W – Rafael Perez (3-2, 7.86) L – Jim Johnson (3-5, 3.17)
Heres what I said about Jim Johnson on Wednesday night’s game recap: “It wasn’t a save situation but JJ got the job done once again. Hes stepped into the closers role quite effectively since we traded George Sherrill, despite not having many save chances.” Well I completely jinxed him because he entered the 9th inning last night with the Orioles up by one… and he gave up a 2 run homerun with two outs and a full count to Andy Marte. Its his first blown save, we’ll see how he reacts next time out. Before that happened David Hernandez pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 4. Chris Ray closed the gap with a scoreless 7th and Danys Baez allowed a run in the 8th.
Melvin Mora had a big game. I didn’t know it was possible anymore, but apparently it is because he had 3 hits including a solo homerun in the 2nd inning. The other hits were singles. We tied the game up at 2 in the 5th thanks to a throwing error on Indians second baseman Luis Valbuena. We took the lead in the 6th on an RBI double by Luke Scott and extended it in the 7th when Matt Wieters hit his 5th homerun of the season, a solo shot. Of course that lead didn’t hold, but it was a valiant effort. Felix Pie had a pair of singles and Robert Andino singled and walked.
Player of the game: Melvin Mora (3-4, 2 R, RBI, HR (5) (.259 AVG))
The O’s will try to get a lead and keep it tonight with Jason Berken (3-11, 6.49) on the mound. The Indians will do the same with Fausto Carmona (3-8, 5.92).
