O's Swat Away Nats

The O's kicked-off Interleague play with their third straight win, defeating the visiting Washington Nationals 5-3.

It's becoming a recurring theme for the Birds: go down early, come back late, and hold on for the win. I'm certainly not complaining. The team has now won six of their last seven games, and are three games above .500.

Garrett Olson (3-0) wasn't exactly dominant, but he kept the team in the game and eventually got the win. After allowing two runs in the first, he settled down and allowed just one more run through five innings. He gave up nine hits, struck out three and walked none (he also hit a batter). He was lifted after just 70 pitches (51 for strikes).

The offense picked him up in the middle-innings, as the O's scored two in the 3rd, one in the 4th and another two in the 5th. With the bases loaded in the 3rd, Nick Markakis hit into a fielder's choice, but a throwing error allowed two runs to score, tying the game.

Olson gave up another run in the fourth, but a solo shot from Luke Scott tied the game at three. The O's went ahead for good in the fifth. Brian Roberts led-off with a triple, and Melvin Mora's double gave the O's a 4-3 lead. An RBI single from Kevin Millar made it 5-3, and that would prove to be the final score.

The O's bullpen was brilliant yet again. Matt Albers pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three. After a lead-off hit in the eighth, he was lifted for Jim Johnson. Any guesses as to what Johnson did? He struck out the side...I love this kid! George Sherrill started the ninth and recorded a 1-2-3 save, his 16th in 18 attempts.

Interleague games have always been tough for the O's...their overall record (now 80-114) is the worst among AL teams. But the players feel that this season is different...

"That's history," said third baseman Melvin Mora, referencing his team's record against NL opponents. "This is a new year. Anything can happen this year if we play good baseball..." (courtesy of MLB.com)

The O's are now in sole position of 3rd place...Brian Burres looks to extend the O's streak to four straight later today...I'll be at a wedding; please keep me posted my friends...

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)