The Right Kind of Win

The Orioles pulled off a really fine win this evening with an 8-6 victory in 10 innings over the Red Sox – doing so in a fashion they’ve been unable to accomplish for much of the year. Here are the reasons:

1. It is always sweet to beat Boston.

2. It is even sweeter to beat them at Fenway!

3. The Orioles scored all 8 runs without a home run. Of the Orioles 15 hits, 13 were singles – with only a Wieters double and a Hardy triple.

4. The Sox scored 2 runs in 3 different innings – including the bottom of the 9^th – and each time the Orioles responded in the following frame by putting runs of the board.

5. The Orioles were 8 for 17 with runners in scoring position!

6. Players up and down the Orioles’ lineup contributed.

7. Though Jim Johnson blew his first save since Obama was a baby, the Orioles did not fold.

8. Did I mention it is sweet to beat the Red Sox?  AND – it was a Jon Lester game. And though he is still 14-0 against the Birds, the tide is changing.

June 5, 2012; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) hits an RBI single against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

This is a game that could well have gone the other way multiple times. Surely it would have with other recent Orioles teams (haven’t we said that a lot this year?). This game could have been a total back-breaker on the season … regaining a lead, Johnson having the Sox down to a final strike in the 9^th – only to give up a game-tying 2-run homer, etc., etc.

Sweet!

Check back in the morning for Domenic’s take on the game.

Twitter: @osayorioles