After dropping their first two games 5-4 and 3-1, the Orioles showed up in Tampa Bay on Wednesday and played like the first half Orioles to avoid a series sweep and five game losing streak.
Baltimore scored seven runs on two swings, four from a Brian Roberts grand slam and three from Nolan Reimold‘s 11th homerun of the year.
Roberts hit his fourth career grand slam off of former Oriole pitcher Andre Cormier that broke the 1-1 tie in the sixth inning.
Reimold’s shot was his first since July 31st and it gave the birds an 8-4 lead.
Brian Matusz got his second career win in a 5.1 inning effort. The rookie surrendered four runs on seven hits while handing out no free passes and striking out seven. He’s now 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA.
Kam Mickolio relieved Matusz in the 5th inning and allowed only one hit over the 1.2 innings he pitched. Mickolio has not surrendered a run in his 8.1 innings in the majors.
Baltimore is now 1-2 on the nine game road trip and are in Chicago for the first of three today.
