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Hello there, everybody — this is Mel Allen, and how about that!
On a crisp October afternoon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles, facing elimination, rose to the occasion with a stirring 5–2 victory over the Texas Rangers to even the Division Series at two games apiece. The fans, 43,719 strong, were in full throat, and my, oh my, did they ever have plenty to cheer about.
The star of the day was Zach Guckian, the right-hander who coolly delivered seven solid innings, scattering six hits and yielding just a pair of runs. He bent but never broke, and when he needed an out, he got it. Player of the Game honors belong to him — and deservedly so.
Baltimore found its offensive spark in unexpected ways. In the fourth inning, with the bases full, Salvatore Valdez was plunked by a pitch, forcing home a run to tie things up. Not the most glamorous RBI, but just as important as any. Then came young second baseman Bill Hemphill, who lashed a double to ignite another rally. And in the sixth inning, the Orioles struck again — Alejandro Papin and Pedro Huerta both smacking doubles to plate two more.
The capper came in the seventh, when center fielder Sergio Herrera lofted a majestic drive over the wall in right for a solo home run. That ball soared into the autumn sky and seemed to lift the spirits of the entire city of Baltimore with it.
Texas tried to claw back, with Danny Martinez cracking a two-run homer in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough. The Rangers were left chasing all afternoon, and they’ll have to regroup quickly.
So now, ladies and gentlemen, this spirited series comes down to a decisive Game 5 in Texas on Saturday. One game, winner take all, to decide who moves on to the League Championship Series.
And friends, what drama awaits us! Baltimore looking to continue its march toward a fifth World Series crown, while the Rangers seek to fend them off and write their own October chapter.
Yes indeed, playoff baseball never fails to deliver. One game left to settle it all — and how about that!
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