The Orioles and Blue Jays split a doubleheader at Camden Yards Monday night. The O’s won game one 4-1, and Toronto took the nightcap 9-5.
In game one, Adam Jones went 4-4 with a homer (32), two runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base to pace the offense. Steve Johnson (W, 4-0) threw five scoreless innings with six strikeouts, three walks, and three hits allowed.
Nate McLouth added a pair of hits, and Ryan Flaherty homered (5). The bullpen combination of Troy Patton, Tommy Hunter, Darren O’Day, and Jim Johnson (Save, 48) went four innings giving up a run on five hits, no walks, and five strikeouts.
In the second game, Wei-Yin Chen (L, 12-10) was not sharp. The lefty gave up five runs on nine hits, two of which were home runs. He struck out three and walked one before yielding to Jake Arrieta in relief with runners on first and third with no outs in the sixth. Arrieta slammed the door, striking out three straight Blue Jays to keep the score 5-3 Toronto.
The Orioles, who had blown a bases loaded opportunity one inning earlier, would do so again in the bottom of the sixth. With one run in and no one out, Adam Jones struck out with the bases loaded. The Chris Davis hit a fly ball to left fielder Anthony Gose, who threw out Taylor Teagarden trying to tag and score from third.
Arrieta came apart in the seventh, giving up a walk and back-to-back hits to start the innings. Two outs later, Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia picked on a hanging slider from Arrieta and deposited it into the left field seats for a grand slam.
The Orioles loaded the bases again in the ninth with no one out, only to come away with one run.
The same two teams do battle Tuesday night, with Toronto throwing Aaron Laffey (3-6, 4.80) against Baltimore’s Joe Saunders (2-2, 3.48). Game time is 7:05.
GAME 1…
The GOOD:
- Steve Johnson’s ERA is now down to 1.62. He has been remarkable.
- Jones’ breakout season just keeps getting better. He hit everything hard in this one.
The BAD:
- O’s: 0-5 with RISP. 5 left on base.
GAME 2…
The GOOD:
- Nate McLouth: 1-2, 1HR (5), 1R, 2BB, 1RBI.
- Multi-hit games from Jones, Davis, JJ Hardy, and Robert Andino.
- Pedro Strop and Zach Phillips each threw a scoreless inning in relief.
The BAD:
- Reynolds: 3LOB, 2GIDP.
- The combination of Chen and Arrieta: 7IP, 9ER, 12H, 3HR.
