MIAMI -- After a slow start, the Orioles scored eight runs from the fifth inning on as they defeated Miami, 8-5, in the series opener at Marlins Park on Friday. It was the eighth straight loss for the Marlins, while Baltimore has won four of its last five.The Marlins jumped ahead, 1-0, in the first inning on Giancarlo Stanton's RBI single. They then made it 3-0 in the second on an RBI single by starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez and Marcell Ozuna's run-scoring fielder's choice.
The Orioles then added four more runs in the sixth and took a 6-3 lead thanks to three Alvarez walks, an Alvarez error on a bunt attempt, a two-RBI single by Caleb Joseph and an RBI single by Jimmy Paredes.
The Marlins got a run back in the sixth on Michael Morse's RBI double, but the O's broke the game open in the eighth and took a four-run lead on Manny Machado's two-run double.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Fielding woes continue: After walking the first two batters of the sixth inning and clinging to a 3-2 lead, Alvarez sprung from the mound to field a bunt only to throw high and wild over the head of third baseman Martin Prado, allowing the Orioles to tie the game. The O's went on to score four runs in the inning to take a 6-3 lead.
Magic Manny: With two outs and Marlins runners on second and third in the sixth inning, third baseman Machado made a diving stop to his left on Prado's ground ball in the hole. He quickly hopped to his feet and threw to first to save two runs and maintain Baltimore's 6-4 lead.
O's finally capitalize: Machado's two-run double in the eighth inning came after Steve Pearce grounded into a fielder's choice with De Aza and Joseph -- who both singled to start the inning -- on second and third. Baltimore loaded the bases in the fourth inning, but they were unable to capitalize when J.J. Hardy flied out to leave the bags full.
Better than The Babe: Ichiro Suzuki passed Babe Ruth on the all-time hits list in his first at-bat, going the other way on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the second inning with a single to left-center. With the hit, the 41-year-old Suzuki moves into 38th place on the all-time list since 1900 with hit No. 2,874. It also sparked a two-run rally that extended the Marlins' lead to 3-0.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
When Gordon stole second base in the first inning, it marked his first steal since May 4. Before the 14-game drought, he notched 12 steals in the first 25 games. He racked up four steals on Friday -- which tied a career-high and Marlins club record -- to push his season total to 16.
Steve Wilaj/MLB.com
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