Getting an early clutch hit

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 19, 2011, 3:51pm

Comments

After they went 0-for-9 the last two games and 2-for-20 the past three games with runners in scoring position, the Orioles got some big hits early tonight to lead Minnesota 3-0 in the third. After Carl Pavano breezed through a quick first inning on just seven pitches, the Orioles got to him for three runs on three hits in the last of the second. The rally started with a two-out, none-on infield hit to deep short by Adam Jones. After a walk, Matt Wieters delivered an RBI single to center. After a walk loaded the bases, Brian Roberts came up with a key two-run single to center. He didn't hit the ball that hard, but it was well placed and scored a pair. Roberts extended his current hitting streak to seven games with that hit. So the O's went 2-for-3 with RISP in the second inning, matching their hit total with RISP over the last three games. Maybe the losing streak will finally end tonight. They also scored off a pitcher in Pavano that had allowed just one run over 16 innings in his last two starts. Pavano went 1-1, 1.06 in two starts versus Baltimore last year and is 5-3, 2.75 in his career against the Birds.