Baltimore Orioles: Pedro Alvarez runs the south side of Chicago

Pedro Alvarez continued his hot streak smacking two home runs as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the ChiSox 7-5.

Last night on the south side of Chicago…baddest part of town, the ChiSox needed to best beware of Pedro Alvarez and the Baltimore Orioles. Alvarez has quietly become one of the hottest hitters in the league of late, hitting home runs in his last five games – including last night. However odds are he was less popular than a man named Leroy Brown in the minds of most of the fans walking out of the ballpark after last night’s game.

Okay enough with the corny references to my favorite Jim Croce song – for now. Alvarez’s effort was complimented by quality starting pitching, provided by Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo’s line: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K. Gallardo pitched-to-contact, which induced a lot of balls being put in play.

Alvarez’s first homer came in the second inning, and it was a solo shot – giving the Birds a 1-0 lead. One thing however that’s been absent since the all-star break has been big innings. The Orioles have put up a run here and a run there, but nary any big innings for the most part. That changed so to speak last night.

Reviewing the Brew

In the top of the third they ran the score to 3-0 on Manny Machado‘s RBI-double. Mark Trumbo added an RBI-single later in the inning, and suddenly the O’s held a 4-0 lead over the ChiSox. If there’s one vastly important thing that came out of this game aside from Alvarez being the headline, it was the big inning. It might just signal that Oriole bats are coming back in full, just in time for the stretch run.

Chicago would get on the board in the fourth with a solo home run by Abreu, and an RBI-double by Garcia. That cut the Orioles’ lead in half at 4-2, but Oriole pitching kept it right there for the time being. It wasn’t until the eighth that the Birds kind of put it away, starting with Alvarez’s second solo homer of the night. Hardy would add an RBI-single, and Jones a sac fly-RBI, giving the O’s a 7- lead.

But how safe could that lead be? Chicago put three runs on the board in the last of the eighth, including two on a Schoop throwing error. However aside from that, the Orioles’ pen didn’t break. The Birds closed out the game with a 7-5 victory, taking game one of three from the ChiSox.

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When this Orioles’ offense is really cooking I believe that it’s best aspect is that everyone seems to find a way to contribute. Whether it’s by sac fly-RBI, or home runs, everyone’s doing something – including Pedro Alvarez. As I said, his rise to being so hot of late has been very quiet. And I suspect that the Orioles don’t have an issue with that, as you almost want other teams to underestimate your players.

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The series continues tonight with game two. Chris Tillman will get the ball for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Chicago’s Carlos Rodon. Game time is set for just after 7 PM…on the south side of Chicago, baddest part of town.