Jones, O's overcome 4-run deficit to beat Rangers, 6-5
Adam Jones lined a three-run double as part of a five-run third inning as the Baltimore Orioles scored a come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers iin the final game before the All-Star break for both teams on Sunday afternoon at Oriole Park.
The Orioles used a bullpen format, after likely starting pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis became ill in recent days. So, manager Buck Showalter began with Miguel Castro, who struggled right from the start.
The Rangers took a quick lead in the first inning thanks to the wildness of Castro. He walked the first three batters and then fanned Rougned Odor. Ronald Guzman then hit a grand slam over the wall in right for a quick 4-0 lead.
But the Orioles, who've had many offensive problems this season, came right back. Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the first before Baltimore took the lead with that five-run third inning, hurting Texas starter Mike Minor (6-6).
Caleb Joseph started the big inning with an RBI double. The Orioles eventually loaded the bases, and Jones lined his three-run double to left that gave Baltimore a 5-4 lead.
Jones scored on third baseman Jurickson Profar's throwing error, and the Orioles went up 6-4. Machado was one of the runners who scored on the Jones double, but after a short rain delay in the fourth, the Orioles pulled their star shortstop.
The team's website said it was for precautionary reasons due to the wet field, and that Machado would play in Tuesday's All-Star Game in Washington.
Another one of Baltimore's likely trade pieces is closer Zach Britton, who came on and closed the game in the ninth for his fourth save. Texas had pulled to 6-5 thanks to a seventh-inning Shin-Soo Choo homer off Mike Wright Jr.
Tanner Scott (1-1) got the victory for the Orioles as he came in after Castro allowed four runs on the one costly homer in the first 2 2/3 innings. Scott pitched 2/3 scoreless innings.
Minor also went 2 2/3 innings but allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits.
--Field Level Media
