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Mora's two-run double pushes Orioles past Astros

Jun 18, 2008 - 5:19 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Melvin Mora hit a two-run double in the eighth inning to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday at Camden Yards.

With Baltimore trailing, 5-4, Astros reliever Doug Brocail (2-2) allowed a leadoff single by Adam Jones and walked Brian Roberts with one out. Closer Jose Valverde, who had not pitched more than one inning in a game since May 4, came on and struck out Nick Markakis before Mora hit the ninth pitch of his at-bat into right-center field, plating Jones and Roberts.

"When I saw that guy in scoring position, I know how they're going to pitch to me," Mora said. "I just try to concentrate and follow the ball, and it worked."

Both managers credited Mora for his plate appearance.

"What an at-bat by Melvin," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "Goodness sakes, that's a classic at-bat."

"He had a terrific at-bat," Houston manager Cecil Cooper said. "He fouled off some tough pitches."

The blown save was Valverde's fourth of the season and first since April 22.

Jim Johnson (2-2) pitched a scoreless eighth and George Sherrill worked a perfect ninth for his 23rd save. Sherrill's previous two appearances resulted in a blown save and a loss.

"I told (Trembley) I was ready," Sherrill said of getting the chance to redeem himself. "A little rusty. My command's not all the way there, so I was able to get away with some pitches, but I'll take it."

Jones, Markakis, Ramon Hernandez and former Astro Aubrey Huff each recorded two hits for the Orioles, who have posted 20 comeback wins this season - including 16 when trailing by two or more runs.

"We never lose our concentration," Mora said. "We can score some runs in the eighth and ninth. We don't care. We're going to score some runs."

Carlos Lee and Michael Bourn had two hits apiece for Houston, which has lost six in a row.

"It's a little bit of a tough stretch for us, but we'll get everything straightened out," Cooper said.

Kaz Matsui, who had an RBI groundout in the first inning, capped a three-run fifth with a two-run double that gave the Astros a 4-3 edge.

In the sixth, Lee extended Houston's lead to 5-3 with his 15th home run, but Markakis belted a solo home run off Astros reliever Tim Byrdak in the seventh to pull the Orioles within one.

Baltimore starter Garrett Olson lasted just 4 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs and six hits. Olson had retired 12 straight batters before Ty Wigginton singled to ignite the fifth-inning uprising.

With Houston ahead, 1-0, Huff hit a two-run homer in the third and Freddie Bynum delivered an RBI single to give Baltimore a 3-1 advantage.

Houston starter Brandon Backe threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs and eight hits. The righthander walked two and struck out one in extending his winless streak to four starts.

"We're wondering why we're not winning," Backe said. "Bad stuff is happening and (we) can't find any luck, breaks. It's just not happening."

Miguel Tejada returned to Baltimore for the first time since being traded to Houston during the offseason. He was greeted with a mixture of cheers and boos and went 0-for-3.