Baltimore Orioles’ comeback started with an Adam Jones catch

A leaping catch by Adam Jones in the outfield sparked a comeback which allowed the Baltimore Orioles to defeat Tampa 8-6, sweeping the twin bill.

One could look at Chris Davis or Matt Wieters having a big night which led to the Baltimore Orioles defeating Tampa 8-6 last night – but in reality it was sparked by Adam Jones. Starter Chris Tillman was seemingly on the ropes, and the Birds trailed 4-0. Mind you, the O’s had already won the first game of the doubleheader, so it wouldn’t have been tragic to drop this one. However when Tampa’s Decker hit what would have been a three-run homer, Jones brought it back into the park.

That would have been a back-breaking home run for the Orioles, as they would have then trailed 7-0. It’s hard enough to come back from 4-0 down, but 7-0 is another story. I said at the time that if the Birds managed to come back to win, don’t forget that catch.

As I alluded above, Tillman struggled in this game with his command. You can accept that from a pitcher like Tillman on occasion given his track record this year. Tillman’s line: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K. After three innings, Tillman had the O’s down 4-0, including a bases-loaded walk to score the fourth run.

SoDo Mojo

However as I said, a play like Jones’ to end the third can sometimes spark a team. In this case, it seemed to wake the Orioles up. Joey Rickard got them on the board in the last of the third with an RBI-single. One inning later Wieters’ two-run homer put them right back into the game as they trailed 4-3.

However for a split second it looked like Tampa was having none of the Orioles’ comeback antics. Miller’s RBI-double and Arcia’s sac fly-RBI in the fifth put them back up by three. While this Tampa team is really down right now, they’re still scrappy.

The fifth and sixth innings brought solo home runs by Jones and Davis, and the O’s were back to within one. Jones would come back up in the last of the seventh, and his RBI-single tied the game at six. And the comeback was on; later in the inning Davis’ RBI-single gave the Birds a 7-6 lead. And just for good measure, Wieters would add a home run in the last of the eighth as the O’s notched yet another comeback victory – this one at 8-6.

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?

I maintain that Jones’ catch sparked the O’s and saved the game back in the third inning Joey Rickard was in right field and he had a great view of the play. And he echoed the sentiments of how impressive it was (quote courtesy of Steve Melewski, MASNsports):

"It looked like it would be impossible to get there. That is why he is who he is. You never know what to expect. Almost seems kind of routine for him these days, but really it was amazing. A game changer, that is for sure."

It’s never just one thing that allows a team to win a game. However that catch by Jones was a spark, needless to say. The Orioles appeared tired and somewhat listless to that point. Once that catch was made and the logs started rolling, the Orioles were the Orioles again.

Next: Baltimore Orioles' Kevin Gausman wins his first game of 2016

The Birds will go for the four-game sweep today, which would be their first ever four-game sweep of Tampa. Tyler Wilson will get the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Tampa’s Drew Smyly. Game time is set for just after 1:30 PM.