5/4/75 BAL @ CLE

Nothing like a good pitching performance from someone where it’s not expected.  That’s what the Indians got in this one.  Don Hood threw a 2-hitter, walking 4, but striking out 7 to beat Baltimore 2-0 in the first game of a double header.

Cleveland only managed 8 hits themselves off Mike Torrez, who took his first loss of the season after a 4 game winning streak.  Boog Powell knocked home Rick Manning in the bottom of the first for the first run.  Little-used Jack Brohamer had an RBI single of his own in the 4th for the other run.

Baltimore’s defense kept them in this one.  Cleveland had two runners thrown out at the plate, and another at third.  Don Baylor was the guy they were trying to run on in left, but he managed to pick up two assists.  However, the second assist came after he booted a ball hit by Rico Carty in the left field corner.  George Hendrick, who was on first, took third on the error, but got greedy and was thrown out trying to score.  Carty ended up on second.

Cleveland has taken 2 out of 3 so far in the series.  They’re hoping to take the nightcap behind rookie sensation Dennis Eckersley, who’ll be making his second start, but has an ERA of 1.08.  Baltimore has failed to score more than 3 runs in any of their last 8 games, but are 4-4 in that stretch.