The O's overcame a shaky start from Chris Tillman, scoring five times in the seventh inning to trounce the visiting Detroit Tigers 9-5 on Thursday night.
Tillman pitched a no-hitter his last time out, but gave up a single to the first batter he faced and lasted just 4 2/3 innings on Thursday night. Tillman allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four... two runs crossed the plate in the first and fifth innings before Buck went to the bullpen.
The offense finally showed its' teeth, scoring nine runs on ten hits, both season-highs for the Birds. Even better, the O's battled back to tie the game twice before finally putting the game away in the later innings.
Vladimir Guerrero belted his first homer as an Oriole in the second inning to put the O's on the board, and Adam Jones played small-ball, bunting for a single and stealing second base before coming home on Mark Reynolds' single to tie the game. Jones played a little long-ball in the sixth, slapping a two-run homer to left, and finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Guerrero started the scoring again in the seventh with an RBI single, and Mark Reynolds delivered the crushing blow with a two-run double down the left-field line. Cesar Izturis, playing for J.J. Hardy (tightness in his left side), capped the inning off with an RBI single, giving the O's a lead they would never relinquish.
Jim Johnson pitched two scoreless innings before Koji Uehara pitched the final frame, sealing the victory with a swinging strikeout to end the game.
On a personal note, I'm pretty excited for Friday's game...the 5-1 O's host the undefeated (6-0) Texas Rangers for a three-game series. Rookie Zach Britton takes the mound, and I'll be there in person to watch Zach's Baltimore debut. My very first game at WBAL was last Sunday...Zach's MLB debut...I almost feel linked to the man at this point! Let's hope it goes just as well this time around...Go O's!
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