Game 51 Recap-
In a game with 9 combined homers , a huge rain storm and lots of excitement, a little used utility man provided the game winning hit. New Orioles acquisition infielder Alex Cintron hit a drive to the right field warning track to score Aubrey Huff to cap a wild game and give them a much needed 10-9 win over the New York Yankees at Camden Yards Tuesday night. Orioles Manager Dave Trembley did not mince words post game,”That’s the best game that I’ve ever been part of. I’ll replay this one for a long time.”
The wildness started in the Yankees 2nd with the homers flying out of the park all night. LH Brian Burres(4-4,4.15 era) took it first when DH Jason Giambi(solo) and CF Johnny Damon(3 run shot) went deep. In the home 2nd, 1b Kevin Millar(2 run shot) and C Ramon Hernandez(solo) responded to pull the Orioles within one at 4-3, an error allowed them to tie it a 4. Burres battled but hit the wall in the 4th, as SS Derek Jeter singled in a run to put the Yankees ahead, 5-3. Back to back homers by RF Bobby Abreu(2 run) and SS Alex Rodriquez chased the young Baltimore starter.
Yankees starter, RH Ian Kennedy, left with an oblique injury(DLed post game) in the 4th. After a clean inning,it was rh rp Ross Ohlendorf’s turn to give up some homers! In a 4 run 5th, 3b Melvin Mora(2 run), LF Luke Scott and Millar all hit it out of the park for a tie at 8. Both teams pens settled down and the game was tied in the 9th when a serious downpour interrupted the game for about an hour and after Yankees Manager Joe Girardi requested a stoppage.
The rain stopped and the Yankees took the lead in the 11th off of RH Matt Albers(3-1,2.25) when LF Hideki Matsui plated Abreu. LH Latroy Hawkins allowed the 2 of the first 3 hitters to reach and the 2nd hit by Aubrey Huff tied the game at 11. Girardi had Hawkins walk the next 2 batters to set up the double play. Cintron then hit the game winner to left and give the Orioles a huge, huge victory.
Star of the Game-
Millar- 2 homers, 3 hits and rbi plus a walk and 2 runs
Orioles Notes-
Twice the Orioles hit consecutive homers after going 50 games without doing it… Trembley announced that the team will go with 4 starters with some off days- RHs Daniel Cabrera, Jeremy Guthrie, LHs Garrett Olson and Brian Burres. When the team needs a 5th starter, “that’s the possibility Steve Trachsel will pitch”, said the Manager pre-game
Next Game-
Wednesday-7:05, Camden Yards
Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie(2-5,3.62 era) vs Yankees LH Andy Pettitte(4-5,4.27)
