Best. Comeback. Ever?
O.K. Maybe it wasn’t the greatest comeback of all-time, (remember the Red Sox game last July?) but it was, in a word, amazing. The O’s took down the Texas Rangers 7-6 in 10 innings on Saturday morning.
The Birds were down by four runs in the ninth inning, and loaded the bases against Texas’ All-Star closer Neftali Feliz. With two outs and down to his last strike, Corey Patterson launched a grand slam to tie the game. After Jason Berken held the Rangers scoreless in the bottom of the frame, Jake Fox slapped a solo shot to lead-off the tenth inning and give the Birds their first lead of the game.
Alfredo Simon got the Rangers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the tenth to pick up the save, while Berken took the win. Brian Matusz, who was tagged for four runs through three innings, was spared the loss thanks to the comeback kids. The bullpen was spectacular again; Texas’ final two runs in the eighth inning were unearned due to a pair of defensive errors by the O’s.
After basically giving the Rangers those two runs before heading into the ninth inning, it would have been easy for the Orioles to lay down and die. But for the second straight game, the O’s wouldn’t quit and managed to pull out the win. I’ve gotta say, I am impressed…two straight against the first-place Rangers is tough to do for any team, especially come-from-behind victories.
I’m hoping some fans didn’t miss out on watching this miraculous comeback…the game was delayed for 2 hours, 29 minutes due to rain, and thanks to the O’s late-inning heroics, the final out came around 2:30 on Saturday morning. For those who stayed up, it was well worth it!
The Birds look to make it three straight on Saturday night, but it won’t be easy. Chris Tillman, back from Triple-A Norfolk, is slated to take the mound for the O’s. He’ll get to face newly-acquired Cy Young winner Cliff Lee…welcome back to the Majors, Chris!