Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Bats Back Arrieta Early

This is what I want to see for the rest of the season...

The Orioles scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back in an 8-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. The Birds were up 8-1 after three innings, giving Jake Arrieta more than enough support to pick up his ninth win of the season, tied for the Major League lead.

Arrieta helped his own cause, slapping an RBI single in his first career at-bat, extending a season-best first inning where the Birds batted around and notched six hits. Arrieta (9-4) went five innings, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two. Arrieta wasn't at his best, but the offense picked him up as they have all season long...

The Orioles looked unstoppable early, slapping four hits and going up 3-0 before recording an out. The Birds collected 14 hits in the game, and Nick Markakis led the charge with a 3-for-5 night, scoring twice. Adam Jones went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Every starter (including Arrieta) notched a hit except for Felix Pie, who went 0-for-5 with a strikeout.

The bullpen was spectacular, as Michael Gonzalez, Jason Berken and Kevin Gregg combined to allow just a run on two hits over the final four frames. Berken struck out three in his two innings of relief...

The Birds have now won two straight and send Jeremy Guthrie to the mound Wednesday night.

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