(3-16) O's end 10 game losing streak vs. Boston

The O's really make things harder than they need to be don't they?

Jeremy Guthrie started the opener, surrendering 3 runs in 6 innings. A 2 run homer by Adam Jones in the 7th and an RBI groundout by Luke Scott in the 8th were enough to time the game at 3, until reliever Matt Albers and Will Ohman combined to walk the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th. Jim Johnson was called in to finish the inning off, but walked in the go-ahead run. Albers picked up his 2nd loss, the final score being 4-3.

Brian Matusz picked up 4 more KS but had only a mediocre start, going 6 innings and also allowing 3 runs. Still, thanks to an RBI double by Scott, an RBI single by new callup 1B Rhyne Hughes, and a solo homer by Ty Wigginton, his 6th, the O's managed to stay close. Unfortunately Albers had a 2nd consecutive rough night, giving up 3 runs in just 1/3 of an inning. A 9th inning rally with another home run from Jones and RBI singles from Matt Wieters and Scott were not enough, as the O's fell a run short and lost 7-6. Albers picked up the loss and stands at 0-3. The O's had 15 hits but to no avail. Jones, Nick Markakis, Miguel Tejada, and Wieters each had 2 hits, Scott had 3, and Wigginton had 4. Markakis added 2 walks.

In the series finale, David Hernandez was unable to stretch his shutout performance into the 6th inning, being charged for 3 runs before leaving the game. Markakis and Tejada delivered with an RBI double and 2 run home run to tie things up and James Johnson sent the game into extra innings by throwing a scoreless 9th. Hughes and Wieters drove in another 3 runs with 10th inning singles, putting the O's in a position to win. Johnson returned for the 10th inning and allowed 2 runs before finally putting the team back in the win column.

Wigginton is really roaring, hitting ,327 and slugging .712 with 6 home runs, 10 runs, and 12 RBIs, all team highs. Wieters is batting .324 with 7 RBIs, Tejada, .283 with 9, and Markakis .282 with 9 runs scored. On the other extreme Garrett Atkins is struggling with a .220 average and 5 RBIs. In other news, the O's will need a starter on Saturday and the choice seems to be between Brad Bergesen and Jake Arrieta. Should be an interesting decision.