Reimold's running produces run (O's down 3-1)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

April 27, 2012, 3:29pm

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The Orioles have jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and full credit goes to leadoff hitter Nolan Reimold. Reimold doubled to right-center field off Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy, hustling into second base ahead of the throw. Reimold tagged and took third on J.J. Hardy's fly ball to left - something you don't always see on a ball hit to that side - and he tagged again and scored on Nick Markaki's liner to medium left. Reimold slid wide of catcher Kurt Suzuki's attempted tag, reaching for the plate with his left hand. That's one way to manufacture a run. Buck Showalter clapped his hands together in the dugout after Reimold raced to third on Hardy's fly ball. Reimold may not be your prototypical leadoff hitter, but he's now batting .365 to go with five homers and 10 RBIs. He just needs to stay healthy. A win tonight would put the Orioles six games over .500 for the first time since July 20, 2005 (50-44). Update: They'll have to come from behind to win this one. The A's scored three runs off Jake Arrieta in the second inning, the last two on Eric Sogard's two-out home run. Sogard was a late addition to the lineup after third baseman Luke Hughes was scratched because of an illness.