Trachsel Back On Track as O's Win Again

It looked like Steve Trachsel was at it again. Just three batters into Kansas City's lineup, the O's were down 2-0 in the first inning. Trachsel settled down after that, and the O's offense came through, as the Birds won their eleventh straight against Kansas City, 7-4.

After Alex Gordon's 2-run shot made it 2-0, Melvin Mora hit a 2-run blast of his own in the third to even the game at two. The score remained tied until the fifth, when the O's were able to take a lead they would never relinquish.

With two outs and Freddie Bynum on 1st, the Royals decided to intentionally walk Nick Markakis to get to Aubrey Huff. Markakis had beat them the day before with a 3-run blast, and they didn't want to get beat by the long ball again. That's just what happened though, as Huff came through with a 3-run home run, putting the O's ahead 5-2. After going 34 games without a 3-run homer, the O's have done it in back-to-back games. The O's were able to add two more runs in the seventh on a wild pitch and a Kevin Millar single.

Trachsel was pulled in the sixth inning, with one out and one on. His final line read two runs off five hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. Trachsel may have been pitching to keep his starting job, as Trembley is thinking about switching to a four-man rotation.

The O's bullpen looked rusty but were able to hold Kansas City to five hits and two runs to seal the win. George Sherrill came in to start the ninth, and allowed the tying run to come to the plate before striking out Alex Gordon and inducing a double-play to end the threat.

With the win, the O's are now in third place and still have two games to play against the Royals. The O's are back at .500 with an 18-18 record. Garrett Olson looks to keep the streak going later tonight.

(photos courtesy of MLB.com)