The Orioles defeated the Rockies 3-2 on a walk-off error Monday night when pitcher Jordan Lyles misplayed a Manny Machado tapper back to the mound and failed to gun down Adam Jones, who left third base on contact and then hesitated midway down the line.
Shortly after the game ended Eutaw Street Report threw down the gauntlet.
Can’t wait to read @roarfrom34‘s post on the O’s history of walk-off errors tomorrow!
— Eutaw St. Report (@EutawStReport) July 26, 2016
So here it is, the O’s history of walk-off errors, as compiled using the “Batting Event” feature and a season-by-season search in Baseball Reference’s Play Index.
Monday night’s victory was the 20th game that the Baltimore Orioles have won on a walk-off error. The first such victory came on June 23, 1954 during the O’s first season in Baltimore.
Here are some additional interesting historical tidbits:
- The Orioles have won multiple games via a walk-off error in three different seasons: 1955, 1956, and 1961.
- The O’s have twice won 17-inning games on an error, in 1954 and 1974. They once won a 16-inning game on an error, in 1957.
- Chicago White Sox pitcher Dixie Howell committed game-ending errors versus the Orioles in consecutive seasons (1956 and 1957). Chicago lost three games to the O’s that ended on errors during those two seasons.
The greatest walk-off victory via error may have been a 1988 game versus the Yankees when the O’s scored three runs on a bases-loading throwing error by third baseman Mike Pagliarulo.
Here’s how the New York Times lead off its story of that contest:
On a nearly interminable night filled with silliness and indignity, the Yankees, who had their bats confiscated and a couple of beers dumped on them, managed to cap it in suitably unbecoming fashion. They blew a two-run lead in the bottom of the 14th to lose to the Orioles, 7-6.
A game that for more than five and a half hours appeared to be incapable of ending, finished in an almost impossible to believe manner.
The Orioles, who had stranded men on base in each of the game’s first 13 innings, rallied to score three runs with two out in the 14th when Mike Pagliarulo threw Cal Ripken’s bases-loaded ground ball past Gary Ward at first base.
The complete rundown of O’s games won via game-ending errors follows below.
Oct. 4, 2009
Orioles 5 – Blue Jays 4
Michael Aubrey scores the winning run when the Jays mishandled a Jeff Fiorentino sacrifice bunt.
May 24, 2000
Orioles 4 – Mariners 3
It’s deja vu all over again for the Mariners, who lose to the O’s on an error for the second season in a row. Delino DeShields, pinch running for Cal Ripken Jr., scores the winning run from second base when former Oriole Mark McLemore is unable to field a B.J. Surhoff ground ball to second base.
Sept. 13, 1999
Orioles 4, Mariners 4 (10 innings)
Jose Mesa picks up a throwing error after fielding a Jeff Conine ball hit to his left. B.J. Surhoff crosses the plate with the winning run. Cal Ripken Jr. had been intentionally walked prior to Conine’s at-bat. Jeff Reboulet handled the pinch running duties this time around.
Aug. 18, 1997
Orioles 2, Angels 1
Pinch hitter Harold Baines hits a grounder to first that Darin Erstad can’t corral. Jeffrey Hammonds scores from third.
Aug. 13, 1991
Orioles 4, Rangers 3
Leo Gomez reached on an error to start the inning and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt that produced no outs due to an unsuccessful fielder’s choice. Gomez scores the winning run when Kenny Rogers, in another fielder’s choice situation, elects to throw to first and is unsuccessful doing so. Juan Bell reaches on the error but of course is not credited with an RBI.
June 8, 1990
Orioles 5, Yankees 4 (10 innings)
Jim Leyritz finds himself at third base after tying the game with a pinch-hit single in the top of the ninth inning. It doesn’t end well. Leyrtiz commits a bases-loaded throwing error in the 10th inning on a Phil Bradley ground ball, which allows Randy Milligan to score the winning run.
June 4, 1988
Orioles 7, Yankees 6 (14 innings)
This might be the greatest one of them all. The Orioles score three runs on a bases-loaded throwing error to walk it off against the Yankees. Cal Ripken Jr. reaches third on the Mike Pagliarulo game-ending error. Pagliarulo had singled in the top of the inning to give the Yankees the lead.
Sept. 27. 1974
Orioles 1, Brewers 0 (17 innings)
A 17-inning scoreless draw, which included a rain delay, finally ended when Bob Oliver tapped a bases-loaded grounder to third base that Don Money failed to barehand.
Aug. 20, 1973
Orioles 4, Twins 3
Merv Rettenmund’s bases-loaded, one-out bouncer scores Paul Blair with the winning run after the Twins fail to record a needed double play.
July 7, 1963
Orioles 4, Twins 3 (10 innings)
Pitcher Lee Stange botches an Al Smith sacrifice bunt that allows Bob Saverine to score the winning run.
Aug. 13, 1961
Orioles 6, Red Sox 5 (11 innings)
The O’s beat the Red Sox on a game-ending error for the second time in the same season. Arnold Earley picks up a throwing error on a Russ Snyder sacrifice bunt and Brooks Robinson scores the winning run from second base.
May 27, 1961
Orioles 5, Red Sox 4
Centerfielder Gary Geiger mishandles a Brooks Robinson fly ball with two outs and pitcher Dick Hyde, who stole second base, crosses home plate with the winning run.
Sept. 15, 1959
Orioles 2, Tigers 1 (11 innings)
Catcher Lou Berberet can’t handle the throw home after Gus Triandos grounds to the shortstop and pinch runner Albie Pearson scores the winning run for the O’s.
Sept. 15, 1957
Orioles 5, Indians 4 (16 innings)
The Orioles committed five errors to the Indians one miscue, but Cleveland’s lone error proved costly. First baseman Vic Wertz picks up the throwing error while trying to cut down the lead runner at third base. Pitcher Ken Lehman, who doubled to lead off the bottom of the 16th inning, scores the winning run.
July 18, 1956
Orioles 4, White Sox 3
Third baseman Fred Hatfield can’t handle a grounder with the bases loaded and the White Sox lose to the O’s on a game-ending error for the second time during the 1956 season and the third time in two seasons.
May 1, 1956
Orioles 3, White Sox 2 (11 innings)
White Sox pitcher Dixie Howell throws away a sacrifice bunt attempt with runners on first and second to enable Bob Boyd to score the winning run. It is the second consecutive season in which Howell will lose a game to the Orioles on an error.
Sept. 5, 1955
Orioles 6, Yankees 5 (11 innings)
Former O’s pitcher Don Larsen and third basemen Gil McDougald both pick up errors as Larsen’s throws to third on a bunt attempt with two runners on and McDougald fails to collect the throw.
Aug. 5, 1955
Orioles 2, White Sox 1 (11 innings)
Pitcher Dixie Howell can’t handle a bases loaded grounder. Pinch runner Hal Brown scores the winning run.
June 23, 1954
Orioles 8, Red Sox 7 (17 innings)
The O’s allow four ninth-inning runs but eventually prevail in the 17th inning on a one-out, bases-loaded fielder’s choice hit by Dick Kryhoski that Boston’s second baseman can’t handle.
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Roar From 34 