O's Lose Opening Game of Series to Braves; Increased Police Around the Park & Downtown...

The Orioles once again struggled on the offensive front Friday night, and suffered yet another loss, this time to the Atlanta Braves by a score of 7-2. On paper, the Orioles should have done a lot more than score two runs as they had twelve hits and had the bases loaded at times; however, the aforemetioned lack of offense doomed Baltimore and gave Atlanta uber-prospect Tommy Hanson his first MLB win.

Jason Berken was off and got hammered; therefore, he was saddled with the loss. Berken only lasted 4 1/3 innings, and seemingly hit a wall in the fifth, as he gave up two runs in the frame as well as struggled to get anyone out. Berken's opponent on the mound -- Tommy Hanson -- went 5 2/3 innings and gave nine hits, walked five, and struck out five. The Atlanta bullpen -- Pete Moylan, Eric O'Flaherty, Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez -- kept the Baltimore bats quiet for the remainder of the game.

Atlanta's Brian McCann had 4 hits, and drove in two; meanwhile, Yunel Esobar scored three times and Barbaro Canizares along with Nate McLouth had two hits each. For Baltimore, Nick Markakis, Oscar Salazar and Mick Markakis had two hits each.

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