Game 96 Recap-
In one of the more entertaining and exciting games of the season, the Baltimore Orioles rallied-AGAIN- to defeat the Detroit Tigers, 11-10 in 10 innings. After the Tigers plated 6 in the 1st inning, the Os battled, tying the game in the 9th and then LF Luke Scott hit a tremendous no doubter for an amazing walk off win. “People who have been watching the club all year have seen similar type events like this,” manager Dave Trembley said. “I tell you, every time it happens it just makes you a little more proud to be around these guys because they will not quit. They will not quit at all.”
Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(6-5,4.57) continued his recent string of tough outings but battled hard after a rough 1st inning. The Tigers scored 6 on 2 home runs(1b Miguel Cabrera 3 run homer, 3b Jeff Larish 2 run shot) and a RF Maglio Ordonez sacrifice fly. The younger, hotheaded Cabrera would have imploded, this new and improved veteran fought for 5 innings, allowing 5 hits & 7 runs(1 earned) with 5 walks and 4 Ks.
3b Melvin Mora started the comeback with a 2 run homer in the 1st off of Tigers LH Nate Robertson(6-8,5.69) . After the Tigers added a 2nd inning run, Baltimore exploded for their own 6 run inning in the 3rd. Mora and 1b Kevin Millar got the ball rolling with rbi singles, Scott and C Ramon Hernandez followed with their own. Improving SS Brandon Fahey singled in the 5th run and 2b Brian Roberts completed the 6 spot with a double, giving the Os a 8-7 lead. Robertson did not make it out of the inning, his final line? 2 1/3 innings, 8 hits, 7 runs and 1 K.
The game became a battle of bullpens, with each club rallying. After the Orioles added another run in the 4th, the Tigers scored 3 in the 6th off of RH Dennis Sarfate.(4-1,4.06, O IP,3 hits, 3 runs) The Tigers carried a 10-9 lead into the 9th but Hernandez homered off of RH Flame throwing RH Joel Zumaya(no record,1.88) to lead off the inning. The Tigers got a runner erased at home on a bad call in the 10th(runner beat throw and was safe) setting up Scott’s dramatics. With one out, Scott crushed Tigers RH Freddy Dolsi(1-4,3.77) pitch over 400 feet ,clearing the scoreboard in rightfield. Huge,huge win, “It feels great,” Scott said. “We were fortunate to come out on top.”
Star of the Game-
Scott…. red hot and a HUGE walk off winner
Orioles Notes-
Mora,Millar and Scott all had 3 hits…. SS Juan Castro was acquired from the Colorado Rockies and entered the game as defensive replacement, going 0 for 1… Strong, strong game from pen outside of Sarfate, RHs Fernando Cabrera, Chad Bradford, Lance Cormier and LH closer George Sherrill(3-4, winner) did not allow a run over 5 innings… team has comeback in 29 of 47 wins
Next Game-
Sunday,1:35 Camden Yards
Orioles LH Brian Burres(7-5,5.02) vs Tigers RH Justin Verlander(7-9,4.15)
