Game 121 Recap-
Red hot 3b Melvin Mora was a double short of a cycle and had 4 rbi, leading a 14 hit attack and the Orioles to a 11-2 win Friday night over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Michigan. Baltimore got 4 runs in the 1st 3 innings and broke open a close game with 6 in the 9th. The sloppy Tigers made 3 errors(5 unearned runs) and left 10 men on base while Orioles DH Aubrey Huff had a big night with 3 hits and 2 rbi.
Baltimore plated runs in the 1st three innings, 2 in the 2nd. Huff’s single , 2b Brian Roberts single plus error on the play for another run followed by Mora’s 3rd inning homer caped the rbi hits. Orioles starter rookie LH Charlie Waters(1-0,4.32) pitched well but made one mistake, a 2 run homer to 2b Placido Polanco in the 5th. Over 98 pitches, the promising lefty allowed 4 2/3 innings, 8 hits and two runs with 1 walk and a K. RH RP Lance Cormier(4.70) took over and pitched a strong 2 1/3 innings for the win(2-3). Rookie RH Jim Johnson(19th hold, 2.11) was his dominant self in the 8th
Mora’s 6th inning sacrifice fly made it 5-2 and the Orioles broke open the game with the big 6 run frame in the 9th. 2 errors contributed to plays allowing 3 runs to score, Mora then drove in 2 more with a single and Huff capped his night with another clutch rbi. Closer George Sherrill pitched the 9th to get some work and seal a nice series opening win.
Star of the Game-
Mora- Since the all star break, the 3b is hitting .404 with 7 home runs and 37 rbi in 26 games. See what cortisone shots do for sore shoulders!!!!
Orioles Notes-
Team signed 2008 1st rounder(4th overall), LHP Brian Matusz, Friday, beating the midnight deadline….SS Juan Castro went 2 for 4 with 3 runs and an rbi
Next Game-
Saturday, 7:05, Comerica Park
Orioles RH Dennis Sarfate(4-2,5.16) vs Tigers RH Justin Verlander(8-13,4.77)
