Game 36 Recap-
Veteran RH SP Steve Trachsel pitched a workman like 5 1/3 innings and earned his 1st victory since April 4th to help the Baltimore Orioles beat the Kansas City Royals 7-4 Friday night at Kauffman Stadium. Trachsel gave up a 2 run homer to KC 3b Alex Gordon in the 1st inning but settled down and allowed the Orioles to mount some offense of their own.
KC starter RH Gil Meche was bit by the homer bug himself in the 3rd. 3b Melvin Mora took him deep with a 2 run shot to tie the game. Baltimore had the lead for good in he 5th when DH Aubrey Huff hit a 3 run homer for a 5-2 margin. That was more than enough for the struggling Orioles starter, as Trachsel(6.75 era)worked into the 6th allowing 5 hits and the 2 runs from the Gordon homer, he also walked 1 batter and struck out 2.
The Orioles set up men struggled a bit thru 2 2/3 innings but kept the lead and only allowed 2 runs. RH Matt Albers, LH Jamie Walker and RH Jim Johnson supported Trachsel and did the job. On top of that, the Baltimore offense produced 2 runs in the 7th with a wild pitch and 1b Kevin Millar rbi single. The KC runs came on Gordon (7th) and C John Buck(8th) rbi singles.
Orioles Closer LH George Sherrill, who entered the game going 11 for 13 in save situations, made it interesting in the 9th with the 3 run lead. He allowed the 1st two hitters to reach base but quickly struck out Gordon. Sherill then got a double play ground out to end the game, make it 12 for 14 in save opportunities and earn a victory for Baltimore.
Star of the Game- Trachsel– 1st win since April 4th. Needed this after two consecutive starts with 6 total innings!
Orioles Notes-
Huff has hit safely in 18 of 20 games….SS Freddy Bynum had another active night with 2 hits and 2 runs out of the 9 spot… Baltimore had 5 players with 2 hits
Next Game-
Saturday- Kauffman Stadium, Missouri
7:10
Orioles LH Garrett Olson(1-0) vs Royals RH Brett Tomko(1-3)
