You don't see many games end that way.
With the Orioles nursing a 2-1 lead in the ninth and pinch runner Brian Bixler on first with one out, Kevin Gregg threw a 3-2 pitch to the Nats' Roger Bernadina, who had two hits in the game already.
Bernadina took a called third strike, then Matt Wieters threw a quick strike. Bixler was caught stealing at second on a double play to end the Orioles' series-clinching win.
"I just wanted to make a good throw," Wieters said. "Kevin is great about giving you a good time to the plate so if you make a good throw, you will have a pretty good chance to get him. He took the pitch, so that makes it a little easier when you don't have a swing in front of you. "It was great to get a win. That was a hard-fought game and a well-pitched game. It's great to be able to get a win and end it like that. Feels good." As for Gregg, who picked up his eighth save, he said he figured Bixler would be running but also that his catcher would have a great chance to throw him out. "A great throw by Wieters, he did an unbelievable job," Gregg said. "He's probably the best throwing catcher in the game right now. I knew he'd be running. They didn't put him over there to stand there. But I'll take my chances anybody running on Wieters." Wieters caught two runners trying to steal today and has now thrown out 13-of-27 during what has been a great season for him defensively. "I feel like everything has clicked for most of this year so far," Wieters said. "Just being able to keep the timing and make good throw after good throw. As a catcher, you can't worry about how big a jump they have, just make your throw. This year, I've been able to stay within myself a little better."
Matt Wieters talks about his game-ending play following the Birds' 2-1 win
"I just wanted to make a good throw," Wieters said. "Kevin is great about giving you a good time to the plate so if you make a good throw, you will have a pretty good chance to get him. He took the pitch, so that makes it a little easier when you don't have a swing in front of you. "It was great to get a win. That was a hard-fought game and a well-pitched game. It's great to be able to get a win and end it like that. Feels good." As for Gregg, who picked up his eighth save, he said he figured Bixler would be running but also that his catcher would have a great chance to throw him out. "A great throw by Wieters, he did an unbelievable job," Gregg said. "He's probably the best throwing catcher in the game right now. I knew he'd be running. They didn't put him over there to stand there. But I'll take my chances anybody running on Wieters." Wieters caught two runners trying to steal today and has now thrown out 13-of-27 during what has been a great season for him defensively. "I feel like everything has clicked for most of this year so far," Wieters said. "Just being able to keep the timing and make good throw after good throw. As a catcher, you can't worry about how big a jump they have, just make your throw. This year, I've been able to stay within myself a little better."
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