WP: Rodrigo Lopez (9-5)
LP: Joel Pineiro (3-5)
S: B.J. Ryan (21)
BAL: 49-40 (2nd in AL East, 1 behind Boston, 1.5 ahead of New York)
SEA: 39-50 (4th in AL West, 14.5 behind Los Angeles)
It was Rafael Palmeiro's big night, and the Orioles wouldn't lose on the historic occasion.
The O's got started quickly with a solo homer from Melvin Mora in the first and two runs in the second on a Brian Roberts RBI groundout and a Sammy Sosa infield hit.
Palmeiro's 3,000th hit came in the fifth inning, an RBI double that scored Melvin Mora and gave the Orioles a 4-1 lead. Jay Gibbons promptly knocked in Palmeiro with another double to make it 5-1.
O's starter Rodrigo Lopez looked shaky, but managed to go 5.1 innings giving up three runs and kept the team ahead, and the bullpen did the rest.
Rookie Chris Ray (and his 0.71 ERA) acted as setup man and retired all three Mariners in the eighth before B.J. Ryan came in to close and retired all three batters he faced, also.
In a great comeback story, Jason Grimsley returned to the O's lineup less than nine months after having Tommy John surgery and struck out Mike Morse with a man on third. Grimsley wasn't expected to be back before September.
The Red Sox absolutely clobbered the Yankees, who were starting the apparently hapless Tim Redding (who said after being called up from Triple-A, "I could die today a happy man putting the Yankee uniform on for the first time"). He then did his favorite team proud by giving up six runs in one-plus innings to the rival Red Sox. The Sox went on to win 17-1. That result means the Orioles remain one game behind Boston, but now are up 1.5 on New York.
The Orioles play game three of this four game series tonight at 10:05. Bruce Chen (7-5, 3.87 ERA, throws left) hopes to continue his successful season for the Orioles, and he faces former Oriole Jamie Moyer (8-3, 4.64 ERA, throws left).
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