Bruce Zimmermann started his third game during the Baltimore Orioles’ losing streak this evening at Camden Yards. And the third time was the charm in Charm City, as the Birds snapped their 14-game losing streak. They also snapped a 16-game losing streak to Minnesota. Zimmermann’s line: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K.
The O’s got ahead early in the last of the first, when Trey Mancini smacked an RBI-single. However two innings later Minnesota would tie it at one on solo homer. But the Birds had just begun to fight.
And fight they did. Mancini and Freddy Galvis each smacked RBI-singles. DJ Stewart grounded into a fielder’s choice which allowed a third run to score. Ryan Mountcastle would add an RBI-double, and the O’s held a 5-1 lead when the smoke cleared.
And they weren’t finished yet. Pedro Severino smacked a solo homer an inning later in the fourth. Maikel Franco would also add a solo shot in the sixth.
Minnesota would challenge, though. As I said yesterday, long losing streaks don’t go away willingly. They tend to linger and fight to stay alive. Minnesota would bet runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Once they even left the bases loaded. The Birds came out ahead each time.
In short, the bullpen bent but didn’t break. Which is a good thing. They limited the damage each time they found themselves in a pickle, and helped propel the Birds to victory. And again, that snapped a 14-game losing streak.
The series concludes tomorrow night at Camden Yards. Matt Harvey gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Randy Dobnak. (On a side note, Harvey is starting on short rest. This will be akin to a side session for him “, but it’ll be in real games. He’s expected to pitch approximately 2-3 innings before turning it over to the bullpen.) Game time is set just before 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 