Home Run Derby up North, O's Win; Reynolds

Ah, there’s nothing like a good 'ol slugfest.

After being swept by the Yankees this week, the Orioles turned it on last night at the plate and beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-5, to start their three game series. There were seven home runs in the game on Friday night, but Baltimore’s offense turned it on late and the bullpen closed it out.

The Jays have owned the Orioles over the years, but on Friday that was not the case. It’s a nice way to start off a road trip that looks to be very tough on paper.

Both the Orioles and Blue Jays traded the lead a few times and were deadlocked until the eighth inning. Wilson Betemit came through a key moment, as his two-run single put Baltimore, up 6-5, and Nolan Remiold’s solo homer in the ninth inning – his first on the season – gave his team a comfortable cushion.

Closer Jim Johnson pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save on the season. Darren O’Day earned the win relief, pitching a perfect frame in the seventh and giving Baltimore a chance to come back.

Adam Jones – who drove in two runs – and Robert Andino also homered. Jones and Reimold had three hits.

Tommy Hunter – who started the game for Baltimore – labored through his outing as he went six innings on the night. Hunter gave up five runs – four earned – including four home runs. He certainly did not have the stuff he had in his season debut, but he did enough to keep his team amazingly in the game.

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