Jorge Lopez got the start for the Baltimore Orioles last night as the Birds opened a three-game set against Washington at Camden Yards. Another shortish start, however the goal is to put people in a position to succeed. By lifting Lopez when he does, Brandon Hyde is doing just that. Lopez’s line: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K.
Lopez gave up a solo homer to Bell in the fourth. He was lifted later in the inning when Hyde saw Soto on deck. Once Lopez had exited, the Orioles got out of the inning. And they didn’t trail for long after that.
The O’s would tie the game on Austin Hays’ RBI-double in the last of the fourth. Ramon Urias’ RBI-single later in the inning would score Hays. But that was only a preview.
Pat Valaika was the star of the night offensively for the Birds. He hit a solo homer in the fifth to extend the Orioles’ lead to 3-1. The O’s would also score in the sixth on a fielder’s choice by Urias’, and a sac fly-RBI by Pedro Severino.
But come the seventh inning, it was the Valaika show again. His second solo homer of the game put an exclamation point on the game, which resulted in a 6-1 win for the Birds. It was Valaika’s second multi-home run game of his career; Valaika on his effort:
I think tonight I just squared up those balls better than I have pretty much this whole year. It felt good to actually drive the ball and not see it die on the track, so hopefully I can continue that and keep it rolling.
Quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports
The series continues tonight at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Matt Harvey gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Washington’s Max Scherzer. Game time is set for just after 6:30 PM.
Birdland Crush 