The Orioles started Friday night off ominously, failing to score a single run in the bottom of the first inning despite loading the bases with nobody out. New Cardinals starter Justin Masterson, acquired at the trade deadline in a deal with Cleveland, struck out Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis, then got J.J. Hardy to bounce out to third base, escaping his precarious jam.
O’s fans grumbled and settled in for what we assumed would be another frustrating, nail-biting night.
However, that was not to be the case.
Undeterred, the Birds came right back out hacking at Masterson in the second. A Ryan Flaherty single, David Lough sacrifice bunt, and Nick Hundley RBI single later, and the orange birds had a 1-0 lead on the red birds. Nick Markakis drew a walk, then things started to get REALLY fun.
Manny Machado blasted the first Birds dinger of the night, putting the good guys up 4-0.
J.J. Hardy led off the bottom of the third with a home run of his own, making the score 5-0. The O’s once again loaded the bases with nobody out after that, and once again they failed to produce a run. Ah well…better to appreciate the runs you have than lament the ones you don’t, I always say. Er, that’s what I always say when the score is 5-0 Orioles, anyway.
Fortunately, the missed opportunity didn’t hurt, nor did it linger long in our minds.
In the fourth, Hardy went yard for the second time, this one a three-run shot, and the O’s led 8-0.
They weren’t done yet.
In the fifth, Adam Jones joined the party, hitting his 22nd of the season. In the sixth, Chris Davis and Ryan Flaherty followed suit, putting the O’s up 12-0.
Take a look-see:
Chris Tillman took the lead he was given and ran with it, cruising through 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball (4 H, 1 BB, 7 K) before giving up a two-run home run to the final batter he faced, A.J. Pierzynski.
Brian Matusz and Brad Brach mopped things up, and the O’s won 12-2 in front of a sellout crowd.
Fortunately, the O’s staff really stocked up on the fireworks, because even after setting them off six times for home runs, they had another show to put on. Following the game, the Orioles celebrated their 60th Anniversary, and it was a thing of beauty. Words aren’t enough…watch for yourself:
Thank you, Orioles – past players, current players, present coaches/players, staff, everyone – for a night Birdland will never forget.
Now let’s go get this series!
