Happy Mother's Day again to all the mothers out there. The Orioles almost sent everyone home happy Sunday. This is the kind of loss that you can take a lot of positive out of.
They fell down early as Jake Arrieta struggled early and often. He just did not have his good stuff today and did not make it out of the fourth inning. He was tagged for 7 earned runs, 10 hits, and 2 walks. He did manage 6 strikeouts.
This team fell behind one of the more dominant pitchers in the game, James Shields, 7-1. They did not roll over by any means. Matt Wieters jacked a 2 run home run bringing them to within 3 at 7-4. The O's chased Shields after 7 1/3.
Find out what's happening in Anne Arundelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Nick Markakis added a 2 run double in the 7th to make it 7-6. The Rays tacked on two more in the 8th to make it 9-6. Nick Johnson added a solo shot in the O's half of the 8th to make it 8-7.
What everyone thought may be a pitchers dual today turned into a slug fest. The O's made it real interesting in the 9th.
Find out what's happening in Anne Arundelfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Flaherty lead off with a single. Betemit struck out pinch hitting for Avery. Hardy reached on a fielders choice. Now there were two outs but the O's were not done yet. Hardy advanced to 2nd on a defensive indifference with Markakis batting. Markakis then walks.
Adam Jones then hits a chopper to 3rd, and Sean Rodriguez tries to make spectacular play but Pena could not handle the throw at 1st and the ball goes past him into short left field. Hardy scored, Markakis advanced to 3rd and Jones to 2nd.
This brought Matt Wieters to the plate who had already doubled and homered in the game and now a chance to tie or win it. This was real drama. The crowd was going crazy!! Wieters hits a sharp ground ball to 3rd baseman's Sean Rodriguez back hand side. Rodriguez almost mishandled and then took a little extra time to throw to first. His throw went into the dirt but this time Pena was able to dig it out and the game was over.
The Rays were saved by the bell. The O's battled all the way back and were within a single of winning the game. This team never gives up. They just continue to fight. They took 2/3 in this battle for the top spot in the east and came out 1 game up with the Yankees coming to town for a short two game series. How great it would be to sweep this little series before heading on the road. Go O's!!!!
