Don’t look now, but the Orioles are twelve games into the season and they’re .500. After three straight wins over the Royals, the Orioles sit at 6-6 and they’re in the mix in a tight AL East race. Yeah, it’s early but Orioles fans can’t be too picky.
On Thursday, Jay Gibbons had a walk off RBI single in the bottom of the tenth to break a 1-1 tie in the Orioles 2-1 win over the Royals. Steve Trachsel had a nice start to keep the Orioles in it and he gave up just one run on three hits and a walk in seven innings in what was his best start of the season. Chris Ray picked up the win after a perfect tenth inning.
On Friday, Nick Markakis got the stick going and he hit a grand slam in the 8-1 win. Erik Bedard picked up the win with a very nice outing and he gave up just one run on five hits and four walks with nine strikeouts in six innings.
Then on Saturday, Chris Gomez hit a grand slam to push the Orioles to a 6-4 win that finished the sweep. Danny Cabrera had a mediocre outing but he was picked up by the pen, which shutout the Royals through four innings. Scott Williamson picked up the win and Chris Ray saved it with a shutout ninth. Alberto Castillo finished the game with two hits and two runs.
Then yesterday’s game was cancelled with all of the rain. Next up is a three game series in Tampa as the Orioles head south. Adam Loewen gets the start in the opener tonight.
