With one big swing, Wieters lifts Orioles over Nationals

With one swing, Matt Wieters ended about eight games worth of Orioles offensive frustration. The Birds went to the last of the eighth today trailing Washington 1-0 and they had left seven men on base in their previous four at-bats. But Wieters sent a 0-1 pitch from lefty Sean Burnett over the wall in left-center to give the Orioles a 2-1 win over the Nats today in front of 41,794 at Camden Yards. On a day the Orioles didn't have a hit with runners in scoring position - they went 0-for-6 and are now 1-for-33 over the last seven games - Wieters' blast scored Adam Jones, who led off the frame with a single. Wieters began the day hitting .400 with an OPS of 1.054 against lefty pitchers. Burnett began the day leading all National League relievers with an ERA of 1.04. But the O's catcher won this battle, giving the Orioles the series, two games to one over the Nats, as they picked up a pair of 2-1 wins. On the weekend, the Orioles and Nationals each scored just five runs. Jake Arrieta gave up just one run and five hits over six innings but got a no-decision. Pedro Strop got the win and Jim Johnson got the final three outs to gain his 22nd save. The attendance for the O's-Nats series was 133,983, making this the best-attended series of the year. The Orioles and Phillies drew 132,337 for a weekend series earlier this month. The Orioles improved to 41-31 with their ninth win in the last 14 games and they win the season series four games to two from the Nats. The Orioles finished with a 11-7 interleague record, winning five of six series against the NL. It could have ended with a lot of frustration and a 1-0 loss, but Wieters' blast to left instead gives the Orioles an uplifting win heading into Monday's off-day.