Detroit, MI – Nate McLouth hit a go-ahead two-run triple in a three-run fourth inning, capping a comeback and lifting the Orioles to a 7-5 win over the Tigers on Sunday.
Baltimore won the rubber match of the three-game series despite falling behind 5-0 in the first inning.
Wei-Yin Chen (12-7) settled down to throw five innings, getting the win after giving up seven hits and two walks. The rookie left-hander struck out four as the Orioles moved to 11-4 in their last 15 games to remain in possession of the AL's second wild card slot.
Doug Fister (7-8) had a four-start unbeaten streak snapped after allowing seven runs, eight hits and three walks in just 3 2/3 innings. He struck out six.
Omar Infante's solo homer and Jhonny Peralta's three-run blast highlighted Detroit's five-run first inning.
The Tigers sent nine batters to the plate in the inning against Chen, who had given up just one run and two hits in six innings of a no-decision against them last month.
But the Orioles came all the way back, taking a 7-5 lead by the fourth inning.
"They're good, so they figured it out," said Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder. "We got 'em early but unfortunately couldn't get 'em late."
Chris Davis led off the second with his 20th homer for the Orioles, a line drive over the left-center field wall to spark a four-run inning. Nick Markakis hit an RBI double later and J.J. Hardy followed with a two-run double to draw the Orioles within 5-4.
Fister struck out the first two batters in the fourth but walked Taylor Teagarden and Markakis before McLouth tripled to right-center field. Adam Jones followed with a single to make it 7-5 and knock Fister from the game.
"We were confident. Obviously we feel like we can win every game," said Hardy. "When they scored five, I feel like we knew we could score more than five."
The Tigers had two men on in the seventh, but Fielder grounded into an inning- ending double play. Jim Johnson set them down in order in the ninth for his 37th save.
Earlier, Infante stroked a solo homer to left field and Peralta went the other way with a three-run blast to right-center field to highlight Detroit's first inning rally. Jeff Baker added an RBI double for the 5-0 lead.
Game Notes
The teams split the six-game season series ... The Orioles will finish a six- game road trip at Texas starting Monday ... The Tigers are 1-2 on a nine-game homestand that continues with three against the Blue Jays beginning Tuesday ... Fister had been 3-0 in his previous four outings and 6-1 in his last eight.
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