Due to a rainout in August, the Baltimore Orioles knew a doubleheader against the Blue Jays was coming for over a month, but that didn't mean they were thrilled about it.
The Orioles were able to take the first game 4-1 on Monday, but beating a team twice in the same day is no easy task. Toronto won the second game 9-5, giving the Orioles a split and dropping Baltimore to 1 ½ games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.
"Very hard to sweep a doubleheader in the major leagues," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter told the Associated Press. "It wasn't from a lack of effort. That's why when you get a rainout, you try to play because you know the challenge ahead of you somewhere down the line. The Blue Jays have a lot of pride."
The Blue Jays were leading a tight game 5-4 in the seventh inning when catcher J.P. Arencibia hit a grand slam to blow the game open. Arencibia had been in a 2-for-36 slump, but broke out of it with the home run; he also added two more hits and five RBIs in the game.
"You never want to play games like this late in the season," Baltimore right fielder Chris Davis said. "But at the same time, if you can win both of them, you help yourself out. Obviously we weren't able to do that."
Baltimore fell behind 4-0 early in the game after the Jays scored four runs in the first two innings. Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run home run for his 41st of the season, Arencibia hit a sacrifice fly and Anthony Gose hit an RBI single.
Baltimore quickly struck back, with a two-run single from Robert Andino in the second inning and a solo home run from Nate McLouth in the fifth. The Orioles had numerous chances to add runs, but left the bases loaded in both the second and fifth innings.
Ricky Romero got the win for the Blue Jays after pitching five innings, allowing four runs and eight hits. Romero had been on one of baseballs' longest streaks, losing 13-games over 15 starts since June.
"Good for him and good for us," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "We needed a win and it's been a long time since Ricky's had a W."
Baltimore starter Wei-Yin Chen got knocked around early and lasted five innings while giving up five runs and nine hits.
Moises Sierra added a home run for Toronto in the sixth to go up 5-3 before the Orioles loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning with no outs. The crowd of 30,000-plus cheered loudly as the Orioles added an RBI single, but could only muster one run with the opportunity. Adam Jones struck out, Chris David hit a fly out and Taylor Teagarden got thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
The Orioles had another bases loaded opportunity in the ninth inning, but only added one run before ending the game on a double play. Overall, Baltimore left 10 runners on base in the game.
"I think anytime you strand guys on base you know it's a missed opportunity," Davis said.
In the first game, Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones had four hits, including a home run and two RBIs, but couldn't gain any ground on the Yankees in the standings.
"It's pretty impressive the atmosphere they have here," Arencibia said. "It's a lot of fun to play in that kind of atmosphere."
Orioles' rookie Steve Johnson got the win after pitching five shutout innings, and reliever Jim Johnson earned his 48th save, which leads the majors.
Jones also added two hits in the night game and is hitting .330 in September with six home runs.
"Adam relishes competition," Showalter said. "He's obviously had a heck of a year. He's turning into quite a player."
Baltimore will have to keep pace with the Yankees if they want a chance at the division. They are the AL wild-card leaders, but still sit 1 ½ games back of New York in the division. The Orioles have eight games left on the schedule, including a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on the road to end the season.
On Tuesday night Aaron Laffey will pitch for the Blue Jays against Joe Saunders for the Orioles.
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