When the Orioles signed Vladimir Guerrero, they probably envisioned he would have some big hits like he had today.
After the Orioles were shut out on one hit through six innings this afternoon by Washington's Jordan Zimmerman, Guerrero provided the win with one key swing. His homer to left, a line shot on an 0-2 pitch, gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead in the seventh and they won by that score.
"I was looking for a good pitch to hit. Just to make contact, not for a home run, and I hit it out," Guerrero said through his interpreter, O's staffer Rudy Arias.
Guerrero's 365-foot blast provided the only Orioles' run-producing hit of the day.
"He pitched well and I got lucky to get a good pitch to hit. I'm pretty happy about that," he said.
Guerrero went 1-for-4 on the afternoon as his streak of multi-hit games ended at a career-best seven in a row. But that one hit was his fifth homer on the season and one of his biggest hits to date as an Oriole.
Guerrero is batting .444 over his last eight games. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games at a .412 (21-for-51) pace and said he is real comfortable at the plate right now.
"Everyday I am feeling a lot better," Guerrero said. "I am looking at my videos everyday and am feeling more and more comfortable, yes."
Matt Wieters said Guerrero has been a great addition and the Oriole players have enjoyed being around him.
"He's pretty special," Wieters said. "A Hall of Famer for a reason. He can hit any pitch at any time. Just, more than anything, to see how he plays the game, is good for the guys in the clubhouse."
As for Vlad, who is now batting .309 with five homers and 19 RBIs, he said the spirit in the O's clubhouse is good.
"I've played with many teams and I try to bring in a lot of harmony to the clubhouse. They are all good teammates here."
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