Former Dodger Niedenfuer Silences the Angel Hitters . . . and the Fans

That was some reception Tom Niedenfuer received at Anaheim Stadium Wednesday night when the Baltimore Oriole relief pitcher made his first Southern California appearance since being traded by the Dodgers on May 22.

After Niedenfuer replaced Mike Griffin in the eighth inning, his first warmup pitch hit home-plate umpire Don Denkinger in the leg and bounced to the backstop. The crowd of 25,824 roared.

Another warmup pitch was low and bounced to the side of catcher Terry Kennedy. Again, the crowd cheered.

A third warmup pitch was slightly wild, got away from Kennedy and elicited yet another frenzied response from the fans.

“It seemed just like a home game last year,” Niedenfuer said.

The right-hander is used to such cynicism on the part of Southern California fans. He received more than his share of boos, jeers and insults during his five-year Dodger career, which will forever be blemished by Jack Clark’s game-winning, three-run home run in Game 6 of the 1985 National League Championship Series.

But Niedenfuer didn’t let the fans get to him Wednesday night. And neither did the Angels.

Entering the game with two on and none out in the eighth, Niedenfuer retired all six batters he faced to earn the save in the Orioles’ 2-1 victory.

He struck out the first batter he faced, Mark McLemore, when the Angel second baseman fouled off a third bunt attempt. Niedenfuer then got Tony Armas to fly out and Jack Howell to ground out.

He retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up his ninth save of the season and his seventh since the All-Star break.

“It’s been a good career move, coming to Baltimore,” said Niedenfuer, who was obtained for center fielder John Shelby.

Niedenfuer wasn’t talking like this last June, when he first came to Baltimore. Back then, retirement might have seemed like a better career move.

In his first 24 innings with the Orioles, Niedenfuer allowed eight home runs, including three in one inning to the Detroit Tigers and a game-winner to Minnesota’s Kent Hrbek in the ninth.

Not the best way to win fans or influence coaches.

“The first half wasn’t much to talk about,” Niedenfuer said. “When I first came here, I tried to throw high fastballs by everyone, and I gave up a lot of runs.”

Niedenfuer used the All-Star break to re-evaluate his pitching style and mental approach to the game.

“I had about five talks with myself,” he said.

He also noticed something about Chicago Cub reliever Lee Smith in the All-Star Game.

“Every ball he threw was down in the strike zone,” Niedenfuer said. “I also talked to (Minnesota Twin reliever) Jeff Reardon, who struggled when he first came to the American League. He said I should just keep the ball down.”

Niedenfuer had heard all about the higher strike zone in the American League and had been trying to throw high fastballs to everyone, but that wasn’t quite cutting it.

So, he cut down on the number of fastballs.

“I started keeping the ball down and mixing in more breaking balls,” he said. “Now, the only time I throw hard and high is when I need a strikeout.”

Niedenfuer shut down the Angels over the last two innings, and that shut up the Angel fans.

But, afterward, he wasn’t upset by their response.

“I’m sure it was just frustration on behalf of the Dodger fans who were here,” he said. “They’ve had a rough year.”

So has Niedenfuer. But, at least, Wednesday night wasn’t bad.