[Nick Soulis]

Series #208



2019 Cleveland Indians
Record: 93-69
Finish: 2nd in AL Central
Manager: Terry Francona
Ball Park: Progressive Field
WAR Leader: Francisco Lindor (4.8)
Franchise Record: 9-7
2019 Season Record: 1-2
Hall of Famers: 0
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2019.shtml

1955 Baltimore Orioles
Record: 57-97
Finish: 7th in AL
Ball Park: Memorial Stadium
WAR Leader: Jim Wilson (3.5)
Franchise Record: 6-5
1955 Season Record: 0-2
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/1955.shtml
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Indians Make No Mistake Against Birds
Baltimore Takes Opener; Cleveland Storms Back In 5




Game 1
At Progressive Field
1955 Baltimore Orioles 10
2019 Cleveland Indians 2
WP: S. Rogovin (1-0) LP: C. Kluber (0-1)
HR: B. Hale (1)
POG: Gene Woodling (3-3, RBI, 2 B, 2 R, 3 Bb)
1955 Orioles Lead Series 1-0

The 1955 Baltimore Orioles stunned the 2019 Cleveland Indians with a relentless late-game surge, scoring nine unanswered runs over the final two innings to seize a 10-2 win in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series. Locked in a tight 2-1 game through seven, the Orioles exploded for six runs in the eighth, capped by a two-run single from Vern Stephens that broke the game open. Designated hitter Gene Woodling led the charge with a flawless night at the plate—going 3-for-3 with a double, three walks, an RBI, and two runs scored—to earn Player of the Game honors. Baltimore pounded out 16 hits, including a solo home run from Bob Hale and two doubles by shortstop Willie Miranda, overwhelming Cleveland’s bullpen after starter Mike Clevinger exited with a narrow lead. Orioles starter Saul Rogovin battled through 7.1 strong innings, allowing just four hits and two earned runs, while Bob Kuzava shut the door with 1.2 perfect frames. The Indians, who jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first on a José Luplow triple and Carlos Santana single, were held silent the rest of the way. With the series now tilting in Baltimore’s favor, the clubs return to Progressive Field for a pivotal Game 2

Game 2
At Progressive Field
1955 Baltimore Orioles 0
2019 Cleveland Indians 8
WP: S. Bieber (1-0) LP: E. Palica (0-1)
HR: T. Naquin 2 (2), F. Lindor (2)
POG: Tyler Naquin (3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R)
Series Tied 1-1

The 2019 Cleveland Indians evened their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series with the 1955 Baltimore Orioles, cruising to an 8-0 shutout victory in Game 2 behind a dominant performance from Tyler Naquin and ace Shane Bieber. Naquin went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs, and three runs scored, while Francisco Lindor added three hits, including a solo homer. Bieber overwhelmed the Orioles with 11 strikeouts over 6.1 scoreless innings, and Carlos Carrasco finished off the five-hit shutout. Cleveland jumped out early with five runs in the first two innings and never looked back, capitalizing on three Baltimore errors and seven walks to tie the series 1-1 heading into Game 3 in Baltimore.

Game 3
At Memorial stadium
2019 Cleveland Indians 9
1955 Baltimore Orioles 3
WP: A. Civale (1-0) LP: R. Moore (0-1)
HR: J. Luplow 2 (2), B. Kennedy (1)
POG: Jordan Luplow (3-5, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2 R)
2019 Indians Lead Series 2-1

In Game 3 of the Field of Dreams Series #208 on October 4, 2019, at Memorial Stadium, the 2019 Cleveland Indians powered past the 1955 Baltimore Orioles 9-3, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series under clear 53-degree skies with an 11 mph breeze. Jordan Luplow, the game’s MVP, delivered a historic performance, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and a playoff-record eight RBIs, including a 3-run shot in the seventh off Jim McDonald and a grand slam in the eighth off Bob Alexander. Aaron Civale earned the win, allowing one run on five hits over five innings, while Francisco Lindor went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Baltimore’s Bob Kennedy homered, and Gus Triandos drove in a run, but their eight hits and two errors, including miscues by Vern Stephens and Fred Marsh, couldn’t match Cleveland’s 10-hit onslaught.

Game 4
At Memorial stadium
2019 Cleveland Indians 6
1955 Baltimore Orioles 4
WP: C. Kluber (1-1) LP: J. McDonald (0-1) S: B. Hand (1)
HR: R. Perez (1), J. Luplow (3), B. Hale (2)
POG: Tyler Naquin (4-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R)
2019 Indians Lead Series 3-1

The 2019 Cleveland Indians moved within one win of advancing in Series #208 with a dramatic 6-4 victory over the 1955 Baltimore Orioles in Game 4 at Memorial Stadium. Tyler Naquin led the charge again, going 4-for-5 with a double, scoring twice, and setting the table for late heroics. The Indians, who trailed 4-2 entering the ninth, erupted for four runs in the final frame, highlighted by Jordan Luplow’s two-out, two-run homer to break a 4-4 tie. Roberto Pérez had earlier tied the game with a solo shot. Cleveland’s bullpen was critical, as Corey Kluber earned the win with a scoreless eighth and Brad Hand closed it down in the ninth. Despite a solid start by Harry Byrd and three-hit efforts from Bob Hale and Bob Kennedy, the Orioles were undone by John McDonald’s blown save. Cleveland now holds a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series.

Game 5
At Memorial stadium
2019 Cleveland Indians 5
1955 Baltimore Orioles 2
WP: M. Clevinger (1-0) LP: D. Ferrarese (0-1) S: B. Hand (2)
HR: J. Luplow (4), B. Kennedy (2)
POG: Mike Clevinger (6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 95 P)

In Game 5 of this gripping Field of Dreams series, the 2019 Cleveland Indians continued their quest for the crown, defeating the 1955 Baltimore Orioles 5-2 to take the series 4 games to 1. Mike Clevinger delivered a clutch performance on the mound, holding Baltimore to just two runs over six innings while striking out five. Down 2-1 entering the seventh, the Indians exploded for three runs, highlighted by Tyler Naquin’s two-run single, before Jordan Luplow added an exclamation point with his fourth homer of the series in the eighth. Luplow was named series MVP after a dominant offensive showing, including a .350 average and 15 RBIs. The Orioles, despite an early blast from Bob Kennedy and six strong innings from starter Saul Rogovin, couldn't contain the late Cleveland rally. As Cleveland celebrated its first Golden Pennant playoff series win, a jubilant manager Jim Smith praised his team’s timely execution and resilience.

2019 Cleveland Indians Win Series 4 Games to 1

Series MVP:

(.350, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 5 R, 1.100 SLG, .391 OBP)