4/17/84: Blue Jay home opener a real Cliff-hanger...

Blue Jay fans were treated to a Cliff-hanger on their home opener as Cliff Johnson's RBI single with nobody out in the bottom of the 9th gave the BlueBirds a pulse-pounding come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Birdmen of Baltimore. 

The rally began on a lead-off single by Lloyd Moseby, who then stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd when Willie Upshaw's ground ball to Rich Dauer was misplayed for an E-4. Then came Johnson and the "infield in" call from Joe Altobelli, which didn't matter as Johnson's line drive to Cal Ripken at shortstop zoomed past, scoring Moseby with the walk-off run.  

The game was scoreless after 5 when the Orioles broke the ice with a 2-out rally off starter Doyle Alexander. Jim Dwyer doubled to Moseby in center, then advanced to 3rd on Cal Ripken's line single to short. Eddie Murray singled home Dwyer, Ripken to 2nd, then John "Let it be Lowenstein" said "Here's to good friends" with an RBI single to right scoring Ripken from 2nd beating Jesse Barfield's throw home. 

The Blue Jays wasted no time flexing their longball muscle with a couple of clutch solo homers, starting in the bottom of the 6th when Lloyd Moseby just cranked one over the right field fence cutting the lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the 7th, Ernie Whitt sent one soaring over RF for the game-tying homer.

The Orioles had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 8th when Al Bumbry led off with a double. After Jim Dwyer popped to 1st, Doyle Alexander took it easy with Ripken and Murray, walking those 2 back-to-back. Bobby Cox then made the call to the 'pen, bringing on Jim Acker to face Lowenstein. Lowenstein grounded to Damaso Garcia, starting a 4-6-3 DP that broke the Orioles back. Neither team threatened until the decisive bottom of the 9th. Acker got the win in relief, the "L" going to Oriole starter Mike Boddicker. 

TOR 3-8-1 BAL 2-7-1 WP-Acker LP-Boddicker HR-Moseby, Whitt GWRBI-Johnson TOR 8-3 BAL 7-3


 

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