Bottom-of-the-order offense (Markakis, Wieters homers make it 8-0)

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 07, 2012, 4:59pm

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The middle of the Orioles batting order delivered some key offense for the Orioles in their season-opening win, with Nick Markakis producing a homer and three RBIs. Tonight, the bottom of the order has contributed five hits, four runs and two RBIs between Ronny Paulino and Robert Andino. The Paulino-Andino combo has been retired just once tonight by Twins pitching. After Adam Jones' homer in the second gave the O's a 1-0 lead, Paulino and Andino both singled and scored in the third and Andino added a two-run single in the fourth. Paulino got the start as the DH tonight and is 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and a run scored in his O's debut. One reason he started is the Twins started left-hander Francisco Liriano. Paulino is a career .330 hitter with an OPS of .860 versus southpaws. The Orioles are looking for a 2-0 start and their eighth win in the last nine meetings against Minnesota with a 6-0 lead now in the seventh. Update: Markakis just homered in the bottom of the seventh, his solo shot making it 7-0. One out later, Matt Wieters hit one out to right-center for an 8-0 lead.