Baltimore Orioles lose to Cleveland Indians 1-3 – MLB Update
Baltimore Orioles were beaten by the Cleveland Indians 1-3 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, July 23 in the finale of their four match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Adopting a very aggressive approach, the Orioles won first three games of the series very comfortably. Credit must be given to the Indians for showing impressive fighting skills and determination on Monday.
Orioles’ starting pitcher Tommy Hunter gave up three runs on eight hits in seven innings to take his fifth loss of the season.
His counterpart from the Indians, Justin Masterson produced a match winning performance as he allowed just a run in seven plus solid innings. Striking-out six, he grabbed his seventh win of the season.
"Masterson did a tremendous job," Indians’ manager Manny Acta said. "He did what you expect a number one guy to do, go out and shut down the opposition."
"You always want to take that opportunity when it is there," Masterson said of ending losing streaks. "Just give me two (runs) boys, and we'll try to get it done."
With their win, the Indians also managed to avoid a humiliating series sweep at their home ballpark and it will be interesting to see if they can carry over the momentum into their next series against the American League Central Division leaders, the Detroit
Tigers.
Orioles’ Manager Buck Showalter will be disappointed at another lost opportunity. However, despite taking the loss, the Orioles (51-45) are occupying second place on the American League East Division standings.
"Those were the keys to the game," shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera talked about Orioles’ poor base running.
"We made way too many throws," he further added, "But we got the out. That's all that matters."
Shin-Soo Choo, who is having an excellent season with the bat, homered to right in the third inning to break the deadlock and put the Indians 2-0 ahead.
Omar Quintanilla responded for the Orioles as he earned an RBI single deep-centre to reduce Indians’ lead to 1-2. Michael Brantley clinched a single to left in the eighth to restore Indians’ two run lead.
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