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Baltimore Orioles best DC in Beltway Series opener

By Domenic A. Vadala|
Aug 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) swings during the second inning at-bat against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Washington Nationals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) swings during the second inning at-bat against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Washington Nationals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles defeated Washington 4-3 to win the opening game of the Battle of the Beltway last night at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Whether you call it the Beltway Series, the Battle of the Beltway, or the MASN Cup, the Baltimore Orioles won the first installment of games with Washington last night. While the Birds only put four runs on the board, it was a game that seemed to follow the traditional script of Oriole wins as opposed to some of the games we’ve seen of late that got out of control. And that was a welcome sight for fans – from around the 695 Beltway, that is.

Dylan Bundy tossed six solid innings and left his team in a great position to win the game. Bundy’s line: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K. At times Bundy seemed to employ the same strategy that Houston used against the Orioles this past weekend; changeups against this hard-swinging team will get you to where you need to be.

Washington took an early 1-0 lead on Murphy’s RBI-single in the first inning. That came following a lead off walk, which is never good. However Bundy quickly righted himself and minimized the damage. The Birds were actually held hitless until the last of the third when Jonathan Schoop broke that up with a solo home run to tie the game at one. The ball went clear over the foul pole, and was upheld on instant replay. 

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    • So as fans from around the beltway settled in for a great game between the region’s two teams, the O’s searched for a way to get the lead. However it was Washington who got it back almost immediately the following inning on Rendon’s solo homer. Was it possible that the Orioles were not only letting their season slip away, but their grasp on the hearts and minds of the mid-Atlantic region?

    Luckily for the Birds, their “beltway bats” came springing to life in the last of the fourth. Following a Machado lead off double Chris Davis smacked an RBI-double to tie the game at two. That brought Mark Trumbo to the plate, and he did what he’s done 37 other times this year – smacked a home run. This of course was of the two-run variety, and that gave the O’s a 4-2 lead.

    Washington would net one additional run in the seventh on Espinoza’s solo homer, however Mychal Givens would retire them in order following that home run. However it cut the Orioles’ lead to one at 4-3. Washington would also put the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position with two outs in the eighth, however Brad Brach dramatically struck out Zimmerman swinging to end the threat. 

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    This was a big win for the Orioles, and not just from the perspective of the Battle of the Beltway. As I said, it seemed to follow a more traditional script in terms of the ebb and flow of the game. This as opposed to Houston (and before them Boston) hanging some crooked numbers on the O’s over the course of the past week or so. The Orioles are at their best when they follow that script of decent starting pitching, and the utilization of the bullpen in a certain manner.

    Just as a reminder, these four games with Washinton are considered two different series’. The “695 Beltway series” ends tonight, and tomorrow begins the “495 Beltway series.” Incidentally, which Beltway is better? I’m a fan of neither, but ANYTHING’s better than that eight lane death strip called 495! Incidentally, keep in mind that when the series in Washington begins tomorrow the Orioles will surrender their DH and play by NL rules.

    Next: Baltimore Orioles battle rain, Houston in loss

    This short series concludes tonight as I said above. Kevin Gausman will get the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Reynaldo Lopez. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.

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