Adam Jones hit a game-winning homer in the last of the 12th today as the Orioles beat the Phillies and won another extra-inning game. The Orioles are now 8-2 on the year in extras with eight wins in a row, which ties the team record for most consecutive extra-inning wins.
The 1997 and 2010 teams also won eight in a row.
"I think we just enjoy playing longer than nine innings," Jones said. "We enjoy the overtime. I don't know man, think we have played the most innings by any team. If we don't win it in nine, we'll win it in 12, 15 or 17. We'll play 25, as long as we get the W, I don't care."
Jones entered today with just three hits in his last 24 at-bats over six games and was 0-for-14. The o-fer reached 18 until he singled in the ninth, three innings ahead of his game-ending homer.
"Was getting a little frustrated there, but I won't stop swinging the bat. It's part of who I am and part of the reason I got to the big leagues. It's perseverance.
"(Manager Buck Showalter) hits me fourth for a reason. Glad I was able to come through for the team. We had opportunities. This was a team win. Our starter gave us a chance, and our bullpen came in and gave us a chance."
Jones came up in the 12th, facing Phillies right-hander B.J. Rosenberg. The 26-year-old Rosenberg was making his major league debut and retired the Orioles in order in the 11th.
What was Jones looking for against him?
"Just a pitch to drive. I don't care if he's ever been here before," Jones said. "He's obviously good enough to get to the major leagues. I just put a good swing on a good pitch from him."
Jones gave some props to O's starter Tommy Hunter, who gave up three solo homers but no other runs over seven innings.
"He battled. He had no walks, and walks could mean two- or three-run home runs. People will get hits. I know he wanted the win. As his teammate, I'm extremely happy how he bounced back from previous starts," Jones said.
As for his hitless stretch, which was a season-high, Jones said it didn't have anything do with his wrist contusions.
"I'm fine. Just frustrated by not swinging the bat as well. I don't make excuses. If I'm hurting or something, you don't play. But no excuses coming out of my mouth. Just frustrated I wasn't hitting the ball like I have been. But hey, it's a humbling thing to get in a slump. Very humbling, trust me," said Jones, who is now batting .298 with 17 homers and 37 RBIs.
After his longball, the sellout crowd of 46,611, the second sellout of the season, filed out of Camden Yards, and plenty of red-clad Phillies fans left disappointed.
"I said to myself, 'This feels like the last three or four years having Boston or New York fans raid this place.' But they are not happy today. The O's fans stood up when they needed to, but there was a huge sea of red, I can tell you that," Jones said.
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