For the first time in team history, the Baltimore Orioles got a walk-off home run on opening day.
After not hitting a spring training homer in 52 at-bats, Mark Trumbo, the 2016 Major League Baseball homer leader, hit his first of this year in his fifth at-bat.
His homer to left on Jason Grilli's 1-2 slider with two outs in the last of the 11th gave the Orioles a thrilling 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Trumbo went 2-for-5, adding a double in a two-RBI day.
"Pretty special. It's a whole lot of fun," Trumbo said. "We battled tooth and nail today. It was a great game all the way around. Was happy to come through and take us home.
"I'd like to use (it) as a kick starter (to a fast start). It is obviously really nice to build upon a solid outing like this. We did everything we were trying to do. Excellent pitching, all the way around, starting and relief pitching. Excellent defense and a few timely hits."
It was a game very similar to last year's wild card game. It went 11 innings. It went to the 11th tied 2-2. A different team was the winner this time, though.
"It did seem to have a similar feel," Trumbo said. "I'm glad this one turned out in our favor. We'll take a win any way we can get it. This day is always special, especially for guys (for whom this) was their first one.
"They're all important. This is a division rival. There are no secrets. You can't let any slip away. You have to battle because you know they are."
The game featured another incredible defensive play from Manny Machado, who robbed Devon Travis and threw him out from one knee in the 11th. Trumbo said he is amazed by Machado often. Tonight was just the latest example.
"Each and every day, yeah. Best in the business," Trumbo said.
As for the spring, when Trumbo hit just .212 with a .269 slugging percentage, well, there probably never was any reason to be concerned.
"That's for you to decide, I guess. It feels nice to be able to contribute," Trumbo said.
More clubhouse quotes:
Welington Castillo on Machado's play: "That was amazing. He's unique. A great ballplayer. You want the ball hit to him. It will be an out. Amazing play."
Castillo on the O's good pitching: "I think they kept the (ball) down and made their pitches. In the right situation, they were able to get a double play. That was the key."
Zach Britton on the win: "That was fun, right. Obviously, you want to win a little bit sooner. But for the fans, it was a great ending to a good game. It was huge to allow the offense to get an opportunity to score runs. We turned that lineup over and went through that tough part quite a few times. We got out of jams, which is big. Getting on the mound opening day is not always easy. There is a lot of adrenaline and sometimes you are not as crisp as you would be mid-season, so for the bullpen to do a good job after (Kevin) Gausman was big."
Gausman on his outing: "I was pretty jacked up. Obviously, four walks and 5 1/3 (innings) wasn't what I wanted. I just threw so many pitches, even if I get a guy 0-2. Definitely not my smoothest start or the easiest. Seems like I had guys on base every inning. They made me work. But I threw some real quality pitches when I needed to. But walking in a run is something you never want to do."
Gausman on Machado: "I mean unbelievable. You are not really surprised anymore. What makes him so great is most guys wouldn't get that ball first off. And if they do throw, they are not going to get the guy. To make that play and throw from his knees and get a good runner too, that was impressive."
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