Huff comes through in clutch again

The Orioles ended their nine-game homestand with one of their most exhilarating victories of the season.

Trailing by a run in the ninth inning, the Orioles scored twice off All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez to deal the New York Mets a 5-4 loss before an announced 23,009 on Thursday night at Camden Yards.

For the second game in a row, Aubrey Huff connected for the game-winning hit with a line one-out single to right field that scored Nolan Reimold from third and sent the Orioles sprinting out of the dugout to pile on Huff near first base.

The victory, the Orioles' first when trailing after eight innings, left the Orioles with a 5-4 homestand and a 29-37 record overall. They'll begin a three-game series at Philadelphia on Friday night.

Rookie catcher Matt Wieters started the rally with a leadoff double. Pinch hitter Nolan Reimold drew a walk and then Brian Roberts dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Mets catcher Omir Santos popped out of his crouch and immediately threw to third base, but umpire Tim Timmons ruled that pinch runner Felix Pie had beat the throw, drawing a spirited argument from New York manager Jerry Manuel.

With no outs and the bases loaded, Adam Jones fell behind Rodriguez 1-2, but eventually worked a full-count walk to bring home the tying run. After Rodriguez struck out Nick Markakis looking, Huff lined the closer's first pitch of the at-bat into right field.



(baltimoresun.com)au