Final Out Evades Baltimore Orioles in Loss to Brewers

May 27, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Baltimore Orioles pinch hitter Steve Pearce (28) hits a 3-run home run in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

One evening after the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Milwaukee Brewers by refusing to give up the 27^thout in the game, the Brewers returned the same trick against the O’s, beating the Birds 7-6 in 10 innings.

After fighting their way back from a 5-0 deficit to take a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning,Zach Brittoncame on and gave up a leadoff single toLyle Overbay. Bunted to second and then advancing to third on a groundout to Jonathon Schoop, the Orioles were one out away from another outstanding victory. But a swinging bunt byJonathan Lucroyin front ofManny Machadoscored the tying run and set up extra innings.

WithT.J. McFarlandpitching in the bottom of the 10^thinning,Mark Reynoldswas walked with two outs and the pitcher’s spot in the order coming up. Wednesday’s starter,Yovani Gallardo, drilled a gapper into left-center field to score the walk-off victory.

The Baltimore Orioles did well to even have the opportunity to possibly win the game. Having fallen behind 5-0 on three homers allowed by starterWei-Yin Chen, the Birds came all the way back to take the lead. Among the runs scored was the 17^thhome run of the season byNelson Cruz, but the big blow was a “Pearce arrow” – a screaming line drive, three-run homer bySteve Pearcein the seventh inning to give the Orioles their only lead at 6-5.

Even with Britton blowing his first save and McFarland losing the game in the 10^th, the Orioles bullpen was once again very good after a poor effort from the starter. Chen only managed five innings on his way to the five runs on three homers – including a three-run shot byCarlos Gomezin the bottom of the first inning.

AsBuck Showaltercommented in the post-game interview, there was a lot to like about the effort in this game. But it did not help that bothChris DavisandAdam Joneswere 0-for-4 with three strikeouts each.

In the third and final game of the series, the Orioles will be faced with attempting to prevent Yovani Gallardo from beating them two days in a row with both hitting and pitching. He is currently 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA. After starting the season with a 1.91 ERA over his first six starts, Yovani has had greater trouble in his past four outings – giving up 15 runs in 21.1 innings.

Few of the Orioles have ever faced Gallardo.Nick Hundleyis 3-for-7 with two doubles andDelmon Youngis 0-for-10.

The Baltimore Orioles need a good, long outing fromBud Norriswho is 3-4 with a 3.83 ERA over this season of mixed-bag results. For his career he is 3-4 against the Brewers in 11 starts with a … wait for it … a 3.83 ERA.

Some of the Brewers have good numbers against Norris.Ryan Braunis 9-for-28 with two doubles and two homers, Lyle Overbay is 3-for-11 with two homers, andRickie Weeksis 5-for-16 with a homer.

Add us as a preferred source onGoogle

Follow