Game 59 Recap-
A day after he made a huge error to help lose a game, young Baltimore CF Adam Jones came back big time, hitting the game winning homer(#3) to help the Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins, 3-2 Thursday afternoon at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Jones, who slipped after making a catch in the OF,allowing the winning run to score , showed mental toughness and hit one out to left in the 7th for the decisive run.
Orioles rookie LH Garrett Olson(5-1,3.86 era) continues to be a huge story and was very strong. Over 6 1/3 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 2 runs with 1 walk and strike out. Twins starter RH Scott Baker also pitched well , going 5 innings with 5 hits and 2 runs allowed. He K-ed 3 and walked 1. Rookie RH Brian Bass(2-2,5.30) took over and gave up the homer to Jones in the 7th. The Orioles pen, a team strength, was great again tonight. RH Matt Albers(2.16) and Jim Johnson(1.35) pitched 2/3 and 1 inning of shutout ball. Closer George Sherill struck out 2 in the 9th for his 20th save in 22 chances.
Offensively, not much scoring. Twins C Mike Redmond(.289) doubled in a run in the 1st for a 1-0 lead. Orioles RF Nick Markakis homered(#10) with a runner on in the 3rd for a 2-1 score. Promising Twins 2b Alexi Castilla ’s 5th inning single tied the game at 2-2 setting the stage for Jones’ heroics.
Orioles Notes-
Jones and Markakis led the Baltimore bats with 2 hits a piece…..Manager Dave Trembley said the will see more of Alex Cintron in the field with SS rookie Freddie Bynum struggling at .212 with 2 rbi in 66 ABs
Next Game-
Start of a 3 game series at the Blue Jays
7:07 at Toronto, Rogers Centre
Orioles LH Brian Burres(4-5,4.87) vs Blue Jays RH Shaun Marcum(5-3,2.63)
