Baltimore Orioles’ bats lift Birds over Toronto

The Baltimore Orioles used slam-bang moments from Matt Wieters and others to defeat Toronto and take two-of-three in the series.

Toronto has a very potent lineup, so you know it’s going to take everything the Baltimore Orioles and the likes of Matt Wieters has in order to win. Whether it was home runs or simply RBI, the O’s used every manner possible to score runs and win this game. And incidentally, it was a game that seemed to go on forever as a result of challenges and a 15-minute delay when the home plate umpire had to leave due to injury.

Chris Tillman gave the O’s one of those so-so starts, but he made it through five innings and qualified for the win. Tillman’s line: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 4 K. Chris Davis gave the Orioles the lead in the last of the first with an RBI-single, which was followed by Wieters’ two-run home run. However the second inning brought Toronto right back against Tillman. Tulowitzki smacked a two-run home run of his own, as did Travis. Suddenly the Birds trailed 4-3.

As I alluded above, home plate umpire Dale Scott had to leave after being hit by a foul ball in the groin area. So the game was delayed while Bob Davidson put on the gear to ump home plate. (And on a side note I certainly wish the best for Dale Scott.) Once play resumed Flaherty’s RBI-single tied the score. You have to wonder if the lengthy delay didn’t freeze Toronto a bit.

Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-4

Call to the Pen

Houston Astros: Matt Wieters actually makes sense as backup catcherCall to the Pen

Nationals: Reminiscing about Matt Wieters Game 5, 2017 NLDSDistrict on Deck

Tampa Bay Rays: Three catchers to targetCall to the Pen

Matt Wieters' 19 pitch at-bat ended in nothingFanSided

St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Wieters vs Andrew Knizner for catcherRedbird Rants

Flaherty would also add an RBI-double in the fourth, along with RBI-singles from Schoop and Jones. The O’s ran the score to 8-4 with an additional RBI-single from Wieters in the fifth, however Toronto made it interesting – as they’re apt to do. Travis smacked an RBI-double in the seventh, and Toronto put an additional run across in the inning on a Hardy error.

However the Orioles weren’t going to allow Toronto to come all the way back. Wieters tacked on an additional RBI-single in the last of the seventh, and Schoop hit a two-run homer. That ran the final to 11-6 in favor of the orange and black. This was a game where seemingly everyone contributed and everyone had a good day. It also allowed the O’s to take two-of-three from their division rivals, who took it to the Orioles last weekend in Toronto.

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?

The O’s currently find themselves in first place in the AL East by one game. Boston is in second, with Toronto now three games out of first in third place. So this was a big win yesterday for the O’s, as well as a big series win. Especially given that Toronto all but embarrassed the Birds on Friday night in the series opener. Taking two-of-three from anyone is a good thing, but especially from teams in your division who are chasing you.

Next: Baltimore Orioles, Yovani Gallardo bounce back

The O’s will now head to Texas for a one-game road trip to make up a previously rained out game. Kevin Gausman will get the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Texas’ Derek Holland. Game time is set for just after 8 PM.