Orioles left fielder Nate McLouth (9) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. (Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE)
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Nate McLouth hit a go-ahead two-run triple in a
three-run fourth inning, capping a comeback and lifting the Orioles to a 7-5
win over the Tigers on Sunday.
Baltimore won the rubber match of the three-game series despite falling behind
5-0 in the first inning.
Wei-Yin Chen (12-7) settled down to throw five innings, getting the win after
giving up seven hits and two walks. The rookie left-hander struck out four as
the Orioles moved to 11-4 in their last 15 games to remain in possession of
the AL's second wild card slot.
Doug Fister (7-8) had a four-start unbeaten streak snapped after allowing
seven runs, eight hits and three walks in just 3 2/3 innings. He struck out
six.
Omar Infante's solo homer and Jhonny Peralta's three-run blast highlighted
Detroit's five-run first inning.
The Tigers sent nine batters to the plate in the inning against Chen, who had
given up just one run and two hits in six innings of a no-decision against
them last month.
But the Orioles came all the way back, taking a 7-5 lead by the fourth inning.
Chris Davis led off the second with his 20th homer for the Orioles, a line
drive over the left-center field wall to spark a four-run inning. Nick
Markakis hit an RBI double later and J.J. Hardy followed with a two-run double
to draw the Orioles within 5-4.
Fister struck out the first two batters in the fourth but walked Taylor
Teagarden and Markakis before McLouth tripled to right-center field. Adam
Jones followed with a single to make it 7-5 and knock Fister from the game.
The Tigers had two men on in the seventh, but Prince Fielder grounded into an
inning-ending double play. Jim Johnson set them down in order in the ninth for
his 37th save.
Earlier, Infante stroked a solo homer to left field and Peralta went the other
way with a three-run blast to right-center field to highlight Detroit's first
inning rally. Jeff Baker added an RBI double for the 5-0 lead.
Game Notes
The teams split the six-game season series ... The Orioles will finish a six-
game road trip at Texas starting Monday ... The Tigers are 1-2 on a nine-game
homestand that continues with three against the Blue Jays beginning Tuesday
... Fister had been 3-0 in his previous four outings and 6-1 in his last
eight.
The Sports Network