Game 69 Recap-
The comeback kids,aka the Baltimore Orioles, rallied on 3 seperate occasions and won Saturday 8-7 vs the Pittsburgh Pirates at Camden Yards. The Pirates hit 3 home runs & could not hold 3 different leads at 2-1,5-4 and 7-6. Baltimore is now 15-9 in 1 run games after 13-31 over the same situation in 2007.
“For the guys to come back like they did — not once, not twice, but three times … that’s just incredible,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said.
This was an exciting back and forth game with no lead being safe. RF Xavier Nady homered in the 2nd for a 1-0 Pittsburgh lead. 2b Brian Roberts doubled in a run for the Os to tie in the 3rd. Pirates 2b Freddy Sanchez homered to left for a 2-1 score. Roberts answered in the 5th with another rbi double to square the game at 2-2. SS Alex Cintron hit a huge 2 run double to put the Orioles ahead 4-2 in the 6th. Pirates SP LH Zach Duke(4-4.4.00) was done after 6 , allowing 9 hits & 4 runs with 2 strikeouts.
Pittsburgh pecked away at Orioles SP,RH Radhames Liz(1-0,4.32) and chased the youngster in the 7th, over 6 1/3 innings he allowed 4 hits and 4 runs with a walk and 5 strikeouts. RH Matt Albers(3-2,2.91) recorded an out and then 3b Jose Bautista hit a 3 run homer to put the Pirates up 5-4. Unfortunately, LH John Grabow(4-2,2.43) gave it back with a 2 run shot by Orioles RF Nick Markakis in the 7th.
Baltimore led 7-6 going into the 9th and turned the game over to their new star closer LH George Sherrill(2-1,3.23,22 saves). 1b turned DH Adam Laroche shocked the crowd with a 2 run homer to retake the lead for the Pirates. Pirates closer Matt Capps(0-2,2.51,16 saves) immediately gave up a solo shot to fill in 3b Oscar Salazar. A walk and steal put the winning run at 2b and C Ramon Hernandez singled him in for a thrilling Orioles victory and tough Pirates defeat.
(Co-)Stars of the Game-
Markakis & Roberts- 4 hits, 2 runs & 4 rbi between 1& 2 hitters
Pirates Notes-
Team has gone a season high 65 innings without an error….Nady,LaRoche(playing DH) and 3b Jose Bautista led the team with 2 hits….Capps blown save was his 2nd consecutive after he converted 16 to start the season… Nady jammed his shoulder in the 9th, was removed and being evaluated post game
Next Game-
Sunday, 1:35 at Camden Yards,Baltimore
Pirates LH Paul Maholm(4-5,4.55) vs Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(5-2,4.35)
