Baltimore Orioles, Adam Jones break out the brooms

It’s tough to sweep someone in a series, especially within your division. Yet that’s exactly what the Baltimore Orioles managed to do this week vs. Boston, capped off by last night’s 6-5 win. The Orioles hit three home runs in the game, including another off the bat of Adam Jones, all while getting clutch pitching when they needed it.

Chris Tillman was able to record his second win in as many starts, and he complimented Oriole bats nicely. Tillman’s line:5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Tillman had great defense behind him from the very beginning, as Dustin Pedroia‘s lead off home run attempt fell into the leaping Nolan Reimold‘s glove. Hanley Ramirez would later send a tight grounder down the third base line, which somehow found Manny Machado‘s glove and he was thrown out. 

Live Feed

SoDo Mojo

But it was the bats that won this game. Adam Jones gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in

Courtesy of Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

the last of the first with a solo homer, a lead that was extended to 2-0 on inning later on Steve Pearce‘s RBI-single. However in the third, the O’s suddenly found themselves with a 3-0 lead – after a solo home run by Nolan Reimold, his first of 2015.

Delmon Young would also add an RBI-single, however Tillman struggled in the fourth. He loaded the bases with nobody out, before inducing a David Ortiz pop out to shallow left field (not deep enough to score a run). Mike Napoli would put Boston on the board with a sac fly-RBI, which cut the lead to 4-1.

However the real damage in the inning was done by Pablo Sandoval. His two-RBI double cut the Orioles lead to 4-3. Luckily however for the O’s, Tillman was able to limit any further damage and the Birds got out of the inning with the lead. 

More from Orioles News

• Baltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal Givens
• Gunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam Fastballs
• Which Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?
• Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB News
• Should the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?

However the O’s woud seize the upper hand once again in the last of the inning, as Manny Machado sent a deep shot over the wall in left, the Orioles’ third homer of the season. After the inning Boston manager John Farrell informed starter Wade Riley that he would be inserting a reliver in the fifth. Riley proceeded to verbally undress Farrell in the dugout, before angrily walking towards the clubhouse. And I’m not a fan of that type of attitude; no matter how bad he may be, the manager is still the manager. In a public setting, he needs to be shown respect.

The Orioles and Boston would exchange runs in the sixth and seventh, with Xander Bogaerts netting an RBI-single, and Matt Wieters a sac fly-RBI. David Ortiz would add a solo homer for Boston in the eighth, however Zach Britton would shut down Boston bats in the ninth to record a win for the Orioles. 

So as tough as it is to sweep (in your division or otherwise), the Orioles managed to do it this week by virtue of tonight’s win. The Orioles also made a roster move prior to the game, sending Miguel Gonzalez to the DL with a strained groin and recalling Mike Wright from Norfolk. Wright is currently in the bullpen, however he’s also a candidate to take Gonzalez’s turn in the rotation on Sunday – if he doesn’t get into a game before then as a reliever. If he does end up coming in out of the bullpen, the O’s will need another starter on Sunday.

The Orioles now open up a three-game set with New York starting tomorrow night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Ubaldo Jimenez will get the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by New York’s Michael Pineda. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

Next: Baltimore Orioles possibly sending Miguel Gonzalez to the DL

More from Birds Watcher

• Baltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal Givens
• Gunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam Fastballs
• Which Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?
• Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB News
• Should the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?