O's Drop Series against Nationals

The Orioles were one strike away from a Sunday win, but lost in the twelfth inning 3-2 to the Washington Nationals.

After losing the first game of the series (4-2 on Friday), the O's used a barrage of offense to crush the Nationals, 9-1, on Saturday night. A win today would have snapped an 11-game Sunday losing streak and given the Birds a winning road trip. With the loss, the O's return home with a 4-5 record on the trip and remain in fourth place in the AL East.

On Friday, Daniel Cabrera started out rocky but settled down until allowing two runs in the seventh. The bats couldn't help him out, and the O's lost.

The Orioles broke through on Saturday, and even a late rain delay couldn't stop them this time. Luke Scott and Ramon Hernandez homered, and the Orioles came back from a 1-0 deficit to win big.

Unfortunately for the Birds, Sunday comes once a week, and the O's weren't able to stop the bleeding. Jeremy Guthrie was strong (as usual), allowing just one run through seven innings. Luke Scott's solo shot in the seventh tied the game at one, and the O's took the lead in the top of the twelfth after Adam Jones' RBI single.

George Sherrill came on for the save, and after two quick outs, walked the next batter. O's fans were standing after Sherrill worked an 0-2 count to the next batter, but they were quieted after the next pitch sailed over the fence, giving the Nationals the win.

The Birds take on the Kansas City Royals tomorrow night. The Royals beat-up on National League teams, but haven't fared well against the American League so far this season...