O-mazing

This weekend has been spectacular thus far. Friday night kicked off fan appreciation weekend in Baltimore, and the Orioles wasted no time making it special.

Boston started the game with a bunt single by lead-off hitter Podsednick, which was the first and last hit that Boston got all night. Podsednick advanced to 2nd on a throwing error, then quickly moved to 3rd on a sac-bunt. Later in the inning, Pedroia hit a sac-fly to deep center, bringing home Podsednick for Boston's only unearned run of the game. 

From here on out the story was Baltimore's red hot offense, and a lights out performance by starting pitcher Chris Tillman. 

Flaherty hitting his first career
grand-slam. 

Nate McLouth opened the bottom half of the first with yet another lead-off single. With one out, Davis hit his 29th homer of the season, giving the lead to the Orioles, now 2-1. Now with two outs, Thome singled, Reynolds was walked, and Machado singled. With the bases now loaded, Ryan Flaherty (right), a native of Maine and long time Red Sox fan, came up to bat. Flaherty hit his 6th home run, and first career grand slam on a hanging slider from Boston's starter Cook, extending the lead to 6-1. 

Tillman threw a one hitter
through 8 innings for the O's
90th win of the season.

As mentioned above, Chris Tillman was on fire all night. After allowing a lead off single, the Boston bats were quickly silenced. For the first time since 2009, the Red Sox were held to only one hit. After 8 spectacular innings, reliever Troy Patton was brought in to finish off the game. Last season, Tillman was only 3-5 with an ERA of 5.52 in 13 starts. He has done more than turn it around this season, going 9-2 with a 2.78 ERA in his 14 starts. Bobby Valentine, Boston's manager, had nothing but praise for Chris Tillman after Friday's game. Valentine said "We were behind his fastball most of the time, we were out in front of his breaking ball. His curveball, he threw effectively. We didn't solve him." Chris Tillman retired 17 of the last 18 batters he faced. With the O's bats as hot as they were, and Tillman throwing a gem, the Orioles were able to post their first positive run differential since June 26th.

Now I was lucky enough to go to this game, only my second game this season. The stadium was packed, it was loud, and it was certainly an amazing game for the fans. After Chris Davis gave the Orioles an early lead, the crowd erupted into The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army," one of the Raven's theme songs. The crowd was loud most of the night, cheering on the O's to their 90th win of the season.

Brooks Robinson threw out the
cerimonial first pitch today, after
being honored with the unveiling
of his statue. 

The fan appreciation weekend continued today, as the O's took on Boston. Unlike last nights game, this one was not a blow out victory. It came down to the 9th inning, and a one run ball  game. The scoring sheet started and ended with Machado, only fitting as the Oriole's were honoring Hall Of Famer 3rd Basemen, Brooks Robinson (left) tonight. Machado hit a single in the 2nd, scoring Davis, his 25th RBI of his short season.

Davis jogging home after hitting
his 30th HR of the season. 

In the 4th, Davis (top right) hit a two run home run, to extend the Orioles lead to 3-0, his 30th HR of the season. This home run gave the O's their 6th pair of 30-plus home run hitters in franchise history (joining Adam Jones who has 32).

With the game now tied in the 7th, Machado (bottom right) came up to start the inning. Machado wasted no time hitting his 7th home run of the season, giving the Orioles a 4-3 lead in the 7th inning. For those of you who don't know, the Orioles have yet to lose this season when leading after the 7th inning.

Lew Ford helping Machado celebrate
his game winning HR. 

Like the rest of this season, the O's did not look back after taking the lead. Jim Johnson came on in the ninth to post his 49th save of the season, giving the O's their 91st win of the season, and a share of 1st place with only 5 games remaining.

The Red Sox fell to 69-89 on the season, 1 loss away from the franchises first 90 loss season since 1966.