The O's managed to escape Minnesota with a series split after a 4-3 victory on Thursday afternoon.
It was quite a turnaround considering how the first two games of the series played out...
On Monday, the Birds were absolutely humiliated in a 19-7 spanking to begin the four-game series. Chris Tillman allowed seven runs (just one earned thanks to yet another Mark Reynolds error) and lasted just 2/3 of an inning, throwing 49 pitches. Tillman (1-1) and six relievers combined to give up 20 hits and five walks while fanning just three.
Tuesday's game wasn't much better, as the O's let a 4-1 lead slip away moments after taking it. Zach Britton's season debut lasted just four innings, as he surrendered four runs on six hits and six walks and needed 100 pitches to get 12 outs. Adam Jones gave the Birds the lead with a three-run bomb in the fifth, but the Twins scored three times in the bottom of the frame and twice more in the seventh.
Tommy Hunter set things right on Wednesday with his longest outing of the season. Hunter went 7 1/3 innings and allowed just one run on six hits, fanning one. Adam Jones put the O's on the board with a two-run shot in the first, and that held up in a 2-1 victory.
Then on Thursday afternoon, it was Wei-Yin Chen's time to shine. Chen (8-5) lasted seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five. Chris Davis put the O's on the board with a mammoth solo shot in the second, and Mark Reynolds gave them the lead with a two-run bloop single in the eighth. Jim Johnson closed it out and picked up his 28th save of the season.
The Birds are now 48-44 and have reclaimed sole possession of 2nd place in the East, trailing the Yankees by nine games. The O's and Cleveland kick-off a four-game set later tonight, with Miguel Gonzalez taking the mound for the Birds.
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