They almost let it slip away, but the Birds held on and snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 6-5 win over the Indians on Saturday night at Camden Yards.
Alfredo Simon was the unlikely starter able to get the O's back on track with a magnificent seven-inning stint. Simon (2-2) allowed just two runs on three hits and a walk while fanning five. Koji Uehara pitched a perfect eighth inning before things got rocky when Kevin Gregg took the mound in the ninth...
The Birds were up 3-2 heading into the eighth inning before scoring three times in the bottom of the frame. They would need each and every one of those insurance runs...
Gregg struck out the first batter he faced before walking the next three. After another strikeout, Gregg gave up a three-run double to cut the O's lead to one and put Cleveland's go-ahead run at the plate. Buck Showalter had seen enough and summoned Michael Gonzalez, who retired Grady Sizemore and picked up his first save since April 2010.
Not to make any excuses for Gregg, but when he was warming up it was a save situation. The mentality is different when a one-run lead turns into a four-run cushion. Not to mention the fact that it's been two weeks since Gregg has come into a game with the O's on top. Either way, it was a must-win situation, and at least Gonzo was able to do what Gregg could not...
The Birds wrap-up the series with the Tribe on Sunday afternoon...Mitch Atkins takes the mound for the O's.
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