The high-flying Baltimore Orioles, the hottest team in Major League Baseball, began the 2016 year by winning their first seven games on there way to setting a new franchise record for victories to begin a season.
The 7-0 start was their best since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954. Dating back to last season the Orioles were riding a 12-game winning streak. The seven game winning streak was tops under manager Buck Showalter.
After beginning the season at home and sweeping the Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays in a rain-shortened series, they headed north to Boston and won the first two games of the series before finally losing 4-2 in the series finale.
The Orioles (7-1) starter Ubaldo Jimenez (1-1) who was sharp in his first start when he struck out nine Minnesota batters while walking none in seven innings, found this outing tougher in frigid Fenway Park.
This time he allowed six hits, struck out five and walked four and allowed four runs in five innings of work.
The offense, which was outstanding in scoring 18 runs in the first two games of the series, was held in check as slugger Chris Davis hit his team-leading fourth homer, a two-run shot in the third inning. After that they were shut down by the Boston hurlers.
Reliever Tyler Wilson finished the game and kept Boston (4-4) off the board but there would be no Orioles magic on this night.
In the first game of the Boston series, a 9-7 Oriole’s victory, Davis led the way again with five RBIs which included a three-run ninth inning homer. Birds newcomer Mark Trumbo also had a three-run homer.
Another new bird, starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (1-0) gave up seven hits, five runs while striking out three and walking one Boston batter in five innings of work.
The bullpen kept the game close and closer Zach Britton came in to record his third save of the season.
In the middle game of the series, a 9-5 Orioles win, shortstop J.J. Hardy led the way with two two-run homers, both around the “Pesky Poll” the shortest part of the outfield and named after former Boston great, the late Johnny Pesky, who was know as ” Mr. Red Sox.”
Trumbo again showed up and swatted his second homer of the year and catcher Matt Wieters had a two RBI game.
Starter Mike Wright (1-0) went five innings, gave up four runs while striking out four and walking one Boston batter.
The bullpen did the rest.
Early season highlights besides the wonderful winning streak included an Opening Day walk off ninth inning single by Wieters in a 3-2 victory over the Twins.
Oriole’s rookie sensation Joey Rickard starter the season with a rookie-best seven game hitting streak. Manny Machado has hit in every game this season. The O’s have also set a club record with 14 homers in the first eight games of the season.
The only blemish was a minor injury to centerfielder Adam Jones who missed five games but came in as a late defensive replacement in the Boston series.
The Orioles are in first place in the American League East division and lead the New York Yankees who are in second place with a (4-3) record.
