Game 41 Recap-
Baltimore Orioles 5- Washington Nationals 3
The Baltimore Orioles again rallied from an early inning deficit and helped young LH Garrett Olson (3-0,3.47) win his 3rd game in 4 starts, as the Orioles beat the Washington Nationals 5-3 at Camden Yards Friday Night. The injury call up went 5 innings, allowing 9 hits and 3 runs while striking out 3. The Orioles bullpen continued its recent strong peformance with 4 shutout innings and 6 Ks among 3 pitchers.
After a 2 run single by Nationals star 3b Ryan Zimmerman, Washington led 2-0. Baltimore scored 2 runs on a strange play in the 3rd, they initial run plated on a fielders choice. 2b Felipe Lopez made a throwing error attempting to turn a double play and the 2nd run scored on the poor throw, tying the score at 2. The game was tied again in the 4th as each team scored a single run, the Nationals scoring on a sacrifice fly and Baltimore’s via a LF Luke Scott solo homer(#3 on the year).
The Baltimore offense took the lead for good versus RF SP Shawn Hill in the 5th. 2b Brian Roberts tripled to start the inning and he quickly scored on a double by 3b Melvin Mora. After 2 outs, 1b Kevin Millar singled home the 5th run to make it 5-3. Hill pitched decent and was very close to escaping 2 jams with minimal damage. His final line was 5 innings pitched, 8 hits allowed,5 runs(4 earned) with 2 walks and 3 strike outs.
Olson battled as well and was gone after 5 innings and 70 pitches, he allowed 9 hits, 3 earned runs and struck out 3. RH RP Matt Albers(2.15 era) pitched the 6th and 7th, striking out 3. Rookie phenom RH RP Jim Johnson(1.14 era) struck out all 3 batters he faced in the 8th and LH closer George Sherrill did not allow a base runner in the 9th for his 16th save.
Star of the Game-
Johnson- 3 batters, 3 strikeouts– a major weapon for Manager Dave Trembley
Orioles Notes-
Mora and C Ramon Hernandez returned to the lineup after missing some games with minor bumps and bruises…. Team has won 6 of 7
Next Game-
7:05 vs Washington Nationals - Camden Yards
Orioles LH Brian Burress(3-4) vs Nationals LH Odalis Perez(1-3)
