Walk-Off Wednesday: Manny Machado wins it in the 12th inning

Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles are known for magical walk-off moments each season in Camden Yards. The 2014 season was no exception to this. On July 29th, fans were treated to an extra inning thriller in which Manny Machado won the game for the Orioles 7-6 in 12 innings.

This was a back-and-forth type of game with both starters only pitching five complete innings.

After getting behind 1-0 in the top of the first inning, Adam Jones evened up the score with a two out, solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, with runners on first and second, J.J. Hardy found the hole in the left side of the infield and Nelson Cruz was able to score from second base.

After the Angels were able to regain the lead in the top of the second inning, Manny Machado tied the score up 3-3 with an RBI double. Heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Angels led 4-3. That is until Nick Markakis stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second and only one out. Markakis hita line-drive three-run homer that just barely hit the bottom of the right field foul pole.

In the seventh inning, a costly mental mistake by Ryan Flaherty not covering second allowed the Angels to score the tying run. With the score 6-6, the game went into extra innings.

In the top of the 12th inning, the Angels had a runner on first with two outs when Josh Hamilton hit a double into right-center field. The double should have been able to score the runner from first, but luckily for the Orioles, Albert Pujols was the runner on first and his lack of speed forced him to stop at third base. The next batter lined out to Steve Pearce at first base and the Angels’ scoring threat was over.

Machado led off the bottom of the 12th inning, and with a 1-2 count, Machado waited on a 76 mph breaking ball and then drove it deep into the left field seats. This was Machado’s first career walk-off home run.

The walk-off home run was sweet, but the reaction of the fan who caught the ball was even sweeter as he threw both hands up in jubilation and screamed to the Heavens that Machado won the game for the Orioles.

And as an Orioles tradition, Machado was pied by Adam Jones during the post game interview with broadcaster Gary Thorne.