It was quite a night for the Orioles on Sunday, as they got national exposure for the second night in a row – this time on ESPN – and more importantly, defeated the New York Yankees, 4-2.
Instead of the bigger market teams getting the spotlight on ESPN’s marquee game, the nation once again got reacquainted with Oriole Park at Camden Yards – and the Baltimore Orioles.
America got to see what Oriole fans know already – this team has a deep core of players and can go against anyone.
Yes, the Yankees are slumping and have been hamstrung by injuries; however, they are still the Bombers.
Then again, times have changed and the Orioles are contenders.
As a fan, any sweep over the Yankees – no matter how good, or bad they are – is a good thing.
The offense was the name of the game on Sunday as Chris Davis hit his 31st homer of the year, and both Manny Machado and Nate McLouth went deep.
Both Machado and Davis also set some milestones, as they shined with a national audience watching.
Machado earned his 38th double of the season and Davis tied a team record with 31 homers through Baltimore’s first 83 games.
It’s safe to say that both men will be on the All-Star Game roster in two weeks.
Aside from that, second baseman Brian Roberts returned to the Oriole lineup and went 1-for-2.
Although he has been a source of consternation and has become a punch line amongst some for his injury history along with health, Birdland showed him a lot of love by chanting out his name during points in the game. The fans were loud, passionate and that showed throughout the broadcast.
I didn’t go the game last night; however, watching on ESPN from home, the ballpark looked awesome on TV and the fans represented the city, region and team really well.
Chris Tillman earned his 10th win of the year – and 7th of June – going six strong innings (only giving up two runs) and the bullpen – Darren O”Day, Troy Patton, Tommy Hunter and Jim Johnson -preserved the game for Baltimore. Johnson closed things out and earned his 28th save of the season, striking out two in the final frame.
Baltimore is now 47-36; however, they trail the Red Sox by 2.5 games in the American League East.
The Orioles have a day off today; however, they play the sinking White Sox in a three-game series starting on Tuesday, and then face the Yankees again this weekend in the Bronx.
