So far, it’s been very good for the Orioles in Canada. On Saturday, they earned their second straight comeback win in as many days over the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-4.
They are now 5-3 on the year, and in first place in the American League East. On Sunday, the Orioles will go for the sweep, as they have already taken the series.
Nolan Reimold came through in the clutch as he hit a two-run homer off Francisco Cordero – closer for the Jays – in the ninth inning to break a tie and give the Orioles a 6-4 lead.
What has made this weekend so great for us fans is that we’re seeing the Orioles win games that they would have lost in the past. While things are not perfect with the team, they are fighting and playing with some incredible grit.
Jim Johnson got the save – his third on the season – for the Orioles, by pitching a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Luis Ayala got the win for Baltimore by pitching the eighth inning and giving the Orioles their golden chance in the ninth inning.
Cordero took the loss for Toronto.
Henderson Alvarez – who started for the Jays – went seven innings and gave up three runs.
Jason Hammel started the game for Baltimore on the mound. His outing started off rocky as he gave up runs during first and second innings; however, he settled down. Hammel’s work on Saturday didn’t match his gem last Sunday, but he went five innings and allowed two runs.
The Jays helped out the Orioles in the second inning, as Brett Lawrie inexplicably tried to steal home with Jose Bautista – with the bases loaded; however, he was tagged out to end the threat at home by Matt Wieters. That frame could have made the game if Bautista got a base hit – or homered. It was a weird move by Lawrie, but considering it all, it saved the Orioles a potential big time problem. Perhaps Lawrie made a young guy’s mistake.
Both Alvarez and Hammel would earn no-decisions.
Matt Lindstrom gave up two runs – none earned due to a Wilson Betemit error – that gave the Jays a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning.
Chris Davis and Wilson Betemit each hit homers. Betemit’s shot was in the eighth inning and tied the game at four. Davis’ homer was his first on the year, and was a two-run shot that gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning.
Wieters plated in a run in the first inning with an RBI-groundout.
I’m surprised by Baltimore’s early start. There are many, many games left in the season, but so far, they are playing very, very well. I’m impressed also by Nolan Reimold and it looks like he is in for a good run, if not a solid year.
After everything he’s been through – injuries and personal issues – it’s good to see him productive.
