By ,
Published January 13, 2015
Nick Markakis hit a solo shot and Chris Dickerson delivered the game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Detroit Tigers, 7-5, in the opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards.
Jose Valverde (0-1) came on to pitch the ninth for the Tigers, but gave up a leadoff home run to Markakis, followed by back-to-back singles by Adam Jones and Chris Davis. He got Matt Wieters and Jeff Hardy to pop out but with two outs, Dickerson hammered a 2-1 pitch to right to give the Orioles their sixth win in eight games.
"I was just hoping he would throw me another good one after I missed the first one," said Dickerson. "I just told myself to be a little bit shorter and get the bat on it. It was pretty cool to get my first career walk-off."
Jones had a two-run home run while Wieters contributed with an RBI for the Orioles. Starter Miguel Gonzalez gave up five runs on seven hits and three walks over six frames. Darren O'Day (3-0) got the final out of the ninth to pick up the win.
Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer, Avisail Garcia had a solo shot and two RBI and Victor Martinez drove in one run for the Tigers, who are on a four- game losing streak.
Detroit starter Max Scherzer had 10 strikeouts and allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in eight innings.
"It's frustrating whenever you have a shot to win it in the ninth and to lose it like that is never fun," said Scherzer.
Cabrera's two-run blast came with out in the first, scoring Andy Dirks.
Jones and Davis connected on back-to-back singles to start the second. Wieters then hit a sacrifice fly to left, plating Jones. An inning later, Jones' two- run smash to center gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead.
Detroit tied the game in the fourth when Garcia's single scored Jhonny Peralta. In the fifth, Dirks and Cabrera hit back-to-back one-out singles and Prince Fielder walked. Martinez grounded into a fielder's choice but was able to bring Dirks home and the Tigers retook the lead.
Garcia extended the lead with a home run in the sixth, but the Tigers mustered just one more hit afterwards.
Meanwhile, after giving up the home run, Scherzer retired 16 straight batters. He was replaced by Valverde after throwing 119 pitches.
Game Notes
Miguel Cabrera has 61 RBI in 53 games this season. In 2012, he had 44 RBI after 53 games ... Manny Machado was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts ... Baltimore was 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position ... The Orioles have hit 48 homers in May, second-most in team history.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/markakis-dickerson-lift-os-over-tigers