• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Baltimore takes series over Washington

May 22, 2011 - 11:51 PM Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Valdimir Guerrero hit a two-run home run that was the deciding factor in Baltimore's 2-1 victory over Washington in the final contest of a three-game series.

Starter Chris Tillman went five innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while fanning four, but Jim Johnson (3-1) earned the win when he pitched a scoreless seventh for the Orioles' second straight win after a four-game losing streak.

Jordan Zimmermann (2-5) took the loss despite allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings. He also struck out five in the Nationals' fourth loss in five games.

Jayson Werth doubled to lead off the fourth, Wilson Ramos followed by working a walk and Danny Espinosa was hit by a pitch two batters later to load the bases with one out. After Ivan Rodriguez fouled out to right, Alex Cora hit an infield single that deflected off of Tillman and allowed Werth to cross the plate. Roger Bernadina followed with a deep fly ball to the warning track to end the inning and keep it a one-run game.

Nick Markakis led off the seventh with a single and was followed by Guerrero, who lined an 0-2 pitch over the left field fence to give the Orioles their 2-1 advantage. Zimmermann allowed a single to Luke Scott two batters later and was taken out of the game.

"He's (Guerrero) pretty special. He's a Hall of Famer for a reason," said Orioles' catcher Matt Wieters. "He's a guy who can hit any pitch at any time and, more than anything, just to see the way he plays the game is good for all the guys in the clubhouse."

Tyler Clippard took the mound next and got Mark Reynolds to foul out before walking J.J. Hardy and Robert Andino to load the bases. But Felix Pie struck out swinging on a foul tip to end the inning.

Kevin Gregg entered to pitch the ninth and allowed a one-out walk to pinch- hitter Matt Stairs. Brian Bixler came in to pinch-run for Stairs, and was caught stealing as Bernadina struck out looking for a game-ending double-play that gave Gregg his eighth save of the year.

Washington had a man on second in the first with one out and runners on second and third in the third with one out but failed to score a run and take early control of the game. Altogether the Nationals went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

"Nobody is more frustrated than the players and myself that we didn't get a couple runs there," said Nationals' manager Jim Riggleman.

Game Notes

Guerrero extended his hit streak to eight games but ended his career-best streak of seven straight multi-hit games...Wieters ended his career-high 10 game hit streak with an 0-for-3 day...Baltimore went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.