When a game goes into extra innings, the Orioles have been almost unbeatable. When Jim Thome comes up in a big situation, his teammates are confident he will deliver.
Thome did that yesterday, at Fenway Park doubling in the go-ahead run in a 9-6 win in 12 innings over the Red Sox that was Baltimore’s 16th straight victory in games that reach extra frames.
The 22-year veteran came through in his first game after nearly two months on the disabled list, enabling the Orioles to remain one game behind the first-place Yankees in the AL East. They lead the A’s by two games for the league’s No. 1 wild-card berth.
“This situation is not new to him,” said Adam Jones, who doubled and scored on Thome’s hit. “He always rises to the occasion.”
Just as the Orioles rise to the challenge of extra-inning games. Their winning streak in those games is the best in the majors since the Cleveland Indians won 17 straight in 1949. The Orioles are 16-2 in extras this year, losing only to the Yankees on April 10-11.
The Orioles won their sixth in a row overall.
Thome was having a rough day in his first appearance since July 27, and was 0-for-5 with a double play and two strikeouts. But the slugger gave Baltimore a 7-6 lead with his ground-rule double off Alfredo Aceves (2-10).
Angels 4, White Sox 2
In Anaheim, Calif., Dan Haren earned his first win at home in more than a month, Mark Trumbo capped a four-run first inning with a two-run single and the Angels trimmed Chicago’s AL Central lead to a half-game over Detroit.
In other news, Angels coach Mike Scioscia will return for his 14th season as the team’s manager next year, and he called speculation about his job security and alleged uneasy relationship with first-year general manager Jerry Dipoto “ridiculous.”
Angels owner Arte Moreno told MLB.com in a phone call that Scioscia would return regardless of what happens in the team’s remaining games.
Rays 11, Blue Jays 5
In St. Petersburg, Fla., B.J. Upton and Jose Molina homered during a six-run fifth inning as the surging Rays won their fourth consecutive game.
The Rays moved within 3 1/2 games of Oakland for the second AL wild card.
Tigers 8, Twins 0
In Detroit, Miguel Cabrera hit his 42nd homer, putting himself in Triple Crown position by sending a drive soaring into the left-field seats as the Tigers beat the Twins. Detroit is a half-game behind Chicago in the AL Central and 4 1/2 games behind the A’s for the second AL wild card.