Orioles Win Weekend Beltway Series

Baltimore secured the initial round of bragging rights in the 2008 Beltway Battle with DC’s Nationals winning the first two but dropping the third in the weekend series.

All games close, all games fun, and most importantly, two of three to the Orioles in this year’s edition of the young regional rivalry. 

With scores of 5-3, 6-5, and the losing side of 2-1 the storyline is evident in the Orioles offense – or lack of. 

Alex Cintron got his first starts of the season Saturday and Sunday and delighted Orioles fans going 4 for 6 over the two days.  This kind of production could provide a challenge to Freddy Bynum’s hold of the shortstop position.

Injured catcher Ramon Hernandez made his less than triumphant return hitting just 1 for 8 on the weekend. 

Guthrie took another hard loss on the season when the bats couldn’t get him any support in Sunday’s wet bicycle-to-the-stadium series finale.  The offense just didn’t have the horses to get something going in the last game of the home stand.

Coming up next, the Birds fly north to the Bronx to take on the Yankees Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. 

The Yanks have descended further into the basement losing their series against the Mets and going three and seven in their last ten while the Orioles are only two and a half out of first. 

(Saturday Box Score)  (Sunday Box Score)

(AP Photo)
Topics: Orioles , Shortstop , Jeremy Guthrie , Ramon Hernandez , Alex Cintron , Battle of the Beltway