Baltimore O's Examiner

Orioles Complete Sweep

There were no heroics needed on Thursday night at the Yard in a 7-5 win for the Birds.  For the first time in the series, the Orioles took a lead and held it through the last 5 innings of the ballgame.  That’s not to say things didn’t get dicey. 

Alex Cintron must really like those come from behind games.  In the top of the ninth he looked like he wanted to let the Astros tie the score.  On a tailor made double play comebacker to the pitcher, Sarfate turned to second and made an iffy throw low to Cintron who couldn’t manage to get his glove on the ball. 

The infielder got the ‘E’ and deservedly so – that’s a ball a shortstop has to come up with and at least get one of the outs.  Cintron then went on to misplay a chop base hit that may or may not have been playable, but the shortstop did not put himself in a position to make a play in any case. 

2 runs scored in the top of the ninth because of Cintron. 

As Trembley said, “We got a little sloppy there at the end."  But the bottom line from the Skip: “When you get a sweep, I don't care if it's easy, hard, indifferent or whatever, you'll take it”. 

It turns out that the impact Cintron made with the bat on Thursday night outweighed the impact he made with his fielding.  The shortstop was 3 for 4 on the night, scoring 2 runs and recording an RBI - himself, on a solo shot in the 4^th off of Chacon.

The homerun came after another solo blast from Ramon Hernandez, and put the Orioles ahead where they’d stay for the remainder of the night. 

The O’s got plenty more offense to capitalize on Chacon again in the 5^th.  This time for 3 runs that would secure the win.

Chacon and Burres both put their share of runners on base.  Chacon gave up 8 hits and 4 walks on 5 innings and Burres allowed 7 hits and 2 walks over 5 and 2/3.  They both looked hittable.  Burres just found ways to get out of trouble and Orioles bats wouldn’t give Chacon that chance. 

That kind of pitching vulnerability may not fly as the Orioles head out on a 9 game interleague road trip.  First up are the surging Milwaukee Brewers with Prince Fielder who looks to be regaining his power after a weak start. 

The big first baseman has 2 homeruns in his last 3 games and is batting .322 in the month of June.  The Brewers are in the midst of a 4 game winning streak and are 7 for their last 10, 39-33 overall, as they make a move in the tough NL Central.

Score: 7-5 Orioles, (Box Score)

Next Game: @Milwaukee 8:05pm Fri, Liz (1-0) vs. Suppan (4-4)

Record: 37-34, 7GB

(AP Photo)

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