Brad Bergesen pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, and Ty Wigginton hit a two-run home run in the second inning to provide the only runs of the game in a 2-0 O's win over the Twins. The win ended a three-game losing streak that came from three straight losses on the road against the Yankees.
Wigginton's homer was his 10th already on the season, which is currently good enough for second in the American League behind Paul Konerko and his 12 home runs. Wigginton also added a single. Miguel Tejada also had two hits -- both singles -- and Nick Markakis, Garrett Atkins, and Rhyne Hughes each singled. Tejada and Markakis both also walked, as did Matt Wieters.
But the story of the game for the O's was solid pitching. Despite not striking out any batters, Bergesen pounded the strike zone and used the big Minnesota ballpark -- and the rainy weather -- to his advantage. He did walk two batters, but he also mainly used his two-seamer to induce plenty of ground balls. With the performance, Bergesen lowered his ERA to 7.36, which is still high, obviously, but hopefully he can keep improving with each outing. Will Ohman and the recently activated Koji Uehara combined to pitch 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, and Alfredo Simon earned his third save with a scoreless ninth.
As you'd expect in a 2-0 game, a few O's didn't perform too well at the plate. Adam Jones went 0-4 with two strikeouts, and he is now hitting .218/.242/.355 on the season. Wow. Nolan Reimold went 0-3 and struck out; he is currently hitting .192/.294/.342. Cesar Izturis also went 0-3 and only saw six pitches in those three at bats, but that's fine, because it's Izturis. The slumping Luke Scott got the night off, and he might not play tomorrow night either with the left-handed Francisco Liriano on the mound for the Twins.
But all is not bad in Birdland -- the O's won after all. Rejoice!
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