Game One: Orioles 4, Royals 3

- The Orioles keep winning games that they have no business winning. I can’t ever remember feeling so comfortable with a short lead or when we’re down a couple runs late in games. The Orioles were losing 3-1 entering the 9th inning and tied it up with a solo homerun from Wilson Betemit and an RBI single from JJ Hardy after Chris Davis and Xavier Avery each singled. It wasn’t until the 15th inning when the tie was broken with Adam Jones’ 12th homerun of the season. Nick Markakis doubled in a run in the 8th and also singled. Hardy would add a single, double, and a walk to his game tying hit. Nick Johnson doubled and walked.
- Tommy Hunter did a great job conserving pitches and pitching around the zone. He gave up two runs but was able to go seven innings. Troy Patton pitched a scoreless 8th and Darren O’Day a scoreless 9th. Dana Eveland came through with three clutch scoreless innings. Kevin Gregg continues to defy the odds adding two scoreless innings of his own. Jim Johnson continued his perfection in save situations with a scoreless 15th.

Player of the game: JJ Hardy – 3-6, R, RBI, BB, double (10) (.261 AVG)

Game Two: Orioles 5, Royals 3

- If it wasn’t for Josh Hamilton I think Adam Jones would be the front runner for AL MVP at this point. He hit another homerun in game two, a two run shot, and also walked. He leads the team in average, homeruns, RBI, and stolen bases. He had some help in the game as JJ Hardy stayed hot with a two RBI single to give us the lead. Chris Davis singled three times in the game, Nick Markakis singled twice. Wilson Betemit singled. Xavier Avery and Luis Exposito each walked.
- Brian Matusz gave up three runs in the 3rd inning and it looked like he might be having one of his bad starts but he was able to only allow those three runs over six innings. Him and Jake Arrieta have pretty similar stats at this point of the season except Matusz has been much more consistent. We just need him to take the next step and get more confidence. Luis Ayala, Pedro Strop, and Jim Johnson each pitched a scoreless inning. Johnson earned his 14th save of the season in as many chances.

Player of the game: Adam Jones – 1-3, BB, 2 Run HR (13) (.296 AVG)

AAA Norfolk 2, Charlotte 3

RHP Jason Berken – 5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, L (0-1) (2.12 ERA)
DH Chris Robinson – 1-2, R, BB (.270 AVG)
C Ronny Paulino – 1-3, 2 RBI, double (1) (.250 AVG)

AAA Norfolk 6, Charlotte 1

RHP Eddie Gamboa – 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 K, W (1-0) (0.00 ERA)
SS Blake Davis – 1-2, R, RBI, BB, double (2) (.186 AVG)
1B Joe Mahoney – 2-3, 3 RBI, double (6) (.247 AVG)
C Chris Robinson – 1-3, R, double (7) (.273 AVG)
DH Ronny Paulino – 2-3, RBI (.290 AVG)

AA Bowie 2, Altoona 4

RHP Oliver Drake – 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 0 BB, 6 K (1.50 ERA) – Drake was making his first start of the season. He stayed at extended spring training with an arm issue.
CF LJ Hoes – 2-4, R, double (6) (.286 AVG)
SS Manny Machado – 1-3 (.252 AVG)
C Caleb Joseph – 2-3, RBI (.268 AVG)

A+ Frederick 9, Potomac 10

LF John Ruettiger – 6-6, 2 RBI, double (1), SB (1) (.545 AVG) – Minor League Player of the Night
DH Aaron Baker – 1-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, double (6) (.190 AVG)
3B Matt Sweeney – 1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB (.257 AVG)
SS Garabez Rosa – 2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, double (2) (.200 AVG)

A Delmarva 11, Hagerstown 13

CF Glynn Davis – 1-4, R, BB, SB (12) (.267 AVG)
LF Kyle Hoppy – 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR (1) (.500 AVG)
2B Nick Delmonico – 2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, HR (3) (.265 AVG)
3B Jason Esposito – 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR (1) (.267 AVG)
RF Brenden Webb – 2-4, BB, 2 Run HR (3) (.258 AVG)

AAA Norfolk 0, Charlotte 5

RHP Chris Tillman – 5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, L (3-5) (4.79 ERA)
2B Tyler Kelly – 2-5 (.364 AVG)
DH Chris Robinson – 2-3, BB, double (6) (.264 AVG)

AA Bowie 3, Altoona 4

LHP Cole McCurry – 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (6.23 ERA)
2B Jonathon Schoop – 1-3, R, BB (.244 AVG)
3B Zelous Wheeler – 1-3, R, BB, HBP (.207 AVG)
RF Steve Bumbry – 1-4, R, double (1) (.200 AVG)

A+ Frederick 4, Potomac 5

CF Trent Mummey – 2-4, R (.218 AVG)
LF Kipp Schutz – 2-3 (.337 AVG)
DH Mike Flacco – 1-2, R, 2 RBI, HBP, double (5) (.247 AVG)
3B Matt Sweeney – 1-3, RBI (.255 AVG)

A+ Frederick 3, Potomac 4

RHP Tyler Wilson – 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 5 K (0.00 ERA) – Minor League Player of the Night
RF Jeremy Nowak – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR (1) (.311 AVG)
1B Mike Flacco – 1-3, BB (.250 AVG)
SS Garabez Rosa – 3-4, RBI, double (1) (.170 AVG)

A Delmarva 1, Lakewood 7

RHP Parker Bridwell – 4 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, L (2-2) (5.19 ERA)
CF Glynn Davis – 1-4, R, double (4) (.268 AVG)
3B Jason Esposito – 2-4, RBI, double (6) (.255 AVG)
1B Connor Narron – 3-3 (.234 AVG)

Game One: Orioles 5, Yankees 8

- Jason Hammel made his first start in a while since his knee was bothering him. You could tell he was a little rusty as he gave up five runs (four earned) over five innings. He walked three and gave up seven hits while striking out three. Luis Ayala wasn’t on his A game either giving up two runs over the 6th and 7th innings. Dana Eveland came in out of the bullpen after making a spot start against the Rays and gave up a run over 1.2 innings. Darren O’Day struck out the only batter he faced in the 9th.
- Xavier Avery had a game of firsts. He got his first hit, hitting a double in the bottom of the 1st inning. He scored his first run when JJ Hardy singled him in. He also drove in his first run later in the game when he tripled in Robert Andino. Hardy also hit a two run homer in the 5th. Adam Jones singled and doubled and drove in a run. Matt Wieters singled and walked, as did Andino. Nick Markakis and Wilson Betemit each singled. Nick Johnson walked twice.

Player of the game: JJ Hardy – 2-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR (9) (.245 AVG)

Game Two: Orioles 5, Yankees 2

- Wei-Yin Chen was great yet again, holding the Yankees to two runs over seven innings. It was his second go round against New York, making it all the more impressive. Pedro Strop walked the first two batters he faced in the 8th but got out of it, ending the inning with a double play. Jim Johnson also got a double play in the 9th, to end the game and give him his 12th save of the season. It was his 20th consecutive save in as many chances.
- Adam Jones hit a solo homerun in the 2nd inning. He also singled, walked, stole a base, aand scored on a wild pitch. JJ Hardy drove in two runs with a single and a double. Steve Tolleson also singled and doubled in the game. Xavier Avery worked the first walk of his career and he also had a clutch bunt base hit. Matt Wieters doubled and Robert Andino singled. Wilson Betemit and Bill Hall each walked. The Orioles gave CC Sabathia his first loss of the season.

Player of the game: Wei-Yin Chen – 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, W (4-0) (2.45 ERA)

Game One: Orioles 4, Rays 3

- Dana Eveland got called up from AAA Norfolk to start game one of the series. He was wild, walking six batters, but he managed to get through six innings only allowing three runs. Darren O’Day, Pedro Strop, and Jim Johnson combined to pitch three perfect innings to close it out. Johnson recorded his 10th save of the season.
- The offense again relied on the long ball. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis each hit solo shots and Nick Johnson of all people hit the game winning two run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning. He also singled and walked. Markakis also singled in the game. Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis each singled. Robert Andino walked.

Player of the game: Nick Johnson – 2-2, BB, 2 Run HR (1) (.163 AVG)

Game Two: Orioles 5, Rays 3

- Brian Matusz looked great before tiring in the 6th inning. He gave up two runs (both in the 6th) over 5.2 innings with five strikeouts. Luis Ayala pitched a perfect 1.1 innings, Pedro Strop tossed a perfect 8th inning, and Jim Johnson earned his 11th save with a perfect 9th.
- The Rays defense might’ve been more responsible for the Orioles offense than our hitters were. They committed five errors in the game. Adam Jones drove in two runs with two singles, Steve Tolleson drove in a run on a double, and Bill Hall hit a solo homerun for an insurance run in the 8th inning. Hall also walked after being called up from AAA Norfolk. Robert Andino and JJ Hardy each singled. Nick Markakis walked twice. Matt Wieters and Wilson Betemit each also walked in the game.

Player of the game: Adam Jones – 2-4, R, 2 RBI (.294 AVG)

Game Three: Orioles 8, Rays 9

- Jake Arrieta struggled mightily in this game against a weak Tampa Bay offense. He gave up seven runs on ten hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 3.2 innings. He just had nothing going and was up in the zone all day. Kevin Gregg finished the 4th and pitched a scoreless 5th inning. Troy Patton was great, striking out six batters over three innings. Unfortunately that third inning was pushing it and he gave up back to back solo homeruns. It was the longest outing of the season for Patton and Buck Showalter got a little greedy trying to save some of the bullpen. Darren O’Day pitched a perfect 9th.
- The Orioles were down 7-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th inning and almost pulled off an epic comeback. Nick Markakis doubled in a run and then scored on Matt Wieters’two run homer. Markakis doubled again in the 7th, scoring two more runs. Nick Johnson hit a solo homerun in the 8th and a run scored in the 9th after an error following Adam Jones’single. Wieters hit a hard ground ball down the third base line but the third baseman made a tough play to end the game. Chris Davis had an RBI single in the 2nd inning. Xavier Avery made his major league debut after being called up from AAA Norfolk but went 0-4.

Player of the game: Nick Markakis – 2-4, R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 doubles (7) (.254 AVG)

AA Bowie 3, Altoona 7

RHP Bobby Bundy – 4.2 IP, 6 H, 7 ER, BB, 2 K, L (2-6) (5.27 ERA)
2B Jonathon Schoop – 2-5 (.242 AVG)
CF LJ Hoes – 2-4, R, triple (2) (.281 AVG)
1B Brandon Waring – 2-4, R, RBI, double (11) (.289 AVG)
C Caleb Joseph – 1-2, 2 RBI (.257 AVG)

A+ Frederick 4, Potomac 1

RHP Kyle SImon – 5 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 5 K, W (1-6) (5.05 ERA) – Minor League Player of the Night
CF Trent Mummey – 1-3, solo HR (1) (.196 AVG)
RF Jeremy Nowak – 1-3, R, double (4) (.305 AVG)
LF Kipp Schutz – 2-3, R, RBI, double (3) (.326 AVG)
DH Mike Flacco – 1-2, R, RBI, BB, double (4), SB (5) (.241 AVG)

A Delmarva 8, Lakewood 7

CF Glynn Davis – 1-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, triple (1) (.268 AVG)
LF Mike Planeta – 2-4, 2 R, BB (.382 AVG)
2B Nick Delmonico – 1-4, R, RBI, BB, double (10) (.264 AVG)
RF Brenden Webb – 2-4, 2 RBI, double (10) (.256 AVG)
SS Mychal Givens – 2-4, R (.190 AVG)

AAA Norfolk 0, Indianapolis 1

RHP Steve Johnson – 8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 8 K, L (1-3) (2.74 ERA) – Minor League Player of the Night
LF Jamie Hoffman – 2-4, double (8) (.250 AVG)
2B Bobby Stevens – 1-3, double (1) (.111 AVG)
3B Tyler Kelly – 1-3, double (1) (.333 AVG) – Kelly and Stevens were promoted to fill out Norfolk’s roster after they lost some players to the Orioles.

A Delmarva 1, Lakewood 4

RHP Dylan Bundy – 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (0.00 ERA) – This was Bundy’s longest performance of the season. He gave up another unearned run and only struck out three batters but was still dominant.
RF Brenden Webb – 3-4, double (9) (.248 AVG)

AAA Norfolk 2, Indianapolis 0

LHP Rick Zagone – 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 6 K, W (1-0) (0.00 ERA) – Minor League Player of the Night - Zagone was promoted from A+ Frederick for this start.
C Chris Robinson – 1-3, R (.246 AVG)
1B Joe Mahoney – 2-3, R, 2 RBI, double (5), HR (3) (.250 AVG)

AA Bowie 4, Richmond 5

RHP Tim Bascom – 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, K, L (2-2) (4.87 ERA)
1B Brandon Waring – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR (6) (.282 AVG)
SS Manny Machado – 2-4, R, RBI, double (11) (.262 AVG)
LF Robbie Widlansky – 1-3, R, RBI (.257 AVG)

A+ Frederick 6, Wilmington 5

3B Matt Sweeney – 2-3, 2 R, BB, double (10) (.260 AVG)
C Adam Davis – 2-3, 2 R (.667 AVG)
2B Michael Rooney – 1-2, RBI, BB, double (3) (.175 AVG)

A Delmarva 6, Kannapolis 5

RHP Miguel Chalas – 5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K (8.34 ERA)
CF Glynn Davis – 2-5, R, RBI, BB (.269 AVG)
3B Jason Esposito – 2-6, R, RBI, double (5) (.260 AVG)
C Justin Dalles – 3-4, BB (.395 AVG)
2B Sammie Starr – 2-5, R, RBI (.257 AVG)

AAA Norfolk 4, Indianapolis 5

RHP Jason Berken – 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (1.55 ERA)
2B Ryan Adams – 2-4, double (10) (.210 AVG)
LF Jamie Hoffman – 3-7, 2 R, triple (1) (.250 AVG)
RF Jai Miller – 2-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, double (9), HR (4) (.238 AVG)
C Ronny Paulino – 2-7, RBI (.286 AVG)
1B Joe Mahoney – 2-6 (.241 AVG)

AA Bowie 0, Richmond 2

RHP Zach Clark – 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, K, L (2-3) (4.12 ERA)
2B Jonathon Schoop – 2-3, BB (.243 AVG)
SS Manny Machado – 1-4, double (10) (.254 AVG)
1B Buck Britton – 2-4 (.322 AVG)

A+ Frederick 4, Wilmington 7

RHP Mike Wright – 6 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, L (4-2) (3.35 ERA)
1B Mike Flacco – 2-4, R, RBI (.234 AVG)
LF Kipp Schutz – 1-4, 2 RBI, double (2) (.316 AVG)
CF Mike Planeta – 1-3, R, double (2) (.146 AVG)

A Delmarva 1, Kannapolis 2

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez – 6 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K (2.42 ERA) – Minor League Player of the Night
CF Glynn Davis – 2-4, R, double (3) (.264 AVG)
3B Jason Esposito – 2-4, RBI, double (4) (.256 AVG)
DH Justin Dalles – 2-4 (.359 AVG)

RHP Chris Tillman – 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 9 K, L (3-4) (4.75 ERA)
CF Xavier Avery – 2-4 (.273 AVG)
LF Jamie Hoffman – 2-4, SB (5) (.239 AVG)
DH Chris Robinson – 1-3, BB (.268 AVG)
SS Blake Davis – 2-3 (.220 AVG)

AA Bowie 1, Richmond 6

LHP Cole McCurry – 6 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, BB, 3 K, L (0-6) (6.48 ERA)
2B Jonathon Schoop – 1-3, RBI (.232 AVG)
SS Manny Machado – 1-3 (.254 AVG)

A+ Frederick 5, Wilmington 6

RHP Scott Copeland – 5 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, L (1-3) (5.91 ERA)
2B Tyler Kelly – 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR (3) (.281 AVG) – Minor League Player of the Night
LF Kipp Schutz – 1-3, R, BB (.320 AVG)
DH Aaron Baker – 1-3, BB, 2 Run HR (5) (.212 AVG)

A Delmarva 3, Kannapolis 9

RHP Tyler Wilson – 5 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, L (3-3) (5.06 ERA)
3B Jason Esposito – 1-3, R, BB (.248 AVG)
RF Brenden Webb – 1-3, 3 RBI, BB, double (8) (.240 AVG)