The Baltimore Orioles off to a record-breaking start, flew south and were grounded by the Texas Rangers, dropping two of three in a rain-shortened series at Globe Life Park.
After starting the season 7-0, the Birds played a series against the Rangers ( 7-6) that was highlighted by the big inning.
In the first game of the series, a 6-3 Rangers win, Oriole’s starter Chris Tillman (1-1, 5.11 ERA) was in control but was undone when the Rangers scored five runs in the sixth inning to break the game open.
He allowed nine hits and six runs while striking out one and walking one in 5.1 innings. The Baltimore ( 8-3) offense was led by Mark Trumbo who hit his third home run of the season.
The middle game of the series, on a fireworks night at the stadium, saw Baltimore warm up the crowd with some explosions of their own as they rallied to score nine runs behind a record-tying four homers in the seventh inning, winning 11-5.
Down 5-1 going into the inning, the Orioles got a two-run homer from Trumbo which made the score 5-3. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop then followed with his own two run shot to tie the score at 5-5.
Nolan Reimold then added a solo shot as the Birds took the lead at 6-5. Third baseman Manny Machado doubled and was driven in on a single by Adam Jones and before the Rangers knew what hit them it was 7-5.
Trumbo followed with his second homer in the same inning, an Oriole’s franchise record, a three-run shot for a nine run eruption and a 10-5 lead.
Schoop added another home run, his third of the season, a solo shot in the eighth inning to end the carnage.
Trumbo, who has had and immediate impact since being acquired in the off season, went 2 for 4 with 5 RBIs and now has five homers for the season. He also leads the team in average (.386) and RBIs (11). Schoop went 3-4 with three RBIs. Jones, back in the lineup after an early season injury was 2 for 5 with two RBIs.
Oriole starter Vance Worley (1-0, 5.06 ERA) who withstood another five run outburst from the Rangers in the second inning, settled down and earned the victory. He struck out six, allowed five runs and four hits in six innings of work.
The bullpen of Brad Brach, Darren O’Day and Zach Britton allowed two hits and struck out five to complete the stunning come from behind victory.
the final game of the shorted four game series, saw the Rangers erupt for six runs in the seventh inning on their way to an 8-4 win, The O’s got more fireworks, home runs from Chris Davis, who along with Trumbo leads the team with five, Jones, who launched his first of the season and Machado (4) who has a hit in every game this season and an 11-game hitting streak. The only problem was they were all solo shots. Another new Oriole, Pedro Alvarez went one for three with his first RBI as an Oriole.
Oriole starter Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 5.63 ERA) who was pitching against his old team, was leading 4-2 going into the seventh inning. He allowed two base runners and was promptly taken out by manager Buck Showalter. The bullpen, a strong asset of the early season, then had a meltdown and the Rangers walked away with the victory. Gallardo allowed nine hits and four runs while striking out two and walking two.
