Betemit Hits Walk-Off Home Run, Orioles Win 5-2

The Orioles are coming off a great come from behind victory yesterday at Camden Yards.  This weekend series with Oakland was a fun one.  The O's won the series, taking two of three games against the Oakland Athletics.  On Saturday night, the team put together a very nice ceremony for former player, Frank Robinson, who had a statue made in his honor at the stadium.  Other former Orioles made appearances, such as Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver, and Brady Anderson.  Robinson's family came to the dedication ceremony as well.  Hall of Fame outfielder Hank Aaron was also on hand for the festivities.  The Orioles won that game 10-1 over Oakland.  Chris Davis hit a moonshot home run that just stayed fair as the O's offense was clicking on all cylinders.

On Sunday, the situation was a bit different.  Former Cleveland ace, Bartolo Colon, stifled the Orioles offensively.  Colon gave up two earned runs in 8 1/3 innings while striking out five.  On the other side, Tommy Hunter matched Colon, giving up two runs in 7 innings.  After lifting Colon, the Athletics brought in closer, Grant Balfour to shut down the Orioles in the final inning.  Balfour inherited two runners and ended up allowing a game-tying two-run double to Matt Wieters.  Chris Davis was then walked intentionally to put two runners on base for Wilson Betemit.  Betemit lifted Balfour's pitch over the fences and gave the Orioles the victory, with his third home run on the season.

Now with that series concluded, the Orioles face a grueling few weeks upcoming.  EVERY team they will be playing was in the playoffs last season, minus the Red Sox.  Boston can still not be overlooked.  They have the star power to turn it around at anytime.  The upcoming schedules looks like this.  Tonight starts a three game series in New York with the Yankees, followed by an off day Thursday. Friday, the Orioles open a three game series in Boston with the Red Sox.  Afterward, the AL Champion Texas Rangers come to town for a four game series.  Next up, the Rays stop to Camden Yards for three games.  Lastly, a short two game series at home versus the Yankees once again.  The next fifteen games will certainly show whether the Orioles are a contender or just a pretender.

Tonight's game features pleasant surprise, Jason Hammel, pitching against Hiroki Kuroda.  Kuroda has struggled adjusting to the American League thus far on the season so let's hope those struggles continue.  More good news for the Orioles, Nick Swisher will most likely be out of action due to an injury.  Swisher is one of the O's killers in that lineup offensively.  The Orioles need to get off on the right foot by beating Kuroda and the Yanks tonight!  Keep it here for more Orioles news and updates!