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Homers carry Orioles past Nationals

Jun 29, 2008 - 4:22 AM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - Ramon Hernandez had a two-run homer and Luke Scott added a solo shot to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 9-1 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Olson (6-3) allowed one run on six hits in five innings of work before a 63-minute rain delay ended his outing. He struck out five and walked three while improving to 3-3 on the road.

Olson also had the first hit of the season by a Baltimore pitcher - an infield single off righthander Jesus Colome - as the Orioles improved to 4-4 on a nine-game, 10-day road trip to Milwaukee, Chicago and Washington.

"I just tried to battle through it and get us through at least five," Olson said. "But running around the bases that last time, and even in the fifth, I felt a little worn out. Based on the weather, that was enough for today."

Hernandez's blast to right off Nationals lefthander John Lannan (4-9) with Nick Markakis aboard gave the Orioles a 7-1 lead in the fifth inning.

Scott wrapped his 13th homer of the season around the right field foul pole for a 4-1 lead in the fourth. Adam Jones followed with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Jones then scored to make it 5-1 on a sacrifice fly by Orioles lefthander Garrett Olson.

Jones went 4-for-5 and matched his season high with four singles to lead the Orioles' 14-hit attack.

"The balls just fell through," Jones said. "They're finding holes. That's baseball. Stuff like that happens.

"But Olson helped his own cause, and that was the biggest thing that happened today."

Orioles reliever Lance Cormier allowed only one hit the rest of the way to earn his first save. He struck out two and walked one.

The Orioles took a 3-1 lead in the third on a single by Jones, an RBI triple by Alex Cintron, a fielding error by Lannan, an infield hit by Melvin Mora that popped out of Lannan's glove, and a single by Aubrey Huff.

"I've got to make that play," Lannan said.

"He basically hurt himself a lot by not being able to field his position," Nationals manager Manny Acta added. "It's amazing how much Greg Maddux and Jim Kaat and the (Tom) Glavines of the world help themselves by playing defense. He gave up three runs because of that."

Cristian Guzman started the game with his major league-leading 108th hit of the season, a double to right-center, and scored on an RBI single by Lastings Milledge.

Milledge pulled his right groin while tracking down Cintron's triple to left-center in the third inning.

"I got my foot caught picking it up," Milledge said. "I dropped the ball and then picked it up and threw it, but it was (already) pulled."

During the rain delay, the Nationals placed Milledge on the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Roger Bernadina from Class AA Harrisburg of the Eastern League.

Milledge, who stole his 13th base of the season in the first inning, was hitting .245 with 16 doubles, seven home runs, 31 RBI and a team-best 13 stolen bases.

"Tough one," Acta said. "The kid was leading our club in RBIs and he was making so much progress in center field. He was looking so good and comfortable. ... It's been that kind of year. We'll give another kid a chance."