Walk-Off Wednesday: Chris Davis Comes Through in the Clutch

Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles are known for magical walk-off moments each season in Camden Yards. The 2014 season was no exception to this. To bring 2014 to a close, I thought there would be no better walk-off moment than when the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-4 on June 23rd, 2014.

Baltimore would be tested in this game, having to go against the talented left-handed pitcher in Chris Sale. However, the Orioles were able to get an early 2-0 lead on the White Sox when Adam Jones hit a two-run home run to left-center field in the first inning.

With the score 2-1 Baltimore in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Orioles had a chance to extend their lead with the bases loaded and only one out. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in pushing across another run when Jonathan Schoop hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning and the scoring threat.

The White Sox evened up the scored the very next inning when rookie Jose Abreu hit a bomb to center field. Abreu’s night was not over with as he knocked in his third run of the night in the seventh inning to give the White Sox the 4-2 lead.

The Orioles would cut that lead in half in the eighth inning with two outs when Caleb Joseph hit his second Major League career home run to make the score 4-3 Chicago.

The score would remain the same headed into the bottom half of the ninth inning. With one out and Steve Pearce on second and Jones on first, Orioles’ skipper made a bold move and pinch hit Chris Davis for Delmon Young. Young had already recorded three hits in the ball game and Davis had been struggling all season.

The skipper’s trust in the left-handed first baseman was put to the test. After working the count full, Davis connected got a hold of an off-speed pitch and drove it into right field. Chicago’s right fielder, Moises Sierra went back on the ball, but all he could do was jump onto the wall and watch it land six rows back into the seats giving the Orioles the 6-4 win.

The 17,931 fans in attendance threw their arms up in jubilation as Davis rounded the bases. He was met at home plate by a cavalry of Orioles waiting to great him. Before he got to the plate, Davis “bowled” his batting helmet into home plate before diving into the scrum.

It was moments like these that stopped fans from completely turning on Davis in 2014. And, hopefully there will be more magical moments like these waiting for Davis in 2015.