Orioles Beat Nats, Take Series

The Orioles have again defeated the Nats in interleague play. The worst they can do now is take 2 out of 3. This effort was led again by the Oriole outfield. Especially, Adam Jones. Jones hit an AdamBomb in the victory. Jones now has 14 homers on the year. He went 3 for 4 in the game with a run scored and 2 RBIs. Forget all star, this guy is in the thick of the MVP race. Jones is looking at some major $$$$ when the extension rolls around. Did I say this guy has been mashing?

Jones was not the only guy mashing as Nick Markakis hit his 8th homer of the season. Nicky is on pace for 30+ which is a huge increase over last year. The O's right fielder scored twice and drove in two. I take this kind of production any day. Another Oriole that was great is the great Andino. He went 2 for 5 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Andino has been hurt by Reimold being out as he has had to move up in the lineup most nights, but he has been really good still. Xavier Avery was 1 for 3 with a run scored. JJ Hardy was 2 for 4 in the 6-5 victory.

As with most close victories, the pitching is critical. Jason Hammel was good enough to pick up his 5th win today, but it wasn't pretty. Hammel gave up 4 runs over 5 1/3 to preserve the victory. He did record 5 strikeouts though and get the win. The guy just hasn't been as effective since the injury though. Hopefully, he gets back to the dominant stuff pre injury.

Ayala, Patton, and Strop all got holds. They continue to pitch well out of the pen. Then of course, Jim Johnson came in for the save. Johnson now has 15 saves on the season. He is on pace for 50+. The save record belongs to Randy Myers. Myers had 45 in 1997, the last year the Orioles made the playoffs. Crazy stuff. Can Johnson get anywhere close to that mark?

-Noland