Break Up The Orioles: Bucks’ Birds Win In 10th, Sixth Win In Seven Games

Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Brian Roberts hit his first homer of the season leading off the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the Baltimore Orioles to a dramatic 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox in the finale of a four-game set at Camden Yards.

Ty Wigginton added a solo shot and Matt Wieters drove in the other run for the Orioles, who took three of four in the series and improved to 6-1 under new manager Buck Showalter.

Matt Albers (4-3) was credited with the win for retiring the final two batters in the top of the 10th. Orioles starter Brian Matusz yielded one run on three hits, walked two and fanned four over six innings.

Paul Konerko hit a game-tying solo homer in the top of the ninth for the White Sox, who dropped into a first-place tie with idle Minnesota atop the American League Central.

J.J. Putz (5-3) was tagged with the loss for surrendering Roberts' homer. White Sox starter Edwin Jackson, making only his second start since coming to the White Sox from Arizona, allowed two runs -- one earned -- on six hits with one walk and struck out seven.

With Baltimore clinging to a 2-1 lead, Alfredo Simon came on for the ninth and Konerko jumped on a first-pitch fastball leading off and cracked it over the left field wall. Simon then walked Carlos Quentin, who went to second on a sacrifice bunt by A.J. Pierzynski. Mike Gonzalez entered and walked pinch- hitter Omar Vizquel on four pitches. The lefty fanned Andruw Jones and retired Brent Lillibridge on a fielder's choice to prevent further damage.

Matt Thornton took the hill for the home ninth and struck out the side. Gonzalez and Albers combined to strand runners on the corners in the top of the 10th.

Putz entered and Roberts crushed a 1-0 fastball over the scoreboard in right give the O's the thrilling 3-2 win.

Chicago plated a two-out run in the third to open the scoring. Juan Pierre was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a groundout and came home when Alex Rios laced a double down the left field line.

The White Sox stranded runners on the corners with one out in the sixth and Baltimore put up two in the home half to go in front. Wigginton belted a one- out homer to left to even things and the O's proceeded to load the bases on a pair of singles sandwiched around an error on third baseman Dayan Viciedo. Matt Wieters then grounded sharply to first, but Konerko inexplicably ran to the bag to get an out instead of going home for the force and Luke Scott scored.

Game Notes

The Orioles won five of nine overall meetings with the White Sox last season, including two of three tests held in Baltimore...Simon was charged with his fourth blown save of the season...Pierre went 2-for-4 with a run scored and stole his 43rd base of the year.