The O's came close to back-to-back victories against Kansas City, but Alfredo Simon fell apart with two outs in the ninth, and the Orioles lost to the Royals 7-5 on Friday night.
Jake Arrieta became the latest starter to exit a game early...Arrieta allowed three runs in the first inning before settling down, but his pitch count and lack of control led to an early departure. Arrieta walked five and allowed six hits in 4 1/3 innings. The bullpen held on and let the O's offense slowly chip away...
The Birds scored a few runs early, and waited until the eighth inning to tie and then take control of the game. It looked as if the O's would come from behind yet again, but things unraveled quickly in the bottom of the ninth...
Closer Alfredo Simon recorded two quick ground-outs before running into trouble. After a walk and a single put runners on the corners, it was clear Simon was uncomfortable on the mound. With rain falling, Simon took time-out to clear the mud caking up in his cleats. Moments later, Alex Gordon cleared the bases with a walk-off three-run blast that barely cleared the right-field fence...this one hurt, but it was only Simon's third blown save in 18 chances.
I was hoping the extra-inning victory on Thursday night would give the O's some momentum in this series, and it looked like it had...sadly, the momentum has switched back to Kansas City for Saturday's contest. The Royals send Zack Greinke to the mound to face-off against Brad Bergesen...
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