The Baltimore Orioles sent John Means to the mound at Yankee Stadium tonight, hoping to salvage one in the Bronx. Means in essence played the role of set up man, given how long he was in the game. Means’ line: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K.
Brandon Hyde would lift means with two outs in the fifth I thought that was a mistake, however it worked out for the Orioles. But in general that’s one criticism I’d make of Hyde. Ultimately however KC he’s the manager and he knows the game.
New York took the lead in the third on an RBI-single by Hicks. However one inning later the game was tied after Cedric Mullins‘ solo homer. It was a ball that just kept carrying, and that made it over the wall.
Later in the inning the O’s took their first lead of the series on another solo homer – this time by Anthony Santander. And this homer was no cheapie. It would have been a homer in most parks.
And heat lead held up for the O’s, until the final moments of regulation, appeared to have things under control. However in the last of the eighth Urshela sent a double to left field. It ticked off the glove of Ryan Mountcastle, allowing a run to score.
It’s defensive miscues like that which will do you in. Mountcastle’s a rookie, and he’ll learn from this. However the fact is that these games count. Luckily however, the Birds stopped the blessing and allowed only the one additional run.
The teams swapped runs in the tenth, and come the eleventh the Birds were set to take the lead back. Chance Sisco pinch hit in the eleventh, and of course under MLB’s extra inning rules, each inning begins with a runner on second. As a result, Sisco’s RBI-single put the Birds back in the driver’s seat with a 4-3 lead. And a 4-3 win.
The win snaps a 12-game losing streak for the O’s at Yankee Stadium. But it was also a big win for the player’s mindset. “Just win baby!”
The Orioles now head for home in anticipation of tomorrow’s home opener at Camden Yards against the Boston Red Sox. Matt Harvey gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Eduardo Rodriguez. First pitch is set for just after 3 PM.
Birdland Crush 