Britton works the ninth for first career save

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 15, 2014, 7:10pm

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Orioles relievers Tommy Hunter and Brian Matusz warmed in the Orioles bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning tonight as Ryan Webb recorded the last two outs to preserve a 2-1 lead.

Webb struck out Salvador Perez, Hunter and Matusz sat down, and the intrigue built.

Zach Britton began to warm as the Orioles batted in the top of the ninth, and he entered the game in search of his first career save.

None in the minors, none in the majors.

The leash on Hunter wasn't as long as the one attached to Jim Johnson last season. The whole track record thing.

Anyway, Britton retired Alex Gordon on a ground ball to second. Former Oriole Danny Valencia, who still has a job in the majors because of his production against southpaws, bounced to short with the count full. Johnny Giavotella bounced to short on Britton's second pitch of the at-bat.

No drama and no more losing streak. It ends at four with a 2-1 victory over the Royals.

The Orioles have scored in only four innings over the past four games, but it doesn't seem to matter as much tonight.

Britton threw three straight two-seam fastballs to Gordon and six straight to Valencia at 94-95 mph. Both pitches to Giavotella were 94 mph two-seamers.

Everyone gets the heavy sink.

Britton now has one career save opportunity and one save.