Moved to the bullpen by the Expos in 1977 after a lifetime record of 13-33 as a spot
starter, Stanhouse went 6-2 with 10 saves. In December
the Orioles traded Rudy May
and Bryn Smith to acquire Stanhouse, Gary Roenicke, and Joe Kerrigan. Used solely
in relief by Baltimore, Stanhouse went 6-9 with 24 saves (third in the league) and
a 2.89 ERA. He followed with a 7-3 record, 21 saves (tied for third in the AL), and
a 2.84 ERA in the Orioles' 1979 AL pennant season. He beat the Angels in Game One
of the LCS with a tenth-inning appearance, but just barely hung on in Game Two as
the Orioles and Mike Flanagan won 9-8, and took the loss in Game Three on an unearned
run (retiring none of the three batters he faced). He also lost Game One of the World
Series, and was hit hard in two other appearances. He then signed an expensive free
agent contract with Los Angeles after the season, but flopped, posting ERAs above
5.00 in his final two seasons.
(JFC)
»June 26, 1978: Toronto's Dave McKay and Otto Velez each hit two doubles in one inning during a 24–10 rout of Baltimore. With the score 19–6 following a homer by Lee May, Earl Weaver tosses OF Larry Harlow to the Blue Jay. Harlow gets two batters out in the 5th, then walks three in a row and hurls a wild pitch. He then allows a single, a walk, and a grand slam by John Mayberry makes the score 24–6. Bullpen catcher Ellie Hendricks then relieves Harlow and gives up just a walk and no runs in 2-1/3 innings. Closer Don Stanhouse takes over in the 8th.
»September 26, 1978:
Baltimore's Mike Flanagan has a no-hitter against Cleveland with two outs in the 9th inning when Gary Alexander homers and two singles follow. Don Stanhouse comes in to save the 3–1 Orioles win.