Yankees vs. Orioles Game 4: Joe Saunders Comes Up Big


Baltimore Orioles

Debby Wong – US Presswire

The Baltimore Orioles forced a game five versus the New York Yankees behind another huge do-or-die pitching performance from mid-season pickup Joe Saunders.

The Orioles defeated the Yankees 2-1 in a second straight extra innings game. It took 13 innings, but would you expect anything less from Buck Showalter and the Orioles?

The Orioles didn’t score their first run until the fifth inning when Nate McLouth hit a solo home run. Saunders was again impressive pitching 5.2 innings of one run ball. The bullpen once again was tremendous keeping the game tied into extra innings when the Orioles finally managed to score. Even Pedro Strop came up huge with two shutout innings of relief.

Rookie Manny Machado got on base with a single in the 13th inning. J.J. Hardy followed with an RBI double scoring what would become the winning run. Is anyone else immensely impressed with 20-year-old Machado’s playoff performance? He looks like he has been playing 10 years in the league.

The Orioles hitting has been anemic, but in their defense this is playoff baseball. Pitching is king in the playoffs. I was worried the Orioles pitching may not be able to match up with the likes of C.C. Sabathia and Any Pettitte. Their rotation doesn’t have the big game experience of those guys, but they have more than held their own. The Orioles pitching staff has risen up to the challenge of pitching in tight playoff games.

Game five is Friday night at 5pm ET. The Orioles find themselves in their third do-or-die playoff game within a week. Jason Hammel will be pitching for the Orioles against Sabathia for the Yankees.

The pressure is on the Yankees. The Orioles have nothing to lose in what has been a magical season. This is it Orioles fans, BUCKLE UP!