O's From the Booth: Brian Roberts Returns, O's Down Bucs 8-6 in Series Opener

Even if you are not an Orioles fan you had to feel good about tonight.  

Brian Roberts made his return to the Orioles line up for the first time since May 16 of 2011 after a long recovery from concussion syndrome.  It was like a storybook for Brian tonight as he got a standing ovation from the fans as he walked to the plate. He worked the count to 3-2 and then drove a single up the middle in his first plate appearance. Roberts went on to go 3-4 with a sac fly in his return.

Brian hit a sac fly in the seventh inning to extend the Orioles lead. For those of you who really do not know what he went through please take a look at this link. This is a interview Brian did with ESPN about his recovery process back in September of 2011.

The Orioles top four hitters had 11 hits and drove in six runs. Adam Jones had four hits including a home run. Chris Davis and Mark Reynolds also homered for the O's. You could see the whole team was sparked by the return of Roberts.  

Wei-Yen Chen did his part going six-and-one-third giving up four runs on eight hits.  Kevin Gregg gave up a two-run home run in the ninth and Jason Johnson had to come on and close it out.  

Brian Roberts was interviewed after the game and said he had to hold back a tear as he made his way to the plate to the standing ovation. I almost got emotional watching it.  It was hard not to.  

This is like the Orioles getting a player they need at the trade deadline.  If he is healthy he adds so much to this team. Buck said he will pencil him in everyday as long as Brian wants to be in.  

Robert Andino will still be a big part of this team as he will fill in at second, short, third, and even left field. He is a great guy to have off the bench, especially as a pinch runner late in the game.  

The O's had to designate Steve Tolleson to Norfolk to make room for Brian and they had to put Nolan Reimold on the 60 day DL to make room on the 40 man active roster.  

Endy Chavez pulled a hamstring late in the game tonight and who knows Tolleson could be called right back up. Buck said they would have to wait until tomorrow to see how Endy feels. The same goes for tomorrow's starter Brian Matusz as he took a attempted bunt off the nose in batting practice. All x-rays were negative. He has a bruised nose.  We will see if he goes tomorrow.  He really needs to rebound after his last outing in Boston where he was just did not pitch well at all.   Lets hope the O's can ride this momentum into tomorrow's game!!  Let's Go O's!!!!!!