The Orioles (42-40) got a strong performance from starter Radhames Liz (3-0). Liz went six innings, allowing just three runs off seven hits, walking one and striking out four. Two of the runs came off solo shots.
The O's scored a run in the first off an RBI double from Brandon Fahey. They took the lead in the second with an RBI single from Aubrey Huff.The Bird's bats awakened in the third inning, when they tacked on four runs and took a commanding 6-2 lead. All four runs came with two outs, with Ramon Hernandez and Adam Jones each driving in two runs in the inning. Brian Roberts led off the seventh with a solo shot to give the O's an insurance run. Adam Loewen returned from the disabled list and pitched two scoreless innings in relief, and Dennis Sarfate came in to start the ninth. Sarfate sandwiched an out in-between two walks, and Dave Trembley summoned George Sherrill from the bullpen.
The fans around me were chanting, "Bring-In-Sher-rill" since the start of the ninth, and the stadium erupted as he took the field. Fans were waving their Sherrill T-shirts as he warmed-up (I arrived early, but not in time to receive the coveted tee).
Sherrill got the second out, but a single allowed both men on to cross the plate. The score was now 7-5, with a man on and the tying run at the plate...the red-hot Alex Gordon, who had doubled and homered earlier in the game. Sherrill struck him out swinging...
The Birds look for two straight tomorrow night; Daniel Cabrera takes the mound...
(photos courtesy of MLB.com)
4 comments:
I guess it was the t-shirt night that turned the trick. One comment about Sunday's game...the batter he walked should have been out...that pitch that he took was too close to take in that situation...batter got a lucky call. That out would have changed the outcome of the game. Sherrill's doing a great job.
Spike
Spike,
Thanks for the comment. I'll be honest with you...I missed Sunday's game...probably the second or third game I missed this season. If tonight was any indication, the rest of the city agrees with your take on Sherrill...no one was giving away or trying to sell their T-shirts, and the Yard went wild when he came in. I love the guy; you can't always be perfect...Mariano Rivera took a loss last night...
You haven't posted tonighs game, but DC seems to have matured in his own time. No walks tonight and a complete game...that's a rarity in itself. In this day and age, pitchers don't get many, if any, complete games pitched. Finally got some adequate batting for a well pitched game and came out with a win. Satisfying win, this one...
Spike
Spike,
Sorry...late night at work...I'm posting it as we speak! And yes, it was a great game to watch! Love to see Cabrera pitch to his true potential...
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