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Markakis' slam lifts Orioles over Royals

Apr 14, 2007 - 4:24 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles' lineup was due to score some runs sooner or later.

Nick Markakis hit a grand slam to back six strong innings by Eric Bedard in the Orioles' 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

After scoring just four runs in their last three games, the Orioles finally came through with some key hits.

"We have struggled a little bit with the bats," Markakis said. "Our pitchers have been doing a great job keeping us in the game and giving us the opportunities. When you go out there and play good defense, pitch, throw strikes and do the little things, good things happen."

Bedard allowed one run, five hits and four walks while striking out nine.

"It always helps when you have a little cushion," the lefthander said. "Without the defense, it could have been 4-4 real easily. We made some great plays."

Aubrey Huff opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-out two-run double off the crown of the right-center field wall. For a moment it appeared that Huff had hit his first home run as an Oriole, but the umpires determined that the ball never left the playing field.

An RBI double by Brian Roberts in the second inning and a run-scoring groundout by Paul Bako in the third gave the Orioles a 4-0 lead.

"It was good to see everyone swing the bats well today and get out to a lead," Huff said. "With Bedard on the mound, four runs is usually enough but Markakis kept it up in the last inning there."

Markakis' first career grand slam came in the bottom of the eighth inning, capping off an impressive 11-pitch at-bat against Todd Wellemeyer.

"I got in the hole and he was making some good pitches," Markakis said. "I was just trying to work the count and get a pitch to hit. I got it to 2-2 and at 3-2, I put a good swing on it."

Kansas City starter Brandon Duckworth (0-1) lasted five innings, allowing four runs - two earned - and nine hits. He walked four and struck out four.

"He hung in there," Kansas City manager Buddy Bell said. "He was just OK. He wasn't as good as he was his first outing. I thought he made some pitches when he had to and kept us close."

Reggie Sanders had three hits and Emil Brown had an RBI for the Royals, who posted just a single run for the second straight game.

"It is just really tough to win games again when you only score one run," Bell said. "I don't know how many runners we had left on base and I don't know how many they had. There just seemed like there was runners on base on both sides every inning."