Zach Britton leaves game with injury, O's lose 8-7

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

April 30, 2016, 6:42pm

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The Orioles are trying to win a game tonight while hoping that they haven't lost their All-Star closer.

Zach Britton limped off the field with two outs in the top of the ninth inning after Adam Eaton reached on a bunt single. No word on the exact nature of the injury.

Eaton pushed the ball past the right side of the mound. Britton fielded it and tried to flip it with his glove to first baseman Chris Davis, but missed his target.

Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells raced onto the field to check on Britton, who struck out the first two batters of the inning with the score tied 7-7.

Vance Worley replaced Britton and walked Carlos Sanchez, with plate umpire Carlos Torres missing strike three. Jose Abreu followed with an RBI single into right field, the go-ahead run charged to Britton.

Britton ended last night's game by making a diving tag of Avisail Garcia up the first base line. He belly-flopped and stayed on the ground, but only out of amusement.

It's more serious tonight.

Britton has been charged with three runs and struck out 13 batters in 10 innings over his eight appearances. He's recorded six saves.

Update: The Orioles went down quietly in the bottom of the ninth and lost 8-7. They're 14-9 overall and 9-2 at home.