Orioles Win (Again) In Extra Innings

The Orioles flew to their 15th consecutive extra-inning victory by closing out a 3-1 win over the Mariners in 11 innings on Wednesday night. It was the second straight night Seattle and Baltimore played into extra frames; early Wednesday morning, the O's came out on top of an 18-inning marathon.

Both teams' starters, Felix Hernandez and Joe Saunders, worked eight innings of one-run ball. While Orioles manager Buck Showalter mixed and matched relievers following Saunders' departure, Mariners manager Eric Wedge used closer Tom Wilhelmsen for two innings and Josh Kinney for one frame. Center fielder Adam Jones touched Kinney for a game-winning two-run homer in the top of the 11th, giving him his second hit on the night. Mark Reynolds gave Baltimore its first run with an RBI single in the fourth inning.

The Mariners had ample opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the 11th; after Seattle got their two lead batters on base, Justin Smoak grounded into a double play. Michael Saunders followed with a walk but was immediately caught stealing second by catcher Taylor Teagarden, ending the game.

The Orioles are now four victories shy of the 1949 Indians' all-time mark for most consecutive extra-inning wins (19). The win also pushed Baltimore within a half-game of the AL East-leading Yankees. New York seized control of the East by sweeping a day-night twinbill against Toronto.