October 20, 1990
The Cincinnati Reds won Game 6 of the World Series tonight at Riverfront Stadium, taking the series 4 games to 2 against the Baltimore Orioles.
“Hitting, pitching, fielder; those are all things you need to win, but most importantly you need a team, a team that works together toward the same collective goal,” said Cincinnati manager Lou Piniella. “Our players felt that way all year and they played that way. When one guy had an off day, 24 others stepped up their game and filled the void.”
Evidence of that team aspect is in 2B Keith Lockhart who was named World Series MVP after going 9-for-21 during the series, including 5 doubles and 4 RBI. His RBI single in the 6th inning of Game 6 broke the 2-2 tie, and his two run double in the 8th inning gave Cincinnati some much needed breathing room.
Series Recap
Eric Davis hit two home runs in support of starter Jose Rijo, as the Reds defeated the Orioles 5-4 in Game 1 at Riverfront Stadium. Rijo allowed two runs and struck out 9 over 6 innings. Taking the mound with one out in the ninth inning, a one run lead, and the tying run on third base, Tim Layana retired Leo Gomez and Mickey Tettleton to end the ballgame and earn the save.
Game One of the World Series in Cincinnati
Baltimore battled back to win Game 2 with John Mitchell besting Jack Armstrong. Mitchell went 8 innings, allowing just 1 run in the 5-1 win. Trailing 1-0 in the 4th, it was an RBI single by Leo Gomez that tied the game, followed immediately by a Mickey Tettleton home run to give Baltimore a lead that they would never surrender.
Cincinnati’s Game 3 starter Tom Browning struggled again. He couldn’t get out of the 4th inning for the second consecutive postseason start, while Baltimore’s Greg Maddux pitched 7 strong innings in the 13-1 Orioles win. Randy Milligan hit two home runs and drove in six for Baltimore, as part of their 18 hit attack.
Cincinnati bounced back in Game 4 with a 7-0 shutout win in Baltimore. Chris Hammond pitched 8.1 shutout innings for the Reds. Leading 1-0 in the 6th inning, the Reds hung a 6 spot on Baltimore’s Pete Harnisch. The biggest blow was a bases loaded triple from Lance Johnson which broke the game open and knocked Harnisch out of the game.
Game 5 was a rematch of the Game 1 pitching matchup of Rijo and McDonald. Unlike Game 1, neither starter could get through 4 innings, while each surrendered 5 earned runs. With the game locked at 5 entering the 9th inning, the Reds turned to a man who has shown a flair for the dramatic this postseason. Catcher Terry McGriff hit a two run home run off Baltimore’s Gregg Olson to break the tie and send Cincinnati home with a 3-2 series lead.
Back in Baltimore, the Orioles turned to John Mitchell to help them stave off elimination. However, he sustained a wrist injury and was forced from the game in the 4th inning with the game tied at 2. From there, Cincinnati got to Baltimore’s bullpen, which included Game 4 starter Pete Harnisch. It was Keith Lockhart who drove in the final three runs in the 5-2 win, one with a single in the 6th and two more with a double in the 8th.