Game 120 Recap-
In a game that featured 30 hits, Orioles rookie LF Lou Montanez might have had the biggest, as the Baltimore Orioles staged another comeback in their season of never giving up, beating the Cleveland Indians, 11-6 Thursday at Progressive Field in Ohio. The rookie call up had 2 seperate rbi hits over the explosive 8th inning, starting it with double and capping the 8 run explosion with a run scoring single, making it 11-3.
For a game that had 17 runs, both clubs starting pitchers showed up well. Orioles veteran RH Daniel Cabrera(8-7,4.78) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing 8 hits and 3 runs with 2 Ks and 2 walks. He was touched for rbi doubles in the 1st( 2 run) and 6th. Indians LH Zach Jackson made his 1st ML start and was also solid. Over 5, he allowed 8 hits and 3 runs( 2 in the 1st), adding a walk and K. The youngster was touched for rbi singles by DH Aubrey Huff and C Ramon Hernandez. 1b Kevin Millar’s rbi double in the 5th capped Jackson’s line.
The Orioles blew open the game in the 8th and Manager Dave Trembley made a huge decision, allowing his rookie to swing away with runners on 1st and 2nd no outs. “Why bunt the eighth guy in the order?” Trembley said. “To get the No. 9 hitter up there? Montanez has been swinging at strikes, getting big hits.” Montanez doubled in a run and the big inning followed, SS Juan Castro(single), 3b Melvin Mora(double), Hernandez(bases loaded walk) and Millar(single) added rbi hits while the rookie LF put the cherry on the sundae with his 2nd rbi hit of the frame to make it 11-3 Birds.
The Orioles bullpen was tremendous in this contest, again, mixing and matching, Trembley got some good performances out of rookies Rocky Cherry(big K) and power arm RH Jim Johnson, while new comer rh Fernando Cabrera(1-1,3.60) pitched a scoreless 7th to earn his 1st win since April 25,2007.
Star of the Game-
Orioles lineup- 8 of 9 starters had a hit, 8 had a run and 6 posted an rbi
Orioles Notes-
Waiver wire update, DH Aubrey Huff, OF Jay Payton, 1b Kevin Millar and LH RP Jamie Walker all cleared waivers and can be traded by August 31st. Closer George Sherrill was claimed and will not be traded…..Mora, Millar and Montanez all had 3 hits…Daniel Cabrera hit his 15th batter, setting a team record… 8th inning was the biggest scoring total of the year
Next Game-
Friday, 3 game series at Detroit starts, Comerica Park
Orioles rookie LH Chris Waters(1-0,4.50) vs Tigers LH Nate Robertson(7-8,5.84)
