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Extra-inning outburst sends Orioles to victory

Sep 21, 2007 - 5:36 AM ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- It took a while for the Baltimore Orioles to redeem themselves against the Texas Rangers, but on Thursday, they got the job done.

Brian Roberts' three-run homer highlighted a five-run 10th inning, helping the Orioles defeat the Rangers, 6-3.

The last time the teams met, Texas used four innings of five or more runs to score 39 times overall as it swept a doubleheader at Camden Yards on August 22. This time, the Orioles needed extra innings to put up one such rally, but it proved to be more than enough.

"I told these guys that you gotta live with a short memory and let it go," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "I kept seeing (Texas) putting up the stats on the board (and) how all of them had career days against us, but it's a credit to our guys that they put it behind them."

With the game tied at 1-1 in the 10th, Nick Markakis reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch by John Rheinecker (3-3) before the reliever walked Kevin Millar. Aubrey Huff then reached on a fielding error by first baseman Brad Wilkerson, allowing Markakis to score and put the Orioles ahead.

Melvin Mora's RBI single to right field plated Millar, setting the stage for Roberts, who hammered a shot over the wall in right for a 6-1 advantage. Roberts had just entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter for J.R. House.

"We needed a big hit to break it open," Trembley said. "The key is to keep battling, don't give at-bats away and don't chase bad pitches. The way things have been going for us, it's easy to get frustrated and get yourself out."

"I know the situation's probably going to arise," Roberts said of coming into the game in a pinch-hitting role. "You just go get loose in the cage. When you have 700 at-bats, you just go in there and do what you normally do."

Jamie Walker (2-2), the fifth of six Baltimore pitchers, struck out three in 1 2/3 perfect innings to notch the win.

Michael Young and Marlon Byrd each had two hits for the Rangers, who have dropped four straight games.

"The opportunities have been there," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We just haven't been able to get that hit. We had opportunities tonight, it just didn't happen."