Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Entering the final day of September, the
Baltimore Orioles will be holding a share of first place in the American
League East.
Rookie Manny Machado smacked a tie-breaking solo home run in the bottom of the
seventh inning as the surprising Orioles moved into a tie for the division
lead with a 4-3 decision over the Boston Red Sox Saturday at Camden Yards.
Machado sent a 1-1 pitch from Red Sox starter Felix Doubront into the left-
field seats to open Baltimore's half of the seventh to snap a 3-3 deadlock.
After relievers Brian Matusz and Darren O'Day combined to retire the side in
order in the eighth, Jim Johnson tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his MLB-best
49th save.
Machado added an RBI single earlier in the night as part of a 2-for-3
performance at the plate, while Chris Davis went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer
as the Orioles -- who last reached the postseason in 1997 -- reduced their
magic number for a playoff spot to two and pulled even with the New York
Yankees for the AL East's top spot. New York dropped a 3-2 verdict to Toronto
on Saturday.
Baltimore presently holds a one-game edge on Oakland for the AL's No. 1 wild
card berth and is 3 1/2 games up on the Los Angeles Angels in the standings.
Tommy Hunter (7-8) earned the win with two scoreless innings in relief of
starter Steve Johnson.
Doubront (11-10) struck out 10 batters in seven innings of work, but was
saddled with the loss after surrendering four runs -- three earned -- on seven
hits.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a two-run homer for Boston, which has now dropped
eight of its last nine contests and is one defeat away from its first 90-loss
campaign since 1966.
The Sports Network