Game 98 Recap-
The Detroit Tigers, led by Richmond, Virginia native RH SP Justin Verlander, beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 Sunday at Camden Yards. LF Maglio Ordonez and RF Marcus Thames homered for the Tigers, who handed the Os an amazing 15th consecutive loss on Sundays.
Verlander, who purchased 21 tickets and had several other friends in the stands, was outstanding. The Old Dominion product, went 8 2/3 innings, allowing 3 hits with 3 Ks and 3 walks. Between the 2nd and 7th innings, he retired 16 consecutive batters. He tipped his cap and blew a kiss to his family when he left the game, “My whole family was up there, so that’s just my way of telling them I love you guys. Obviously I can’t go up there and say that.”
The Os pressured Verlander for a run in the 1st with red hot LF Luke Scott doubled home Aubrey Huff & it was 1-0 Baltimore. The Tigers hitters had trouble with LH Brian Burres(7-6,5.02) but hit two homers off him in the 3rd(Ordonez) & 6th(Thames). Super utility man Ryan Raburn singled home 3b Brandon Inge to end Burres’ day in the 6th. His stat line:5 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs with 5 Ks and 4 walks.He tired in the heat and had a high pitch count (109) in this game.
The Tigers added 2 insurance runs in the 8th on an Inge ground out and Raburn rbi single.Verlander also appeared to tire in the heat and walked 2 of the first 3 batters in the 9th,Manager Jim Leyland pulled his righthander for closer Todd Jones, who recorded the final out & another Orioles loss on Sunday.
Star of the Game-
Verlander- Dominant— has been scary good lately.”Unbelievable. Tremendous. That’s a big-game pitcher coming up big-time,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.
Orioles Notes-
CF Adam Jones was out today with a lower leg issue, he aggravated it in the game Saturday. Jay Payton took his spot in CF…New comer Juan Castro got the start at SS … Stealing a plan from the St. Louis Cardinals, the team has decided to turn LHP Adam Loewen into an outfielder. His refractured elbow in his throwing arm caused the move. He will report t he the Instructional League this fall to start the transition, instead of surgery,rehab,etc
Next Game-
Monday, Start of a 4 game series at Camden Yards vs Division Rival, Toronto
Os RH Radhames Liz(3-2,7.57) vs Blue Jays RH Jesse Litsch(8-6,4.16)
