The O's snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Royals in Kansas City on Wednesday night.
Jake Arrieta took the win after allowing just one run on three hits (one for a solo homer) in seven innings, walking two while striking out eight. Arrieta (4-1) pitched seven innings for the first time this season, and now leads the team with 33 strikeouts.
The Birds got on the board early...Brian Roberts led-off the first with a double, advanced on Nick Markakis' fly ball to left and came home on Derrek Lee's sac fly. Markakis' RBI single in the second gave the O's and Arrieta a 2-0 cushion to work with.
Jeff Francoeur slapped a solo shot in the bottom of the second to trim the O's lead to one, but Arrieta settled down and kept the Royals scoreless through the seventh.
Markakis went deep in the top of the seventh to put the Birds up 3-1...it would prove to be the winning run after a strange play in the eighth...
Jim Johnson came on in relief and after recording an out, Johnson gave up a single and what looked like an RBI triple or even an in-the-park homer...Mike Aviles ripped a ball to left center field, but before Adam Jones touched the ball he threw his hands up in the air. The ball was lodged between the wall and the playing field, which resulted in a ground-rule double. With runners at second and third with one out, the Royals managed to bring just one man home...
Jones' quick thinking allowed Kevin Gregg to take the mound in the ninth with a one-run lead, and although he walked a batter Gregg picked up his sixth save of the season.
The O's (14-15) took sole possession of third place in the AL East with the win and regardless of the outcome on Thursday, the Birds have already guaranteed a winning road trip. Chris Tillman takes the mound against ex-Oriole Bruce Chen on Thursday afternoon...
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