lukon delivered a clutch two-run triple to give Cincinnati a 3-1 lead. The Orioles struggled to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, stranding eight runners and failing to generate much against Blackwell’s sharp command. The Reds added insurance in the ninth, and Nate Andrews shut the door to secure the win. With the victory, Cincinnati grabs an early 1-0 series lead as the teams prepare for Game 2 tomorrow in Baltimore.

Game 2
At Memorial Stadium
1946 Cincinnati Reds 2
1962 Baltimore Orioles 1
WP: J. Hetki (1-0) LP: B. Hoeft (0-1) S: N. Andrews (1)
HR: B. Zientara (1)
POG: Johnny Hetki (8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 114 P)
1946 Reds Lead Series 2-0

The 1946 Cincinnati Reds continued their strong start in the best-of-seven series, securing a 2-1 victory over the 1962 Baltimore Orioles at Memorial Stadium. With a dominant pitching performance from Johnny Hetki, the Reds took a commanding 2-0 series lead as the series now shifts to Cincinnati.
Hetki was masterful on the mound, tossing eight innings of one-run ball while allowing just five hits. The right-hander kept Baltimore off balance all game before handing the ball to Nate Andrews, who closed the door in the ninth to secure the save. Benny Zientara provided the offensive spark for Cincinnati, breaking a 1-0 lead with a solo home run in the eighth inning. The Reds' other run came in the second on an RBI single from Bert Haas. The Orioles managed to get on the board in the bottom of the eighth with a double from Charlie Lau, but their rally fell short. Baltimore’s Billy Hoeft pitched well in defeat, going eight strong innings while striking out six, but he couldn’t get enough run support from the Orioles' bats. The series now shifts to Crosley Field, where the Reds will look to push the Orioles to the brink of elimination in Game 3.

Game 3
At Crosley Field
1962 Baltimore Orioles 13
1946 Cincinnati Reds 5
WP: S. Barber (1-0) LP: J. Vander Meer (0-1)
HR: J. Brandt (1), S. Barber (1), J. Gentile (1), W. Herzog (1)
POG: Jackie Brandt (4-5, 5 RBI, HR, 3B, 2 R)
1946 Reds Lead Series 2-1

The 1962 Baltimore Orioles kept their championship hopes alive in emphatic fashion, dominating the 1946 Cincinnati Reds with a 13-5 victory in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series at Crosley Field. Jackie Brandt led the charge with a stellar 4-for-5 performance, collecting a home run, a triple, and two singles while driving in five runs. The win puts Baltimore on the board, though they still trail the series 2-1. The Orioles wasted no time getting started, putting up four runs in the first inning, highlighted by Brandt’s two-run triple and a two-run blast from Whitey Herzog. They added another run in the second before erupting for five more in the fifth, capped off by Brandt’s two-run homer and Steve Barber’s three-run shot. Barber wasn’t just contributing offensively—he also went eight strong innings on the mound, allowing five earned runs but keeping the Reds at bay for most of the contest. Cincinnati’s bats finally showed life in the seventh, when they plated four runs, but the damage had already been done. The Orioles tacked on another run in the eighth for insurance, securing their first win of the series. With momentum shifting, Baltimore looks to even the series in Game 4 tomorrow at Crosley Field.

Game 4
At Crosley Field
1962 Baltimore Orioles 5
1946 Cincinnati Reds 3
WP: D. Luebke (1-0) LP: N. Andrews (0-1) S: H. Wilhelm (1)
HR: R. Snyder (1), C. Lau (1), E. Miller (1)
POG: Russ Snyder (4-5, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)
Series Tied 2-2

The 1962 Baltimore Orioles pulled off a dramatic comeback to defeat the 1946 Cincinnati Reds, 5-3, in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series at Crosley Field. Russ Snyder was the hero, going 4-for-5 with a triple and a clutch two-run homer in the ninth that sealed the victory for Baltimore, evening the series at 2-2.
Cincinnati controlled most of the game, taking a 3-0 lead by the fourth inning, highlighted by Eddie Miller’s two-run homer. However, the Orioles chipped away, scoring a run in the sixth on Snyder’s RBI triple and adding another in the seventh to pull within one. In the ninth, Charlie Lau tied the game with a leadoff home run before Snyder delivered the decisive blow with his two-run shot off Nate Andrews. Baltimore’s bullpen shut the door, with Dick Luebke earning the win and Hoyt Wilhelm picking up the save. The series now heads to a pivotal Game 5 tomorrow, with both teams looking to seize control.

Game 5
At Crosley Field
1962 Baltimore Orioles 0
1946 Cincinnati Reds 3
WP: E. Blackwell (2-0) LP: D. Hall (0-1)
HR: B. Adams (1)
POG: Ewell Blackwell (9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 114 P)
1946 Reds Lead Series 3-2

CINCINNATI – Behind a masterful performance from right-hander Ewell Blackwell, the 1946 Cincinnati Reds blanked the 1962 Baltimore Orioles 3-0 in Game 5, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Blackwell was dominant, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and striking out six in a crisp 114-pitch outing at Crosley Field. The Reds grabbed an early lead in the first inning when Bert Haas came around to score on a two-out RBI single by Ray Mueller. Bobby Adams added some insurance in the fourth, launching a solo home run to put Cincinnati up 3-0. That was all the run support Blackwell needed as he carved through Baltimore’s lineup with precision. Orioles starter Dick Hall turned in a solid effort of his own, surrendering just two earned runs over eight innings, but received no offensive support. Baltimore’s best chance to score came in the seventh when Brooks Robinson doubled to lead off the inning, but Blackwell retired the next three batters in order to escape the threat. With the win, the Reds are now just one victory away from capturing the series. The teams will head back to Baltimore for Game 6, set for October 8 at Memorial Stadium.

Game 6
At Memorial Stadium
1946 Cincinnati Reds 3
1962 Baltimore Orioles 4
WP: D. Luebke (2-0) LP: J. Hetki (1-1) S: H. Wilhelm (2)
HR: M. Thorneberry (1)
POG: Billy Hoeft (7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 131 P)
Series tied 3-3

The 1962 Baltimore Orioles refused to let their season end, storming back late to edge the 1946 Cincinnati Reds 4-3 in Game 6, tying the best-of-seven series at 3-3. A raucous crowd at Memorial Stadium witnessed Marv Throneberry’s clutch two-run homer in the eighth inning, a blast that kept Baltimore's championship hopes alive.Orioles starter Billy Hoeft battled through seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five. Baltimore trailed 3-0 after the fourth, but slowly chipped away, scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh before Throneberry's eighth-inning heroics. Hal Wilhelm sealed the victory with a flawless ninth inning.
"It all comes down to one game now," said Orioles manager Billy Hitchcock. "We fought back, and now it's anyone’s series."
Game 7 will take place tomorrow at Memorial Stadium, where one team will emerge as champions.

Game 7
At Memorial Stadium
1946 Cincinnati Reds 5
1962 Baltimore Orioles 4 (16 inn)
WP: H. Gumbert (1-0) LP: H. Brown (0-1) S: C. Lambert (1)
HR: B. Robinson (1)
POG: Johnny Vander Meer (7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 119 P)

In a grueling 16-inning classic, the 1946 Cincinnati Reds emerged victorious over the 1962 Baltimore Orioles with a thrilling 5-4 victory at Memorial Stadium. The Reds struck first and built an early lead, but the Orioles clawed back, tying the game in the eighth inning. What followed was a war of attrition, with both teams stranding runners and making crucial defensive plays to keep the game deadlocked. Finally, in the top of the 16th, Billy Zientara delivered the decisive blow, lining a two-out RBI single to bring home Eddie Miller. Cincinnati’s bullpen held firm in the bottom half, with Claude Lambert recording the final three outs to seal the win. Reds ace Johnny Vander Meer, who tossed seven strong innings, was named Player of the Game and Series MVP for his dominant performances throughout the series. The victory a great achievement for the Reds, capping off an unforgettable Game 7 that will be remembered as one of the greatest battles of history.

1946 Cincinnati Reds Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(2-0, 0.53 ERA, 17 IP, 0.75 WHIP, 1 BB, 12 K, 1 ER)