The Orioles went in to Texas and took care of business, defeating the Rangers 5-1 in the Wild Card playoff game and advancing to the American League Divisional Series against the Yankees.
In their first playoff game in 15 years, the Birds managed to outplay Texas, a team that had reached the World Series the past two seasons.
Joe Saunders was magnificent, allowing just a run on six hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings, striking out four and winning for the first time at Rangers Ballpark. Darren O'Day, Brian Matusz and Jim Johnson held Texas to just three hits over the final frames.
The Birds got on the board in the first inning thanks to an error, a stolen base and a single. Nate McLouth led the club with two RBIs, and J.J. Hardy went 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.
The O's now move on to face their divisional rivals, the New York Yankees, in a best-of-five showdown. The first two games will be played at Camden Yards, with Jason Hammel expected to start Game 1 for the Birds.
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