The starters start to pitch well

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

August 25, 2011, 10:55am

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There has been a stunning turnaround by the Orioles' starting pitchers in the series at Minnesota. In the first three games of the series - all Orioles wins - the starting pitchers' ERA was 1.35. The staters in the series before today - Zach Britton, Alfredo Simon and Jeremy Guthrie - had combined to give up just three earned runs and 14 hits over 20 innings. Today, Jo-Jo Reyes has given up just one run over the first five innings of a 1-1 tie. Craig Tatum's two-run double in the sixth has just given the O's a 3-1 lead. Orioles starters had allowed five earned runs or more in five straight games coming into this series. The Orioles' offense did its part also in the series. The Orioles produced 34 hits, 18 runs and a .309 team average in the first three games in Minnesota. The Birds hit .429 at 12-for-28, with runners in scoring position. Last night's win clinched the Orioles first series victory since June 24-26 against Cincinnati and is their first road series win since mid-May at Tampa. This reminder: Tonight and Friday, MASN will rebroadcast the last game at Memorial Stadium in 1991. Mike Flanagan was the last Oriole to pitch at the Stadium on 33rd Street. Check out this special "Orioles Classic" beginning at 10:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday nights.