Zach Britton on the end of his saves streak and more from the O's Hall of Famers

So in their first game after being no-hit, the Orioles scored eight runs on 16 hits and hit three home runs. In their first game after pitching the no-hitter, the Seattle Mariners allowed 15 runs on 21 hits. The Mariners are the first team to allow 15 or more runs in the first game following a no-hitter since the 1905 Red Sox.

So, yeah, baseball.

Of the six relief pitchers the Orioles used last night, the only one that gave up any runs was closer Zach Britton. Yep, baseball. You can't explain it sometimes.

britton-joseph-fist-bump-white-sidebar.jpgBritton gave up a pair of infield hits to start the ninth and a 6-4 Orioles lead turned into a 6-6 tie. That snapped Britton's streak of 24 consecutive saves since May 3. It was the fourth-longest streak in Orioles history and the longest since Jim Johnson's 25-game streak from Aug. 14, 2011-June 2, 2012. That streak is third-longest ever by an Oriole.

At least if his streak ended, Britton was happy it did during what was a 13-inning 8-6 victory over Oakland.

"Winning is all that matters at the end of the day," he said. "Individual performance doesn't matter to me. Our bullpen did a great job before and after me. It's a team game and not everyone is sharp every time out. Try to be better next time."

Britton passed some praise toward Jason Garcia. The O's Rule 5 pick came into a tie game in the top of the 13th and got three groundball outs on just six pitches. Garcia picked up his first major league win.

"He had the best inning out of anybody today," Britton said. "Nice and easy for him. Threw groundballs. I think the more he gets out there, the more confidence he'll get that he can throw strikes with his stuff and get guys out. So that was nice to see."

The Orioles are now five games back of first-place New York, which beat Toronto last night. In the chase for the second American League wild card, the Orioles are 1 1/2 games back of the Angels.

The Orioles posted the walk-off win and it was a great way to start a very important 10-game homestand.

"It's big," Chris Davis said of the homestand. "Especially coming off that trip. We knew it was going to be a tough road trip. It always is. We lost some games there that were really hard to swallow. But getting back in front of our fans, we need to play our best baseball and start to rattle off some wins."

The Orioles have now played extra-inning games in three of their last five and in four of their past eight games, going 2-2.

Before last night's game, the Orioles inducted their latest class into the club's Hall of Fame. Third baseman Melvin Mora and outfielders Gary Roenicke and John Lowenstein were added to the O's Hall. Longtime scout Fred Uhlman Sr. was added as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner.

At a press conference after the ceremony, Mora and Roenicke spoke of joining the Hall of Fame.

"This is something that I can't even describe," Mora said. "Very emotional today. I came from nowhere. A poor town in my country (Venezuela). To be here and wear this jacket is something I can't describe. I was nervous. This is a great honor."

Roenicke said felt the same.

"This was really a special place to play," he said. "I think we realize it more now that I haven't been playing here for 30 years. Great history and a lot of people have put on the uniform. For us to be in this elite group is just such an honor."

The players were asked how they would like to be remembered.

"Well, for me, as someone that worked in the community," Mora said. "Someone that always worked with people that need help. The most important thing is to stay humble. And I want them to think of me as a guy that played hard every day, no matter the score."

"I think all players want to be remembered that you gave everything you have," Roenicke said. "You know, I scouted here for eight years (with the Orioles). I didn't leave of my choosing. They let me go. I would love to come back.

"You know, I was a big part of Adam Jones coming here. I was a big part of Chris Davis coming here. I don't know if our front office knows that. But you have to have the guts and inside part of the guys out in the field evaluating these players. I felt I had a talent to do that and I love the game."

Mora was united last night with another native Venezuelan in new O's outfielder Gerardo Parra. The two played together with Arizona in 2011.

"I told him, 'Don't call me daddy.' I just finished playing. We were joking around. I told him this was a great place to play and I know he'll be good here. He is a hard worker and plays hard," Mora said.




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