There aren't many better ways to celebrate your 11th straight Opening Day start than by hitting a walkoff home run. That's just what Adam Jones did on Fernando Rodney's first pitch in the bottom of the 11th today, giving the Orioles a 3-2 win over the Twins. The longtime O's center fielder helped take the heat off of Brad Brach, who blew a save and a 2-0 lead by walking a pair and giving up a couple of singles in the ninth. Other standouts were right fielder Craig Gentry, who robbed Eddie Rosario of a home run; starting pitcher Dylan Bundy, who shut out Minnesota for seven innings on five hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts; and catcher Caleb Joseph, whose two-out, two-run triple gave the Birds their first lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Also worth noting: this was Baltimore's eighth consecutive Opening Day win, all coming under Buck Showalter's guidance. Each of the past three openers have also been walkoff wins, because the Orioles never do things the easy way.
If only every regular season game was opening day we would be untouchable
ReplyDeleteWe can dream can't we.
True confession time...I had to walk away when they were down to one strike and blew the lead. Came back later and watched the homer and heard Gary Thorne lose it about six times. Lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteAlan - Dream...maybe that's it! I wonder if the O's have tried hypnosis?
ReplyDeleteBob - I really do get a kick out of the Gary and Jim Palmer pairing.