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Huff delivers clutch hit in Orioles win against Blue Jays

May 24, 2007 - 1:58 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles are still in position to get a rare series win against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Aubrey Huff's two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning and Corey Patterson's steal of home plate in the fifth keyed the Orioles 5-2 victory against the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Brian Roberts and Melvin Mora drove in one run apiece for the Orioles, who will try to take the rubber game of this series on Thursday. The Orioles are just 9-23-4 in their last 36 series against Toronto dating to June 2001.

With the Orioles holding a 3-2 lead, Toronto reliever Scott Downs recorded one out in the seventh, before allowing a walk to Roberts and a single to Mora. After both runners moved up a base on a groundout by Nick Markakis, Downs issued an intentional walk to Miguel Tejada, setting the table for Huff.

Huff, who came into the game batting .255 with runners in scoring position, grounded a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield, scoring Roberts and Mora.

Baltimore starter Steve Trachsel (3-3) won back-to-back games for the first time this season, allowing two runs, five hits and three walks while striking out one.

Chad Bradford and Jamie Walker bridged the way to Baltimore closer Chris Ray who pitched a perfect ninth for his 11th save of the season.

Toronto starter Dustin McGowan (0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out three.

The Orioles broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs runs in the bottom of the fifth, highlighted by a somewhat unintended double-steal.

Kevin Millar walked with one out and moved to second on a single by Patterson, who ended an 0-for-18 skid with the hit. Roberts lined an RBI single to center that gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead and moved Patterson to third.

With Mora batting, Roberts took off for second base. McGowan, who had not delivered a pitch, threw to second base and created a rundown between Roberts and the Toronto infielders, who also were keeping an eye on Patterson at third base.

Patterson eventually broke for home as McGowan fielded the ball during the rundown with Roberts. The pitcher's throw to home plate sailed over the head of catcher Jason Phillips, allowing Patterson to score and Roberts to advance to third.

The Orioles were credited with a double-steal on the play and McGowan received a throwing error.

Royce Clayton cut the Orioles lead to one with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, but the Blue Jays failed to score again.

Jay Gibbons added two hits and a run for the Orioles, who avoided their fifth consecutive loss to the Blue Jays.